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Newton St (Silver)
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Let me start by saying that 4 stars is not necessarily the 'average score' based on my three visits. My first visit was very good, my second visit was a nightmare: a true half-star, and my third visit was as close to a perfect dining experience at this type of place you could ask for. In fact, I had to throw away the half-star to give the rating that I think this place truly deserves.
The only reason why I went back after my awful second visit was because well, I, uhm, voiced my opinion. The folks at Stella ensured me it wouldn't happen again.
The Decor and layout: It is a surprisingly large place with clean and contemporary decor. The clientele is chic and eclectic which is a nice deviation from the typical Boston crowds you find at the more 'local' establishments. I do prefer the front dining room; the tables are a little crammed but the atmosphere is lively and the buzz is fun.
The Wine: First, I love the "Wine Critics" who bitch about the wine list here. Fact: If you know what to look for, there are some gems. Yes, it is very Italian, but it can also be very good. And you know what? If you actually know anything about wine (or ordering it) and you know what you are looking for, they have a basement (or whatever) filled with wines not on the list. I asked for something specific by varietal and size (not name) and the GM sought it out and brought it to the table. Seriously people, don't be afraid to ask for suggestions. Wine snobs piss me off. End of Rant.
The Food: Very good for the pricepoint. I am not sure if the 'inspiration' is authentic but there is definitely a contemporary flare to it that I really dig. Of the multiple things I tried two stood out: The Ossobuco was tender and flavorful and the saffron seafood Risotto was cooked perfect and the flavor was well, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Saffron is a flavor that is really growing on me.
Of the three times we went we pulled the trigger on dessert only once. Wow I regret going through so many meals without experiencing their chocolate tort. Simply ridiculous.
Stella is also a great place to have a drink and people watch (in a non-creepy type of way ;-)). They have a nice cocktail list with some fresh tasting and creative drinks. So whether you go for a cocktail, or dinner you can be assured that you'll have a pleasant evening.
What started out as a search for a cheap meal out on a Saturday turned into an evening at Stella - not a bad turn of events. The BF and I walked by and since it looked so warm and inviting and boy was it cold outside, we made the spontaneous decision to just do it. Thank God I had thrown on some lipstick before leaving the house.
The ambiance is undeniably chic and sophisticated while remaining unpretentious, a hard thing to do. We had to wait about 8 years for a table for two, since they only seat your party at an appropriately sized table (so maybe not the best place to be spontaneous...). But we got our table with a nice view of the park and our waiter suggested an incredible wine and I ordered the pizza that's been haunting me ever since, the truffle pizza with mushrooms and truffle oil. I would have licked the plate if I weren't such a lady. We split a warmed pear tart, another recommendation, for dessert which ended the meal perfectly.
My only grievance was the noise level. For a place that looks so demure, I found myself screaming over the table at my boyfriend, which is not very lady-like. However, I was not the only one who had to raise my voice: the lovely couple next to us was detailing what they were going to do with some recently purchased items from a shop-not-to-be-named later that evening...
That said, it's the perfect place for pizza and for eaves-dropping, if that's your thing.
Let's keep this one simple. I went here after having brunch because a friend wanted to have lunch (someone who joined me after I had brunch), so sure enough we all go to Stella.
It was a lovely day, not too cold and quite sunny, so we sat outside. I ordered a tiramisu and one of my friend had an Eggs Benedict sandwich.
The tiramisu deserves 1.5 million stars. I want to go back tomorrow to eat it again. The Egg Benedict was really good too. Overall, the food was really good, and the atmosphere was great. I haven't tried enough things from this place, but I may just go get lunch there soon and try something new (and then eat another tiramisu).
Best pizzas I have ever had. The ambiance is great and service also. Its a bit expensive but worth it for what you get.
Located at the corner of Washington St. and West Brookline St., Stella's outdoor patio overlooks a lovely city green space full of adorable dogs and their walkers. Its sleek interior is comfortable and offers the perfect level of noise so that you can hear your cocktail companions but that isn't so quiet that it feels stuffy.
