La Nonna, Italian for ‘the grandmother' is a quirky and unlikely name for a restaurant. However it is an apt name as the home-style Italian dishes are hearty and tasty, almost as good as grandma's own cooking! Expect a wholesome selection of comfort food that a typical Italian grandmother would whip up to pamper her darling grandchildren. Small and casual, the restaurant does not seat a huge crowd, but has a warm, cozy interior that is welcoming and unassuming. Tucked in a row of old shop houses in the heart of Namly Avenue , La Nonna has yet to be discovered by many. However this tiny little gem does see its fair share of regulars pop by to take away piping hot pizzas, or for a casual, wholesome dinner.

• The Vibe
  A massive chalkboard flanks the side walks, with its special items of the week scrawled in beautifully, flowing cursive. The chalkboard has an array of quirky and stylish artwork, hand drawn by the manager. Colorful chalk scribblings and doodles jazz up the board-a nice personal touch, giving the restaurant its own unique character. The charming Namly neighbourhood lies just opposite the restaurant, giving it a suburban feel. An excellent respite from the busy excesses of the city. Simplicity seems to be the keyword, with traces of chic elegance interspersed with homely touches.

• The Food
  Italian food tends to be a tad heavy, so for starters it would be wise to ease up on the starchy, creamy appetizers, and opt for lighter choices such as the Caprese ($16.00), which consists of thick slices of buffalo mozzarella cheese, tossed with basil and accompanied by sweet, juicy tomatoes. The tomatoes were refreshing and they cleansed the palate. Customers who are empathetic towards pasta and want something with a little more variation can opt for the Porcini ($18.00), classic risotto rice with a creamy mushroom ragout, a flavorful dish which was anything but blend. The creamy cheese sauce packed a deep, earthy flavor that permeated the taste buds. Round little beads of rice were well cooked and have a nice bite, unlike most risotto dishes which tended to be too soft or mushy. Another exciting choice would be the Portafoglio ($26.00),veal scaloppini tucked with luscious slices of ham and oozing with hot cheese. Like a little parcel, the “treasures” (cheese and ham) within were wrapped with a thick layer of veal and to one's delight, were carefully revealed as one's knife slices deftly through the thick slice of meat. If you find yourself gravitating away from the tried-and-tested Tiramisu, the Spuma ($10.00) will have you hooked. Velvety folds of dark chocolate mousse, air-whipped to give a light, fluffy texture will have one salivating with desire. Topped with a pretty sprinkling of strawberries, this creamy concoction had the smooth texture of ice-cream, and the decadence of pure chocolate all rolled into one delightful dish.

The SD Food advisor's take on La Nonna
Admittedly, Italian food can get a tad bit boring and repetitive after a while. La Nonna serves all the classic Italian dishes, from Pastas to the perennial favorite-Tiramisu. However La Nonna does offer a variety of lesser known Italian delights for the more discerning diner with a fine selection of meat and seafood dishes, for diners who may find the carbohydrate overload overwhelming. Location wise, La Nonna may be tricky to reach, especially by public transport. While it is a fine and convenient eating joint for customers who stay around the vicinity, it may appear elusive and hard-to-reach for people who are unfamiliar with the area. However La Nonna does serve very decent and wholesome Italian fare and may be well worth the trip and the price of the petrol. Authentic with great value for money, this is one restaurant that will get your grandmother's nod of approval.