Being picky about Northern Italian cuisine, particularly from Piedmont and Verona/Lago di Garda area, I have to say that this is "done right". Eating outside with heating lamps was enjoyable too, plus friendly competent service. Prices were on expensive side, as expected, but not unreasonable. Well curated wine list, heavy in Piedmontese and Tuscan red wines, is definitely a big plus for me. Escargot and burrata were good choices from appetizer list. Spezzatino al Barolo was special, Piedmont style. tender and flavorful. It didn't hurt pairing it with the bottle of Barolo! There is no such thing as too much Barolo....))) read more

Was extremely disappointed by their chicken parmesan. It was stringy and overcooked. It is relatively expensive and is worse than what is offered by pizza parlors as a second thought. I have had it twice because I was really hoping it was a fluke. read more

Newly renovated Stella on Burlingame Ave. Great spot with updated interior and terrific ambiance. Service was very lacking at one visit few months ago but i attributed to new opening and not very well trained (or caring) waitstaff. Not reason to not return so I gave them another try. It's a great spot for lunch or dinner. Good food. See food items ordered from 3+ visits there. They won't dissapoint. Thanks. read more

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Beautiful new location. Spacious, fresh. Friendly staff and excellent food!!!! Great for intimate dinners, casual dinners at the bar, and holiday celebrations read more

Stella - Filetto con la Zola - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Fabulous food, really warm and lively venue. Staff super friendly and the service was fantastic!!

Good service and atmosphere . The food wasn't my favorite but I'll go back for sure. The server was amazing

I'm truly disappointed with the check-in and hosting experience at Stella. Today is my wife's birthday (7/13). My other reservation fell through and in the last minute I found some availability at Stella. I felt grateful for Stella to celebrate with us our intimate family event. Upon making the same day reservation, I made it clear in my booking notes to be seated away from the dungeon-like hallway located outside. The minute of my check-in comes in. My wife is excited. I'm excited. The hostess checks us in and attempts to sit us at the table in the dungeon-like hallway. At which point I object quoting the request I earlier made in my reservation. Instead of sitting us at other tables, the hostess pointedly responds in THE PRESENCE of my wife: "You made the last minute reservation, so that's the only available table". Clearly less excited my wife now turns to to me and asks: "WAIT, you made the last minute reservation?" The night was not busy with many tables open to the public, including another table that we were eventually seated at. My question to the owners is how dare to behave so arrogantly without any guest empathy. If your attempt was to ruin our evening, you succeed at it. My wife didn't order her meal and stayed quiet for the rest of the service. Needless to say that nobody even attempted to wish us happy birthday. Not even once. Why would they? My advice to other Yelpers is to stay away from Stella when looking for a delightful dining experience with someone special. Maybe, you too will be judged here... read more

The quality of the foods and the drink was good. The main course tasted so good that I requested a to go box and the quality was good even the day after that I had it. They were all very polite and helpful and the decoration was cool. For its parking problem you should know that they have a parking space in the back of restaurant that you can use and I wish I knew it sooner. Will definitely go back. read more

The chicken parmigiana was a soggy disappointment. There was no crisp on the breaded chicken at all. I should've been warned the food would be mediocre when the garlic bread came out hard and cold, like it had been sitting out for a couple hours. Strangely the bread was not even warm or flavorful. How do you mess up garlic bread? I can make a better meal at home. read more

Came here with 3 of my girlfriends, first time for all of us. Made a resevation for 4 and we were seated at a nice part of the restaurant, ambiance, space, heater, the quality of the presentation and the taste of the food were all great, except for the customer service, particularly from our server. Reservation was at 5pm, after ordering, food was served around 6pm. About half hour into our dinner, the server started cleaning our table, kept going back even when 1 of us told her that we were still eating. I asked them what's the rush, she told us she has a resevation for that table at 7pm. I felt that we were rushed into eating our dinner and was annoyed because of that experience. I just hope there was more courtesy in spacing the resevation. It was supposed to be a belated birthday dinner. read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Excellent Italian restaurant with a good selection of vegetarian dishes. The best part is they also have arrabbiata sauce ideal for those who love spicier food. Avoid the eggplant parm as it is not cooked very well. read more

Has their signature gnocchi with pesto which was definitely the highlight of the meal - so flavorful and packed with basil. Too salty but still delicious since the gnocchi was so pillowy and soft. Also loved the soft focaccia-style bread in the bread basket. read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Great food and ambience. Nice to see the stained glass from the old location was preserved in the new place. Parking was a little more challenging, but worth it. read more

