Stefano’s Trattoria
by Laura Breen Galante
Enter Stefano’s, a cozy Italian trattoria in Winter Springs, and the first things you’ll notice are the pictures on the walls of the entrance and main dining area. They aren’t photos of celebrities but rather smiling Stefano’s regulars enjoying beautiful dishes alongside family and friends, many raising a glass or fork.
They aren’t just customers, says Liz English, the restaurant’s general manager. They’re family.
“It’s a family restaurant, and we have a lot of people that are like family,”she says.
As Liz points to a few pictures on the wall, she smiles, herself, and shares a fun fact or two about the friendly faces she sees.
“It’s that familiarity, getting to know people,” she says. “We want to make that connection. We want to get to know you by name, to know the dishes you like best.”
Liz’s favorite dish, by the way, is Tortellini di Stefano.
Liz has been Stefano’s general manager for the last five years, but she’s been working for the restaurant for a decade. Her husband, Lewis, has been managing the kitchen for 12 years. So yes, it’s definitely a family atmosphere. Liz and Lewis met about 13 years ago and will be celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary this year. Five years ago, they welcomed a son, Gareth, who’s also featured in a couple of the photos throughout Stefano’s.
“Getting to work with Lewis is a plus,” says Liz, who figures they have worked together every day for the last 10 years. “I love being a mom and working somewhere so family-oriented.”
Liz also enjoys hosting pizza parties for area kids, during which they tour the kitchen, spin dough, and make their own pizzas.
This is in addition to running the front of the house – Liz handles hiring, staff management, hosting at times, handling to-go orders and catering, cleaning, organizing, computer work, and updating specials and menus. You name it, and Liz has a hand in it.
And that includes creating a welcoming, family-oriented dining environment at the area’s favorite family restaurant, Stefano’s.