Big flavors dominate at Nova Cafe

It may be a small place, but Nova Cafe offers big flavors with homestyle meals in Millvale.

The restaurant, deli and catering business started 21 years ago in Lawrenceville, but it's been nestled along a row of brick buildings on Grant Street in Millvale since 2006.

The restaurant's owner and chef, Christina Koehn, 46, has been at the helm of the formerly family-run business for the past two years. Although not a formally trained chef, Koehn is self-taught and found a passion for the restaurant industry over the years.

“I found that I really do love to cook and work with people,” she says.

The business has year-round contracts with senior living facilities and other groups that keep the catering side of the business steady Mondays through Fridays. Weddings, reunions and graduations keep Koehn busy on the weekends.

Along with catering, the business also runs a restaurant with a menu featuring sandwiches, homemade soups, burgers and salads along with daily specials.

The zucchini sticks on the appetizer menu ($3.95) are perfectly crisped in the deep fryer and garnished with a heap of parmesan cheese and your choice of marinara or ranch dressing.

The buffalo chicken wrap ($6.95) has fried chicken tenders tossed in buffalo sauce that's just spicy enough, along with lettuce, cheddar cheese and tomato.

All the sandwiches and burgers are served with a pickle spear and chips. Any entrée can be upgraded for $2 to a platter that includes fries and homemade coleslaw.

Daily specials like the frequently featured hot roast beef sandwich ($8.95) are a hit with customers, Koehn says.

The sandwich is served on two slices of thick bread with mashed potatoes and gravy and coleslaw.

“We try to keep it somewhat simple and basic to be able to appeal to the different people in the community,” she says.

Koehn says she tries to keep prices low and serving sizes hearty to keep customers satisfied.

“We hope that they walk away feeling very full and satisfied with the portion size and that they really enjoy the food that they're eating,” Koehn says.

Customers also can stop in for freshly sliced deli meats and cheeses as well as dishes like homemade potato salad and other prepared foods.

“We call it the deal of the day,” she says of the prepared foods. “People can take home a meal.”

The restaurant's tables are adorned with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths, and the friendliness of the staff gives you a feeling like you're eating at grandma's house.

Koehn says business has been busy lately as more young people move into Millvale and other businesses open in the area to draw people into the borough.

She hopes to gain on the momentum in the next few years.

“Hopefully one day soon we could expand,” Koehn says. “One day we'd like to have a couple other stores.”

Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-226-4680, emilybalser@tribweb.com or on Twitter @emilybalser.