Caffè NaVona — Restaurant in Rockaway

We were really disappointed in our last experience here.

We have been here so many times. Food is great, owner is super friendly, and most of the staff is nice. The blonde bar tender always has a sour and rude personality, so we steer clear of her. And we have heard her being nasty to other employees.

However, we called this past weekend and were told they had no spots open. Mind you we always eat here on Saturdays and have NEVER made a reservation. We drove by and the parking lot was empty, so we pulled in. No one was occupying the tables outside and when we went inside and asked for a table the girl, who hardly spoke English, told us they had no seats. The entire bar area was empty... booths and bar itself, no one was outside, and there were maybe 4 tables in the dining room filled. She kept staring at the reservation book that had 4 names printed on it, and kept telling us they had nothing available. The restaurant was basically empty and we had no issues sitting at the bar or outside (both of which were completely empty) and kept being told no.

We left and went to another Italian restaurant in the area and are seriously reconsidering this as our spot based off this interaction.

EDIT: We gave this place another shot last weekend and it was not good AGAIN. The waitstaff was rude, we didn't have the same person wait on us not once, and we heard the staff talking rudely and negatively about the owner and other staff members. I am so disappointed in the new pattern at this restaurant. We never felt so unwelcome at a...

First and foremost my wife and I will like to thank our neighbors for introducing us to this fabulous restaurant. The ambiance is calming and relaxing. The decor is perfect for a business lunch or a romantic dinner. Live entertainment keep the mood just right. Truly if it wasn't for my neighbors I would have never seen this place even though I drove passed it numerous of times.

Greeted as you enter and escorted to your seat. Water to brought to your table right away. Our server oh she told us her name but I forget and don't want to use any name. What I will say is she was pleasant ask us do we want anything to drink. Wife ordered a Pina Colada I feeling like an Adult cause I'm in a nice restaurant ordered a Samuel Adams. Yes people I'm feeling grown here.

Warm bread brought to the table and the dinner ordered placed. Spinach Ravioli for my wife I ordered one of the specials Haddock Florentine. The Haddock was moist cooked to perfection the baby spinach sauteed nicely the potato au gratin tender. Now what I will say I was in a war in my mind. Do I do steak or Haddock I think I made the right decision on this day. I cleaned my plate Mommy can I now have dessert.

Tiramisu for my wife hey now I'm in an Italian restaurant how can I not get a Cannoli. Bill brought to the table server said no rush. Pay the bill leave our server a good tip then tip our live entertainment. Excellent date with the World Most Amazing Glorious Gorgeous Gift from...

I traveled 45minutes to try Caffe Navona with my boyfriend, because he previously met the owner and was welcomed to come to his establishment. The atmosphere is awesome, as you have the choice of eating outside or inside. We came at dinner time, and the lighting on the outside patio looked beautiful. The restaurant also had live music, which made the night even better. The service was awesome and you can tell all the workers care about their customers. Mostly every worker who passed our table checked and asked my boyfriend and I were we okay. Additionally, I have to praise the owner. He is a wonderful, kind, and welcoming person. My boyfriend told me he goes to every table and introduce himself and make sure his customers feel welcomed and are enjoying themselves(which I experienced for myself). You can tell his staff is great because they feed off of his personality! Furthermore, the food was also great! For appetizers we had the eggplant fritters, shrimp arlecchino (both my new faves) and the NY steak sandwich. They all were delicious and the shrimp arlecchino came with jumbo shrimp on top of sauteed spinach in this creamy sauce that was soo good! And the NY strip steak sandwich was amazing and so fulfilling! Likewise, we too orderd the meat lasagna and Steak Montebianco with a side of italian rice (risotto) and for dessert we had the chocolate gelato. Everything was wonderful! Will definitely...