Lillian and Helder (George) Brandão are living the American Dream. Growing up in Dorchester, the couple rooted for the Patriots on TV every Sunday. Now, they’ve opened the second location of their restaurant Estella in the heart of the action at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

The Brandãos opened Estella, named for Helder’s mother, in downtown Boston in 2022 with an American menu dusted with global flavors. The Foxborough menu is similarly diverse, and Lillian says they will continue to fine tune it based on what diners like best.

The Brandãos have Cape Verdean roots and the menu is pulled from dishes they love as well as those their staff and customers grew up eating. Lillian says the menu making is a very collaborative process.

One of their most popular dishes, a spicy oxtail pappardelle with onion and peppers dubbed Worrell Rasta Pasta, was a collective effort among the restaurant’s chefs and Estella regular Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell.

“They all helped make the Rasta Pasta what it is today,” said Lillian. “It’s actually one of our bestsellers.”

Entrees range from Carolina-style sticky pork ribs and birria tacos to a vegan veggie tower and shrimp Mozambique. Daily specials keep the menu fresh for regular diners and a hefty dessert menu ends every evening on a sweet note. Both locations offer a full bar with beer, wine and cocktails.

The Foxborough restaurant is grounded in Estella’s signature black and gold color palette with elegant chandeliers reminiscent of the original location. But there are plenty of nods to the Patriot Place community, including many TVs for watching games and a golden mural of Tom Brady. With 250 seats inside and an additional 26 on the patio, this location is quite a bit larger than the first.

Despite their growth, Lillian and Helder have never forgotten their roots. Lillian sits on the Boston Children’s Museum President’s Council and the couple created the Moving Mountains Foundation, a nonprofit that bridges gaps in education, healthcare and food insecurity for school-age children in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Jamaica Plain. Some of the Moving Mountains’ initiatives have included providing laptops to graduating students and funding trips for students to Washington, D.C.

“We’re both kids from Dorchester. I also grew up in the Southie projects,” said Lillian. “I want to be able to inspire kids in those neighborhoods to know that they, too, with hard work and perseverance, can achieve their dreams.”

For the Brandãos, their dream of creating community through food is realized every day.

“When people eat at Estella, I hope they feel a sense of belonging,” said Lillian. “Wherever you come from, whatever your roots, when you try our food, you can taste some of that home.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more at estellapp.com