Born in 1968 in Castellammare del Golfo, a town in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Nino Cusenza came to America to build a better life for himself and his family. At 22 years old, Nino joined Construction Union Local 79. His craftsmanship and love for building kept him in the union for over 30 years. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, Nino made a career pivot and started construction on a property located in the heart of Port Richmond, transforming a neighborhood bar into an upscale Italian eatery.

His love for authentic Sicilian family recipes, such as his famous homemade Cassatelle, inspired him to turn the space into a place he could truly call his own. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the Italian restaurant industry, Nino has created a welcoming atmosphere filled with specialty Italian dishes, appealing cocktails, and fine Italian wines. In March 2022, La Bottiglia opened its doors, quickly becoming a staple in Port Richmond, Staten Island. It was even rated #1 in the Top 10 New Staten Island Restaurants for 2022 by Pam Silvestri of the SI Advance.

Each of our dishes is created with love, and every flavor tells its own unique story. We strive for absolute consistency in both our food and our customer service.

Our spin on Southern Italian cuisine has been incredibly well-received by residents across Staten Island. There is something truly special about the feedback we get from the friendly new faces who visit us every day. The “American Dream” that brought Nino to the States has truly become a reality, serving as an inspiring success story for years to come.