Had a lovely dinner at Stella on Friday evening. Made reservations and though there were none available from 6 - 7 PM, the restaurant actually seemed to have plenty of tables open. It was large and inviting and seems like a lot of people enjoy eating in the bar area. Service was really great the entire time and enjoyed all the dishes we ordered. Their house made focaccia was perfectly fluffy and warm. The burrata caprese was fantastic, loved it with the fresh arugula. For my entree I had the rigatoni salsiccia calabrese. It was a very large portion, I was able to eat two more meals with the leftovers! Pasta was cooked perfectly, lots of sausage and peas, and the creamy sauce was fantastic. Also had a side of the brussels with pancetta and balsamic and that was cooked and seasoned very well too. Ended the meal with their bourbon bread pudding. Not typically a fan of bourbon flavored desserts, but this was not overwhelming with bourbon and the bread pudding was moist and flavorful. The creme on top was perfect. Would definitely come back! read more

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Food was fine, service was fine, if a little pretentious, but just can't get over five dollars a shrimp making my Caesar salad $37. Weirdly, some portions like the chicken parm and the sole were huge, but this entrée salad and the special risotto were tiny. Service was decent, but could have been nice if they'd fix a few things - mostly small things that either make you feel like they care or you are just another average customer. We had the burrata, which was excellent, and I asked, can we get some bread, and he basically said "you want more bread?" When there was no bread or anything on the table. Turns out that it comes with a couple slices of bread, which he just could have told us without making us feel stupid. read more

Stella - $37 Caesar - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Somewhere along the way, I missed Stella. I frequent most of the eateries along Burlingame Ave., but didn't notice this spacious Italian restaurant until recently. We've since dined here a few times, & are still working our way down their extensive menu. The Baked Garlic Butter Lobster "Escargot Style" is perhaps one of the best ways to start a meal at Stella. The Antipasto Piemontese with its salty cheeses, roasted veggies, & cured meats is another winner. While they've won me over with excellent appetizers, Stella's pastas don't hold a candle to my favorite spots. The Truffle-Stuffed Gnocchi with Brown Butter & Sage tastes like two dishes in one with flavors that don't necessary meld well; it's one of the restaurant's most popular dishes, but for me, the truffle overpowers the delicate brown butter sauce. As for Gianna's Eggplant Parmigiana, the texture of the thinly-sliced eggplant doesn't make for the silkiest bite; I wasn't expecting such a rough mouthfeel from this dish. I'll have to try their meat & seafood dishes on my next visit. read more

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AMAZING. Husband and I went for the first time. We enjoyed every bite. The interior is gorgeous and a lot bigger than what we expected from the outside. Service was also excellent. Kind staff. Food was delicious. Absolutely coming back for another date night. Recommend if you're in town! read more

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The drinks here are fantastic! I tried three cocktails--a watermelon cocktail, their famous chili pepper cocktail, and another one that I can't remember the name of--and all of them were delicious. The service has been decent overall, though it can be inconsistent. Some nights it's quick, while other nights it's much slower, even when the restaurant seems equally busy. On my most recent visit, the service was especially slow; it took nearly an hour for our food to arrive. The restaurant is very clean with a lovely atmosphere. The food is good overall, although I wish there were more pasta options on the menu. The creamy polenta mash is excellent and definitely worth trying if you enjoy polenta. The antipastos were, however, was fairly mediocre and didn't stand out. read more

Came here with high hopes, but overall it was just okay, especially considering all the great Italian spots nearby. We started with "The Fish Market" cheesy garlic bread, which sounded promising but didn't really stand out. The Caesar salad was similar, fresh but pretty standard and not very memorable. For my main, I got the truffle stuffed gnocchi with brown butter and sage. The flavor was actually really good and well balanced, but the portion was small, about 15 pieces. For the price, it didn't feel worth it, and I was still hungry even after appetizers, which was disappointing. My husband ordered the milanese di pollo. It looked great, but the chicken itself was a bit underwhelming. It tasted a little bland and not as well seasoned as we expected. I will say the atmosphere is really nice. It has a warm and inviting vibe and would be a good spot for a date night. The staff were also friendly and attentive, and the restaurant was pretty busy, which says a lot. Overall, nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either compared to other Italian restaurants in the area. Glad we tried it, but not sure we would go out of our way to come back. read more