The menu features a great collection of cocktails including the Aperol Spritzer which is a mix of Aperol, a slightly bitter orange-y Italian liquer,Zonin prosecco, and seltzer water . I love Aperol and until now have only had it the two times that I have been to Italy. I have fond memories of long ago drinking Aperol on ice in an open air cafe in Venice. . . sigh :)
I was glad that I chose this drink. It was fruity without being too sweet, bubbly, and refreshing. The hubs chose a glass of lovely Bottega Vinala Pinot Noir.
While we were waiting for our food to arrive, we were each served a piece of fresh, hot focaccia bread. I ate half, and I saved the other half because we ordered mussels, and I knew I needed to sop up the broth with the bread. Way to be prepared! ;)
As usual, we decided to share a few appetizers for our meals. We ordered the Spicy Mussels / saffron cream / roasted peppers / white wine / garlic for $11, the Parmesan Arancini / buffalo mozzarella / spicy pomodoro fondue for 9 and the appetizer special, figs / prosciutto / gorgonzola dolce / honey / balsamic vinegar.
I didn't actually expect to get dinner so I didn't have my camera. All I have are Blackberry photos, and some of them, like the photos of the figs and mussels didn't come out. The mussels were in a gorgeous yellow saffron sauce dotted with red, green, and yellow bell peppers and served with grilled bread on the side. I still needed the bread I saved earlier. I think my favorite part of eating mussels is eating whatever sauce or broth they are cooked in!
I have had the arancini at Stella before, and they were once again perfection. The size of baseballs, they are fried crispy and golden oozing with soft, warm rice, and a gooey buffalo mozzarella surprise in the middle. Nestled in a bowl of intensely rich and robust tomato sauce, these arancini could really be a meal in themselves.
The star of the evening was of course the fig dish. What do you get when you combine roasted figs with crumbled gorgonzola dolce, honey, and reduced balsamic vinegar? Heaven! I only had a bite of the prosciutto with this, but the saltiness worked perfectly with the caramelized figs, creamy cheese, and vinegar/honey sauce. This is a meal I would definitely like to recreate at home.
By the time we at these three dishes, we were perfectly full. I love small portions of lots of different things.
The service at Stella was great, and on each chair outside, they offered soft, cozy fleece blankets. I needed it by the time the sun started going down. If you live in or are visiting Boston, I would definitely recommend Stella for after work drinks and eats.
For photos please check out http://traveleatlove.w... :)
O.M.G. Best brunch ever! We were a group of six, though I was last to arrive, we had the table tucked all the way at the back. Our server was excellent and even had the kitchen make us a big pile of toast as we were too hungry to wait for our brunch orders to come out.
Eggs benedict were quite possibly the best I've had...runny yolks and a hollandaise with the tiniest kick of spice. Delicious! The roasted potato "home fries" and arugala salad were nicely paired. Everyone else's entrees - duck confit, frittata, mostly - all looked excellent as well.
Though the place, on first impression, vibes a little South End-chichi, the food can totally duke it out with the best of them here in Boston. I came here for several different occasions, including a holiday dinner and, for my most high-pressure meal, my celebratory commencement dinner with my sister and my grandmother. Every dish I've had, I've loved, though if I had to pick favorites, I'd insist on the arancini and the salmon with spaghetti squash, both of which have stayed on their menu for a couple of years now. Great drink list and wine selections, too. My favorite thing about Stella: their restaurant week policy. We had access to the full menu, and got one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert for the dinner restaurant week prices. Holy crap, did we end up with a lot of amazing food.
Prices in general (another boon to Stella) are definitely reasonable, and especially so when considering the neighborhood they serve in. You'll definitely spend less here than at Sibling Rivalry, for example, up the street (though don't let that stop you from going there, either...).
My friends took me to Stella for my 21st birthday last year. They thought pasta would be a good filler to soak up all the alcohol that would be the death of me that night.
