For Paola Pedrignani, creating memorable dining experiences isn’t just a business — it’s her life’s calling. The architect-turned-restaurateur is the heart and soul behind Southlake’s Stella Ristorante Italiano where warmth, authenticity and Italian hospitality greet guests at the door. With a new café concept called Stella Café Italiano opening soon in Grapevine, Paola sat down with us to share what brought her to Texas, how her Italian roots and years in New York City still influence her, and why she believes food should feel like home.
IN 2019, I STARTED DREAMING OF… opening a restaurant somewhere more welcoming and with more potential than New York. I’ve owned a Mediterranean restaurant on the Upper East Side for 26 years, but after COVID, I knew I needed a change - for myself and my daughter.
THE FIRST TIME I VISITED SOUTHLAKE… I immediately felt something special. The community, the energy, the corner where Stella now stands — it all just clicked. After a long COVID delay, I came back in 2021 and found my spot. It felt like fate.
THE COMMUNITY HAS EMBRACED ME… with so much kindness. Texans have been unbelievably generous, and they appreciate authenticity. I try to give them a true Italian experience — not just through the food, but through the feeling. People come in and tell me they feel like they’ve traveled to Italy for the evening. That’s the best compliment I could receive.
SOUTHLAKE IS… warm. People smile, say hello, and truly want to connect. In New York, people are a bit more guarded. The pace here is healthier - for my daughter, for myself and for the business.
I’M AN ARCHITECT… by training, and I love designing my restaurants to feel like an extension of home. Stella was built with intention — every element was about creating comfort and warmth. I love it because I can do more with the space and the design here.
WE’RE OPENING STELLA CAFÉ ITALIANA… in Grapevine. It will be a more casual concept, offering Italian-style breakfast, pizza al taglio [by the slice] and daily pastas, plus a full bar. It’s designed for takeout but has a beautiful space for sitting down with a spritz or a panino. I love that Grapevine is walkable - it reminds me a little of Europe. Eventually, I’d love to open something in the Fort Worth Stockyards, too. But for now, Southlake is my mothership.
I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL JOY… real, Italian joy. When I was young and working as an au pair in the U.S., I fell in love with how people here greet you with a smile and a "hello." I never forgot that. So I aim to create that same sense of welcome and connection at Stella. Food is important, of course. But the feeling? That’s everything.
I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT… expanding Stella’s reach - but only in ways that feel authentic. Every detail matters to me: the tile, the color palette, the texture of the napkins. I want each location to reflect my personal touch. We’re also introducing new seasonal menus and chef’s dinners to bring more of that Italian storytelling to the table. Whether it’s a quick espresso or a lingering dinner, I want guests to feel transported, even just for a moment.
SEEING PEOPLE GATHER AND CONNECT… in the space I dreamed of - there’s nothing like it. I watch guests linger over wine, celebrate birthdays, introduce their kids to real Italian food… and it fills my heart. After so many years in New York, I was craving community, and here, I found it. I’m proud to be part of something that brings people joy and makes them feel at home.