MELVILLE, NY – March 22, 2026
On a stretch of Walt Whitman Road where past and present quietly meet, a once-forgotten building has been brought back to life – not just as a restaurant, but as a story decades in the making.
Avianna’s Carriage House stands today as a reflection of history, family, and the kind of passion that doesn’t come from a business plan – it comes from connection.
For owner Leonard Oliva, this location wasn’t chosen for strategy – it was personal.
“I was born and raised here (in Huntington) over 20 years,” he shared. “My wife has had a business here for over 15 years. We fell in love with it… my heart was here.”
That connection led him to this building, which dates back to the early 1900s, when it served as a coach stop along Old Walt Whitman Road for travelers moving between Huntington and Amityville by horse and buggy. Over time, it evolved – even housing gas pumps in the 1920s – but much of that history was hidden.
“When I tore off the siding, it was a mess,” Leonard said. What followed was a decade-long restoration, raising the roof, preserving the original footprint, and carefully bringing the building back to its early character.
Today, that vision is fully realized – what Town Councilwoman Theresa Mari described as “old world meets new community.”
Inside, that same philosophy continues through the menu – what Leonard calls “comfort food reimagined.”
Guests will find standout dishes like:
- lobster deviled eggs and colossal shrimp cocktail
- truffle-buttered asiago pull-apart bread
- a playful pretzel charcuterie board
- steak & eggs and fig mascarpone stuffed French toast for brunch
- and signature favorites like the prime rib dip, Avianna’s smash burger, and a rich seven-cheese mac and cheese – with options to add lobster or short rib
The beverage program is just as thoughtful, from handcrafted cocktails like spicy margaritas and espresso martinis to a curated wine list and creative takes on classic Old Fashioneds.
Behind all of it is a journey that wasn’t easy. Leonard and his wife Patricia, who has served the local Huntington-Melville community through her business for over 27 years, spoke openly about the obstacles along the way – and the teamwork it took to get here.
And at the center of it all is the name.
Avianna’s Carriage House is named after their daughter, Avianna – their “miracle child,” born after years of struggling with infertility – a story that represents perseverance, love, and a deeply personal milestone for their family.
As Patricia shared, naming the restaurant after her ensures that story lives on – here, in the community that shaped them.
Today, this space becomes part of Huntington’s story once again – a restored piece of history, built with heart, and created to be shared.
Welcome to Avianna’s Carriage House:
1117 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY.
Additional parking in the office building parking lot behind the restaurant at 1121 Walt Whitman Road with a connecting staircase up to the restaurant.
https://aviannascarriagehouse.com
Photography by June Margolin.
