ABOUT AIDA

FOOD
AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar specializes in classic Italian favorites as well as an eclectic mix of non-traditional entrees & small plates from a variety of culinary & cultural backgrounds. Our FARM 2 TABLE initiative continues to feature locally produced items in our menus from local farms and producers.

Our menu focuses on fresh, nutritious and fairly priced Italian & Mediterranean style Bistro food. Although it has an Italian core of entrees and freshly made pasta, the Chef adds Weekly Specials to the menus, which are both contemporary and non-traditional Italian.

We have crafted three different dinner menus options with different price points; Prix Fixe, Small Plate & Entrée or Ala Carte. Our three-course prix fixe menu changes weekly and is available with hand chosen wine & beer flights to compliment the meal. We are open for both lunch and dinner.

HOWARD COUNTY’S FINEST CHEF’S TABLE
Our Chef's Table in our new kitchen continues to receive great reviews from guests. From two to four guests can enjoy a 6 to 8 course chef's menu, wine pairings and the inside scoop on how our kitchen operates. The Chef's Table requires a special reservation, so please let us know when you'd like to experience this terrific new dining option.

WINE
We have installed a new Wine on Tap System with 20 Wines on Tap. Based on customer acceptance and demand, we are increasing it to 30 Wines on Tap by Fall 2011. Our Wine on Tap System is the largest in Maryland and second largest in the U.S!

HISTORY
We are a family owned & operated restaurant and have been in Howard County for 10 years. We recently moved to a new larger and more upscale location in December 2010.

Co-owners, Joe & Mary Barbera are both natives of Chicago Illinois and moved to Maryland in 1984. Joe worked in the high tech industry for over 20 years, and was responsible for sales and marketing for many small start-up companies during his career. Mary owned a calligraphy business for 20 years and is a certified youth minister.

Their life-long dream was to open a restaurant & wine bar and their first restaurant, AIDA Bistro, is named after Joe's mother, Lillian Aida Barbera, who often warmly greets patrons on the weekend.

Other family members have all at one time or another worked at the restaurant. Their daughters Marietta and Katie have both been servers and hosts. Currently, you can catch Marietta guest bar tending on weekends while Katie provides you with a warm greeting on the phone or as you arrive. Their oldest son Joe has also worked as a busser and a waiter. The two youngest boys Jeff and Matt are always around helping out with the family’s business.

Mary & Joe's passion for great food and wine is reflected in their philosophy, "food is wine", and shows with their diverse and progressive wine list, and the new Wine on Tap Program featuring 30 Wines on Tap the largest in Maryland and #2 in the US!

Joe & Mary believe in giving back to the community. Joe is currently on the board of the Maryland Restaurant Association, Howard County Tourism and Howard Community College's Culinary and Grand Prix Boards.

Enjoy our restaurant and let us know what we can do to make your dining experience one that you will want to repeat and tell your friends about.

Mary and Joe Barbera
Proprietors AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar