Stella Trattoria... where do I even start. The vibe? Dark, moody, romantic in the best way possible. The kind of place where you instantly feel like you're somewhere special. And somehow, you completely forget you're literally dining in what used to be an insane asylum... which honestly just makes it even cooler. The food was amazing every bite was so good and the wine? Even better. Like, the kind of place where you keep saying "just one more glass" and suddenly it's a whole night. This place is a whole experience, and we will absolutely be back. read more

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What. A. Vibe. Walking in, I didn't know where this place would be. It's under an apartment complex with winding hallways. Felt a pinch bizarre. But then you walk in, and you're transported into such a cozy restaurant with an underground feel. Yes it is a bit pricey, but the food was delicious and we absolutely went to town and treated ourselves. So worth it. We all shared everything and there wasn't a bad dish. Our server, well she was amazing. Memorized everything, always checking in (but not in an annoying way), and just so friendly. Highly recommended and definitely make reservations way in advance! read more

Trattoria Stella - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Delicious food and great ambience. They're located in the old asylum, it was very cool seeing how things use to be before it was renovated. The staff were super friendly and helpful with recommendations on what to get on the menu. Between two we definitely over ordered but everything came out in a timely manner to where we didn't feel rushed getting to the next course. read more

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Very very good food in a super cool location (former asylum that's been maintained by the region). Only reason for four stars is because of some very minor misses (took a while to be seated for a res and I think the accoutrements with the oysters were a bit disappointing). Otherwise, service was great and the ambiance is incredible. Food was fantastic. The pate in particular was to die for and I loved the chutneys it was served with. The octopus was delicious and cooked perfectly. The house made bread was lovely and the olive oil and balsamic was an amazing complement. The arugula salad was tasty and I loved the candied hazelnuts in there along with the pears. Place is so cool on the inside and the artwork is awesome. Ended up chatting about the local artist who did it for a while and got her business card. Overall definitely worth a visit for the food alone and the location is just a bonus. read more

Trattoria Stella - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Food: Delish!! Get the calamari. It's not fried, which came as a surprise to us, but my gosh I basically licked the bowl clean. It was so tender and the sauce had incredible flavor. All our other entrees were super tasty too. It was hard to pick what to order because everything sounded so good. I also love that they use local farms for a lot of products. Service: Good! Jan, our server, was super nice. Ambiance: Neat interior, which isn't a surprise at the commons! read more

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Amazing service. The older building is so intriguing and just so full of history. I just find myself amazed when I am in there. The food was absolutely delicious. If I was going to recommend any place to try while in TC this would be it ! read more

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Was able to grab a reservation for a Thursday night and sure glad I did! Greeted by staff and a nice and chill vibe inside. Allison was a great server who navigated me through the menu. The Foie Gras was a special and I knew I had to try. The pears and onions were the perfect pairing on top of the puff pastry. Sweet and salty goodness. The rabbit ragu was phenomenal. The chili flakes brought a nice pop to the dish. Now into dessert again Allison stepped up to help me choose the squash Panna Cotta and oh boy was it insanely good! So delicate and the crumble brought a great texture to the dish. What a start to my trip! read more

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We had a wonderful meal at Trattoria Stella. The hostess and server were both very friendly and accommodating. We decided to order a few things to try and shared them all which was plenty of food (not shown but we also split the greens salad). I think our server's name was Anna. She was so nice and fun and didn't rush us at all. The menu is always changing and food was locally sourced and very fresh. We really enjoyed the service and our experience for my birthday dinner. Would recommend Trattoria Stella! read more

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We're only through our appetizers and I'm texting everyone about this place. Drinks are good, apps were amazing, can't wait for dinner to come out. Service is on point too read more

Everything was delicious! I left stuffed. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. Didn't realize the building was an old psychiatric hospital until you pull up into the parking lot. Inside is not creepy at all though read more

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Trattoria Stella was an very nice tucked away restaurant in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Had been hearing great things about the restaurant from friends and family and wanted to try it out. Was met with great service throughout the night and had a good selection of food to try from that is on a rotating menu. The burrata was a great start to the night, but had a strange main dish that was bit lack luster (pork dish that was described as tender and melts in your mouth that ended up being chewy/difficult to separate with steak knife). That was just one dish that didn't hit the mark for me but several other dishes were delicious. Definitely would still recommend others to go and enjoy read more

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Trattoria Stella is an Italian restaurant located in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a redeveloped state hospital. This location adds an ambience that blends old and new with a rustically elevated dining experience. Trattoria boasts a farm to table menu/concept which allows for a flexible menu based on ingredient freshness availability (to include proteins). Our server was friendly and attentive while allowing us the freedom to pace ourselves and enjoy each course of our meal. We started with the Burrata as a shared appetizer and it set the tone for the rest of the meal. Amazing depth of flavors, perfectly paired with their crostini. For meals, we had two entrees: The Angus Beef Hanger Steak, & the Agnolotti. Both delivered on taste as well as portion sizes for the prices. This could be a $$-$$$ dining experience depending on what you order, however; the pricing is reasonable especially considering the freshness of ingredients. If you're looking for a relaxed sit down dining experience with great atmosphere, an extensive drink menu and food that tastes luxurious, give Trattoria Stella a try. read more

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I am honestly disappointed in the way our dinner went tonight. We heard rave reviews about this place regarding not only the food but also the experience of eating in a historical building. Our reservation was at 9pm for 5 people and we were seated within 5 minutes. Our server, Janna, brought us water within a few minutes as well but didn't come back to take our drink orders for another 20 minutes. At the same time, we put in our appetizer orders. Our drinks came within 15 minutes and our apps another 15 minutes after that. The drinks were mostly not that bad, we enjoyed the strawberry margarita but the mocktails were either too sugary or too smoky. I couldn't drink it anymore and asked our server for a cherry coke when she came back for our entrees. We ordered Bruschetta but didn't realize it did not come with tomato. It was bread with melted cheese and spinach on top with barely any chickpeas or asparagus that the menu said it came with. Select pieces of bread had the asparagus and chickpeas where others didn't. The oysters with the housemade hot sauce and diced cucumber/onion were actually enjoyable. Enough that we were eating out of the cucumber/onion mix while waiting forever for our server to come back because we were starving. It took another 30 minutes for our server, Janna, to come back and take our entree orders. At this time a basket of bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil were placed on our table. While we were asking her about the menu she told us that multiple menu items were out of stock or changed due to chef error. We placed our orders and waited another 30 minutes for our food to come out but were disappointed in what was plated. Our ravioli and fettuccine had chunks of tomato throughout the dish. The fettuccine was not even fettuccine, it was more like papardelle with a few pieces of fettuccine mixed in and it tasted like egg yolk mixed with tomato and pesto sauce. At this point we had been there for almost 2 hours and just wanted to leave. When our server came back with a dessert menu we just asked for the check and did not take any boxes home. As a side note, the bathrooms smelled absolutely awful like horse manure and the dishes smelled like must and mildew. There was nothing interesting about the building besides that it is an old building that was repurposed. We were shocked because the reviews were so high but were very disappointed in not only the service but the quality of the food and drinks. read more

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I cannot say enough how impressed I always am with Stella's! My boyfriend and I made reservations at Stella's a month or so ago for a trip we were taking to Traverse City. Stella's is one of my very favorite restaurants and a reason to go up to Traverse all by itself. We started our meal off with their charcuterie board. We were able to select a variety of meats and cheese and it came with a few dried fruits along with some spreads and bruschetta. We ordered two main dishes and shared a third. We both opted for pasta dished and shared the lamb chops. Everything was incredible. I am a pasta snob but Stella's has the best pasta I've ever had. I wrote them an email last time I was there to let them know I will forever be chasing a bolognese as good as theirs. We finished our meal with a merengue fruit dessert. The fruit was perfectly tart and the merengue sweet, but not too sweet. Stella's is perfect for date night. Being in the commons, it has the perfect ambiance. Our service has always been outstanding. We've been there before where I requested a specialty drink they didn't have on their menu and the bartender came up with a martini that was just delightful. If you're headed to Traverse City, Stella's a must. Heck, come to Stella's and then visit Traverse as a second destination. read more

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We were visiting Traverse City for the weekend and Trattoria Stella was recommended to us and I understand why. The food was fantastic - we had the White Pizza as an appetizer. I had the Hanger Steak for my entree. The service was also fantastic. I would recommend going if you get the chance! Make sure to get reservations! read more

Trattoria Stella - Hanger Steak - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Best restaurant in traverse. Zero contest. This place deserves a bib gourmand or a Michelin star. I have never once in 18 years of going here been disappointed by anything I've been served. The service here is of a rare type nowadays, and the knowledge of the staff is shown every time you request the chefs taste for the day. If you haven't been here, I cannot insist enough that you change that. read more

I came here with some friends tonight, we were lucky enough to snag an 845pm reservation - they book up fast, especially during summer I'd imagine, so I recommend making a reservation. I started with the Raspberry Beret drink, which had macadamia nut liquor, which was different, and raspberry juice. I liked it, but I liked the Ferndale 75 more, which I ordered after, which is their take on a French 75. A friend and I split the fettuccine, which comes in a pesto sauce, and the linguini, which comes with wild boar medallions (first time for me; similar to steak). Both were excellent. We also got the green beans appetizer, and I was a bit disappointed that they brought it with the meal and not as an appetizer. We shared the tiramisu for dessert and that was fabulous also. Our server was Craig, whom was also very good. I would for sure come back here, although it's a little pricey ($28+ for pasta), but everything we ate and drank was excellent. The building has a pretty interesting history too, it used to be a mental asylum. read more

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The food was not only delicious, but art worthy. The service was amazing, she went into detail on every meal, the chefs specials, and the wine menu. All the meat was selected from local farms and there is a new menu each night. We tried the rabbit appetizer the chef made that night, along with calamari. I got the Hake with pistachio and it was amazing! The calamari I'm sure was great but it was in such a spicy sauce i unfortunately could not enjoy it. The architecture is so beautiful, such a great date spot. read more

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Outstanding food! Such a cool scene as well. The staff was great I suggest to go there hungry and try everything! read more

Trattoria Stella - Flatbread WHITE PIZZA - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Simply amazing! This was my second visit here and this time with a group of 8 celebrating a birthday. Reservations were easily made online and our table was ready and waiting when we arrived. Our server was phenomenal and spent the time to review the entire menu. The group started off with cocktails and moved on to an assortment of appetizers (pretty sure we ordered all of them) followed by wine and entrees. Every item was thoroughly enjoyed and service remained impeccable throughout the evening. When it came to the check, our server was very accommodating and split the total over 7 different credit cards. Surprisingly, with our group size, gratuity was not automatically included....which was a benefit for our server as we all tipped well! read more

Trattoria Stella was hands-down one of our top dining experiences in Traverse City. Tucked into the historic Traverse Commons, the cozy atmosphere made it the perfect spot for a romantic date night. There's something special about the vibe--warm, intimate, and full of character. Every dish we ordered was absolutely delicious, crafted with care and bold flavors. The staff was welcoming and knowledgeable, striking the perfect balance of attentive and relaxed. From start to finish, the whole experience just felt good. Great food, great ambiance, great energy--Stella truly delivers on all fronts. Can't wait to go back! read more

It was a Saturday evening when we called about a table and the hostess was so kind. Our server was also terrific. My partner had angioletti and I had short ribs. Both were amazing! I licked my plate clean and my partner took leftovers home and I ate them the next day. We also had the shaved fennel salad, which was also incredible. We had a fantastic evening and are eager to return. read more

Having lived in Italy for three years, this was an amazing experience. Not only were the dishes unique and exquisite, the knowledge of the wine pairing was top notch. Do not miss when if Traverse. read more