Everything was going swell; drinks, apps, entrees were all good. The tagliatelle bolognese was too cheesy for me though. And then, the grand finale of the evening ... *drum rolls*
The waiters brought out the surprise ice cream cake that my roommate had so thoughtfully bought for me. Big problem: they had the nerve to bring out a completely MELTED and very sad-looking cake because they forgot to put it in the freezer (nope, not even the refrigerator)! The hostess did not follow my roommate's instructions and ignored the fact that it was an ICE CREAM cake. Good job, girl with no common sense.
The manager came by to apologize and the next thing I saw, 12 complimentary assorted desserts for our party of 12. They were sooo pretty that I didn't want to eat them! Honestly, they probably cost more than the cake itself (sorry, roomie). It was a sweet ending, and I was pleased that Stella came through in the end. Although I haven't returned since, I will soon and update. I always see so many people eating out on the patio!
While I love the bacon-wrapped sea scallops at Stella, my praise for the neighborhood eatery must end there; and I've been a customer several times over.
High on pretentiousness, the staff seem to suit the all white decor with a splash of yellow, giving the average diner not the feel of a chic eatery which is obviously the hope of the owners, but of an outdated bistro frequented by aged local stage actors.
Stella is also a proud practitioner of the "The Smaller the Dining Party, The Less Important You Are" club. I say this because as a neighbor, I would often pop-in either alone or with another friend for dinner, ALWAYS to be pushed into one of the tiny, TINY two-seater tables; the type of wobbly table you have no room to rest your arms on when there is a mere glass present. At one point, I asked for a regular table; *GASP* went the waitress!! Those are ONLY for four people or more!! Nevermind there this was a slow evening.
Boston is full of these little joints, trying so very hard to compete with their image of a trendy New York or L.A. bistro but failing to realize it doesn't work the way they hope.
Unless you're a poser looking for an outdated haunt with mediocre fare, try one of the other FANTASTIC restaurants in the neighborhood and let Stella stay in the past.
What a difference! I remember a time, not long ago, it was not safe to even walk down the street where Stella's sits. What was once a seedy liquor store is now a beautiful bistro filled with well-dressed people and candle lit tables overlooking a beautiful park (which use to be filled with ladies of the night).
I must say, I throughly enjoyed cocktailing in the dimly lit lounge. The bartenders were attentive, drinks were well made and the ambiance suburb. The appetizers, however, were disappointing. Every one of them, including the Caesar's salad (which my friend swore was going to be THE best Caesar's I had ever had. It wasn't). There just wasn't one appetizers (we ordered three) that I couldn't get enough of. I found the food to be, well, ordinary.
Will I try Stella's again? Most definitely. Perhaps it was just an off night.
The carbonara is a life changer. Over easy poached egg on top of a delicious bed of pasta -- perfection on a plate.
Food is delicious here, especially their pizza! The restaurant offers a nice patio section and… Read more »
Went there for brunch and sat outside. Their outdoor seating is very comfortable - I had plenty of room to stretch out and not feel like I was in the table next to me. Our waitress was very accommodating - and even brought out a little take-out cup for water for my dog. (I didn't like having the dog outside the fence - but the good ol health dept set those rules)
I got the burger - and I can say that I was quite impressed. It was one of the best burgers I have had in the city. Crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. Along with the cheese and bacon... quite yummy. I think I licked the plate.
I've taken advantage of Restaurant Week in SF, NYC and now Boston and this is by far *the best* experience I've had. Although Restaurant Week is a great way to try out a restaurant that I may not go to normally because of their prices, the downside is that the RW menu is usually a limited selection and offers much smaller portions. Not the case at Stella.
For $33 you get a choice of any appetizer, entree and dessert on their menu (with the exception of a couple of items on their dessert menu, but that didn't matter much too me). I, of course, like to get the most bang for my buck so I ordered the most expensive entree--the Angus fillet of beef (cooked medium) with mashed potatoes and asparagus. It was divine. Cutting into the steak was like slicing through a stick of butter. Needless to say, I ate my plate clean. I'll definitely make another stop at Stella next time I'm in town and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to book a Restaurant Week reservation.