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Nicer upscale Italian restaurant in the Peninsula. Nice patio in the front that's good for families with small kids. La Violetta: Really well made refreshing cocktail served upright. Rosemary focaccia: Tasty, but not sure if it's worth $8 Carpaccio: The beef was super fresh and paired well with the mushroom. Lasagna: Solid, but not a standout Fiocchi: A super special pasta that is sweet with the pear. On the rich side due to the cream sauce. Petrale Sole Piccata: The fish was well cooked and the lemon and capers were tasty. Comes with mashed potatoes and some veggies. Osso Bucco: the veal was overall tender and solid and came with tasty polenta. Piccata di Vitello: The veal was again solid. Service was a bit slow and stiff, but otherwise the meal was solid. Wouldn't hesitate to come back! read more

Stella - Carpaccio - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

5 star italian dining experience in the mid peninsula! their shrimp risotto was delicious! ambiance is romantic and beautiful! i've been here for both a work outing and family night and it never disappoints. they do have kids menus and several gluten free options which we appreciate read more

Stella - shrimp risotto - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

I last visited Stella more than 12 years ago when it was at the old location across from the Burlingame Library, so I decided to take my better half to their newer Broadway Avenue location for a Valentine's dinner. The new space is modern, spacious, and very inviting. Reservations were surprisingly hard to get -- probably because of Valentine's week -- but I managed to snag a last-minute 5pm weekday opening. We were seated upstairs, which initially felt extra special since we were the only diners there. Within an hour, though, the second floor filled up quickly. Thankfully, the layout is roomy enough that it never felt crowded or uncomfortable. For starters, we ordered the garlic gnocchi with truffles -- absolutely delicious. The cheese garlic bread was another highlight: perfectly toasted outside, soft inside, and loaded with cheesy goodness. For our mains, we shared the filet mignon served over garlic truffle mashed potatoes with broccolini. Cooked medium rare, the filet was incredibly tender. We also shared the penne pasta, cooked perfectly al dente -- always a sign of well-executed Italian cooking. Dessert was bread pudding, and it was the perfect sweet finish to the evening. Overall, I can definitely see why Stella remains a local favorite. The service stayed attentive even as the restaurant filled up, and the food was consistently excellent. A must-try if you enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. read more

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Solid 3.5 stars. Vibe in here is very nice and cozy. We often sit at the bar and the main bartender is always friendly. Espresso martinis come with a cookie, which is very fun. Meals are good but not the best Italian food I've ever had. Pastas are reasonably priced. $8 for focaccia is greedy. "Tiramisu" is a very loose term here (it's dry vanilla cake with cream, not traditional at all) read more

Stella - Rigatoni, pasta purses, and focaccia. - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

This restaurant is stunning in ambiance and service. Making a reservation here and ordering the truffle gnocchi practically guarantees an elite evening. When I found out Stella was participating in " Flavors of the Peninsula", our suburban version of Restaurant Week in the city and that the 4-courses included a truffle gnocchi course, I made a Monday night reservation for two. The $65 prixe-fixe menu offered some of our favorites. Of course the best came first. Their version of truffle gnocchi is simply perfect - four delicate hand rolled pillows swimming in butter with fried sage leaves and truffle oil. I always have to stop myself from canceling everything else I've ordered and piping up " eight more gnocchi please". I opted for the salmon and my kid really likes Stella's chicken parmesan. The Stella salad features a yummy champagne dressing, candied nuts and cranberries in a nest of butter lettuce. The salmon was delicious, though the thinnest parts of the fish were a tad overcooked. The broccolini', spinach and carrot combination were fantastic, as were the perfect mashed potatoes. Kyle loved his chicken and made me take a bite if his pasta- yummm. Generally we are not dessert orderers but we were delighted with the lava cake and caramel gelato. It was a lot of food, especially for this restaurant and a true bargain at $65 for a four course meal at one of our neighborhood favorites that we generally save for special occasions due to the price tag. read more

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I recently hosted a private luncheon at Stella in Burlingame after reaching out to several restaurants in the area. I personally enjoy going to Stella for Lunch or Dinner and now I can say I highly recommend Stella for anyone looking for a beautiful space for a private lunch or special gathering! From the planning process through the day of our event, everything was seamless. Bianca was informative, helpful and responsive. When we arrived, the space was set up exactly as we had discussed beforehand, which I personally appreciated. It allowed us and myself to simply walk in, relax, and enjoy the afternoon. The space was beautiful and welcoming and my guests all agreed that the food was absolutely delicious. The service was equally wonderful, George our waiter, was fantastic and took such great care of our group throughout the luncheon. A huge thank you to the entire Stella team for the warm hospitality, attention to detail and help making our gathering so special and memorable. If you are considering Stella Burlingame for a private luncheon or special event, I would absolutely recommend them! read more

