Raul Mendoza, the previous government chef of Paesanos Riverwalk, is bringing a style of l. a. dolce vita to San Antonio’s West Aspect together with his new takeout restaurant, Alla Nonna’s. Positioned at 901 NW twenty fourth St., the brand new spot focuses on contemporary, reasonably priced Italian-American delicacies.
After 28 years of cooking professionally and 13 years rising via the ranks of the traditional downtown restaurant, Mendoza felt it was time to strike out on his personal. Though he additionally has expertise as a Mexican chef, he needed to deliver a brand new choice to the underserved space.
“There is a Mexican restaurant on each single nook,” he says.
Alla Nonna’s menu does not stray too removed from the classics, providing selections like hen piccata, spaghetti pomodoro, caprese salad, tiramisu, and lasagna Bolognese. Nonetheless, Mendoza says he wasn’t making an attempt to reinvent the wheel together with his choices.
“I figured with the demographic across the space, [comfort food] is what they’re in search of,” he explains. “I needed to point out that you do not have to go downtown for $40 a plate, or to Olive Backyard.
Whereas the costs are low, with all of the entrees priced effectively below $20, there’s one main distinction from informal chains. The kitchen group makes all the meals from scratch, together with the sauces, pizza dough, and even the breading on the hen parmesan. Even probably the most acquainted dishes have a refined gourmand contact — just like the confit garlic used within the Hawaiian pizza or the creamy burrata pouch on different pies.
“We’re not a quick meals restaurant,” says Mendoza. “We make contemporary meals quick.”
Alla Nonna’s primarily serves to-go orders, but it surely carved out some house within the former ghost kitchen for indoor eating and a snug perch whereas visitors wait on their orders.
Mendoza says the restaurant remains to be discovering its bearings after a sell-out first few days in enterprise. Whereas determining its groove, Alla Nonna’s is at the moment open Tuesday via Saturday, 11 am-11 pm, but it surely has plans to be lengthen service to Monday within the coming weeks.
