A beloved piece of Stratford’s history is entering an exciting new era. The Windsor Hotel, a landmark building dating back to 1881, has officially unveiled its newest offering: Casa 1881, a welcoming Italian restaurant that opened this past month.
Blending heritage charm with contemporary dining, Casa 1881 brings a fresh culinary experience to Stratford under the direction of Head Chef Lawrence Sayas. With a career shaped by some of Ontario’s most respected kitchens, Chef Sayas offers a menu rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and the joy of sharing a great meal.
Born in the Philippines and trained in the Culinary Management program at George Brown College, Chef Sayas has built an impressive résumé across Toronto and Muskoka. His experience includes notable restaurants such as Biblos and Estia, as well as high-profile catering at the Storys Building, where he served a number of distinguished guests. He further honed his craft with the Gusto 54 Restaurant Group, working his way from junior roles to night sous chef.
A pivotal chapter in his journey brought him to Madrina Bar y Tapas in Toronto’s Distillery District, where he worked under a Michelin-starred chef and developed a meticulous attention to detail. Most recently, he served as senior sous chef at The Carbon Bar, known for its dynamic live-fire cooking.
Now at Casa 1881, Chef Sayas brings that depth of experience to a menu that celebrates Italian tradition. Guests can expect classic antipasti, authentic pastas made with premium noodles sourced directly from Italy, and traditional secondi dishes that highlight clean, bold flavours. And no Italian meal would be complete without a sweet finish – tiramisu!
Lunch is served from 11:30am to 2:30pm, followed by aperitivi from 2:30 to 4:30pm and dinner service from 4:30 to 9:00pm. Plans are already underway to enhance the experience further, including live piano music, an intimate private dining space for 10 to 12 guests, and a street-side patio for al fresco dining.
For more information, find Casa 1881 in our online directory!
