John Braga got his start in the restaurant industry working in high-end Italian eateries in New York and New Jersey.

There, he cooked for famous folks, including Frank Sinatra, John Travolta, Brooke Shields, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

But when he fell in love with Texas while visiting on vacation and subsequently moved here, he wanted to instead create food that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Along with his wife, Roxy, Braga opened Milano Trattoria in a cozy corner of Wolf Ranch Town Center in June 2012. Nearly 13 years later, he said the restaurant continues to attract people from as far as Austin and Bastrop, but the restaurant also has a loyal following from residents of Sun City.

“Everyone is welcome to my place,” Braga said.


On the menu

While Braga couldn't name his favorite dish on the menu, saying, “I like everything because these are my recipes,” he spoke highly of the osso buco—a dish comprising braised veal sanks and roasted vegetables.

Milano only serves the labor intensive dish, which requires almost two days of prep and four hours to cook, on the first weekend of the month. And Braga said he thinks he’s one of the only restaurants in Central Texas serving the high-class Italian dish.

“I love this meat,” Braga said. “I love that people come enjoy it.”


Braga said Milano’s big menu means there’s something for everyone.

Additionally, he tries to make everything in-house and fresh, from the restaurant’s breads, to its pastas and raviolis, to its desserts.

“I like to cook very much. This is my relaxed communication,” Braga said. “This is me.”

About the business


Braga said Roxy Braga uses her background in accounting to manage the business’s finances, while the kitchen is his domain.

Braga now leaves a lot of the cooking at Milano to his sous chef, Alberto Pineda, who’s been by his side in the kitchen for 13 years.

“He’s like me,” Braga said. “He knows everything. I trust him very much.”