I celebrated my 70th birthday party with 51 friends and family. What a wonderful experience. We held the party in the Mezzanine and it was perfect. Bianca and her staff were great to work with. Every detail was exactly how I wanted it. The food and drinks were amazing and flavorful. The staff was so welcoming and catered to my every whim. Highly recommend!!! read more

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For a few that know, this has been an absolute crazy last few days! So on a whim & on a weeknight, dressed in simple sweats & a smile, my hub & I stopped by for dinner here. My fave is Italian food & he just thought, "It's about time to unwind." We enjoyed a fulfilling meal of decadent carbs that made the chaos we're dealing with just a tad less messy. Thank you for the amazing experience, Stella! We have to say it's long overdue & we dang well deserved it! read more

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Absolutely amazing!! They made my brother's birthday incredibly special. We made a last min reservation and they went above and beyond. The food was excellent, service was extremely friendly and the ambiance was absolutely beautiful. They have some stunning Christmas decor up right now too. They decorated the table for my brother's birthday and it was such a nice touch. Food: - Cheesy garlic bread with dungeness crab: cheesey, creamy and delicious - every bite was delightful - Fiocchi con pere e taleggio: my dish - it was a delicious pasta stuffed with pear and cheese in a creamy sauce. Perfect mix of creamy, salty, and sweet - absolutely divine - Gianna's Eggplant Parmigiana: my brother ordered this, he loves eggplant parm and this dish was enjoyable for him - Gamberi all aglio: my mom ordered this, it was delicious and in a yummy garlic sauce, shrimp was fresh and spaghetti was perfectly cooked - Petrale sole piccata: my dad got this, a crispy fish that was cooked and seasoned perfectly - Tiramisu: so decadent and coffee flavor really came through - Bourbon bread pudding: my brother was given this by the restaurant for his bday, it was divine!!! The pudding was a perfect texture and in a delicious milk sauce. We loved it!! Such an amazing experience. 10000% recommend this for a celebration of a date night - they will make it truly special. read more

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This restaurant is one of the gems of Burlingame. The food, cocktails,whisk(e)y selection,service and ambiance are all tip top. This is definitely a spot for a date, family get together or business dinner. I highly recommend the osso buco which is tender veal shank with polenta. It is so tender and juicy, you'd want seconds even though you may be already full. As for the cocktail, I recommend the barrel aged Negroni which has Ford's Gin, Carpano Antica and Campari. It is the perfect combination of sweet and bitter. For desert I had the bourbon bread pudding and my wife had the apple gallete which was sweet but not overly so. It was perfect in that it let the apple flavor shine through without being cloying. If you haven't been, you must go! read more

Went in for dinner on a Monday evening and there was no wait. However, it did take a bit for a waiter to visit my table, which was in the bar area. I ordered a Stella salad with chicken along with focaccia. I thought the salad was great and the focaccia was tasty. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place. read more

Stella - Stella salad with chicken along - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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This is a cute restaurant with delicious food and excellent service. Our server, Nava was great. He suggested perfect recommendations which we appreciated. We ordered the truffle oil gnocchi with brown butter and sage, rosemary focaccia to soak up the gnocchi truffle oil sauce, insalata boscaiola , spezzatino al barolo, the day special - ravioli filled with lobster and creme brulee. For drinks I ordered a glass of sparkling rose and an espresso martini. Everything was really delicious. But the dishes that stood out for me were : the gnocchi, focaccia and the ravioli . The gnocchi was soft and pillowy. Very simple in the truffle oil and brown butter sauce, the focaccia was crispy but soft and chewy which paired perfectly with the gnocchi sauce! The ravioli was simple but rich in flavor. The espresso martini was perfect not too strong and visually appealing with the waffle cookie as garnish. Such a great place to dine with friends and family. read more

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Great spot in downtown Burlingame. Lots of italian classics with a little twist. The truffle pasta appetizer was rich and heavenly. The fondue also was a hit among my table. Lamb rack was cooked just right to my preference and everyone at my table enjoyed the food. Service was a little miss but for a large group (10+), I understand how hectic it can be. Great spot for business lunches and dinners. Parking in downtown is easy and there is residential street parking only 1 block away. read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Came back to try again after 4 years! Forgot to leave a review the first time around so I'm back again to revisit the dining experience & ordering the same things I did last time. Escargot was good; wasn't a fan of the tiramisu. Main dish had a wonderful mascarpone polenta. The meat was dry, but the red wine reduction saved it. The wine was the best part of the meal. Loud date night vibes. Thanks! read more

