Nona’s Courtyard Cafe

Went to visit for brunch this morning and Nona’s permanently closed a few weeks ago. The bed n breakfast next door let us know. There is a hair salon in its place.

I wish I were able to write a positive review of Nona’s but yesterday five of us went there to have brunch around 10:30.
We were greeted (if you want to call it that) at the café entrance by an evidently very unhappy individual. Without so much as a «good morning», he rudely asked «are you hotel guests»?
I started to reply with «no, we were are not hotel guests but would like to have brunch», however he cut me off at «no, we are.» and rudely stated «we are only serving hotel guests today». He then turned around and walked away.
He could have more politely waited for me to finish speaking and then said something akin to «I apologize but because of the rain yesterday all of our patio seating areas are wet so we are not using the courtyard today. To provide dining space for our hotel guests, we have reserved the indoor eating area for our hotel guests only but we would be more than happy to make you a reservation for another time». That approach to customer service evidently was never taught to or was never acquired by this individual.
The five of us were stunned and in turn walked out and decided to go next door to «The Sportsman», which was «excellent» as always. Side note: even though we did not have a reservation at «The Sportsman», the sweet lady who greeted us said, «well that’s OK honey, let me see if I can squeeze you fellas in somewhere». Within 1 minute, we were seated for an excellent meal.
Unfortunately the experience at Nona’s Courtyard Café was beyond rude which makes it very doubtful that I will ever step over their threshold again. Management of Bella Maggoire and/​or Nona’s Courtyard Café should have a serious talk with the person who was greeting café guests on Sunday, 02÷08÷15 before he runs off all their business.
I will no longer recommend either business to the many business associates that I work with on a daily basis until I can be assured that «this individual» has been educated on proper customer service and the proper way to treat «all» guests.

What a GORGEOUS café to eat brunch or lunch at. Really amazing garden area (though I’m told it’s not always as green as it was during my visit, what with the drought going on and all). Anyway we got a courtyard table and it was fantastic. Our food came out quickly and accurately and it was delicious. Our server was friendly and upbeat and I really look forward to coming here again.
It was a little hard to find the place — my friend took me here but I never would have even known it existed — it’s inside a hotel and the hotel is a hidden gem — no big signage or fanfare outside to tell you it’s HERE!

Small court yard a nice cool place for breakfast. Selection is not huge but it is tasty. Service is good and very friendly. Nice music by a guitarist.

Charming atmosphere, beautiful courtyard. Nice place for brunch.

staff is amazing with what they have to work with. I was not a guest, me and my girlfriend found it by mistake! its a cute spot and has a pretty courtyard but it severely lacks management. we ordered mimosas (which came in mis matched wine glasses) server said they did not have any champagne flutes. Also there was no creamer for my coffee, all they had was milk available. For me that was fine, I am not picky however they should have other options. as we were about to order the server mentioned they didnt have a few items on the menu (3). completely unacceptable! I feel bad for these employees here having to get the grunt of the customers. its not their fault there is no management skills there. all in all we only stayed because of the amazing service the staff provided even though thy did not have half the menu. cute place. just make sure to go in when the dont run out of eggs.

The Best Carmel Apple French toast! Our waiter Anthony provided the Best Service. I will be back Again!

Beautiful courtyard.
I’m glad they have started using the courtyard more! This hidden courtyard attached to the Bella Maggiore B&B is surrounded by two stories of ivy and fern covered walls. It’s incredibly serene with the lion head water feature dripping away and a man sitting playing acoustic guitar lightly in the background. So relaxing. So far away from the noise of LA. Some times of year it’s more beautiful than others as the ivy can be either green or brown depending upon the season, but last weekend it was lush and perfect. Hummingbirds hovered. A slight breeze brought the scent of the ocean in as the fog rolled out. High above, the awnings allowed light but kept it shady.
I don’t know that a lot of people know about it. It seems to be mainly hotel guests, so not usually crowded. I think they have about 10 tables outside. For those who get cold in the slightest breeze, they have indoor seating too. Since it’s mostly couples on a romantic holiday, it’s nice that screaming children are practically non-​existent… and please don’t bring loud kids so it can stay that way. I also recall seeing an award posted somewhere in the hotel for it being voted most romantic brunch a few years past.
Plus, the breakfast is free when you stay at the B&B… and you can order ANYTHING on the menu. The food is consistently good — I usually have an omelet and home potatoes for breakfast… along with orange juice and coffee.
Also they have started using it for their free wine & cheese hour for hotel guests. It was really pleasant sitting there sipping my glass of local California wine, snacking on my veggies and crackers. Great value with the hotel stay. Plus, they have started serving a nice iced tea as well.
Everything is served up quickly. Service is attentive and refills a plenty.
Relaxing at Nona’s Courtyard Café is one of the things I most look forward to during my weekend trips to Ventura.

