Chef Stephanie Sokolove's eponymous Back Bay restaurant Stephanie's on Newbury—as popular for its people-watching patio as for Sokolove's upscale comfort food—has steadily grown into a Boston institution since opening in 1994. Now the chef/owner has expanded with a second restaurant in the South End.
Stephi's on Tremont, which opened in March in the space formerly occupied by Garden of Eden, has a more neighborly feel than the Newbury spot. The bright dining room is accented with dark herringbone floors, chandeliers, a marble staircase, and mirrors, while spacious booths look out onto Tremont Street. There's no massive patio as at the Newbury location, but the restaurant does offer a few sidewalk seats during the summer months.
Stephi's serves a more playful menu than its upscale sister restaurant, with creative comfort fare such as prosciutto and Parmesan fritters, pretzel-crusted crab cake, and pecan-goat cheese fritter salad, along with rich dessert options like brownie bread pudding.
The 70-seat main dining room is available for buyouts and a private dining room seats 12.