Overall good, but also rich, very rich. The space is interesting, in the basement of an old building, with lots of tables in a series of alcoves in a long hallway. It works fairly well, although you may feel like you're part of the other party in the other alcove opposite yours in your section of alcove. The wines by the glass were mostly Italian and began around $15 and went to $25+. They were decent though. Began with the beef carpaccio. The beef was very flavorful, and it was a fairly substantial appetizer. The cheese was a nice compliment, but it still needed something else to give it a little more oomph, than the the too many red onions. Maybe herbs (thyme), shaved fennel, mustard, or even just fresh cracked black pepper. We ate it all without any pressure, so it was good; just a little bit more could have made it even better. Then came the entrees. They were substantial too and well prepared. But also so rich. The scallops were fresh tasting and well cooked and came with fresh garbanzo beans, fava beans and pea shoots over rice with some sauteed vermicelli. The beans and pea shoots were really interesting and flavorful. The scallops though had too much butter, even for me! The chicken saltimbocca was similarly substantial and had a lot going on. The chicken came topped with some bresaola ( or something similar) that was nicely crisped, covered in melted fontina atop potato and parsnips puree with sauteed green. It was quite tasty, but quite a meal too. The service was very good. read more

I can't recommend this place enough! I would give it 1,000,000 stars if I could! My husband and I were in town for the week and wanted a nice Italian restaurant. Our real estate agent recommended Trattoria Stella. This place is in the basement of the old mental hospital (quite an interesting story that adds to the ambiance). It's been redone and now houses upscale spa services upstairs and this wonderful gem of deliciousness in the basement! To say the food was delicious isn't enough. The menu changes daily so it's a new adventure each time. Our waitress' fiancé is the Sous chef so we had the best description and the "ins" on the best of the best on the menu. We ordered the delicious hand pulled and knotted mozzarella appetiser that has a wonderful tomato vinaigrette "sauce" and crusty on site made bread. My husband ordered the veal chop dish with pesto Parmesan risotto and Marsala tri-colored carrots. I ordered the Atlantic Sea Scallops with almond Parmesan risotto and a wonderfully delicious sauce made of shrimp, clams and a hint of tomato. It had Kalamata olives and capers in it as well. For dessert we chose the highly recommended tiramisu but we're too full to enjoy it there. We will enjoy it for Valentine's Day tomorrow. When you're in Traverse City and you want a delicious dinner in a unique restaurant that sources all their food from local farms and businesses make a reservation at Trattoria Stella! You'll want to lick the plate (but just don't lol) read more

Trattoria Stella - Our table. The food didn't last long enough to take a picture! - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Just superb. Jess was our awesome server. Such a wonderful competent hostess in an amazing restaurant. Our food was delicious. My husband had the flank steak and I had the ravioli. We ate every morsel. We were seated in a quaint area and we were able to enjoy ourselves and not rushed read more

We had a fantastic dinner and drinks at Trattoria Stella this evening. Service was outstanding, our server was super friendly and helpful with excellent recommendations. The ambiance was really nice, lots of little corners and hidden away spaces in the restaurant, making it feel much more cozy than the total seating might suggest. Both food and cocktails were outstanding. I had the Maltagliati, which was very flavorful and rich yet not overly heavy. My wife had the Fettucine with chicken added and it too was excellent. Overall a great experience, and a place we will plan to visit again in the future! Thank you Trattoria Stella for an excellent experience and meal. read more

Trattoria Stella - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Wife and I dined at Stella for the first time tonight in the last couple years of coming to Traverse City. Definitely will be back. Food was unique and delicious. The Squash Blossom was the first time I've ever had that and it was uniquely delicious. Scallops were like butter and my wife's fish was excellent!! Service was excellent also! read more

This was the best meal we've had in a long time. We loved our drinks and I'm always so appreciative when there is a good mocktail list. The cheese board was excellent and my husband loved his oysters. Our entrees had the perfect combination of flavors. And the desserts were the perfect finish. Our server was so kind and knowledgeable and she made the experience so fun and relaxing. This was the perfect spot for our first anniversary dinner. Such a cool and unique space for a restaurant. Cheese board with taleggio d.o.p., al tartufo, casatica di bufala. One of each oyster. Chilean sea bass and Atlantic scallops. Drinks: Harry styles, Oaxacan old old and Step in Thyme read more

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Service was attentive and the server answered our questions about the food items. The food was good. I ordered the Osso Buco which was good not great. It was very overpriced at $60.00. The noise level became increasingly unpleasant. We dined just after their opening and we were able to get through our entree before it started to get noisy. It's a problem when noisy people then start drinking. The walls are stone (?) and the tables are in small closed areas facing other small closed areas. Sound reverberates hugely. Also, offer bread without the customer having to ask; it looks cheap in a very expensive restaurant. You are in the restaurant business; don't make excuses about bread waste etc. Just service it and deal with it. read more