It's never easy for me to take myself out for a meal but that's what I did while traveling solo for a work trip to the Bay Area. Normally I grab something quick and eat in my hotel room, but when I was searching for something to eat Stella stood out from the bunch. So I decided to venture out. As soon as I arrived, host/manager was welcoming and seated me quickly. Val was great as well and helped me not feel so bad about dining alone. My server was César who was really wonderful. I already had my heart set on the gnocchi which I ordered, but he recommended a great wine and dessert. And he was fun to chat with while waiting for my dinner. The gnocchi... Wow... it did not disappoint. Not sure what I can say that hasn't already been said about that dish from the heavens. Order it. You won't be sorry. Stella is the finest of dining with a warm and unpretentious vibe. Very much a "make yourself at home" feel which I appreciated. My meal was perfect. They really took care of me. I saw a nice mix of clientele, and it wasn't too loud. A nice spot for a date night or a dinner with friends. This restaurant is a definite yes for me. Not sure when, but I will be back, and if you decide to check out this lovely gem, tell them Kara sent you. :) read more

Great food and great service. Brought the family there for dinner and everything was awesome. Recommended highly!!!

Bottom line, I like everything about this restaurant: food, service, ambiance, vibe, energy. Reservation needed. Limited hours, basically 5pm-830pm or 9pm. If dining alone, you can often get a spot at their small bar. For 2 or more, arrive before 6pm for a shot. Online, you can't reserve a table for 1, but you can call. Food: ====== Lobster Tomato Cream [$29, 4.5 stars] -- smallish portion, but perfect due to the richness of the sauce. Chicken Parmesan [$26, 4.5 stars] -- cooked to perfection (and darn near the best I've ever had), super tender chicken topped with a wonderful sauce and mozzarella, with a side of Penne Arrabbiata...such great sauce!! The menu is focused and to the point, and it doesn't have everything under the Tuscan sun. A couple of this, and a couple of that. Service: ======= The service is fantastic: pro, very nice, funny, laidback. Ambiance: ========= A subterranean setting in a small multi-purpose building, it's got the feel of a small 2 room house, and with a handful of outdoor tables. Vibe & Energy: ============ Every table full, people gabbing, and having a good time (that's the vibe), the service and the place (that's the energy) is infectious. Conclusion: ========== All of this makes Stella Alpina Osteria a wonderful evening (and on the verge of a 5.0 star), and the best choice I've found so far (in Burlingame) for a romantic dinner (check!), double dating, or even a business dinner (check...check!). read more

Stella - Chicken Parm [$26, 4.5 stars] - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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My son picked this place for his birthday dinner. I was a little concerned about dining out during pandemic but it is pretty safe with tables pretty far apart and being outside. Service was ver good. Unfortunately, most of us didn't like their dishes except my bass fish. The escargots and burrata/arugula/tomatoes appetizer didn't meet our expectations. Gnocchis were supposed to be their highlight but it wasn't that special. I did like my fish with the crispy skin and mixed vegetables/potatoes. We skipped deserts here and walked down to salt and straw ice cream. read more

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Came here for a date night and everything went great. Food and service was amazing! I highly recommend this place. They have lights on their tables too which makes the place Very romantic. read more

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We visited this restaurant after a graduation three weeks ago. The evening was so in memorable I couldn't tell you what anyone ordered. For the prices they charge you are better off elsewhere. Allspice in San Mateo, for example, charges more but it is a much much better experience. Alaina's staff should eat there just to see how a high end restaurant experience should be. read more

Started with the fish market cheesy bread. Definitely sounds interesting but oh my gosh was it amazing. The melted cheese and flavored fish was to die for. My daughter especially enjoyed this as well. Has a very kid friendly menu as well. Amazing service, incredibly kind bussers and our server provided thoughtful recommendations as well. I enjoyed the quiet and classic ambiance of the restaurant. read more

Very good food - pastas were my favorite. The short ribs could have been more flavorful and more tender. Brussels sprouts were the BEST I've had. It's loud in there but fun for celebrating a special occasion or date night. I'd go back and try the other pastas. read more

Love Stella, and its new location. Food is always delicious, and staff is accommodating. It's a great place for a single to sit at the bar for a bite to eat, too. Charming place in Downtown Burlingame, highly recommend you plan a meal with them. read more

