This is Lily, Angelo's & Elizabeth's granddaughter and Anthony's niece, whose name inspired that of the restaurant. When she comes to the restaurant she orders Lily's Special-- Grilled chicken with French fries! (click to enlarge) Café Lily's Main Dining Room (click to enlarge) Chef/Owner Anthony Pitillo grew up in the restaurant industry. His father, Angelo, owned several different restaurants throughout his life, and with him Anthony experienced everything from washing dishes, to tossing pizzas, to making sauces, to working "front-of-the-house". After waiting tables and managing restaurants through college in Texas to receive both music theory and business degrees, Anthony decided to move back to his hometown, Atlanta in 1996. He then decided to make the restaurant business his career and enrolled in The Art Institute of Atlanta Culinary program, where he earned the honor of Outstanding Graduate in his class. Anthony obtained his technical knowledge from school and his practical knowledge from cooking with his father and grandmother, Assunta. His rustic cooking style emphasizes fresh, quality ingredients and bold but balanced flavors from the many countries around the Mediterranean. He and his father, Angelo, opened Café Lily in August 1999. Since Angelo's passing in November 2007, Anthony has taken over the helm completely now, and business continues to thrive as usual. (click to enlarge) Café Lily's side room, where we host special functions, which Elizabeth designed with a Moroccan feel to complement the main dining room's decor. (click to enlarge) Elizabeth Pitillo, Chef Anthony's mother, has experienced the restaurant industry first-hand for over 46 years through her marriage to his father, Angelo, Café Lily's late co-founder. Born and raised near Stone Mountain, Georgia, she graduated from West Georgia College and went on to marry Angelo in 1961, one month after they opened 'Angelo's Napoli' together next to the Garden Hills Theatre in South Buckhead. After raising three children and spending a 15-year stint in Texas, she returned with Angelo to her home state of Georgia to help care for his ailing mother, with the hopes of opening a small, quaint restaurant together to retire in. When Chef Anthony and Angelo unexpectedly collaborated to open Café Lily in 1999, Elizabeth immediately jumped on board as the resident decorator, landscape designer, and hostess. Her keen eye for color and design, as well as her tremendous talent as a painter and restorer of antique furniture, are what give Café Lily it's unique charm and warm, welcoming ambience. She has a natural ability to combine the decors from many different styles into a seamless, eclectic design that exudes comfort and balance. She also has an incredible 'green thumb,' and her gorgeous patio, with its incredible night-blooming jasmines, evergreens, and moonflowers, continues to delight outside diners year after year. Elizabeth, also known as Bette, is known for her sweet smile and warm, generous nature, and she is loved by many who have had the pleasure of getting to know her at Café Lily. Don't forget to check out her gorgeous mural in the Lily Pond Room! (click to enlarge) Miguel Vazquez, Café Lily's General Manager and close friend of the Pitillo family, brings an enormous wealth of talent and enthusiasm to the Café Lily team. Born in Acapulco, Mexico, Miguel decided to pursue the American dream when he moved to Atlanta in 2000. He began his career in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher at Café Lily, but under the close guidance of Angelo, Café Lily's late co-founder, he soon took the bull by the horns and blossomed into a powerful and invaluable addition to the front-of-the-house. After working as busboy and senior dining room employee at Lily, he then took over as General Manager of Levi's Key West Fishouse, a full-service seafood restaurant, also owned by the Pitillos, and maintained that position for two prosperous years. Through his hard work, diligence, and attention to detail, he helped maintain Levi's as a profitable and successful business until its sale to family friend Nathalie Hanlet in 2006. During his time at Levi's, Miguel garnered a large, loyal following of repeat customers and good friends, who followed him back to Café Lily when he returned there after the sale. He assumed the position of Assistant Manager and worked alongside Angelo, who taught him how to handle the wine inventory and purchasing process, as well as the finer points of running an effective dining room floor, 'Lily-style.' Miguel took over as General Manager in 2007 after Angelo's untimely illness and death, and he continues to maintain the high standards of service and professionalism that Angelo laid down before him. Miguel has a charming personality and a huge smile to go along with it, and he is always ready to make sure that customers have the most enjoyable dining experience possible.