Walter and Stephanie Houlihan brought their rich culinary backgrounds from New York City to Stonington, founding Water Street Cafe in 1994. Since then, they have become deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Walter actively supports local businesses and purveyors, while Stephanie serves on the Waterfront and Conservation Commissions and is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Stonington.

Walter grew up in Westchester County, New York, and attended Fordham Preparatory School and Valley Forge Military Academy before graduating from the Culinary Institute of America. He was formerly the chef at the Ambassador Grill at the United Nations Plaza Hotel, and in the early 1990s, he received recognition from the James Beard Foundation and the Escoffier Society. His distinctive menu blends French, Asian, and American influences, and several of his original creations have remained on the menu since the Cafe's opening. The whimsical and eclectic decor throughout the restaurant is an extension of Walter’s imaginative spirit.

Stephanie Hayes-Houlihan spent two decades in New York's catering and hotel industry, where she met Walter at the United Nations Plaza Hotel in 1986. Having spent her formative years in Europe due to her father's military service, she was educated in European schools and became fluent in Italian and Spanish. Stephanie brings warmth and charm to the dining room, cultivating strong relationships with patrons. She now oversees all aspects of Water Street Cafe’s daily operations. Together, Walter and Stephanie have created a beloved local institution known for its welcoming ambiance, exceptional cuisine, and heartfelt community connection.

The Founders

Meet the Team

  • Stephanie Hayes Houlihan

    OWNER, FRONT OF THE HOUSE, OPERATIONS

  • Walter Houlihan

    OWNER & FOUNDER

  • David Stockford

    CHEF

  • Kellie Patt

    Kellie Patt

    HEAD BARTENDER

  • Danielle Corcoran

    BAR MANAGER

  • Evelyn Ling

    PASTRY CHEF

  • Kelsey Houlihan

    Kelsey Houlihan

    ALL-ROUNDER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER

  • Jayne

    Jayne

    HOSTESS

  • Leslie

    SERVER

  • Sarah

    SERVER

  • Andy

    COOK

  • Jaime

    FABULOUS DISHWASHER

  • Ethan Grimes

    SON IN LAW

About David & Evelyn

Since opening their doors in 1994, Water Street Cafe has been a quintessential gathering place for generations of family, friends, and food lovers. For nearly 30 years, owners Walter and Stephanie Houlihan have created a community around their beloved restaurant.

Returning home after a decade, Chef David Stockford along with his partner Chef Evelyn Ling, hope to continue the legacy of Water Street Cafe: to create a sense of community by bringing people together through high quality food.

Evelyn and David met while attending culinary school at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Their strong work ethic and passion for what they do have propelled them to hold Executive Chef positions in numerous highly rated and recognized restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia.

Born and raised in Eastern Connecticut, David Stockford’s culinary journey began as a teenager at Water Street Cafe. Under Walter’s guidance, it was here that David’s passion for cooking flourished which led him to seek formal education at The CIA. He then spent the next decade honing his skills and working with some of the top restaurants in Atlanta. David worked as an Executive Chef with the Rocket Farm Restaurant group, where he worked with Chef Ford Fry, Chef Drew Belline, and with James Beard Award winning Chef Adam Evans. David’s passion for food translated outside of just the kitchen when he started his own business Diamond City Farms in 2018. With an emphasis on organically grown produce and farming practices, the farm focused on seasonality and growing only the highest quality products for fellow Atlanta based chefs. After a decade away, he is eager to dive back into the local restaurant community and reconnect with the people and food he considers home.

Throughout her entire childhood, Chef Evelyn Ling worked alongside her father in the kitchen of their family restaurant in Georgia. It was there that her interest and passion for cooking blossomed, which led her to attend culinary school at The CIA.

After graduating, Evelyn spent the first 6 years of her professional career working alongside James Beard Award winning Chef Anne Quatrano. Bacchanalia, Anne’s fine dining flagship restaurant, went on to earn Atlanta’s first Green star and a one Michelin star last year. She later joined her cousin, Chef Ronald Hsu, where she held an Executive chef title assisting with menu development and restaurant openings. Hsu’s fine dining concept, Lazy Betty, also went on to earn a Michelin star last year.