Good evening, my name is Sara, and I'm here to report the poor service I received this Sunday evening, a few minutes shy of 8:30 pm. I walked in, took a seat at the bar and wanted to order a glass of wine. Let it be known the restaurant had over 10 + tables in use and I counted 40 patroons! Once the bartender caught my attention he proceeded to tell me they were closed !! There is no way the restaurant would have been cleared out in the :15-:30 min it would have taken me to enjoy, pay and leave. I on a weekly basis enjoy the restaurants in my neighborhood and are friends with many other patroons, servers, and owners up and down the block, including on Broadway. I'm appalled by the way I was treated and it's inexcusable. This was my first time walking into your new location & I won't be back. You've got a serious service problem. read more

The food was delicious but can be a tad salty on some of them. Their signature dish which is not listed on the menu is the truffle gnocchi which was tasty. Their ingredients were fresh and flavors were on point. I really enjoyed the fillet with truffle mashed potato. Their seafood risotto was decent. Desserts were also delicious. My only complain about this place is their space. They crammed too many tables into a really small space and made it hard to move around your chairs and the room can be too loud. read more

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I have been to this restaurant several times and the food is always delicious! would recommend for yummy Italian food, you will not be disappointed. read more

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I stumbled across Stella when looking for a nice Valentine's dinner for my girlfriend and I. We were seated at a small, but comfortable table in their covered outdoor area surrounded by space heaters. Behind us was a planted tree with nice decorative white lights that made the ambiance relaxing and intimate. Our server was great and walked us through their prix fixe menu which included salad, filet mignon, scallops, wine pairings, desserts, etc. I had the stuffed ravioli and my girlfriend had filet mignon; both were fantastic. If you're in Burlingame and looking for delicious food and relaxing ambiance, consider Stella. read more

While the atmosphere and service is great, that's where the "stand out" qualities of this restaurant end. The food is bland and uninteresting. The cocktails are about as strong as a glass of milk. Fun to try once but not likely to return read more

Escargot needs a little garlic. Gnocchi tasted a little different from the past. Filet mignon was tasty. read more

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Ahhhh....Stella's was nice, great location, beautifully decorated, great food and drinks. Loved it

Had dinner with a friend at Stella Alpina Osteria tonight. Their extended outdoor seating is pretty fantastic. Looks almost natural, not something born out of a pandemic necessity. We were very comfortable under the heat lamps, and well more than 6 feet away from any other guests. Beet salad - I love a good beet salad. They do a nice rendition here. Thinly sliced red and golden beets, served with a bed of arugula and a gorgonzola crumble. The flavors all worked. The only thing keeping this from top marks is that it needed a little more salt to bring it all together. Truffle Stuffed Gnocchi - Yelp reviews are all agog over this dish, and I can see why. Perfectly pillowy gnocchi that they somehow managed to stuff with a truffle filling. Oh, and then they served in in a fragrant brown butter and sage sauce, so your mouth starts watering before the dish even hits the table. You really shouldn't miss this dish. And you can order it in 5-piece servings, so get whatever the table is up for as an appetizer, or just make this your main. Make sure you order some bread because leaving even a drop of that sauce in the bowl would be a crime. Canneloni - Stuffed with ricotta and spinach, covered in bechamel and marinara sauce. I'd love to report on this, but my wife "forgot" to offer me a taste. She seemed to really enjoy it. Fiocchi con Pere - Pasta purses stuffed with pears and asiago cheese. Sounds a little weird, but wow the pears really work here. They practically melt into the cheese, and the parmesan cream sauce brings it home. Grilled Lamb Chops - I'm a sucker for lamb chops. These were four meaty chops. Slightly overcooked (there was no pink left, so that's definitely not medium rare), and slightly under-seasoned, but still really good. The sauce covered for the lack of salt, thankfully. Garlic butter mushrooms - They really know how to cook mushrooms. Great texture, salty and garlicky and buttery flavor. Brussels Sprouts - Cooked with a balsamic reduction, these added a nice verdant and slightly bitter touch to the meal. Tiramisu - Served in a mason jar, this is a great small taste of sweet and creamy as a finisher. Service was friendly and helpful. Overall a really good meal, with lots of things that qualify as great. I'd definitely go back. read more

I love this place, food is good. Just the server needs more training...I had my birthday here... food is good and the ambience was great....

