Corner U.S. Rte. 11 & Main Street · Whitney Point, NY 13862 · For Reservations call · (607)692-4114
· Open hours Sunday-Thursday from 11 AM- 10 PM · Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Centrally located between the Binghamton, Cortland, and Ithaca areas.
Aiello's History
The Aiello Family moved to America from Sicily, Italy. Calogero (Charlie) was born in the village of Partanna and Vincenzo (Vinnie) was born in Alba, in the Piedmont area of Northern Italy.
Having grown up in and around restaurants, and in Mamma's always busy kitchen, the family moved to Whitney Point where Vito (Papa) opened Aiello's RISTORANTE in May of 1982 for histwo sons to operate.
The friendliness of Whitney Point has allowed Aiello's to grow from a small Pizzeria to the comfortable full service restaurant you enjoy today.
We use only the best fresh ingredients (herbs, spices, cheeses, and imported 100% olive oil), in our secret family recipes. This enables our talented chef's to assure you of the highest quality dining experience.
We enjoy getting to know our guests. Thank you for visiting with our family. We hope to see you again soon.
Some History of the Village of Whitney Point and the Restaurant Site
Whitney Point was settled in 1797 and incorporated in 1871. In 1824, it was named for its postmaster, Thomas Whitney and called Whitney's Point. The village has survived fires and floods to become the wholesome village that it is today.
Griffin's block the current site of Aiello's Restaurant, burned in April 1897. The fire started in the store's basement and razed the entire business section of the village. Businessmen built a wooden shanty town on the school house grounds to house facilities for temporary stores following the fire.
The Hotel Griffin was built on the site of the Griffin block. Construction was completed the night before a planned celebration of the reconstruction of the village in 1899. It was an imposing building with a public room, dining room, lobby, and kitchen on the first floor with twenty sleeping rooms above. It had electricity and steam heat. In 1912, the Hotel Griffin was sold and renamed the Otselic Inn. It became a temperance Hotel, hosting group meetings. It was the best place in town to go for Sunday dinner and STILL IS!!! The Otselic Inn bar reopened in 1933 when 3.2% beer became legal. The Aiello family purchased the building in May 1982.
In the mid-1930s a flood ravaged the village, nearly wiping it out. In 1936, President F. D. Roosevelt visited the village and made a commitment to construct a Flood Control Dam on the Otselic River.
This dam impounds a reservoir that not only protects the village but provides a beautiful recreational lake.
The village history includes the site where the Whitney automobile was manufactured in 1901. This automobile sold for $850.00 or $880.00 with the fenders. Whitney Point is now the site of the annual Broom County Fair, the annual Rotary Canoe Regatta, and the annual New York State Crappie Derby.
The Aiello family feels very fortunate to be a part of this community. We enjoy improving this facility with its rich history, and making it more attractive and comfortable for our guest.