“Growing up, my family always had Sunday dinners at my grandparents. We had Italian food, of course. The dinners were memorable; talking just as much as eating. When I decided to open my own restaurant I didn’t want it to be just Italian-American. I did Italian food for so long, I wanted a change. I incorporated my love for Seafood with the memories of my childhood Sunday dinners and came up with ‘Fins and Tales’. In May of 2008 we opened our doors to the public, and I am really proud of all we have accomplished here.” - Peter Desforges Owner
In March 2001, Peter and Deborah Desforges purchased the historic JJ Delehanty Building at 858 Main Street in Southbridge, MA. While Deborah’s passion had always been preserving and revitalizing historic gems—something she had pursued through her interior design business, Frangelique, and the creation of Alden Fabric Center—their vision at the time did not include a restaurant.
For Peter, however, the restaurant industry was second nature. Having worked as both a chef and manager at Rom’s Restaurant in Sturbridge, MA, he knew food and hospitality inside and out. When he learned that Rom’s would soon be closing, the idea of opening a restaurant of his own felt like the natural next step.
In May 2008, the Desforges family officially opened the doors to Fins and Tales, bringing the community a welcoming dining experience centered around the freshest seafood, steaks, and pastas in town.
