RESTAURATEUR WITH AN EVOLVING SENSE OF STYLE
Before Paul Petronella took over the family’s business, Paulie’s Restaurant, six years ago, it was common to see him working in the kitchen alongside his dad.
Customers could watch the father and son from their dining tables.
“It was pretty cool to see,” said Petronella, 37. “Our customers got to see the one with silver hair pass on the tradition to a younger generation.”
Petronella’s father, Bernard Petronella, and his wife, Kathy Petronella, started the restaurant together in 1998 and retired in 2009, relocating to Galveston.
Though their Father’s Day celebration will be low key for the father and son, Petronella says he’s learned much from working with his dad.
“When you work with family it can be difficult, but they are the people you look up to,” Petronella said. “Restaurant margins are extremely thin. My father knew when to spend money and how to keep costs down. That’s really important.”
A graduate of Tomball High School and Texas State University, Petronella worked at the restaurant during college but started in the advertising industry after graduation, handling restaurant accounts, which “came easy,” he said.
He soon returned to the restaurant and has worked to attract a younger generation. “We had loyal customers and no major issues, so I just wanted to give new life,” he said.
One of the first things Petronella did was to up the restaurant’s coffee game to appeal to a younger audience that was “geeked” about coffee. Then he started making pasta in house and expanded the wine list.
“We didn’t change the menu, just changed some details. Really just tightening things up,” he said.
Petronella also has “tightened up” his style.
“Restaurant people are hard workers, and their hands are dirty,” he said. “We’re used to having a no-nonsense style, and I think that’s more attractive to customers. I think they appreciate that style more than the owner who wears a suit around the restaurant all day.”
He admits there’s a time for grease-stained pants and a time to get dressed up.
“I should probably dress up more,” he said. “I’m learning how to delegate. I have a lot of great people under me, so I can show up and wear something nice so it looks like I’m successful.”
He recently was tapped to be the Houston influencer for Tiffany & Co.’s new CT60 Watch Collection. A kickoff party was held earlier this month at Camerata Wine Bar at Paulie’s.
“I think that means I’ll have to dress nicer,” Petronella said, with a laugh.