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Fabulous restaurant and service from top to bottom. Our server (didn't get her name) was exceptional on a Saturday evening. She recommended the risotto with shrimp and it did not disappoint! Warm Apple dessert hit the spot. read more

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Bianca did a fabulous job in the arrangements for my daughter-in-law's baby shower yesterday. Attention to every detail, gracious welcome of my family and guests, and special flair in staging the mezzanine areas, and supervising the staff were superb. I especially found the area used for drinks and desserts warm and welcoming. Many people remarked at how lovely the setting, food, and service were. George and Anthony and other support staff did a fantastic job in anticipating our wants and needs for the entire four hours we were at Stella. We will definitely recommend this restaurant to our friends for an afternoon or evening out. Perfect venue for a seamlessly delightful event. read more

Came here for our anniversary dinner and had a great experience. The ambiance is very coach and romantic. I really liked all of the lights and decorations inside. The staff were also very knowledgeable and friendly. We got the fondue appetizer ($32), truffle gnocchi ($20 for 10 pieces), and short rib entree ($42). They also provided a complimentary crème brûlée dessert, which was absolutely delicious. It had a thick brûlée layer on top which paired up very nicely with the creamy base. My favorite dish! The truffle gnocchi, their signature fish, was also very good - super rich and buttery. I thought the short ribs were a bit on the dry side, and the fondue was a bit expensive for the dippers that were offered (broccoli, mushroom, apple slices, and bread). Overall though, a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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First time to Stella and it was great. Colleagues and I had lunch to celebrate. We were seated immediately and water was brought to our table without asking. Our waiter gave us ample time to talk amongst ourselves and decide on what we wanted to order. Throughout our lunch the staff was attentive and refilled our drinks and took the used plates away. The food itself was delicious and spot on. The group decided on family style so we could try as many different dishes. Sadly I didn't get pictures of everything but it was all so so good. I highly recommend the lobster escargot and when you're done take the focaccia and dip it in the butter sauce. Incredible!! The rigatoni salsiccia calabrese had so much flavor, the spicy tomato cream sauce isn't spicy at all and it added that kick that makes you need another bite. Their espresso martini was great, I had a few, it had been quite the week. The decor and ambiance was warm and inviting. Since it was sunny out I can only imagine what it looks like in the evening. I don't go into the office often but this place is a must return for dinner. read more

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The menu offers Italian cuisine, but serves bland food with no Italian character or spices. I'm sure that the cooks preparing it have no training in cooking Italian food whatsoever....I'll try Saporo next time..... If this is one of the gems in Burlingame, they are in big trouble... read more

Had an amazing time renting the upper mezzanine for a private event! The restaurant was perfect - great food, chic space, attentive waiters, and overall great vibe. I coordinated with Bianca about a month before the event, and everything went super smoothly. I brought in my own flowers for centerpieces and it really added to the ambiance of the room. The decor, tables, and chairs really give it an upscale feel. The food was DELICIOUS. All of our guests complimented how great the dishes were. We also chose a red/white wine that was poured to our guests. -Truffle gnocci (4/5), the truffle taste was a bit slight, but overall a great appetizer, just a bit small -Rigatoni Salicicca Calabresse (5/5) - this was SO good. A combination of white and red sauce, the sausage really tied it together and pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. -Salmon with Prosecco beurre blanco (5/5) - the salmon was cooked perfectly. A creamy white sauce to pair and mashed potatoes I'd definitely come back here, not just for the event. I do wish Bianca gave me her personal number, as there were many times I was trying to get hold of the restaurant regarding the event and couldn't be connected to her/got a voicemail with no return. Overall, wonderful experience and I'm so glad I had my event at Stella. read more

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I decided to meet a friend (and her dog) for dinner outside Friday evening. The staff is very friendly and kind. The fondue is delicious and the spicy margaritas are a perfect start to the weekend. Thank you Stella team for you excellent service. read more

This past weekend, we had a group event at Stella in the patio area and I feel compelled to post this review. From the very start of every single interaction I had with the team at Stella, they were amazing. The event was a gathering of friends following a funeral to toast a life well lived. The food, the environment, the team and the wait staff, were all top-notch. They exceeded our expectations on every level. They even offered to put signs on the street helping our guests find the right location. Bianca, who leads the event coordination was amazing and super easy to work with. They had a huge TV in the area that we ran a slideshow during the event. Highly recommend!! read more

