George & Lito's offers uniqueness in north end

There was a definite sign that Stamos Sotiropoulos had found the restaurant he had been looking for - the original washer and dryer sign connecting newly opened George & Lito's to the Bluenose Laundromat next door.

The original laundry board was what first attracted owner Sotiropoulos to the space. Customers can relax with a coffee while waiting for their machine's indicator light to go off on the board.

"The laundry board wasn't being used. What a shame. It's such a great little feature," said owner Sotiropoulos, who also owns the Lunchbox Deli in Park Victoria. "I'd been looking for a couple of years for a restaurant, but they just didn't have right vibe. I heard about this place and jumped right away. I just thought, 'This is it. This is the place we're looking for.'"

The restaurant, located at 2196 Windsor St. (the former Old Pyramid), is named after Sotiropoulos' dad, George, and his wife Angela's father, Lito. Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sotiropoulos said they didn't want to be known as a certain type of restaurant.

"We're carving out our own niche. We're not trying to replace anyone. We're another option (and) something a little different," said Sotiropoulos, 42. "We offer a little bit of everything. It's casual dining with chic flair."

Comfort foods such as shepherd's pie and lasagna are on the menu along with salads and fish and chips. For breakfast, German, Italian and Mexican sausage are offered along with Mac's Stacks, pancakes made with chocolate milk, named after Angela's 9-year-old daughter, Mackenzie. George & Lito's also grinds their own coffee to order.

Sotiropoulos, who is not formally trained, learned his tricks of the trade from his dad, a cook and restaurant owner.

"He taught me the kitchen is the most important thing in a restaurant. If it doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter if it looks good. You have to take your time with it," he said.

The space has seen some cosmetic changes, including deep red walls, black and white table linen and family pictures of both George and Lito in black and pewter frames adorn the walls. Sotiropoulos credits Angela, who owns a modeling agency, with the decorating touches that make the restaurant inviting and cozy.

"It needed a bit of a facelift in here," he said. "It needed a woman's touch. I just signed the cheques."

Upstairs is still under renovation but will open soon for customers who want to "chill away from the crowd" or for smaller groups. A patio is in the works for the summer as is their liquor license. On the Go with George and Lito will offer take-out items such as sandwiches and wraps from an old cafeteria style fridge.

Now open more than a month, Sotiropoulos is starting to recognize customers and getting to know people.

"I'm glad when everyone walks out happy, full and with a smile," he said. "This is an old school business, not a franchise with just a hello and goodbye. Everyone has a story. We want to be that neighbourhood place with good food. We want to be the neighbourhood little hang out."

George & Lito's is located at 2196 Windsor St. and open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 405-3542.

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