STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When it comes to The Stone House's various components -- dinner, the nightly specials, lunch, and especially Sunday brunch -- owner Peter Botros takes everything personally -- very personally.
So, if any aspect of his handsome, Clove Lakes Park venue doesn't draw raves, he takes it apart and starts all over again.
Such a quick volte-face happened to the popular brunch buffet back in the fall. In early November, Botros ditched the sprawling feast served fireside in the Stone House's lofty front room.
Botros felt compelled to explain back in November: "We made the change because we felt a public buffet is not the best representation of the Stone House...buffets limit our creativity and generate a lot of waste. And, we want to be more conscious of food waste."
So, he went all in on ala carte -- a prix fixe format that now costs $24.95.
And, brunch became an even bigger success.
Now served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests can linger over lox, omelets and various options from the three-course menu. A complimentary cocktail is included, as are twists on classics and the basket of signature cheddar-corn muffins with chipotle-honey butter.
Take the bacon-egg-n-cheese. Peter's version starts with a butter dollop melted in a stainless steel pan and miniature croissants split open for the crisping in the butter. On top of that comes unctuous Applewood bacon slices, then a pair of poached eggs topped with smoked Gouda bechamel. The ribbon of yolk ooTKing its way down the side of it all is pause for Instagram.
Peter is a native Staten Islander who has, at time, taken on massive workloads and overcome a few challenges in life. A Port Richmond High School graduate, Peter earned Bachelors Degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University, then a Double Major MBA in Marketing and Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He started out at Dominoes Pizza at 13, moved over to Miggy's Deli at 14, Bario's Pizza in New Springville at 15, South Fin Grill in South Beach at 19, Angelina's in Annadale at 23 and The Pepperjack Grill, Castleton Corner, at 25. All the while, from age 24 onward, he's been a mortgage broker.
With friends made along the way and with a following of former colleagues, The Stone House began in 2014.
Book-ending the bulk of his career thus far, Peter's Mom passed away from breast cancer when in his mid-teens. And, he, too, is a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with the disease at 24.
As further illustration of his tenacity and passion for the restaurant business, Peter started up The Chef's Loft, a concept of a restaurant-within-a-restaurant wine-and-food pairing for an arranged price of $125. Botros personally prepares the meals tableside in the upper portion of Stone House formerly used as a storeroom and office.
At a year into a concept to a dubious restaurant critic, the venture took off. Reservations now must be made months in advance for what is now dubbed as "The Flavor Series."
Says Joe Toth of Southern Wines and Spirits, "I'm impressed with Peter at the Stone House...he took the chance. This kid continues to raise the bar and be a success at everything he does -- God bless him."
So, here's how you voted in the "Best Brunch" category of the 2017 Best of Staten Island Awards.
STONE HOUSE
1150 Clove Rd., Sunnyside; 1150 Clove Rd., Clove Lakes Park; 718-442-3600, TheStoneHouseSI.com
1,624 votes
1271 Bay St., Rosebank, 718-448-4282, ThePhunkyElephant.com
1,262 votes
4553 Arthur Kill Rd., Richmond Valley
1,090 votes