‘Family’ is focus at Oxford pizza shop
This week, Table Hoppin’ takes you to P&D Oxford House of Pizza, 440 Main St., Oxford.
The established business was purchased in 1981 by Fred Efstathiou of Worcester, who owned the Corner Lunch in Worcester from 1958 to 1978. He also owned Northboro House of Pizza in Northboro for several years.
Ted Efstathiou, Fred Efstathiou’s son, has owned P&D Pizza since 2003. His father continues to work in the business.
Fred Efstathou’s wife, Nia, and their other children, George and Kiki, also have worked at P&D at one time or another.
Fred Efstathiou said the original owners of P&D were a married couple whose first names were Peter and Despina. She occasionally drops into the business to say hello, said Efstathiou.
The success of this family-owned and operated business can be attributed to hard work, quality products and community support. And, of course, fast and friendly service.
Ted Efstathiou knows most customers on a first-name basis. “Through the years, you get to know your customers, their children and grandchildren,” he said. “They become like family because you share so many special events with them.”
Efstathiou got involved in the food business when his father first put him to work washing dishes at the Corner Lunch. “I tried to get away, but he (his father) wouldn’t let me go,” Efstathiou joked about his first job.
“I’m glad I didn’t leave the business because I really enjoy what I do,” he added.
About P&D: Sauces, meatballs, roast beef, etc., are prepared on the premise. Baklava, the only dessert, is made by Ted Efstathiou’s mother.
There are more than 30 different pizzas on the menu — the “Gyro,” the “Meat Lovers,” “The House Special,” etc. One of the new specialties is the Quiche Pizza, which is made with a garlic butter sauce base, scrambled eggs, cheese and any topping you desire.
Also new to the specialty list is the “Undertaker Pizza” with steak, bacon and crumbled blue cheese. Ted Efstathiou named the pizza for P&D customer Bryan Givner, owner of Paradis Funeral Home in Oxford.
Patrick Flynn, an attorney with an office in Oxford, has a steak sub, “The Flynn-ie,” with mushrooms, onion, peppers, Genoa salami, pepperoni, bacon and American cheese, named after him.
The menu also includes several other customer named sandwiches.
You will find a good variety of salads, grinders, stromboli, Syrian sandwiches and wraps at P&D. Appetizers and spaghetti and ziti dishes, too.
Friday specials, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., include seafood dinners such as fish and chips, haddock, scallops, shrimp and fried clams. Fried chicken is also available.
Other specials: Tuesdays, one small plain pizza (pickup only), $2.50; Sundays, two large plain pizzas, $11.95, or two large pizzas, one topping, (pickup only), $13.50.
The owner sometimes adds unannounced weekday specials.
P&D hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; closed Mondays. Seating: 24; Telephone: (508) 987-5798 or (508) 987-0967; www.panddpizza.com.
Note: The Efstathiou family belongs to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester.
P&D through the years has given its support to local fundraisers, especially activities sponsored by the Oxford High School Booster Club. Special events, such as a spaghetti dinner, usually are held at P&D on Mondays when it is closed. All proceeds benefit the sponsor group.
I say, this family business is deeply rooted in the community.
Foodies love it!
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The Registry, 264 Park Ave., Worcester, officially opened last month in the spot formerly occupied by Apsara, an Asian restaurant.
For newcomers to the city, The Registry restaurant is located in the historic building that once was home to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Years ago, but who’s counting?
Stephen Hopkins, owner of Blue Jeans Pizza in Worcester, renovated the building earlier this year to accommodate his new businesses, Apsara and Loft 266, a bar and lounge that is operated by his son, Justin Hopkins. Loft 266 is above The Registry.
The Registry’s décor is spanking new. The color scheme is “warm and inviting,” according to Stephen Hopkins, who has started collecting old license plates, some of them dating back to the 1900s, to add to the restaurant’s new look.
Look for the plate glass window with the words, The Registry, that hangs in the restaurant. Hopkins said he found the piece in the basement of the building.
The chef at The Registry is Mark Scanlon, who has worked on Nantucket and in restaurants in the city, including 86 Winter when it first opened in 2004 at 86 Winter St., Worcester. FYI: The restaurant relocated to 65 Water St., Worcester, and now is called 86 Winter American Bistro.
Scanlon, a graduate of Worcester Vocational High School (renamed Worcester Technical High School), studied at Johnson & Wales University in Providence.
Joe Petrou, a former restaurateur in the city, works at The Registry with Scanlon who is a family friend. Yussef Khalef runs the front of the house at the restaurant.
You can expect American cuisine from Scanlon, plus specialty sauté dishes. Osso Buco, seafood and veal Marsala are among chef favorites, according to Hopkins, who said meals range from $12 to $19.
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Mondays. Reservations recommended for weekend dining. Call (508) 752-2211. The restaurant accommodates more than 90; off-street parking and in back of the building.
The Registry is a new place where you can meet old friends.
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There will be a Gingerbread Castle Competition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Ave., Worcester. This is a first for the museum.
Guests will be able to wander the museum galleries and view the display of gingerbread castles created by local bakers and then cast their ballot for their favorite. The winner of the competition will be announced at 3 p.m.
Participants include Darby’s Bakery in West Boylston, Sweet in Worcester, Sodexo, the Culinary Arts Department at Worcester Technical High School, Dianne Rockwell the Cake Lady in Lancaster, Fireside Catering in Groton and Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge.
Carl Kamp, classical guitarist will perform from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Master Singers of Worcester will stroll the museum in period dress and will carol from 1 to 2 p.m.
Museum admission is $10 per person; $7 for those 16 and younger. Save $2 on adult admission with a Woo Card. Further information about the Woo Card will be available at the event. Visit www.higgins.org for more information.
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Arturo’s Ristorante in Westboro will kick off a series of wine dinners in 2011. The cost of each four-course dinner will be $50 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Seating is limited.
A Ferrari-Carano Wine Dinner is scheduled Jan. 19; Antinori Wine Dinner, Feb. 23; Blind Tasting Wine Dinner, March 23.
Gift cards for the wine dinners are available by calling (508) 366-1881. Wine dinner information will accompany each gift card.
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The annual “Holiday Rock,” a benefit for children in Worcester, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 at Viva Bene Ristorante, 144 Commercial St., Worcester. Charter Communications will present the event.
Donation is an unwrapped toy or $10. All toys will be distributed to the Guild of St. Agnes, Friendly House, the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester and Chandler Elementary Community School in Worcester.
Gifts should be for infants through 18 years of age. Gift certificates to a movie theater or music store are recommended for 12- to 18-year-olds.
Viva Bene will provide an Italian buffet. Rave reviews for the buffet from guests who have previously attended the event. Owner Keivon Mizrahi is the guy who dishes it out.
Music, raffles and more. Call Tony Morano at (508) 752-1212 for more info.
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Sutton Wines & Liquors, Sutton Plaza, 160 Worcester-Providence Turnpike, Sutton, will have an in-store holiday tasting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11.
The wine tasting event is free with the donation of a new unwrapped toy for the annual Toys for Tots toy drive.
Complimentary appetizers and more than 30 different wines in addition to spirits and microbrews.
There will be a 15 percent discount on wines that are poured.
If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send e-mail to bhoulefood@gmail.com.