Our party of 4 opted to sit inside, and it's just as nice as sitting outside. The tables have granite tops and most of the chairs are white and they match. It was a great setting for a great meal.
I didn't feel really cramped, like I was sitting on top of another table. Stella is actually pretty spacious, for a place in the South End.
If I can give you just one piece of advice for this place, it would be to GET THE FIG APPETIZER. I've never had figs before that particular evening, but I could probably have died right on the spot. Trust me. If they have it on the menu (I remember it being a special), order them. The tartar appetizer was also quite tasty, and I'd recommend that one as well.
Our waiter seemed really nervous while he was helping us, but there was no need because he did a great job and pretty much ensured that I'd be back....some day.
I never order spaghetti and meatballs when I go out because it's something I can make at home - well, unless I'm dining at Stella. Their meatballs are the best I've ever had and pair it with their homemade pasta and it's a winning dish for me, time and time again. I love the cool and classy feel of the restaurant, too. Perfect for a date, birthday, entertaining out of town clients, girls night out, it's Tuesday - any occasion! The staff is so friendly and attentive - it's a go to destination for my dining pleasure.
Hmm... I don't get all these steller reviews for Stella.
1. The Pasta. Let's talk about pasta for a second. At home or at a decent gourmet deli anywhere in the country, I can get silky, slippery, delicate pasta that slithers down your throat. I had the linguine/asparagus pasta as well as the tagliatelle bolognese that was ordered for the table, and the pasta was way too thick and chewy. It was not the ultra thin noodles I'm used to eating in any respectable pasta restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. What was served was a clump of too thick, chewy ball of dough where the flavors of the accompanying ingredients (e.g, the lemon, the asparagus, the bolognese sauce) was masked.
2. The NOISE. How can anyone hear anything? This restaurant is way too loud. If you want a decent conversation with your dining mates, do not eat here....
Don't bother with this place. Boil some pasta at home.
Great atmosphere and out door seating. I recommend a reservation or giving yourself enough time to sit and wait at the very cool bar!
Great drink list.
Awesome arancini's, mussels, and beet salad
The spaghetti and meat balls are amazing
Always a good meal and great service!! Great place to bring someone from out of town you are guaranteed a good time.
Just coming off a date with Giacomo isn't fair to Stella but she managed to pleasure me.
The basil lime gimlet was right up my alley (wish I was sipping on one right now as it would make this review a lot more interesting). Just stiff and refreshing enough. The perfect drink.
My asparagus cream, poached egg, truffle linguine was awesome (only request would have been a bit more truffle as everything else kinda drowned it out but now I'm just being greedy).
Our cute, intoxicated waitress along with the constant passing flow of eye candy was a bonus. I'm glad I'm back home with my girlfriend now btw.
Stopped in for dinner with a group of 4 on a Thursday night. We were seated right away at a cozy table in the back. The atmosphere was great - low lighting, but enough to see just fine, ambient conversation, but we could still hear each other, and very pleasant decor. Water, bread and hummos spread were out in about 2 seconds, which made me VERY happy. I had the meatball pizza and it was simple but delicious. My friends had the pork entree and the pasta with meatballs. The pasta was awesome - dense but really tasty. The pork was like chicken parmesan, but with pork. It was a little weird. Drinks were fabulous. All the food and drinks came out quickly, and our waiter was attentive. We got the chocolate mousse and pecan pie for dessert - both were fantastic. Finally, the bathrooms were clean and well laid out. I will definitely return!
Decided to go here because there was a 2 hr wait at Toro. To start off with, the bread is amazing. Had the orecchiette. The sausage was great and there was a perfect amount of chile flakes to give it a little kick. I also ordered a side
One of my friends had the crispy roasted chicken. It was half a chicken! He can eat a lot, but couldn't finish it. The chicken was moist and tasted great.
I forgot what my other two friends had, but each tasted great. I would definitely recommend this place. The service was great too.
