Laura Norris’ great-grandparents were Italian immigrants, and she grew up visiting them and their favorite Bronx delis. The experience turned her into a lifelong lover of Italian food. But as an adult she also dreamed of one day opening an Italian deli of her own.

In late 2013, after a longtime career in non-profits, she opened not a deli but a neighborhood Italian eatery, Cucina della Ragazza. The restaurant at 301 Westport Road is a cozy hangout with just eight tables and a small bar, a large fireplace, and a tin ceiling.