I had really high hopes for this restaurant seeing all the hype. I was a bit creeped out that the art on the walls were patient rooms, bathrooms from the state hospital it once was. After that we were greeted by the two most attentive waitresses. Never missed a beat! The drinks were fantastic! Our burrata appetizer was top tier. My sister's fettuccine was outstanding! My meal the steak with gnocchi had something left to be desired, it was even recommended when we were deciding between two things. The steak was cooked perfectly, but for being an Italian restaurant the gnocchi was tough, a tad burnt and the sauce should not have been called a Marsala (lacked flavor) I might try again, but really disappointed in my main course. read more

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Service very attentive, young women with European accents literally fawned over us. The sole was good but so tender it had to be scooped with a fork. The smashed and fried fingerlings under the fish unfortunately lost most of the inner potato flesh somewhere and it was exactly the potato that melted into the lemon butter sauce covering this dish that made me think this might be the best tasting fish dish I've ever had, until I returned to a pile of potato skins. Other than the pizza, I don't think I would try another selection. The mere presence of veal brains and sweetbreads on the menu means I'll probably never return. Really, this is the 21st century and to support veal farming is quite tone deaf. read more

We haven't been to Stella's in a while, their menu can be odd. This time the food and choices were spot on. We tried almost all the appetizers and they were all hits! From the oysters and duck liver pâté to the chicken saltimbocca we loved them! read more

Trattoria Stella - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Second time I have been here but wanted to take my family who was visiting from out of town and let me tell you the food did not disappoint! We started with the Burrata and Squash Blossoms then for entrees had the Scallops, Pork chop and the Hake fish special then for desert we had the pana cotta. One of our guests was gluten free and did not feel like the server went out of his way to accommodate or offer suggestions that would be suitable for her. I would have given 5 stars if our server was nice but at times he seemed condescending and I would have to ask if there gluten free alternatives multiple times. He was not friendly and even short with his conversation which was unfortunate when you are going to a fine dining establishment. Back to the delicious food, the scallops were seasoned and seared to perfection, the pork chop was the juiciest one I have ever had and the panna cotta was perfection with the lemon curd. The restaurant is dimly light and a perfect environment for a beautiful dinner. I just wish our service was a bit better. read more

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I really enjoy Stella and have come here on every one of my trips to TC. It is an elegant, tried and true and tasteful restaurant in the village commons that has been around for awhile. I love Italian food so I feel you cannot go wrong here, but I have noticed after coming here after 2 years the menu appears to have mostly stayed the same if not exactly the same. I understand you shouldn't fix something that's not broken but I was expecting a little more variety within the pastas, pizzas, and appetizers, and desserts offered. There are just two pizza types I believe (white or a meat red one) and 4-5 types of pastas. I had the bolognese pasta which was a good portion size and tasty but I wasn't wowed by the sauce and I also was expecting more of a tomato type base versus meat and I think cream for the sauce. We did get complimentary bread after asking for it but it was disappointing to me that it was served cold. The service is decent and I had a good wine recommendation from my server, but I think this place could stand to make a few updates such as more seasonal rotating menu selections and adding a better price point of wines to the list as most were $15 and up for a glass. I do think the wine selection that is offered is unique but still would like to see better pricing or even different pours offered such as a 6 or 9 oz. It also is a little dim in here so I feel this restaurant is best for an elegant date night or classy night out. I like this restaurant but I wish there was more variety and variation in what is offered on the menu. I'm a red sauce lover so I'd like to see a nice marinara or arrabiata pasta or vodka type pasta offered. All in all worth a trip if you are in TC but not my favorite Italian restaurant of all time. read more

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Nice place located in the Grand Traverse Commons building. Well executed Italian, but it is a bit expensive. Great place for a romantic dinner. Started with some salads, my wife had the Arugala and I had the Greens. Good salads, but $14 per salad is a ridiculous price. For the entree I had the spaghetti which can with lamb meatballs and my wife had the Maltagliati Bolognese; hers was tasty but a tad bit oily. Overall, pleasant experience yet IMO too pricey for the return. read more

