5 minute read
Delightful and Fun
Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar A Special Place for Delicious Food, Extensive Wine List, and… FUN!
By TILDON DUNN 919 Magazine Writer
919 Magazine Photos by Catherine Davis Photography
Travinia Kitchen & Wine Bar offers delicious food, some delightful fun, an extensive wine selection – and a relaxed setting. And it’s conveniently located in Morrisville’s Park West Village. “We have consistently superb Italian food, served in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere,” said Joe Giampapa, co-owner. “Plus, we feature a high-class, aesthetically pleasant décor, lots of polished wood and smoked glass and a beautiful indoor/outdoor bar that opens to a semi-covered patio (with 48 seats, and two fire pits).”
One of many fresh, delicious salad entrees
Giampapa praises Travinia’s cuisine, which combines specialty dishes (such as short rib rigatoni and sausage arabiata) with traditional classics like lasagna and ravioli – giving credit to Chef Sergio.
“The heart and soul of Travinia Morrisville is our chef. Born and raised in Belize, Central America, Sergio graduated college, immigrated to the U.S. and began cooking -- working his way up in the industry from dishwasher,” said Giampapa, who noted that he worked in several Houston restaurants, before spending more than 20 years as Corporate Chef in Travinia’s corporate headquarters. “Chef Sergio’s passion for cooking (as evidenced by our constantly-evolving menu) is second only to his devotion to God and his family (wife and two grown children).”
Despite the superb food quality and extensive selection, Giampapa stressed the excellent value, “Ninety percent of our guests leave with a ‘doggie bag’ containing enough food for their next day’s lunch or dinner,” he noted, adding that “Many Italian dishes taste even better the second day!”
The Travina team also adds some fun to the dining experience. Not only are more than 150 brands of white, red and rose wines available -- including an extensive collection of “reserve” bottles, but live music is featured on Wednesday and Saturday nights (along with no cover and half-price martinis!).
Chef Sergio Briceno Jr.
--JOE GIAMPAPA Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Local guests celebrating with Martinis
One of many fabulous dishes
Romantic ambience
TRAVINIA ITALIAN KITCHEN & WINE BAR
YEAR OPENED: 2012
OWNERS: Sergio Briceno Jr Joe Giampapa Chris Conway
ADDRESS: Park West Village 1301 Market Center Dr, Morrisville
FEATURES: Indoor/outdoor bar, that opens to a semi-covered patio (48 seats, 2 firepits); two separate “wine” rooms for private parties and events (seating up to 28 and 12 respectively; extensive wine selection
ENTERTAINMENT: Live music (Mysti Mayhem, Wed; Colin Neal, Sat)
HOURS:
Mon-Thu, 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat, 11 am-11 pm; Sun, 11 am-9 pm
The Travinia Team
---JOE GIAMPAPA Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Travinia Morrisville has the perfect concept, Giampapa said -- as practiced on an airline service model. “You can dine casually in shorts and flip-flops on the patio (“coach class”), enjoy an upscale meal in the main dining room (“business class”) or have a gourmet/fine dining experience in one of the Wine Rooms (“first class”),” he explained. “And all in the same restaurant.”
Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar is located at 1301 Market Center Drive in Morrisville’s Park West Village. For information, call 919-467-1718, email morrisville@traviniaitaliankitchen.com or visit traviniamorrisville.com.
JOE GIAMPAPA PROFILE
POSITION: Co-Owner, Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar in Morrisville
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, EDUCATION: Retired attorney/engineer BS, Aeronautics; MBA, Finance; Masters, Systems Engineering: JD Law; Post Doc LLMs (2)
RESIDENCE: INTERESTS: Morrisville Sports, dinner/movies, “sun ’n’ sand”, NCAA basketball
Just 5 with With Mysti Mayhem
Mysti Mayhem
Performing live acoustic music at 7 p.m. on Wednesday nights at Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar in Morrisville, Mayhem has entertained professionally since age 17, recorded albums, and toured in the U.S. and Europe. She has been musically compared to Adele, Janis Joplin and Alabama Shakes.
How did you get into music?
I’ve always been on the path of music since I was a child. So my background is my current ground, which I pray will be my foreground. I was guided into the world of music through school, and from home where my mother and I sang to each other. I didn’t have a choice; it was my destiny.
When did you begin performing?
I have been performing for about 20 years. I started professional training in 1st Grade through my public school system. I was given support and opportunities from my teachers.
When did you start performing at Travinia?
I’ve performed at Travinia for about a year. The audience can expect to hear soulful, unique renditions of their favorite songs as well as musically healing original pieces.
What should audiences expect at your Travinia shows?
A lovely atmosphere with great food, good people and a musical performance that will touch your soul’s core – with honest delivery and unabashed talent.
If you want to experience raw bones talent, passionate music or suspend reality to feel connected, a Mysti Mayhem show at Travinia is where it’s at!
What do you enjoy most about performing at Travinia? Being able to bring musical healing to all kinds of different people, from all walks of life – while being surrounded by delicious food.
MYSTI MAYHEM PROFILE
AGE: ‘Level’ 35
MUSICAL TRAINING: Mandatory music classes in 1st Grade; high school band; private guitar lessons beginning age 10 (including private tutoring by noted artist Bo Diddley at age 20)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Performing professionally since age 17; began opening for Mike Farris, Damon Johnson – which led to recording several albums and touring in U.S. and Europe Honesdale, PA Durham
HOMETOWN: Honesdale, PA
RESIDENCE: Durham
