Stephi’s on Tremont, the sister restaurant to Stephanie’s on Newbury is getting close to opening in the old Garden of Eden location in the South End. We caught up with owner Stephanie Sokolove yesterday to learn more about the new spot.
Though Stephi’s on Tremont will have the “same residential feel” as Stephanie’s on Newbury, “it just looks different in that it’s a little more contemporary, it’s smaller, even though the ceilings are very high. The food is very similar because it’s what we do and I don’t want to vary too much, since we’ve been so successful at that. I think you’ll come in here and you’ll feel homey and, at the same time, crisp and clean. We also have outdoor dining here, but I think this is more of a neighborhood. Back Bay is a neighborhood, but you certainly get more hotel business, more tourist business, you get more shoppers.”
Despite mixed public opinion, Stephanie’s on Newbury has been open for almost fifteen years - an eternity in the Boston restaurant world. Sokolove was more than happy to share the secrets of her success: “I think we have stayed classic and basic. I think we understand what people want to eat. I think we’re not trendy. I think we’re an institution and dependable. I think we have invested in changing the decor, in closing and cleaning, making sure that the restaurant is always looking spanking new. I think that as we’ve gotten older and more mature as a company, we have really learned how to service the public. I think our service has gotten terrific, I think the food’s great quality, and I think we have a real handle on what people want to eat on a daily basis. … I think when I first opened, it was all about fine dining. I think we were the only people to have mac & cheese and meatloaf on the menu, the only people in the entire city! Now everybody has it. I think now there’s an understanding that people are becoming a lot more casual.” Though Stephanie’s on Newbury hasn’t been hit hard by the recession (“Knock on wood!” laughs Sokolove), she admits to some trepidation about opening a new restaurant in the current economic climate. “I’m crossing my fingers. I would not call this great timing! But you know, we’re up to our ass in alligators and we’re just going to do the best job we do! We’ve got an amazing professional team and we’re just going to continue doing what Stephanie’s does best!”
Sokolove was happy to clear the air about the union picket line that took place outside of the Stephi’s on Tremont site at the beginning of the month. “I wasn’t here, actually, I was on vacation, but I’ll tell you: the unions, which, by the way, were very fairly asked to bid on the job, we didn’t exclude them, we included them, we got bids from everyone. My contractor does many, many restaurants: we’re very sensitive to that. What we ended up doing was going with the best price, like any good businessperson would. Sometimes the union prices are a little higher than others and it just put me out of the budget. If the independent was more money, we wouldn’t have used them. You just have to be price-sensitive. I certainly have no hard feelings here.”
Stephi’s on Tremont is expected to open the week of March 2.
Stephi’s on Tremont [Official Site]
Stephanie’s on Newbury [MenuPages]
Stephanie’s on Newbury [Official Site]
