House of Stefas opens in Millbrook with bold style and Greek cuisine

Paul Stefanopoulos, left, and John Stefanopoulos on the second floor in the cocktail lounge of House of Stefas in Millbrook.
Photo by Aly Morrissey
Paul Stefanopoulos, left, and John Stefanopoulos on the second floor in the cocktail lounge of House of Stefas in Millbrook.
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.
Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.
AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.
“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.
“Megan’s job is not an easy one,” Blackman said, honoring Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent who has served the town for 20 years.
Also among those honored was Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner for 20 years of service as Court Clerk.
Maureen Moore, Court Clerk, was also honored in absentia for her 20 years of town service.
In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.
AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.
A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.
As with the first historic market installation at the Old Amenia Burying Ground, held in April, Amenia Union Cemetery graves of Revolutionary War veterans had been marked with American flags in advance.
Jim Middlebrook, representing the Columbia Mid-Hudson chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, attended along with other members of his chapter. Speaking before the unveiling, Middlebrook said that the historic marker project had begun in August 2024, and included a detailed process to certify the names on the graves.
Middlebrook described the work of the William C. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse whose mission is to promote “pride of place” by providing grants in support of installing historic markers and plaques nationwide to honor patriots for their service. Active now in seven or eight states, Middlebrook said, the foundation will soon add Connecticut and Massachusetts to the list.
The new Amenia Union marker honors “at least five veterans of the American Revolution interred between 1787 and 1810,” although Town Historian Betsy Strauss lists six veterans buried in the cemetery. The sixth, Gerhard Winegar, whose burial had been in 1781 could not fully satisfy the certification standards.
Strauss provided the following listing of six names:
Col. Colbe Chamberlain, 1739-1796
Capt. William Chamberlain, 1745-1810
Lieut. Samuel Snyder, 1712-1808
Gerhard Winegar, 1750-1781
Ensign Henry Winegar, 1723-1787
Capt. William Young, 1747-1806
Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.
MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.
Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.
“The Millerton Street Fair will celebrate everything we love about this community — its spirit, its dedication to service and its creative energy,” said James Clark, publisher and CEO of The Millerton News.
Local nonprofits will showcase their work and impact, including Climate Smart Millerton, Eddie Collins Memorial Park, North East Historical Society, Townscape, Tri-Corner FEED, Village of Millerton, and the Webutuck Elementary School.Participating businesses include Bes, Little Red Bird Studio, NBT, The Elephant’s Tusk, and many more.Local retail and dining establishments will be open with special promotions. NECC’s Farmer’s Market will run during the event.
Among the planned festivities are live music from John Stey and the Resilience Brass Band, performances from Bee Bee the Clown, face painting by students from Webutuck High School, and a community-wide scavenger hunt for kids.Other kids’ activities include egg and spoon races, and a “touch-a-truck” open house at the firehouse.The Irondale Schoolhouse will be hosting a special exhibit, and the North East-Millerton Library will be offering signups for the Summer Reading Program, a science show from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lawn games, and a cookie cook-off.
For more information, go to millertonnews.com/street-fair.
The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.
MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.
For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.
The second talk, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m., invites Carl Lounsbury of the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg to speak on the architecture of the Nine Partners Meetinghouse. His talk is titled, “Nine Partners Meetinghouse Plan: A New Form in the Hudson Valley.” Expert in early American architecture, Lounsbury’s talk will compare Nine Partners with other later houses of worship in New York and New England.
Both lecture events will be held at the 1780 brick Nine Partners Quaker Meetinghouse in Millbrook. An earlier meetinghouse on the site had burned. The building has remained largely unchanged since the 18th century.
Given the age of the structure, handicapped access is limited and there are no rest room facilities.
Visitors should enter through the cemetery gate entrance.
The lectures are free and open to all, supported by a grant from the county and offered as part of Dutchess County’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.