Trattoria Stella - Drink menu - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

First time in traverse city and had to visit this restaurant! Located in an old asylum, which was super cool! They conduct tours and there's a bunch of shops and other restaurants in this building. There's a bunch of parking as well. However, we parked on the opposite side of the building and got lost inside, so I recommend some researching the directory before parking and walking on lol A reservation is a must! Started with oysters, they were fresh, our fav is the New Brunswick ones. We also had the octopus. The octopus was delicious! It was tender, the sauce was perfect not too acidic, was delicious with the sausage and beans. Def recommend sopping up the leftover sauce with bread! For entrees we had the fettuccine and the steak special. The fettuccine came with a crispy duck and the duck was juicy and suuuper crisp it taste like carnitas. It was amazing and the pasta was good but the duck was my fav. The steak was also delicious! Seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfect temp, risotto was yummy and that jalapeño buttered broccoli tied it all perfectly! For drinks we had an old fashion and the shady lane cab franc Blanc! read more

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What a wonderful place. Unassuming, great food and arre to be service. The only down side is this is a place where you NEED someone to recommend you. You will not drive by it and stop by. It's in a former psych hospital environment which feels exciting yet intimidating. Each dish was better than the last. Every pasta dish is the best and we have truly enjoyed the appetizers. The photos tell it all read more

Trattoria Stella - Spaghetti and ATLANTIC SCALLOPS - Italian Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Oooh, Mama!! This place is delicious!! In a remodeled insane asylum, this place is down in the basement. Dark and moody. Super nice. Great food. Spectacular service. Worth a wait. As for the food, the menu constantly changes because the restaurant is farm-to-table. We had: Burrata, 23 house-made, shaved Toscano salami, charred tomato vinaigrette, crostini Bibb lettuce and Radicchio, 13 Pink Lady apples, candied hazelnuts & pecans, spiced pumpkin seeds, honey crema & limoncello vinaigrette Tortelli, 28 house-made ravioli, pear & ricotta filling, roasted Cortland apples, thyme, toasted walnuts, sage butter, Parmigiano Reggiano We ended up sitting at the bar, and the bartenders were HUSTLING. Worked so hard the entire time we sat there. I was impressed. Our bartender was SUPER knowledgeable about the menu and specials. A caveat: make sure to have a reservation! While they take walk-ins, you may be waiting an hour and a half just to sit at the bar. Other than that, all was spectacular!! There is no doubt I will be back...I'm super interested to dive into the giant wine list!! read more

If I could give more stars, I would. My best friend recommended we come to Stella, as I'm visiting from across the country and she lives here and has had wonderful experiences every time she's dined. It's dark and moody, giving off a romantic catacomb vibe that's perfect for date night. Firstly, our hostess was so gracious and got us what I would consider to be my ideal seat - just at the end of the bar. Upon being seated, the first thing we noticed was how hard and quickly the two bartenders (Kristen and Anna) were working. They danced around each other as though synchronized, whipping up concoctions and pouring wine for the bar guests AND the packed restaurant. I inquired about a Vesper, and Kristen immediately lit up as we began talking cocktails. She gave us the run down of all the specials, and we decided to do a bit of a tasting journey through several small plates, paired perfectly with beverage suggestions from our wonderful Kristen: starting off with oysters, then beef carpaccio, squash blossoms, a pork and pasta special dish (the Gorgonzola sauce was DIVINE), and foie gras that was so enamoring we had to order it TWICE. It was a literal dream dinner combination of all of my favorite, luxurious dishes, and I was so happy to know that it's all being masterfully prepared and presented by a predominantly female staff and master chef. Holy WOW. Sorry for not grabbing photos of everything... I was too enthralled by the experience and flavors and company to pull my phone out till everything was already devoured... But. Take my word for it and do come sit at Kristen and Anna's bar, and let them take you on a culinary and beverage paired joy ride - you will feel like you just won the lottery, if you do. I'll be dreaming of this meal till the next time I'm in town to do it all over again. read more