I love this place. Serene little courtyard, a guy playing flamenco music while you eat, good food, great prices, not crowded… how could you not love this place?

I live locally and didn’t expect such a beautiful Courtyard. The Waitress was friendly and very attentive. The food was very good, hot, flavorful and affordable. I felt as if I have found that right place to bring visitors to. The Bella Maggiore Bed & Breakfast is now somewhere to recommed for those visiting The Ventura area. Before leaving I inquired the room prices, breakfast at the Resturant Nona’s is free with the Bed and Breakfast! I would recommend that locals and out of towners give it a try. I know I will be back!

BEYOND HORRIBLE SERVICE! COMPLETE NIGHTMARE!
— Had to find our own menus since no one brought any.
— Waited 13 minutes at a partially cleared table before successfully flagging down a busser to set our table and bring waters.
— Waited another 10 minutes before anyone took our order.
When our waitress finally arrived, I ordered the French Toast and then this happened:
Jules the Server: Which ones?
Me: Oh, I didn’t realize there were two. Which do you recommend or which do you think is more popular?
Jules the Server: (complete dead-​pan) I don’t eat French toast. (followed by impatient glare)
Me: I’ll take the ones with strawberries. Thanks.
It then took over 20 minutes before the food arrived. Of course, the English muffin wasn’t with it and we were told it would be right out. Well, once my husband was nearly done with his food, and the muffin hadn’t arrived, I looked around and there was no sign of our server. So, I walked into the waitress station /​kitchen, looking for someone to get me the English muffin. I didn’t find anyone. HOWEVER, I did find an English muffin, sitting popped-​up in a toaster, getting cold. So I grabbed it and brought it to our table. The waitress saw me do this as I passed her on my way back. She did not apologize or even mention it when she presented the bill to my husband. Suffice it to say we did not tip her as she provided NO service!
After this horrible experience, we went to the front desk to complain about it. After that, on our way out, the horrible waitress attacked me in a VERY loud, sarcastic, aggressive manner: «You have a GREAT day now!» She was clearly trying to yell at me about not tipping. So I said, «Are you kidding me? Are you really going to get up in my face after the horrible service you gave us?» She barked back with «The next time you come to town you can stay at the Best Western down the street. Bye bye now!» So, obviously she was too crazy to engage with so I asked her what her name was so I could go back to the front desk to complain again, about this outburst. Well, she wouldn’t tell us her name. She just kept saying «Bye bye». I was aghast and walked away.
My husband stayed long enough to hear her say to him about me, «I feel sorry for you that you are married to her»!
When he and I together repeated this story to the front desk person as well as a staff «supervisor» we were met with blank stares. They said they couldn’t really do anything because they weren’t managers, and there wasn’t one around. They took my name & number and said a manager named «Cindy» would be calling us. Unbelievably, SIX DAYS LATER… I got a voicemail from this manager telling me she had «concluded» her investigation into the incident — without speaking to us at all — and that the server had been talked to about her behavior. This is not an acceptable response.
This isn’t just «bad» customer service, this is NEGLIGENT, ABUSIVE, NON-​EXISTENT customer service.
And here’s a «tip» for Jules, our server: if you are one of only 2 waitresses on duty, it’s not that hard to figure out what your name is. So stop doing things that you are too ashamed to take credit for.
Additionally, Jules, you really should try the French toast with strawberries — it’s FANTASTIC!!!