First impression, very elegant yet cozy. Our starters were very yummy. I ordered the veal. It was delicious and cooked well. We were one of the last people to leave but the workers were nice and did not rush us out. It is decorated very festive for the season. read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Inconsistent. This would be a "go to" but the food is very inconsistent. We love the meatballs with polenta. Osso bucco. Chicken parm. Eggplant parm. Often it is good and often not. The other night we ordered all these dishes and: Osso bucco- very dry. Chicken parm - over cooked. Dry. Burnt and cold pasta. Meatballs - dry. Very little sauce. Polenta dry. Eggplant parm - the hit of the evening. Very good. Service is always wonderful and it's a beautiful setting. I hesitate now bringing new people in fear of the latest experience. read more

3.5 stars! I really wanted to like this place and am sad to write this... :((( Maybe we just got unlucky with our order. The place is adorable, beautiful ambience, nice staff, great service. Cocktails: best part of the meal. Really enjoyed them. I got the blood orange lemon drop, loved it. Truffle Stuffed Gnocchi: kind of disappointing. Was so excited to try and ordered 10 pieces. Gnocchi was fluffy but a bit too fluffy. Felt like they could have seared it more. Not much truffle taste either. If this is the highlight, make it really good & memorable. Wouldn't order it. Rosemary Focaccia: $7! Most Italian places bring complimentary bread. This was a nice bread but not a rosemary focaccia. There was almost no rosemary, didn't taste like rosemary. I've had much better focaccia before. Caesar Salad: our friends got the salad. She was happy with it. Very small portion though. Fiocchi Con Pere E Asiago: I enjoyed eating it. Had nice flavor, was cooked well with a nice thick sauce. Would I go back to eat it again, not necessary. Fish of the Day: $34 or so and the worse dish. A small piece of fish, not much flavor. Dumped olives on it. The side risotto cake didn't have a good flavor. The carrots & broccoli were the best part! Very underwhelming & over priced. Felt like the chef had to come up with a last minute special and had not cooked or tried this dish before. Orecchiette Primavera e Speck - probably best dish. Great flavor, was a bit smoky. Good portion. Highly recommend. Veal Ossobuco: had good Rick flavors. The meat was on top of polenta. Very heavy but yummy dish. Apple tart with ice cream: enjoyed the dessert. The Apple tart has good flavor & texture. Ice cream is always yummy. read more

Stella - So delicious - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

After living in the area for so long, we're surprised we've never tried this place! Great outdoor patio and seating and heat lamps at every table. Great cocktails and pasta. Stick to the truffle offerings - so tasty! The osso busco was also great but the cannelloni was a little too creamy for our liking. Overall would come back! Great place for dinner. read more

My FAVORITE Restaurant on the Peninsula!!! The Chefs hand is sophisticated, educated, And crowd pleasing. Particularly love the fondue appetizer ( note: not offered on weekends... but I'd love if it was!!) Great Choice for lunch or dinner; special occasion ,a romantic night; or just a family get together. you owe it to yourself to try it! read more

Food is excellent! Service is top notch. Nice ambiance. JT has an awesome staff who knew when to ask if everything is okay/if anything is needed - not excessive. The new venue/location is very spacious, clean and modern. Always look forward to my evenings here. read more

Took my two daughters last night, and all of us were delighted with our wonderful experience. Everything exceeded high expectations. Your wait staff and manager just added to the many plus'. We will be back!! read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Never disappoints. Truffle Gniocchi is a must. Good staff. No complaints here. Curious if they can keep it going when moving to a new location. read more

We were planning a team dinner and I picked Stella Alpina Osteria out of a few options that a colleague suggested. And I'm so glad I picked it. The restaurant has a lovely vibe to it. We went on a Wednesday evening and it was packed to my surprise. We had thankfully made a reservation in advance and were immediately lead to our table. They have a pretty good selection of wines and cocktails - not exhaustive but there are enough options for everyone. They also got a complimentary bread basket for the table. The bread was warm and fresh. We got a couple Antipasti dishes for the table. One of them being the famous TRUFFLE GNOCCHI. This is by far the best gnocchi I've had. I was in Italy a few years ago and this dish was even better! I am going back next time and ordering just multiple portions of this dish. The gnocchi had a nice pillowy texture and a very delicate flavor. It went really well with the garlicky oil that it was cooked in. The BURRATA CAPRESE also turned out to be pretty good. The cheese was delicious and salad tasted great as well. I got the PENNE ALL' ARRABIATA as the entree. The tomato sauce was perfect with just the right amount of garlic and red chilies. The cheese garnish on top also added a lovely flavor to the dish. The PEAR & ALMOND TART stole my heart amongst desserts. I am a Tiramisu fan, but this tart just melted in my mouth with an explosion of flavors. Highly recommend if you are looking for great Italian good in SSF! read more

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