Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia
What is the first thing you do when you open for the day?
Make a pot of coffee.
What’s one thing your customers don’t know you do behind the scenes?
Maintenance man! I’m always fixing or cleaning or painting something.
If there were an award for your daily routine, what would it be called?
Referee of the Year.
What’s something you’ve gotten better at every year?
Off-premise catering.
What’s one item you always have on hand?
Tripe.
What’s something you do that seems small but makes a huge difference?
Shake your hand and say thank you when I give out your pay.
What was your “I made it” moment?
Opening my first restaurant in 1997 Sunset Cove.
Tell us about your favorite local spot.
Flames Steakhouse in Briarcliff. I had my 21st birthday there and have been going ever since.
What northern Westchester business do you secretly (or not so secretly) love?
Mount Kisco Seafood. Joe is the BEST!
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?
I definitely would have been in law enforcement.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Put God first in your life and you can achieve anything.
How do you celebrate a big win?
Steak and a cigar.
Describe your business in three words.
Labor of love.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be?
“That’s Amore” by Dean Martin.
What’s the funniest customer request you’ve ever received?
Can I please have the gluten free pasta with vodka sauce and fried chicken cutlet?
What’s your business’s unofficial motto?
The customer is definitely not always right.
What’s your dream customer reaction?
Smile on their face and a full belly.
What’s something your business does differently than anyone else?
Chicken scarpariello.
What’s the smallest detail your customers notice—or that you hope they notice?
I always tell them to have a safe ride home.
What’s the one thing your business couldn’t function without?
Our staff.
What’s one thing people often say when they first walk in?
“We are starving!”
What’s the unsung hero of your business?
Our fresh pasta machine.
What’s a word or phrase customers often use to describe your business—and do you agree?
Generous.
What is your most popular item/service?
Nonna’s chicken meatballs.
What is something you wish more people knew about your business?
How hard and dedicated our staff works daily!
Address: 251 Lexington Ave, Mt Kisco, NY 10549
Phone number: (914) 864-1888
Website: stonefireny.com
This article was published in the January/February 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2026 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
