Joe Scaravella’s journey from Staten Island resident to founder of Enoteca Maria is as rich as any family recipe. Today, his vision lives on in both a beloved local restaurant and the new Netflix movie "Nonnas," capturing hearts worldwide. But who is Joe Scaravella, and what makes his story so compelling?
Scaravella’s path was shaped by personal grief and resilience. After losing several close family members—his grandfather, father, mother, grandmother, and sister—in a short span, Joe found himself searching for meaning. With a small inheritance, he left his long-time Brooklyn home and moved to Staten Island in pursuit of a new dream. As detailed in TIME’s feature on the true story behind Netflix’s Nonnas, Scaravella was inspired by the women who taught him to love food: his mother Maria and his Sicilian grandmother Domenica.
His idea was simple but revolutionary—create a restaurant where real grandmothers, not celebrity chefs, share their home-cooked meals with guests. Enoteca Maria opened in 2007, and what started as an Italian kitchen soon blossomed into a global culinary exchange. Grandmothers from around the world now rotate through the kitchen, serving authentic dishes from their own cultures. This unique format has made the restaurant a symbol of comfort and cross-cultural connection.
Walk into Enoteca Maria and you won’t just find great food. You’ll find memories, stories, and tradition being passed from one generation to the next. Scaravella often highlights that the magic comes from preserving and sharing recipes handed down through families. In his words, "It walks like a restaurant, smells like a restaurant, talks like a restaurant, but it's not a restaurant. It's a cultural exchange."
One innovative aspect is that grandmothers are the chefs, bringing dishes from Mexico, Uzbekistan, Greece, and beyond. They teach free cooking classes, passing on their skills and love for food to locals and visitors alike. This has attracted both media attention and movie producers, leading to the Netflix adaptation.
“Nonnas,” starring Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, hit Netflix in May 2025 and quickly resonated with audiences. According to Forbes, the film is a feel-good celebration of food, family, and tradition. Critics praise it for its heartwarming storytelling and focus on Scaravella’s journey of honoring loved ones through delicious meals.
The ensemble cast, featuring legends like Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, Lorraine Bracco, and Brenda Vaccaro, portrays the vibrant personalities of the nonnas that inspired Joe. The story is not just about running a restaurant—it’s about sharing grief, love, and laughter in a kitchen filled with generations of wisdom.
Scaravella’s commitment goes beyond nostalgia. He has preserved hundreds of family recipes and connected countless diners to their roots. Joe’s emphasis has always been on authenticity—reservations are still taken only by phone, a nod to old traditions in an age of apps. As Scaravella puts it, “Food loses some of its value for every moment it's in a box. I'm not chasing a dollar. I'm chasing a dream.”
His vision also attracts stars and the children of immigrants eager to rediscover heritage. Actor Joe Manganiello shared with Entertainment Weekly that working on "Nonnas" allowed him to honor his Sicilian ancestry, further tying the story to the broader Italian-American experience.
Joe Scaravella transformed heartbreak into a beacon for cultural exchange. Enoteca Maria stands as a testament to the resilience of family traditions and the joy of sharing real food. Whether through a Netflix adaptation or a grandmother’s Sunday gravy, the spirit of Joe Scaravella continues to inspire and unite people from all walks of life.
Are you ready to taste tradition? Visit Enoteca Maria, explore the true stories that inspired "Nonnas" in TIME’s in-depth article, or stream the film on Netflix to experience the warmth, wisdom, and legacy of Joe Scaravella firsthand.