Restaurant Review: Nonna’s in Bricktown

Tried an amazing restaurant over the weekend that’s been around a while, but is new to me. Nonna’s probably doesn’t fit in the budgets of most college students, myself included, but now that I’m all grown up, I know what I was missing all those years when I puttered around Bricktown wondering if there was anyplace better to eat than all those chain restaurants.

Nonna’s is located next to Mickey Mantle’s and Skyy Bar. The dining rooms are gorgeous, with fresh flowers on the tables, romantic lighting, rich red and cream walls and dark wood accents. Dinner begins with an amuse bouche. I chose not to imbibe, but Nonna’s has a full bar and an extensive wine list with plenty of by-the-glass and half-bottle wines to choose from.

I started my meal with a Caesar salad, which is prepared table-side if it’s ordered by two or more. Unfortunately, I was the only one at my table to order, but I witnessed the traditional preparation at a table nearby. My salad was huge; a whole plate full of dark green romaine with creamy dressing, parmesan cheese and fresh croutons. Others at my table tried the house tomato bisque, which was dark red and thick. Apparently, Nonna’s grows their own tomatoes in a green house all year, and you can’t miss the difference.

I tried a fettuccine dish for my dinner that featured small bites of chicken, artichoke, red peppers and mushrooms with a light parmesan cream sauce. This wasn’t the heavy alfredo sauce that you can only stand two bites of- this was much more delicate. One person at my table ordered a baked gnocchi dish that looked incredibly rich and delicious, and another tried a blue cheese tart that came in a flaky crust, topped with salad and vinaigrette.

My only disappointment of the evening was that we didn’t have time for dessert. In the entry of the restaurant is a case full of tarts, cakes, bread pudding, miniature pies… probably so you are enticed to save room for dessert from the moment you walk in the door. I really regret not trying the coconut cream cake! But there’s always next time. I chose to end my evening with a small, frothy cappuccino that was topped with a nice sprinkle of cinnamon.

As we left Nonna’s, I was already texting Bryan that I’d found our next special occasion restaurant. Don’t pass this one over- I promise you’ll never go back to Chelino’s or Bourbon Street. Or Hooters, for that matter.