Little Nana’s Italian Kitchen opens doors
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/12/2019 (2097 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A new restaurant with a focus on authentic Italian food has opened up at the corner of Notre Dame Avenue and Beverley Street.
Little Nana’s Italian Kitchen uses ingredients from Calabria, a region in southern Italy, for many of its dishes. The recipes themselves were passed down to Little Nana — mother-in-law to owner Mike Romani, and the inspiration for the restaurant — from her own mother.
Giovanna Giardino, now 75, came to Canada from Italy when she was 16 years old. She makes time during the week to teach staff the order of operations in the kitchen, ensuring the dishes stay true to the recipe and culture.
“Whatever they ask I do my very best to let them know how it’s done,” she said.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with options ranging from salad to paninis and pasta to pizza. Food is made fresh that day and meat is ground in-house.
“It’s simple and flavourful,” said Dann Ignacio, chef and manager.
His experience in the food industry includes places such as New York, Colorado, Los Angeles, and Maine.
“Most of my career has involved Italian cuisine,” Ignacio said.
Dave McLeod, who works in the area, was visiting the restaurant for the first time.
“(I’m) excited to try it out to see if I will become a regular. (It’s) great to see a new restaurant in the neighbourhood,” he said.
The wine selection reflects those of Calabrese tradition as well. For each bottle sold, the restaurant will donate $1 to the Rehabilitation Centre for Children at the end of each year.
Little Nana’s Italian Kitchen (818 Notre Dame Ave.) opened on Dec. 2.
Enclosed booths and ambient lighting make for an intimate space to gather with friends, family, and loved ones.
The restaurant is open on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m. On Saturdays it’s open only for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.