Trattoria Della Nonna

What they're saying about us...

2007 The Hometown News...

Tonight we dined with only Two Girls, but we definitely ate enough for Three. We enjoyed a wonderfully upscale restaurant on North Main in Mansfield called Trattoria De la Nonna (“kitchen from my grandmother”). They offer superb authentic Calabrian Italian dining.
Trattoria is cozy with dark wood and an inviting atmosphere. We felt as if we were in Boston or New York rather than Mansfield.
After ordering our Cosmopolitan and Ameretto on the rocks, we listened intently as the waitress perfectly enumerated the specials with enticing detail. Without so much as a nibble, we were already impressed.
We decided to request an appetizer and chose the wood grilled pizza with sausage and mushroom. A basket of bread arrived with a delicious oil and scrumptious spices. We requested another before the night was through.
For entrees, we chose a menu item and a special: The lamb chops with sweet mashed potatoes, green beans and the beef and mushroom risotto with a side of asparagus. The menu states that, if you didn’t see something you like, inquire and they can make it.
The pizza was a perfect size for an appetizer, but could also work as a meal with one of the large salads we saw pass by. Either way, this pizza was perfect. The crust was thin and the mushrooms and sausage were evenly dispersed. We wanted to finish the whole thing, but with more food coming, exercised will power.
After a short time, our meals arrived rendering us happy we saved room. Here was no lack of quantity as in some upscale restaurants. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked, the sweet mashed potatoes heavenly and the green beans unparalleled.
The beef and mushroom risotto was enormous with soft tender beef and mushrooms. This Girl was glad she ordered a side of asparagus, which was tender and delicious. We picked off each other’s plates ravenously.
There were several dessert specials and we chose what had to have been the best: Chocolate Russian Gelato—a cross between ice cream and mouse. No human could articulate how good it was. Tell Yvonne the “Three (Two) Girls” told you to try it. We also sampled the Ganache Torte Cake, most of which came home in a bag given our full stomachs.
These Girls were completely thrilled with our meal this evening. Afterwards, we spoke with Yvonne, one of the owners. She told us the Chef does not use any heavy creams, butters or oil that give you a “bad” “wonderful” full feeling. So if you want a “wonderful” full feeling, for reasonable upscale prices, visit them Tuesday-Saturday from 4-10 p.m. and pray the Russian Gelato is on special. And they’re opening a lounge soon, so be on the lookout!

~Three Girls Review

2006 The Sun Chronicle Dining Out...

"There are celebrity chefs, and there are chefs who treat their ingredients as celebrities. Ken DeFazio is the latter. He isn't interested in being at center stage (but wouldn't mind). Chef/owner of Trattoria della Nonna (along with wife Ynonne), DeFazio has an intense passion for food that supercedes fame. Italian cooks are notorious for fierce adherence to seasonality and freshness, responding to the rhythms of nature, its abundance or failings. The boy who would become chef would then take his reverence for quality ingredients into some of Boston's best kitckens, to much critical acclaim. He will only create a menu that features items that he knows will be of consistently high quality."
~Barry Nelson

2006 Providence Journal Dining Out...

"The aroma of fresh pasta is what I noticed first when I walked into the resaurant. I didn't see the macaroni drying on the tablecloth as I did at my grandma's house so long ago, but I knew it was there. That indeed, is the stated mission of owners Ken and Yvonne DeFazio -to re-create Ken's nonna's kitchen. My husband, tempted by Beef Steak in Bay leaf spice, turned out to be a dish that proves the simplest preparations often produce the most amazing flavors. As for the dinner, there were no suprises. DeFazio orchestrated a harmonious meal, and the music is still playing in my head. From a welcoming environment to an appealing menu with knowledgeable servers, Della Nonna has the whole package."
~Gail Ciampa

2004 The Sun Chronicle Weekender...

"Diner Wine tasting of Tuscany." The silky tomato soup with duck reduction and red wine soaked bread was delightful, pork baked in fresh milk was more than noteworthy, at Trattoria della Nonna in Mansfield, a Note-Ster favorite. The dinner was so successful after The Note-Ster gave it some ink and a second dinner was booked up for the next week to take care of the overflow registration.
~Oreste P. D'Arconte

2001 The Boston Globe Dining Out...

"Kenny DeFazio is ready and it shows where it counts: on the plate. A small, dimly lit brick-and-stucco kind of place with understated elegance. Entrees are delightful and rich-tasting with out being heavy (DeFazio does not use butter or cream in his dishes, only EVO). He creates dishes rivaling anything found the North End of Boston or Federal Hill in Providence. Kenny is ready to take his place among the areas finer creators of Italian cuisine."
~Paul E Kandarian

2000 Sun Chronicle: Dining Out...

"A little bit of Calabria has come to downtown Mansfield. Bringing gourmet Calabrian cuisine. Kenny DeFazio has taken a cue from his grandmother (in a charming touch). Evidently, Nonna new her way around a kitchen. And a confident visit from the owner/chef to sea how everything was topped off our meal."
~John Winters

2000 Mansfield News...

"An authentic Italian 'Trattoria' on the main street of down town Mansfield--Featuring upscale but home-style food and wine. Ken, winner of 1997 'Best of Boston' award for authentic Italian food, continues his work at Trattoria della Nonna."
~Meredith Holford

2000 Boston Globe...

Reports that "Chef Ken DeFazio" is among the top 10 Rising Stars of Boston. Although Ken DeFazio now being in Mansfield is off the beating path!
~Alison Arnet

Craig & Liz Rodman

Your restaurant is simply the BEST!! We love it and we eat there often!!! You should be featured on T.V. Diner......

