A Nana Test First: Zeppoli Earns the Perfect Score

A year ago last month, the inspiration for The Nana Test, my Italian grandmother, passed away. The Nana Test began as a simple and different way to grade Italian BYOBs not just on the quality of the meal, but on their ability to replicate the classic, Italian, family-style food experience that my Nana fostered.

Zeppoli's namesake dessert, as Zeppole = fried dough

Since her passing, The Nana Test has become much more than a gimmick on our blog. It's now an opportunity to find restaurants that can rekindle the great times we shared and the lessons she instilled in my family.

The Nana Test has seen its share of hits, but the perfect score seems to be an impossible ask. Do I need to temper my seemingly unrealistic expectations? Or can a 15 minute trip over the bridge to Collingswood, NJ, prove that a perfect score is possible?

Zeppoli, the intimate Collingswood BYOB that soared to legendary status in 2012 with a "Best New Restaurant" nomination by Bon Appetit, has been on our "must" list for years. It's only fitting that we finally visited right around the time of my Nana's anniversary.

The combination of perfectly-executed food, lively conversation with friends, free tastings and plenty of wine all led to thoughts of meals with my Nana. The night felt more like an event than just a meal. Chef Joey Baldini understands the soul of the Italian food experience.

There is no greater compliment that I can bestow on Zeppoli than to say you’d make my Nana proud.

Here's how the perfect score breaks down: