Come and savor traditional Italian cuisine at Aviano. It is simple cuisine, straightforward and hearty, built around the essentials: bread, soup, pasta and olive oil. Nevertheless, simplicity in cooking offers its own particular challenges because there is nothing to camouflage the true flavor. That is why the flavors at Aviano are spot on and their sauces basic yet scrumptious. It is uncomplicated country Italian food made from family recipes. Proprietor Nick Vraniqi is from a family of Restaurateurs. Nick’s parents moved to America from Southern Italy forty-two years ago and started their family and restaurants. Nick Vraniqi is a former Marine with a love for cooking. He opened his extension of the family restaurant in Pilot Point in January 2007. His concept is simple and effective; good service, high-quality food in a family atmosphere at a fair price.

Aviano is located at 1340 North HWY 377 in Pilot Point and has all the essentials on the menu including, Veal and Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Fettuccini Alfredo and Lasagna just to name a few. The Chicken Marsala ($9.95) is a delicious selection with a generous portion of succulent chicken covered in mushrooms, garlic and Marsala Wine sauce. With each entrée, you get warm bread sticks and a tossed salad that arrives in a chilled bowl. The salad is basic but crisp and the house dressing is a robust made with a tomato puree, oil and vinegar. Consider sharing a side of garlic bread ($1.95) to go with your meal. I recommend the Stuffed Mushrooms ($5.95); packed with Crab, Lobster, breadcrumbs and Parmesan Cheese topped with a perfectly balanced Aristocrat Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese, they are delightful. Leave room for dessert. The Tiramisu ($4.00) is light yet creamy and flavorful with a wonderful texture. “I never had anything at Aviano that I did not like,” said Shelly Sanders from Attitudes, “they have consistent good service and food.”

Neapolitan, New York and deep-dish Sicilian pizzas are also on the menu. While I was there, I had a piece of cheese pizza (small $7.95), which is quite possibly the best pizza I have had in the 380 corridor. The crust was sinfully delicious and fresh. There is just the right amount of their savory sauce covering the crust and then topped with 100% whole milk mozzarella. Do not worry, if you like Calzones or hot or cold sub sandwiches they are on the menu as well. Aviano offers catering services and it is a BYOB, so bring your bottle of red or your bottle of white. Ty Belger, Aubrey Stylist, likes to have lunch there with his coworkers. He said, “The Lasagna is my favorite, it has an old world taste. It reminds me of my Grandmothers.”

The atmosphere is relaxed and accommodating. The seating is wood home-style chairs and the tables have black and white checkered tablecloths. The kitchen is open and the dinning area modestly appointed with Italianate art, faux brick and warm yellow walls. One thing I found very admirable is Nick’s commitment to his restaurant and customers. If the door is open, Nick is there. He is hands on with his staff and greets customers by name. When you enter Aviano, you feel like you are amongst friends.