My sweetheart and went to this restaurant on our first visit to Boston on the recommendation of friends who used to live there. I used http://OpenTable.com to make the reservation and in the comments section mentioned these facts and that we were looking forward to dining there.
We walked from our hotel and found the retaurant easily and were welcomed graciously as we arrived. We were seated in a room that had only a couple of people in it, which I found a little disappointing at first, as I love to sit where the action is. However, it must be a popular place because it began to fill almost immediately and the people next to us were talking about the last time they were there.
The manager came out with a special treat from the chef for us since it was our first time -- lovely little prosciutto-wrapped stalks of grilled asparagus. My sweetheart was impressed by the service and the nibble.
Dinner was nice -- the tagliatelle was heavy-duty and more than we could finish, but the halibut dish was light and delicious. We had enjoyed a beautiful beet salad earlier, so didn't have room for dessert, though I did indulge in a glass of limoncello.
All in all we loved this restaurant and would definitely recommend it to others!
This is a review from a Monday but we were treated as if it was a thursday or such.. in a good way.. all the way...
this place is fantastic..
the setting has lots of windows, all tables can see outside.. and there are outside tables. Bar makes great use of space.. a dozen of people can sit at bar without being squished.. and there are a few high rounds.. very very comfy and groovy spot.
The food was fantastic.. we had the pan fried artichokes and an amazing watermelon and prosciutto salad for apps, Caesar salad and I had the bolognese. A true bolognese with all three meats and the pasta was absolutely perfect.
Our server, Daniel from just outside Syracuse, could not have been a bit better.. he balanced information, engagement, charm and servitude perfectly. Pete (Mons and Tues) at the bar.. whom we know from Pho and Silvertone is always outstanding in his role of hospitality, the art of mixology, conversation, knowing the products and tact. Lastly, chef Evan Deluty cranks out the most mouth watering dishes with slight innovations here and there on the classics we crave; and his warm, hospitality and persona really make the whole Stella experience Ideal!
If you're going.. call me I'm there!
Stella is near perfect. The decor is simple but chic. The staff are unfailingly freindly and professional. And the food is never disappointing. There is a reason they just expanded to a 3rd dining room in a recession.
But the main reason to come here is the food, which is modern, simple, fresh, always well prepared and just delicious.
Standouts for me are:
Grilled Italian Sausage / broccoli rabe / oven cured tomato / parmesan: The grilled sausage is just delicious and nicely contrasts with the tomato and the slight bite of the broccoli rabe. And not to skimpy a portion. YUM!
Linguine / asparagus cream / poached egg / truffle / thyme: The Linguine always looks like it's too small for a main course, but it's so rich and satisfying that it would be way too much if it was any bigger, and you eat it slowly to savor the egg as it runs into the asparagus cream and makes it even richer. It's just perfect!
A coupla cocktails, appetizers and dessert split between two, sitting at the counter looking out into the street. Quiet conversation, intimate quarters, sleek decor and a staff that knows just when to be attentive.
Stella delivers in the following departments: hospitality, sex appeal, food presentation, decor, location and atmosphere. With a bar packed full, the bartender made sure to save us our seats when it was our turn, took our orders and had our drinks ready promptly. The whole restaurant was bustling with very well-put-together folks, chattering, drinking, mingling and eating that gave the interior a energetic feel.
We wanted for nothing. Everything, from drinks to dessert, came perfectly coursed and cleared in a timely manner, without awkward interruption or ant hint of inattentiveness from the staff. The food itself was very, very good. Though not as spicy as I would have liked, the texture was melt-in-your-mouth and the sauce so good I am not ashamed to say that we sopped up every last drop with whatever bread we had on our plates!
Stella was the perfect choice for some light food and drinks after an event in the South End. I would return for drinks, dinner or dinner & drinks for a date or with a group.
I've been here several times and have always left happy.
The food is fresh, inventive italian. This past summer they had a fig/ gorgonzola/proscuitto appetizer which was sublime. I love the arancini and artichoke hearts appetizers. Entree sizes are big and satisfying. The pasta bolognese has been on the menu since the place opened and is wonderful. The cod and the roast chicken are also really delicious.