Maurice Camire

My wife and I believe that your restaurant is one of the best we've ever been to. It easily rivals the best of Providence and Boston. Bravo!

deb

I came to your restaurant on saturday evening and may I tell you I had one of the best meals in a long time. You rival the restaurant of Rhode Island and Boston. I am crazy for the bottle of wine that I shared with my less than perfect date. I was Castelnuovo Berardenga Chianti Reserva 2000. Where can I find it and can you tel me the price? Thank you for a wonderful dining experience Deb

Rob Kerr

My wife and I along with 2 friends came to the restaurant this past weekend. We all absolutely loved the food and the experience we had. We're from CT and will be making the 1 hour trip to your restaurant many more times in the future! Keep up the great work. We'll see you soon...R:E Thank you Rob for your confidance in Della Nonnas, ciao

andrea

One suggestion so I can bring my daughter the vegetarian LOL. Would love to see a vegetarian option , but could accomodate her with appetizers as well! Again, had an incredible visit and apperciated not being rushed out after we finished .

Jack and Judy

easily the best food around...real food served up by real people...no need to travel...very much like it is in Italy... mille grazie !!!

Andrea

Long time Mansfield resident, just indulged at the Trattoria last night. Great food, perfectly cooked, well presented. Very tasty to the palate. All staff very friendly and inviting. Appreciated the visit to our table by the chef .Never felt rushed, enjoyed the entire evening . Loved the eggplant appetizer! Will be back ! Five stars all around!

Mo Diddly

Yummy fo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o00oddzzzzzz!!

Lorcan and Carole from LA

The best meal and evening out we have had in a long long time. We are still talking about it! Ken, you have it down! We had a truly magical experience that we will never ever forget.

Karen

We used to go to Boston for a special evening, but now stay in Mansfield! We love the food, the staff and the atmosphere you have created. We never feel like we\'re in Mansfield when we\'re at Trattoria. Thank you!

Mike and Diane

My wife and I were visiting from Pittsburgh and choose your restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. We shared the Rigatoni in Bolognese which was outstanding as well as the Tenderlion of Pork. Overall the food and service was terrific as Judy our server helped us make this a very enjoyable evening. We'll be back again next summer!

Arden

Hi, I absolutely LOVE your restaurant. My boyfriend and I had a very romantic and relaxing evening there this past Saturday. I\'m trying to plan a holiday party for my coworkers for Thursday, and I feel like the atmosphere at your restaurant (as well as the food!) would be perfect---do you host parties at your restaurant? I just discovered the back room with the bar--is it possible to have a private party back there for a few hours? Thanks for your time!

kathy

we go to della nonas often on friday nights after a long week of work, and loveeee your food. I feel like I am in the north end or providence, but better, the atmospher is just great, ( rec: the lighting is great, but difficult to read menus at some tables, maybe two candles would help, Other than that, your lounge area is a great place for smaller size meals, Was told you will be adding more initmate and cozy chairs etc.. in the back room, that would greatly finish off the great atmospher in the back. Keep up the great work, so glad we don\'t have to travel far from home anymore for a 5 star meal.

Jeffrey Popadic

Absolutely our favorite resturant anywhere! My wife and I, along with another couple come in once a month for a fantastic night a food and drinks. Please add me to your email list.

Mark Ambrose

The best Italian food and restaurant that we have ever dined at.

Steve Clayton

Its been a long time since we have enjoyed a dinner as well prepared and as tasty, as we had at Trattoria Della Nonna\'s this evening. Superb, absolutely superb!

Karen

My husband brought me for dinner last evening to celebrate my birthday. It was one of the best meals I\'ve ever had at any restaurant, including Italy! The Chef is creative and knows how to bring out deep flavors with everything we ordered - from appetizer to entree to desert. I will be telling everyone to go to Trattoria Della Nonna!

Josephine

A truly wonderful dining experience, the kind that sets a benchmark for comparison to all other restaurants! We were in the Boston area for only 2 nights and chose to dine with \"Nonna\" after reading your website, delighting to see that you have maintained your cultural traditions which are so important, especially with food. Our meal greatly exceeded my expectations! Our waiter (Kyle) was knowledgeable and explained all the dishes to us in a tantalizing way. I am still sorry I didn\'t take the fig wrapped with prosciutto, choosing instead the Prince Edward oysters and the cured meat platter (most delicious cappicola!) Our family had a wide variety of main dishes, but the seafood risotto and the aged steak are undeniably the best we have ever tasted. We all tasted each other\'s food and we truly enjoyed the meal together, which is the goal of every Italian grandmother. We look forward to the possibility of dining there again, thank you for a great meal and welcoming atmosphere.

Rob/Mary

We love this place, it\'s so cozy and the food is always delicious!

jon/martha

Take it from a local....nothing better anywhere. Great food, great drinks, comfortable settings and good people.

Karen

Wonderful!!! No need to go to the North End or Federal Hill.

Erika S. H.

We just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your restaurant last night. The food was exceptional, The portion size options were perfect, and the atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. Beautiful job we will be back from NH to visit again.

Mrs. D

My husband and I enjoyed our dinner on Saturday Oct 8, it was our 28th anniversary. The food was delicious and even though the restaurant was full, it was quiet and relaxing. The Potato truffle cheese souflee was fabulous we both have not tasted a dish like that anywhere, is it a secret family recipe or could it be shared? Even though we are from the Worcester area, your restaurant is worth the trip.

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