Nino's Positano

Nino’s Positano, which critics blasted as overpriced and stuffy, has changed its business—and costumers like it. This attitude change is refreshing, and unexpected, in a neighborhood known for its old money and high-maintenance crowd. The new inviting atmosphere and eager wait staff has allowed the restaurant to expand its clientele and become an accepted, local hot spot.

In Turtle Bay, surviving by trying to meet the demands of old wealth, United Nations officials and young bankers is not an easy task—one that Nino’s has finally conquered after eight years. Johnny Gjekaj, the manager, agreed that the restaurant is located in a diverse neighborhood.

“We get people from the United Nations, old local couples and young bankers who just work in the area so there are a lot of different people to please,” Gjekaj said.

Nino’s Positano, which is located on Second Avenue between 47^th and 48^th streets, attracts customers for both lunch and dinner. “We attract United Nations officials with our Prix Fixe lunch menu but also make sure we have our traditional pizza for local families who come here for dinner,” Gjekaj said.

While the manager wears a suit and servers are required to wear ties to maintain their high-end clientele, they have made changes that make the restaurant friendlier. The owner, Nino Selimaj, is the hostess for lunch on weekdays and personally greets and seats customers. Servers stand in the outdoor seating area and greet customers with a “Ciao” and “Bon Appetite” to create a feeling of a family style restaurant. This has been a positive change after customers complained about rude waiters who “never stopped by the table unless to take the bill.”

The biggest change at Nino’s Positano took place about three months ago with the addition of a gelato cart. The homemade gelato comes fresh from its sister restaurant on Second Avenue and 72^nd Street, and has become so popular that Gjekaj plans to sell it during the winter. “Homemade gelato is really popular because it is hard to find homemade anything these days,” Gjekaj said.

A gelato cart on the street, an innovative idea in a neighborhood where walking is the primary form of transportation, has attracted a new set of customers who would otherwise not stop by the restaurant. Customers are able to order it after a sit-down dinner, or grab some on the go after work.

The restaurant was also renovated two years ago, creating an outdoor seating area, and expanding the upper level. The restaurant made sure to maintain its older traditional section on the lower level where it is quieter.

Two satisfied customers, Jenna Litell, 28, and Rebecca Hale, 27, enjoyed dinner in the outdoor seating area on a Monday night. Litell did not know what to order for dinner, and praised the helpful waiter for his suggestion. “The server said the wild mushroom ravioli was one of his favorites and I took his recommendation and I cleaned my plate,” Litell said.

Due to its attitude change, Nino’s Positano has reaped the benefits of recent success. The manager informs customers on their way out the door that “Nino’s” is working on opening its seventh location just north of Turtle Bay, on Second Avenue and 58^th Street.