The Blog

February 14, 2026 Amanda Danielson – Owner & Advanced Sommelier | We use the word preservation like it’s a museum label—something static, something you protect by touching less. But real preservation is a verb. It’s work. It’s choices. It’s systems. It’s the daily practice of keeping the good things alive, not merely remembered. In our […]

January 24, 2026 Amanda Danielson – Owner & Advanced Sommelier | Jennifer Blakeslee, Eric Patterson, and I, started a chilly few days in New York City with the warmth of knowing the tribute dinner for Harlan “Pete” Peterson we are all contributing to sold out in ten minutes. And we naturally did what Michigan always […]

January 19, 2026 Amanda Danielson – Owner & Advanced Sommelier | We’ve all heard the quote: Alone we go faster, together we go farther. I’d like to suggest a modest update: With the right people and the right teams, you can go far and fast, without lowering the bar or burning anyone out. Next week’s […]

It is hard to believe we’ve hit this milestone. In some ways it feels like it can’t possibly have been so long. Then I look at our dedicated team, our longtime guests, the farmers who grow for us, the wine professionals with whom we’ve worked, and countless others who invoke a flood of memories that remind me of just how personal this business is and of how far we really have come.

Writing from Italy, about two-thirds through my annual visit at the start of each holiday season, I
feel compelled to share gratitude and joy. In the realm of hospitality, relationships based on trust
are paramount.

Greetings. I am Amanda Danielson, the co-proprietor of Trattoria Stella with Executive Chef
Myles Anton. As we approach our 20th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable
journey that has led us to this point.