Nonna Rosa Traditional Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Akron

Gosh, where do I begin? Let's start with childhood! Growing up in a small town in the hills and mountains of north east Tennessee you generally didn't experience much restaurant diversity. Our region was fortunately blessed with an Italian family that immigrated a few decades earlier (their children were 1st generation...and I went to school with their grandchildren). They owned and operated over 5 restaurants from pizza shops to fine Italian dining venues...which made up 90% of the non-franchised Italian eateries in town. All this to say, I was spoiled and learned early on what high quality Italian food is. And this is something that I've struggled to find ever since (...that is until Nonna Rosa).

History aside, fast forward a couple of decades. I'm driving through Akron,PA on a road trip from Washington DC searching for a place to eat dinner and worried because many places close early in this part of Lancaster county...so pickings would be slim. My companion remembered that one of his friends mentioned having a great experience at this new Italian place...a sentiment that was echoed by his cousin Jess on the phone moments later.... SO, we figured, why not give it a shot.

Walking through the door, the first thing I noticed was the smell. The aromas encircling me gave me pause. I took a double take. Rapidly scanning the venue, I was instantaneously transported back to my childhood. I could smell the sauce and knew without tasting it that it was homemade. I could smell fresh pizza and caught a glimpse of what I knew to be homemade pasta. In that instant, I was "home." The experience only got better as we were greeted by a genuinely happy hostess and wait staff. Smiles all around it seemed too good to be true. Our waitress was very kind. Warmly leaving us with two menus and ample time to ponder their generous but not overwhelming selection of foods. Reading over the options we were torn because everything looked so good, and sadly, you can't order everything...right? We ended up settling on Italian wedding soup and calamari for the appetizer, the beef bolognese and lasagna for the main entree, and teramisu for dessert.

The service was swift. Our food came only 10 minutes after we placed our order. The calamari was fresh and hot. The wedding soup was clearly made from scratch... meatballs included. The sauce was EXCEPTIONAL. I would describe it as balanced...not to sweet not too bitter or salty. Everything was fresh! The owner learned that we hadn't eaten lunch and that we'd been traveling for hours from DC. Out of the kindness of her heart, she had our order expedited with the kitchen so that each course was delivered almost immediately after the one before. She even brought us special glasses for our sparkling water. We were pampered! Rest assured, we WILL return the next time we're back in this part of PA.

To the Nonna Rosa Team....THANK YOU for one of the best boutique Italian cuisine experiences that we've had in...

My recent visit to Nonna Rosa was culinarily delightful, offering a taste of Italy that lingered long after the last bite. Situated next to a busy highway, this bustling eatery seamlessly blends authenticity with a vibrant atmosphere and great food.

We kicked off our dining experience with the Fried Calamari appetizer, and it set the tone for the evening perfectly. The calamari was expertly fried to a golden crisp and served with a zesty marinara dipping sauce. Accompanied by a wedge of lemon, the presentation added a refreshing touch. The appetizer was further heightened by several meticulously crafted cocktails. The Toro, in particular, proved to be a refreshing and invigorating choice. Additionally, the Pera Toscana, showcasing the subtle interplay of pear, lemon, and ginger, offered a flavorful and nuanced counterpart to the delectable calamari.

For our main courses, we ventured into a trio of Italian classics. The Chicken Parmigiano was a standout, featuring two stacked chicken fillets layered over Casarecce pasta. The dish was a symphony of flavors, with the perfectly breaded chicken bathed in a luscious marinara sauce and melted cheese. The portion size was generous, making it a hearty and satisfying choice. The Lemoncello Shrimp transported us to the seacoast with its fresh shrimp and the bright and citrusy notes. Plump, perfectly cooked shrimp adorned a bed of pasta, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. The Penne Ala Vodka was a creamy dream, with a velvety vodka-infused sauce that clung to the pasta.

Despite the restaurant's evident popularity, which included a packed parking lot, our reservations ensured a seamless experience without any wait time. The efficiency and warmth of our server, Cody, were notable. His outstanding service added a personal touch to the evening, as he navigated the bustling atmosphere with grace and attentiveness.

To cap off our meal, we indulged in several gelato desserts that, while satisfactory, didn't quite reach the pinnacle of the preceding courses. The diverse flavors offered a sweet conclusion to an evening filled with culinary delights. In summary, Nonna’s is a must-visit for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine. From the stacked Chicken Parmigiano to the Lemoncello Shrimp and Penne Ala Vodka, each dish showcased the chef's commitment to quality and tradition. The outstanding service by Cody and the vibrant ambiance contribute to a memorable dining experience, making it a top choice for a taste of Italy.

Sadly, the dining experience was so good (or maybe that we were so hungry) that we found ourselves devouring every bite to the point where I was only able to capture a few...

My husband and I are about 3 hours from home on our anniversary getaway. We checked into our Airbnb later than we anticipated and went out for dinner at the closest place we could find. Nonna Rosa. We didn’t have high hopes, as we have been disappointed by other restaurants claiming to be authentically Italian, in the past, but we were hungry and we went in. We were seated right away and started perusing the menu. Davide brought a basket of rolls and told us to take our time deciding. When I tell you these rolls are the best rolls I have ever had, I am not exaggerating. My husband and I said that if the rolls were any indication as to how the rest of the food would be, we’d be in good shape. We didn’t realize how accurate that would be. We decided on the calamari and meatball plate for appetizers. The calamari included tentacles, which my husband always hopes to get but never does. The flavor of the breading and quality of the calimari paired perfectly with the incredible side of marinara and the crunch was spot on. The 3 meatballs were HUGE, and when eaten with the red sauce and the deliciously soft, creamy ricotta ... absolutely delectable. When it came time for ordering our entrees, I asked if it would be possible to have a sampling of the Alfredo sauce. The chef came out and explained that it wouldn’t be possible to do, as every batch was made at the time of ordering - made individually and to order. We ordered it. It. Was. INCREDIBLE. Hands down the BEST Alfredo we have ever had ... and we have an Italian family. Additionally, The Marsala sauce was sweet, perfectly balanced, and a wonderful addition to the obviously homemade and meticulously al dente pasta. Thank you, Nonna Rosa, for restoring our faith in mom-and-pop restaurants. We only wish we lived closer so we could come...