Photo by Beth Wade[/caption]

Born in Morocco, Karim Aliani spent about five years of his life living in Italy, studying and learning all he could about the nation's cuisine and culture.

After moving to Newport Beach, Calif., he got a job in a small Italian restaurant where he learned about Italian-American cooking and learned to speak English and Spanish.

"He expanded his passion for Italian cooking and Italian-American cooking [while working there]," his wife, Jeana, said.

Karim got a job working as a chef at Macaroni Grill and eventually became a general manager for the restaurant chain; however, his dream was to open his own small family restaurant.

In 2010 the couple purchased Paisano's Trattoria & Pizzeria in Georgetown from Guiseppe and Rosa Pepe, who had opened the restaurant in 1996.

"[Karim and the Pepes] hit it off, and we took it over," Jeana said. "We decided this is a good place to start because it's small. [Karim has] never had the passion to open a giant [restaurant]. He's always envisioned small, boutique-style restaurants. Keep it family; keep it local and close-knit. Just very comfortable and Italian-style."

Karim and Jeana set about updating the restaurant into their own style and changed the menu to include recipes Karim had picked up during his travels and from his previous experiences, Jeana said.

With a background in customer service, Jeana said she was a natural fit at the front of the house while her husband was running the kitchen. However, after he became ill, she was forced to learn how to operate the kitchen as well.

"Italian food was never my thing, but I learned [how to cook it] working here," Jeana said.

In May 2012, after Karim recovered, the couple decided to open a location in Cedar Park.

The restaurant's menu features a variety of classic Italian entrees, appetizers and pizzas, using fresh-made sauces and homemade bread and dough, Jeana said. The couple also created a gluten-free menu for diners with food restrictions.

Jeana said the couple has focused on fine-tuning the menu and training the kitchen staff so that diners can know what to expect when they come in to eat.

"Consistency in our food is probably No. 1," she said. "It's important to have the same great experience every time."

A worldly menu

The menu at Paisano's Trattoria & Pizzeria is often inspired by Jeana and Karim Aliani's travel through Europe and Karim's past experience as a chef.

Although the co-owners said they love to see the sights and squeeze in some relaxation, Jeana said many of their trips turn out to be research excursions.

For Jeana, her time spent in the Mediterranean has inspired a new blackboard menu that will be available this spring at the restaurant's Cedar Park location.

Diners will be able to sample favorites from a variety of Mediterranean nations on the special menu. The regular menu with classic Italian dishes will also be available.

Gluten- free menu

After learning she had a gluten intolerance herself, Paisano's Trattoria co-owner Jeana Aliani set about creating a gluten-free menu to cater to people with similar conditions.

The menu features a selection of pasta dishes, pizzas, sandwiches and desserts for those looking to avoid gluten.

Although most of the restuarant's bread and doughs are baked fresh daily in-house, the gluten-free products are purchased from a dedicated gluten-free facility, Aliani said.

Unlike the restaurant's homemade pizza crust, the gluten-free crust is thinner and can be a crunchier option for those not wanting the thicker crust, she said.