Nonna T's restaurant in Mentor settles in to Center Street location
Jan. 24—From the name of the restaurant to the atmosphere to the food, Nonna T's Restaurant in Mentor is very much a family affair.
And that starts with the owner, Nonna T herself, Taze Kazmaj.
Nonna T means Grandma T, and the native of Albania who has been in the United States for 26 years, is no novice to the restaurant business. In fact, Kazmaj's daughter, Helga, runs Mia Bella restaurant in Little Italy, and her son, Sonny, works at Nonna T's continuing the family theme.
The hardworking grandmother is not only the owner, but she often serves as head chef, hostess, server and answers phones besides being responsible for the menu and decor of the building.
The restaurant, located at the former Slice location at 7345 Center St., had a soft open in early January. The menu is split into lunch and dinner, with Italian, Mediterranean and traditional American fare in prominence.
Kazmaj is proud of the dishes available, from several appetizers to soups and salads to entrees that include chicken, veal, lamb and ribeye steak options along with plenty of seafood. One of the house specialties is the homemade tiramisu for dessert.
There is a homestyle dining area with approximately 38-person seating capacity, which has already been packed on weekends, coming as a bit of an early surprise to Kazmaj.
Pick-up orders are also available.
"We looked at locations all over from Rocky River to Chagrin Falls, but I love it here in Mentor and we are very happy we found this location," Kazmaj said. "I love the people and I love the community and it has been a very happy opening and a surprisingly well-received first few weeks for us."
Nonna T's Restaurant
7345 Center St., Mentor
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and saturday; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Info: 440-290-8418 or nonnatrestaurant.com