We went here for an early mother's day dinner. We had reservations and were seated right away. The restaurant had dim lights which added to the ambiance. The food was coursed out nicely since we ordered all of our food at once. read more

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Food was fantastic and hit all the marks. Out of the dishes that we had, i would say the short ribs knocked everything else out of the park. They were tender and juicy and the polenta is a nice surprise as opposed to the typical pairing of mashed potatoes. The osso buco and sole were also delicious and well prepared. The service was great and they decorated the table nicely and brought out a dessert with a candle for a birthday we were celebrating! read more

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Great ambiance and a large, unique menu. Cheesy Bread appetizer is fantastic. Lasagna had good flavor but was served lukewarm and the interior layers were quite dry. My partner's shrimp risotto was very bland and under seasoned. Service is a bit slow even when the restaurant isn't busy. read more

Stella - "The Fish Market" cheesy bread and Antipasto Piemontese - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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I came here for a work dinner so we had a prix fix menu. We had the upstairs to ourselves. The ambiance was very nice. Felt like it would be a nice dinner date spot. It is right in downtown Burlingame as there is street parking around. The menu included: Antipasto Piemontese (4/5) Stella garlic bread (5/5) Rosemary foccacia (4/5) Insalata caesar salad (4/5) Truffle stuffed gnocchi with brown butter & sage (5/5) Filetto con taleggio (5/5) Bourbon bread pudding (3/5) Everything was delicious. The portions for the entrees were surprisingly large as well. My favorites were probably the gnocchi and the beef filet mignon. The mashed potatoes it came with was great. The waiter suggested we use the breads to soak up the brown butter and sage sauce. Service was great. read more

Delicious restaurant! I highly recommend. My wife and I were very hungry and came across Stella. Nice atmosphere, and delicious food. read more

Stella - Here is a plate of chicken parm very delicious! - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

As walk ins, we were seated right away, though in the smallest table facing the window / street. Service was fine, but abnormally fast. I ordered the risotto special (with short rib) and my wife ordered the gnocchi with truffles and brown butter. Both dishes came out within 5 min. Both were a bit tepid and struck us as odd. My dish had decent flavor but the short rib was TOUGH. Lots of connective pieces still attached, which was a bit off putting. We also had focaccia but it was super dry. This was a miss for us. read more

Stella - Short rib risotto - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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The Fish Market cheesy garlic bread was why we went to Stella's. The service was excellent and the food was very good. The martini glasses were small, but that was my only complaint. Provide a normal size martini please. The ambiance was nice. I used to visit this address when it was the Bit of England. read more

Came in with a coworker for dinner, and overall, it was a really nice experience! We started off with the rosemary focaccia and the caprese, both of which were solid choices. The focaccia was warm and fragrant, with the rosemary giving it a nice earthy flavor. The caprese was fresh and simple. For my main, I had the truffle-stuffed gnocchi, and it was absolutely delicious. The gnocchi was perfectly tender, and the brown butter sauce had just the right balance of richness and flavor. The truffle filling added a lovely depth to the dish; it was indulgent but not overwhelming. The food was really great, but the service left something to be desired. We had to flag down our server a couple of times, which was a bit frustrating, read more

Service was excellent, the rosemary focaccia was amazing. Food was above average, overall decent place to dine. read more

Stella - Chicken Parmegiana - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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The dinner was nice but not great and did not match the reviews. The appetizers are better than the main dishes in my opinion. The truffle gnocchi was good and if that was a larger size portion as a main dish that would be nice. The escargot was ok but not as flavored as it should be. The risotto was not hot and it made it more akin to porridge. On a 1 out of 10, we would give it a 6 or 6.5 read more

I had a company lunch here on a weekday. It was an amazing experience. The waiter recommended a good menu and patiently explained. I ordered the fish of the day, which was the grouper. I enjoyed the fish; it didn't taste fishy to me at all, and the texture was quite tender when biting it. The dessert tiramisu was delicious, too, but it was a little sweet to me. The restaurant is big and clean. read more

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We hosted our wedding rehearsal dinner in the Mezzanine room upstairs. The dinner was fantastic and the servers did an amazing job. Bianca was incredibly helpful and really went above and beyond to help us order the space, choose our menus and wines. Thank you, Stella, for helping us have such a warm and welcoming rehearsal dinner. We received so many compliments on the space and the food (especially the salmon and rum cake!)! read more