You know when you walk into a restaurant and you can just feel it…

Before the food even hits the table.

Before the drinks come out.

Before you have even looked at the menu.

You just know.

When Shelby sat down with me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Episode 28, I kept coming back to that feeling.

Because Aviva Trattoria is one of those places.

It feels warm. It feels welcoming. It feels like people actually care.

And after this conversation, I understood exactly why.

When Shelby sat down with me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Episode 28, her story was one of those that just makes sense once you hear it.

She got into the business the way so many people do. She needed a job. She moved to Boston after high school, was paying for college, and started waitressing.

And then something happens that a lot of people in this industry understand.

It gets in your blood.

One job leads to another. You learn the rhythm. You learn the pace. You learn how to read people.

And before you know it, it becomes more than just a job.

It becomes part of who you are.

There is also a love story in there, which I love.

She started working at the Ground Round and ended up marrying the man who hired her.

That is such a restaurant story.

Over the years, she has done a little bit of everything. Serving, bartending, raising a family, even running her own business from home.

And then when life shifted during the pandemic, she found her way back into restaurants full time.

Eventually landing at Aviva.

And listening to her talk about it, you can tell right away this is not just a job.

She cares deeply.

When we talked about Aviva on Beyond the Plate with Carol, the word that kept coming up for me was comfortable.

But not boring comfortable.

The kind of comfortable that makes you want to stay.

The space itself plays a big role. The wood. The brick. The colors. The open kitchen. The pizza oven that anchors the room.

But what really makes it work is the people.

Because you can design a beautiful space, but you cannot fake that feeling.

Aviva feels genuine.

Because yes, the food absolutely delivers.

And I do not say that lightly.

Every time I have been there, it has been consistent. And that matters.

The Italian street fries are one of my favorite things on the menu.

And yes, they are eggplant fries.

If you think you do not like eggplant, order them anyway.

They are crispy, creamy, and topped with a spicy aioli that is honestly addictive.

The chicken piccata is another standout. That balance of lemon and a little bit of cream is exactly how I like it.

And the gnocchi.

I am very picky about gnocchi.

And theirs is soft, light, and exactly what it should be.

Then there is the short rib risotto, which is one of those dishes you think about later.

Rich, comforting, and definitely not a one-meal situation.

One thing I really appreciate is how thoughtful the menu is.

Half portions on some entrées.

That is smart.

Sometimes you want the comfort without committing to a huge portion, and even the half sizes are generous.

They also do a great job with gluten free options.

And that matters.

Because people want to feel included in the experience, not like an afterthought.

This was probably my favorite part of the conversation.

Shelby talked about her team, and you can tell she truly means it when she says they are like family.

And I know that gets said a lot in this business.

But this felt real.

She talked about people following her from previous jobs. About building a team that wants to be there.

And you can feel that when you walk in.

That kind of culture always shows up in the guest experience.

Always.

One thing she said that really stayed with me is that when something goes wrong, she cares.

And I understand that.

Because when you love what you do, you take it personally.

Not in a negative way.

In a way that makes you want to fix it.

She talks to tables. She checks in. She listens.

And that matters.

Because in today’s world, people are quick to post a review, but not always quick to give you the chance to make it right.

Her mindset is simple.

Hear it. Learn from it. Fix it. Get better.

That is how you build something that lasts.

My husband and I are bar people, so this part matters to me.

And Aviva does it really well.

The bar is lively, comfortable, and because of the open kitchen, it feels like part of the action.

You can watch the pizzas being made, see the energy of the room, and still sit back and enjoy it.

Shelby clearly loves that part of the restaurant too.

And it shows.

The cocktails are great. The sangria is always a good choice.

And I will absolutely be going back for that fig and vanilla martini she mentioned.

We talked about this too, and these are the kind of specials that make a difference.

Appy Hour during the week.

Pizza specials on Monday.

Bambino Night on Tuesday.

Wine and Dine on Wednesday.

These are not just filler promotions.

They are reasons to come back.

At the end of our conversation, I asked Shelby to describe Aviva in three words.

She said, feels like home.

And that really stayed with me.

Because the best restaurants do more than feed you.

They make you feel taken care of.

They make you feel comfortable.

They make you want to come back.

And that is exactly what Aviva does.

Full episode is live now. Episode 28 of Beyond the Plate with Carol.
Find us on YouTube at youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol,
on Spotify, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

If you are in Bedford and have not been to Aviva Trattoria yet, go.

Get the Italian street fries.

Try the gnocchi.

Sit at the bar.

And see if you feel it too.

Because I have a feeling you will.

Carol

LISTEN + FOLLOW

New episodes every Tuesday -- Beyond the Plate with Carol

YouTube: youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol

Instagram: @beyondtheplatenh

TikTok: @nhbeyondtheplate

Facebook: Beyond the Plate with Carol

All links: linktr.ee/BeyondtheplateNH

ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON

Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 with four locations across
New Hampshire open 24 hours. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories
behind the people who make New Englands food and hospitality scene what it is.
Not just what is on the menu. What is behind it.
Red Arrow Diner redarrowdiner.com @redarrow24dineron has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.

Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com  |  @redarrow24diner