1 of 6
Illustration by Melissa Duffy
2 of 6
Dikos at the first Stella’s in 1983 (Photo courtesy Stella Dikos)
3 of 6
A child with Santa at Miller & Rhoads (Photo from the McCray-Scott-Dunn Photograph Collection courtesy The Valentine)
4 of 6
Dinamo (File photo)
5 of 6
Mikis Theodorakis (Photo by Heinrich Klaffs via Wikimedia Commons)
6 of 6
Spanokopita (Photo via Getty Images)
In the Kitchen: “Essentials I learned to cook with in Greece, I still keep around today: sweet and green onions, leeks, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt and pepper, fresh butter.”
Local Stops: “I love Dinamo, The Continental, Full Kee and Mekong, among others.”
Playlist: “Mikis Theodorakis, classical music and music from the ’70s that I listened to at The Village. I learned so much about music while cooking there.”
Warm Embrace: “When I opened the first Stella’s on Harrison Street [now Edo’s Squid], I wanted it to be the best I could make it. It was overwhelming to see people come up that staircase to eat my food. I’ll never forget that feeling.”
Stella’s Staple: “There are a few, but my spanakopita. That’s something I’ve done at every iteration of Stella’s over the years. We sell them at the restaurant on Lafayette and at Stella’s Grocery.”
’Tis the Season: “I used to love the department stores on Broad Street, Thalhimers and Miller & Rhoads. During Christmas, it was a time to connect with my children away from constant work. They always made it very special for the kids during the holidays.”
