It’s a project nearly a decade in the making.
“It’s comfort food reimagined.”
That’s how Leonard Oliva describes his newest restaurant, Avianna’s Carriage House, opening next week at 1117 Walt Whitman Road in Melville — a project nearly a decade in the making.
“When I first saw the building for sale nine years ago, I fell in love,” Oliva told Greater Long Island. “We got sidetracked a little bit with other things going on and then Covid, but finally it’s here. This pocket of Melville has old-school charm. It’s great.”
Nostalgic menu, contemporary flair
So what exactly is comfort food reimagined?
Oliva, who also owns Bar Grazie in Massapequa and Prato 850 in Commack, says it’s the kind of food he grew up with — pastrami sandwiches, pot roast, and steak — elevated just enough to feel new.
“Food that’s family-oriented, timeless,” Oliva said. “A lot of vintage classics.”
Executive chef Thomas Fazio says the menu keeps that sense of nostalgia while adding modern touches.
“We have a lobster roll, and we use enhanced mayo, popcorn shoots and micro-basil,” Fazio said. “We’re taking these classic American dishes and just ramping them up slightly. Caviar will be big here, too.”
The salads at Avianna’s are also getting a local upgrade. Instead of greens shipped in from across the country, the restaurant will feature lettuce hydroponically grown on Long Island.
“Not only do they taste great, but they’re proven to be a lot healthier, too,” Fazio said.
The name Carriage House isn’t just for show. The building’s history is a key part of the experience, with photos throughout the restaurant highlighting its past.
More than a century ago, it served as a carriage stop for the trolley that once ran from Main Street in Huntington to Merrick Road in Amityville — and before that, it welcomed horse-and-buggy travelers.
At the time, Walt Whitman Road was the main north-south route, long before Route 110 existed. The front of the building was where guests waited for their rides.
Two neighboring buildings are now listed on the state’s historic registry, a reminder of the area’s enduring charm.
More recently, the space was home to Frederick’s, a beloved German restaurant that operated from 1968 to 2015.
“When I bought this place, I said let’s reestablish that old vintage feel,” Oliva said. “Even the lighting fixtures we installed came from an old warehouse in Brooklyn from the 1900s.”
If you go
Avianna’s Carriage House will be open seven days a week, beginning at 10 a.m. for brunch and dinner.
The grand opening is Thursday, Jan. 22.
Top: Long Islander Leonard Oliva inside his new concept Avianna’s Carriage House, coming soon to Melville, N.Y. (GLI/Nick Esposito)
