Restaurateur Stephen Browning of Franklin Park began flipping pizzas and immersing himself in the restaurant industry when he was 16.
At 53, he’s still at it, only now he’s the boss.
After always working for others, he’s settled into a positive place as owner and operator of Lula in Sewickley.
Browning grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and relocated to Pittsburgh via Florida’s Key West in 2008.
Lula is his sole restaurant. He credits a dedicated and professional staff for the upscale bistro’s continued success.
“They all work together and they all take ownership of the job,” Browning said.
He bought Lula in 2017 from Robin Fernandez, owner of The Hotel & Rosa’s Cantina in Sewickley.
“I kept the name and bought it turnkey,” Browning said. “It’s well-established and Fernandez has a strong track record here in Pittsburgh and he has a good foundation.”
Lula’s offers fresh ingredients combined with “killer comfort food” in a casually chic venue that serves upscale tapas, wine and cocktails.
Browning added lunch hours, expanded the menu and upgraded bar offerings with top-shelf bourbon and more wines.
In his first year of ownership, the borough allowed Lula to utilize a portion of Division Street for seasonal outdoor seating and live music.
Front-of-the-house employees include Kathryn Ronk, Nicole Susi and Ted Dragisich.
A team of six culinary employees handles the kitchen in a collaborative way.
“They’re all fixtures and blend well with Sewickley,” Browning said. “I’m only as good as my staff.”
Ronk has worked at Lula’s for four years and said she still has customers coming in saying they’re happy to have discovered the quaint cafe.
“Every single day, I encounter someone that hasn’t been to Lula and assures me they can’t wait to return,” Ronk said.
Many of those initial customers become regular patrons.
“We often get to know our patrons’ orders and greet them with a smile and their preferred cocktail,” Ronk said. “They enjoy knowing their friends will be here and often ask for Stephen.”
Ronk touted the petite filet with the red wine fig sauce and the lettuce wraps and cheese croquettes as her favorite menu items.
“There’s a true sense of community that’s found through the common love of good food, good drinks and conversation,” she said.
The interior includes comfy couches and is designed to feel comfortable and inviting. The restaurant accommodates 30-40 people.
“For lunch we do an upscale bistro vibe and at night it’s more of a lounge,” Browning said. “We are very female friendly, it’s safe and it’s like a neighborhood bar with regulars. We sell a lot of bourbon and wine. It’s a place where you come and talk, share a bottle of wine and share food. It’s very communal driven.”
Customer favorites include Devils on Horseback, bacon wrapped dates filled with chevre cheese and water chestnuts and teriyaki glaze ($11.95), the homemade meatballs (veal and pork) and sauce ($15.99), and the Lula Burger, a tri-blend burger made with short rib, ribeye and brisket ($15.95-$21).
Browning is grateful for his steadfast customers.
“I love this community because they embraced us during covid and after covid. They’re a foodie community,” Browning said.
Lula serves locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and makes dressing and sauces in-house.
The new winter menu is scheduled to debut mid-November. Browning plans to introduce a Sunday brunch in December.
“There’s not a lot open on Sundays in Sewickley,” he said.
Reservations are not accepted.
Lula: 515 Broad St., 412-749-1200, lulasewickley.com