Trattoria della Nonna (Mansfield)

[Rubee]

HiddenBoston has a nice mention of this spot on Main Street in Mansfield. We're thinking of checking it out next week. HB - if you read this post, can you tell me more about it, and has anyone else been recently? Thanks in advance

[fullbelly]

You are correct, Archimedic. LaDonna has closed and was sold to a bank, and TDN is still open. I think Carla got an offer she couldn't refuse.

[jcantin]

La Donna is closing. Sold the building to a bank.

[Archimedic]

While both in Mansfield La Donna is different from Trattoria Della Nonna. I have heard that La Donna is indeed closing but TDN is staying open as far as I know.

[fullbelly]

Hey Rubee, thanks for coming back to post on this place. Sounds like it's improved mightly since I gave up on it!

[sophie fox]

It would be really helpful if you'd mention the state. I read through most of the replies before I realized that you weren't talking about Vermont. Thanks in advance.

[Rubee]

We had a great dinner Friday night. Arrived at about 6:30, the cozy candle-lit restaurant was about a third full, and we were seated promptly (a little chilly though, glad I had a sweater). I'm not an expert on Calabrian cuisine, but we thought everything was delicious. I ordered a glass of white wine to start, and then we split a wonderful bottle of Barberesco Produttori to have with dinner. Bread with a bowl of olive oil and oregano was brought to the table. We both started with two appetizer specials. I ordered the artichoke stuffed with Calabrian sausage and garnished with arugula - this was excellent, a whole artichoke cut in half, with the stuffing mainly consisting of seasoned crumbled sausage, pancetta, and cheese - it was delicious. E had the mascarpone ravioli with truffle sauce. Perfectly cooked ravioli with a hint of creamy sweetness from the mascarpone. He raved about this dish, and even jokingly mentioned getting another. I ordered the special of a Hawaiian fish called Opah - a thick piece of white fish, cooked perfectly, it just melted in my mouth, served with a citrus sauce, potatoes, and asparagus. Very very good, but the winner was E's dish - I assume a specialty of the house - Veal and Risotto Milanese. Three 3/4 inch pieces of lightly-breaded veal tenderloin on top of a cheesey-tomatoey risotto. The veal was so tender, we cut it with a fork. Talk about comfort food, this was sooo good. We also had excellent service from Kyle who was knowledgeable and friendly. Too full for dessert. We really had a nice time, we enjoyed the atmosphere, and portions were so generous, neither of us finished our meal. The restaurant was full by the time we left, with a few people waiting for tables. We would definitely go again when in the area.

http://trattoriadellanonna.com/index....

[Archimedic]

Haven't been to Trattoria although good friends have suggested it numerous times, jsut haven't had the occassion for the $.

That being said a great place to try in Mansfield is Mangia Bene, its just a bit further south on Main St. right across from the south common. It is a small italian market that recently added a few tables, they have a small menu of pastas and sandwichs. The prices are all around $8-11 or less.

[Rubee]

Thanks for that info! We called, and no, they don't reservations (unless for a party of 6 or more). We're going before a concert, though, so hopefully we won't have a wait. FWIW, here in most of Boston restaurants can't allow you to BYOB, for various reasons.

[norwoodhound]

We went last Spring and the food was very good. I had the fruit di mare (sp?) and throughly enjoyed it. I remember that one person in our group had the risotto of the day but don't remember what the others had. I do remember that they were all pleased with their meals. Our waiter was wonderful, but "fullybelly" is right about the host/wife. She wasn't pleasant and did act as though she was doing us a favor by seating us. The wait was also long, about 30 minutes, and I don't think they take reservations. One other note: we were celebrating friend's new U.S. citizenship and we wanted to bring a special bottle of champagne. They resturant wouldn't allow it. We did offer to pay a corkage fee and the answer was still no. Good food, spotty service by some staff memebers who should know better.

[Rubee]

Thanks for the input - we're going to have dinner on Friday, and I'll be sure to report back!

[fullbelly]

I haven't been in a few years, but at the time (and maybe it's changed) -- I wasn't impressed. I thought the chef was trying to create food that was beyond him a little. And while I appreciate TRYING...if he can't get it right, and charging me a significant amount, then it's not worth it. The real thing that kept me from coming back moreso than the food, was the service! The attitude there (again, at the time) was outrageous, and that includes the wife who runs the front of the house. It felt as if they were doing ME the favor of taking my $100+ bucks for dinner. No thanks.

For that kind of $, I'd pick Coriander in Sharon, which is 10x more professional in their execution. Fabulous.

All that being said, I'd love to hear from anyone who's been more recently. Maybe they've improved things?? I do wonder how they've stayed open... there's no "buzz" about them in the area.

[TrishUntrapped]

I'd love to know if you go here. Now that my daughter is going to school at Wheaton College in Norton we come up periodically and it would be great to know some good restaurants n the area.