A Bottle of Red

Aloha All, 

We recently went to a screening at the heavily ornate St. George Theatre last week. This was with a fellow business owner & friend from Steiny‘s who invited me. The film is named Nonnas. 

It took five years for the owner, Joe, who pestered, prodded, and pitched NETFLIX the idea. Five years… to go from a dream and a thought to the May 2025 release. The ‘five year’ claim is according to a former employee of ENOTECA Maria who lives two doors down.

I personally found the film to pull deliciously at the heartstrings. It’s also very fictional and fairytale-like. The script was predictable, formulaic, a little provincial, and the cinematography was duly unexceptional. I give the film a generous 3.3 of 5 stars. 

• Have wine. It will help.” 
  
  — Breuk

My criteria for films are obsessive, nuanced, and eccentric in its flavor. I do favor J-Dramas and K-Dramas (Warrior). So, don’t take my word for it. You may love the flick. It is a heart-warming and a fictional tale for those that actually know Joe Scaravella. 

And, good luck getting a reservation in 2025. Joe now has 350+ unanswered messages at the restaurant for his tiny 35 seat space. The food is priced slightly above average but the cuisine is definitely excellent, well-worth the trip, and not to be missed. 

The good news is Staten Island is now more heavily on the radar. 

8grape, SI-nyc & Staten Island Film Fest purposes are all aligned:

To Promote the businesses and culture 
of Staten Island into a single unifying 
force greater than that of Brooklyn.  

Have a great Memorial Day.  

Breuk Iversen