Giving taste buds something new to try

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  There are several establishments around Aviano Air Base with a variety of food entrees to satisfy all cravings or enjoy company with family and friends.

The 31st Force Support Squadron is responsible for numerous well-known eateries including the La Bella Vista Club, the golf course and Marko's Mediterranean Grill that offer Airmen and their families a time to sit down together to eat or to grab something to go.

The La Bella Vista Club brought in the New Year with new short-order menu items to give members a more traditional restaurant atmosphere.

Airmen and their families can sit down to order a variety of dishes to include a meat lover's pizza, handmade burgers and a chicken parmesan panini with their choice of side or the soup and salad bar.

"With the new year, people are looking for something fresh," said Michelle Klein, 31st FSS assistant club manager. "We wanted to give people options that weren't available at other locations on base."

The change will not affect the Wednesday themed dinners, but will eliminate the lunch buffet. The club will still take to-go orders, but recommend ordering in advance to eliminate the wait.

"We still offer the soup and salad bar buffet, which can be a meal within itself, or people can order fries with their meal." said Klein. "Everyone will still order at the front door, but now a waitress will come out and deliver the food to your table."

The club also offers an evening food menu that offers appetizers, wings and burgers. Orders can be made Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

If the LBV's food items don't pique a person's taste buds, there are a variety of other options on base to satisfy hunger.

Airmen can visit the Mensa, the Italian word for cafeteria, for options such as lasagna, spaghetti, pizza and other assorted Italian foods. While the Mensa is not open for breakfast, it offers Aviano member's equal dollar for euro exchange for lunch, Mondays and Fridays. They are, however, closed weekends and most Italian and U.S. holidays.

While Airmen take advantage of the Mensa Mondays and Fridays discount, they can also visit the Alpine Golf Course's Mulligan's Grill for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Saturday and breakfast all day Sundays. The Grill serves anything from a 'call your shot' omelet to a double bacon cheeseburger with mushrooms. The grill is located behind the Dragon Fitness Center, next to the golf course and serves breakfast from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We offer the traditional style breakfast and lunch including pancakes, eggs, burritos, sandwiches and burgers," said Ryan Baxter, 31st FSS Mulligans Grill manager. "The number one order is the oversized club sandwich, called 'The Nicklaus.'"

For those closer to Area's 1 and 2 can check out the Aviano Lanes Bowling Center or Déjà Brew café located next to each other on Area 1. The Bowling Center Grill offers foods such as barbecue sandwiches, chicken tenders and burritos and is available during normal operating hours for bowling.

"Our menu varies from Mexican food to baked potatoes and burgers," said Jodi Bailey, 31st FSS recreation assistant. "The best food, in my opinion, would be the barbecue pulled pork nachos."

Déjà Brew offers customers a piece of home by serving popular brands such as Starbucks Coffee and Cheesecake Factory deserts. The menu offers a variety of iced coffees, lattes and teas typical of American style cafés. Déjà Brew is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For those craving a taste of the Mediterranean, can indulge in some Greek-style food at Marko's Grill, located on the other side of the flightline near Hanger 3. Their menu includes items such as gyro platter, falafels and fries loaded with assorted Greek meat, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce. Marko's is open for breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. and lunch, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"Our menu reflects a classic Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast and lunch," said Marko Mazzocco, Marko's Grill owner. "Everything is popular here, but when we get new customers that doesn't know what to order, we suggest the 'open platter' because you get everything in one dish."

Other places on base that can satisfy food cravings include the Commissary, the Exchange's food court and Shoppette.

For more information on available dinning and food options on base, visit www.31FSS.com.