MILLBROOK — John and Paul Stefanopoulos are scheduled to open the doors to their latest culinary venture on Wednesday, June 4, in downtown Millbrook. House of Stefas, a Greek-inspired restaurant, blends secret family recipes with bold interior design layered with nods to their heritage and culture.
But don’t call it a restaurant. “It’s more of a sanctuary for what we call philoxenia,” says John, referencing the ancient Greek value of hospitality and generosity toward strangers. “Everyone here is loved and taken care of in the ancient Greek way.”
The interior features distinct zoned identities and styles. Photo by Aly Morrissey
The brothers say the spirit of the business was born during college, when they hosted dinner parties under the name 97 Garden, where as many as 50 people — often from vastly different social circles — would gather for the now-storied meals.
“The food was good, but it was more about the community,” says John. “Before we had the name and concept, we knew we wanted to build something that lifts people up, that makes people feel better, that makes them feel like aristocrats and gods.”
As the youngest generation of the Four Brothers Pizza Inn dynasty, hospitality is in their blood — and now they’re proudly putting a fresh spin on it with a space of their own. What they describe as a labor of love has been in the works for more than a year, though you could argue they’ve been preparing for this their entire lives.
“It’s a multidimensional space that’s actually characteristic of our personalities,” John explains. “There’s a side of us that’s artsy, a side that’s straight business, and a side that’s really fun. We wanted that to come through — so people could experience different parts of our heritage and our lives, broken up into pieces.”
The space is divided into distinct zones, each with its own identity and style — but always rooted in Greek mythology, symbolism and the occasional inside joke that may never reveal itself to the public.
In the Verand Room, guests can enjoy espresso, cappuccino, cocktails, and small bites. Then there’s the cocktail lounge, a rooftop patio, raw bar, main dining room, multiple bars and private rooms.
No matter what you’re in search of, House of Stefas invites guests into an immersive, evolving narrative.
Of course, at the heart of every restaurant lies one essential question: How’s the food?
To lead the kitchen, the brothers brought in executive chef Roel Alcudia — an industry veteran with experience at top establishments in Miami, Berlin, Istanbul and Barcelona. When asked about the menu, Alcudia gently corrects any suggestion that the cuisine is broadly Mediterranean.
The restaurant's interior decor is divided into distinct zones — the Verand room, a cocktail lounge, a rooftop patio, raw bar, a main dining room, multiple bars and private rooms — each with a unique identity.Photo by Aly Morrissey
“It’s Greek. Freestyle Greek,” he says with a smile. “There’s a very clear vision here, and I just have to match their intensity, their personalities, and their character,” he says, nodding toward the brothers.
“Chef Roel understands the culture and the philosophy,” says Paul. “He’s a multidimensional person who can realize the potential of this place. It’s one thing to cook — it’s another to know how and why you’re doing it.” John adds, “It’s not about the recipe. It’s about how and why things are being done.”
“We’re honoring the traditional Greek style because it’s who we are as people,” Paul says. “But we’re also looking toward the future. We’re well-traveled, we have a deep appreciation for food and culture and we wanted that worldly influence to be reflected.”
With what they describe as a “feminine approach” to their culinary philosophy, John and Paul credit their mother, Katina, as a major force behind their vision.
“Our parents came from a small village in Greece. Our mom has always been cooking, taking care of the family — that’s how she expresses herself,” says John. Many of her recipes will appear on the menu.
“We couldn’t have done this without her — or our father, William,” he adds.
There simply isn’t another place like House of Stefas. It is the very specific brainchild of John and Paul Stefanopoulos: their taste, their travels, their history and their unapologetically bold aesthetic and sense of humor. It’s a one-of-a-kind concept that feels destined to draw people from far beyond Millbrook.
The result is something distinctly Greek — but also cosmopolitan, forward-looking and deeply personal. In a small town in upstate New York, the Stefanopoulos brothers have managed to build something that feels both ancient and new — rooted and exploratory. And never boring.
