Nonna: bar, design, location

Nonna.....don't you just wanna hug your grandma when you hear this?  Well...the new NONNA in La Condesa is probably not a place for your grandma. It has potential but needs some work or a manager.

My first reaction was: when did they build all this? The design, bar and location are a bulls eye no doubts. My question is...for a place with such design and the prime Amsterdam location....how is the food and service quality? Do they even need it to succeed?

Perhaps I shall start with the positives such as the design.  Three things cought my attention: the openness of the place, the bar and the lightening.  One of the reasons why I love Mexico so much is for the impecable climate. I mean you can have lunch with your t-shirt and sunglasses literaly at least 95% of the days in any given month and NONNA will let you enjoy them because if it was otherwise, this restaurant could not exist. The goodness is in the air baby.  And the bar; the first thought that came to my mind when I saw NONNA's bar was that it gave a feeling of place where you can come for a glass of wine or a coffee during the day and not feel alone.  It is large, oval, and a perfect spot for people watching.  The architechtual design and most importantly the lightening are also big assets of the place.  Bad lightening, especially when coming from one source and one angle can make you look pretty bad and worse, it can acctually enhance your wrinkles. I think that I don't need to explain the consequences. NONNA's designe got it right. 

Now the service....what happened NONNA???  When I went there first time, I ordered a bottle of white wine; Chardonnay for a change. Surprisingly, they didn't have a chilled bottle in stock and we were forced to wait untill it cools. Not happy campers and it showed.  The waiter acctually offered as a GIFT an openned bottle (about half full) to sip while we are waiting for our wine to chill.  Ok, you won me over with this one at the beginning. BUT!!! I made another visit and this time during the busy Thursday dinner-time and it was a complete disaster. First of all every plate came at a different time leaving people staring at their friend's plates.  The steaks took TWO HOURS!!!! I'm sorry but this is just unacceptable anywhere. Come on people, move your butts.

In terms of food, NONNA has a pretty standard Italian type Menu with the basic selection of pastas and pizzas and an average presentation.  It is decent but you will not feel like you are in Rome.  Apparently the goodness lies in the risotto and pasta.  I have a feeling that NONNA just as it is right now, will continue to be a popular social place thanks to its design and location but please please do coordinate the kitchen with the service. I mean really....TWO HOURS for a steak which you prepare in 5 minutes????

NONNA

Amsterdam 240,

esq. Michoacan

Col. Condesa

Tel. 2978-0700