Nona’s is a beautiful courtyard/​atrium café hiding within the Bella Maggiore Bed & Breakfast. At present, their service is limited to breakfast and lunch on weekends. It’s understandable that a restaurant with very limited hours can be a little hit or miss with their service. The romantic and beautiful ambiance of the café setting is your reward for overlooking this small shortcoming. Once served, the food is both delightful and superior to the offerings of other breakfast or lunch options in the area. On occasion the subdued playing of a classical guitarist adds to the enjoyment of an unrushed dining experience. Make it a point to check out the décor of the banquet room in the back with a large walk in bank vault that at one time served as a wine cellar. For good luck, be sure to say hello and goodbye to «Sylvia» the ghost that is rumored to haunt the hotel as you enter and leave.

The small restaurant is illuminated by an open roof, and the tall walls are covered in ivy. A small water fountain sits right in the middle, and occasionally a live musician will come play while you eat and sip some yummy coffee. The food is dainty, delicious, and affordable. I ALWAYS get the eggs florentine, but the spinach-​wrapped veggie burrito and huevos rancheros are also great. The lunch/​dinner food is okay, but I highly recommend going for breakfast/​brunch.

It is such a gorgeous spot that it is really a shame about the food. If the food were even acceptable, it would be a fun spot to have a romantic meal or a little nosh with friends.
I went to lunch there a few weeks ago with two friends and all of our food was terrible. The only high point was their coffee, which was fresh and tasty. My friends had a $ 12.95 seafood pasta, which they said tasted like it had overly sweet bottled red sauce — my friend said «You know, that high-​fructose corn syrup taste jumped right out.»
We also split a pizza, which has a base price of $ 7.95 with toppings at 75 cents to $ 2.50 each (veg are mostly cheap, different cheeses are $ 1.00 and meats are $ 2.50). It is very large for a lunch sized pizza — about like a medium — but the «crust» was more like a soft foccacia, so it got very soggy. The cheese was all pooled in a big glob in the middle.
I had a veggie sandwich, which featured grocery-​store «wheat» (brown colored) bread with thick slices of barely grilled vegetables. The eggplant was too raw to eat and the zucchini was about ¼ inch thick and slippery.
We all got soups and 2 out of three were terrible (minestrone and french onion) and one was merely tasteless (broccoli cheese).
I feel bad because I try to support small local businesses instead of chains, but this really did not sit well. The service was very spotty, to boot. No one seated us — we were told, «Just sit anywhere,» in a dismissive tone, as if we were doing something wrong by waiting near the hostess stand. It was about 15 minutes before anyone came to take our order after we had our (partial order) of drinks delivered. Two of us got drinks a good 10 minutes before the third came. Etc.

I heard from a client of mine that this place was absoultely beautiful. So, I had to check it out! AWW. I got lost because I could not find the darn place. I was looking for a garden and all I saw was buildings after buildings. I finally found the location, which was inside a bed and breakfast hotel. The moment that wallked through the door, I fell in love with the romantic atmosphere. I thought to myself «This would be a really cool place to spend the night and have a romantic evening with someone special.»
The food was also really good. I got the veggie sandwich, which was the BOMB. I really liked it! I know. I know. Veggie!!! But it was good! One of the best I ever had. If you happen to be around, check it out!

Seductive ambiance – a charming little ivy-​lined courtyard that makes it hard to believe you’re only doors away from Bombay Bar and Grill. Breakfast-​ed here this morning and while this is a place I want to like, I cannot say anything positive about the food. I ordered the least complicated thing on the menu – a fruit plate. Our waitress returned to the table with devastating news: «The fruit shipment has not yet arrived.» For $ 5 dollars I received two apple wedges, two orange slices, and two strawberries. One of the strawberries had a smudge of cream cheese on it (which sort of repulsed me).
Like a polite guest though, I rendered no complaints and otherwise enjoyed the courtyard experience and breakfast conversation with my companions – we stayed for two and half hours and were never rushed. The others I was with ordered omelettes which looked tastefully arranged and substantial if you like that sort of thing.
Nona’s is a nice place for an afternoon coffee and treat. I probably wouldn’t go back for a full meal. I ate risotto here was I was 18 and it was the first and last time I’ve ever ordered it.

Charming and quite tasty restaurant in the inner courtyard of an old hotel, with vines growing up the walls and a bubbling fountain. Nice pasta dishes and amazing, fresh focaccia (olive, rosemary, sundried tomato, etc.) from a local bakery. In nice weather they retract the huge canvas awning that’s several stories up.