Perhaps the best part of this place is the service. I've always had extremely professional and knowledgable servers. I once arrived to find out the restaurant had an unexpected power outage and the hostess pulled every string imaginable to get me into another restaurant. The three times I have been since, the manager has come out to apologize again for that incident and has thanked me for giving the restaurant another shot.
I can't say enough good things about this place!
I went to Stella at the suggestion of a friend who raves about the brunch. We arrived at the tail end of the brunch, around 2pm and were told that there would be a 30 minute wait if we wanted to sit inside. It was about to rain so we opted to wait at the bar.
We grabbed drinks, my boyfriend got the pink lemonade and I got the Bellini and they were both exceptional. All in all, I would say that the drinks were the star of the brunch we had at Stella. I would definitely suggest the watermelon martini or the Bellini.
After being seated, the waitress was very attentive to us and she kept on coming back sporadically to check if everything was okay. The service at Stella was better than your average South End restaurant.
The food...The food wasn't anything to rave about. It took almost an hour to get our food, a duck omelet and the eggs benedict. The omelet was searing hot when it arrived and it was obvious that the eggs benedict had been sitting for quite some time because the spicy Hollandaise had filmed over and the English muffins were soggy. Our server was very apologetic about the wait for the food though, which we appreciated.
Some other people have also mentioned that the music was deafening and I have to agree. I understand the use of music to create an atmosphere but I would rather not have to yell across the table.
I would maybe check out the dinner in the future, but I wouldn't return for brunch because the food simply was neither anything out of the ordinary, nor worth the 45 minute ride on the T.
This is for you late night food cravers out there.
Everytime my friends and I go lounging, we somehow always end up at Stella for some late night (serves food till 1:45ish). The decor is clean and simple, with just the right lighting that you feel warm/cozy but don't stumble around trying to find your way.
The late night entrees are not the greasy late night food one might expect. I would like to pick a favorite, but they are all good! The pasta entrees are big portion, but not in a disgusting I want to puke way. The salmon is not overcooked and glazed with the right amount of sweetness. The tomatoes are always sweet, whether it be a garnish or on pizza. Did I mention the mouthwatering fragrant bread? My friends and I always ask for more bread and will happily fill up on the bread alone.
My only two complaints are the mussel appetizer and the music. The music is too loud and I can barely hear my friends talk. The mussel appetizer is always a dilemma for me. I love the sauce it comes in. It is a great dip for the wonderful bread. However, the quality of the mussel is inconsistent and sometimes not fresh.
No more greasy McDees or Chinese for late night. Stella will guarantee you a night of good cocktails, delicious food, and good time.
I had been wanting to try Stella's ever since I moved to Boston six months ago. I heard nothing but rave reviews so was excited to be invited there for my friend's bday dinner. I loved the atmosphere and the staff were friendly and helpful.
I ordered the melon and prociutto salad which was incredibly tasty. I've never had that combo before and it definitely didn't disappoint. I was eating light so only ordered the beet salad but again, very light and refreshing.
My friends ordered the salmon, swordfish and tagliatelle and all three meals looked scrumptous. From what I could tell, all three thoroughly enjoyed their meals.
Overall, two thumbs up for a great meal and great evening. Can't wait to go back again!
Why I'll go back: Delicious food and great views from the front dining room and the bar
You HAVE to order: warm pecan pie
Tony's Tip: It gets loud, so if you can, time your meal just "off peak" (6:00 dinner for instance) to front run the crowd.
I dined here last Winter and was thoroughly impressed, but never got around to writing a review. So, here I am now. Took a date here, and definitely think it works for that. Floor to ceiling windows really add to the ambience, as does the view of Blackstone Square park, which had a fresh snow cover on it. We were 15 min late for our res, but the restaurant just let us push it back, despite being very busy that night. The seats were comfortable and the tables do not feel cramped. Everything we ordered (baby arugula salad, fried artichokes, tagliatelle) was delicious. And the warm pecan pie was ridiculous! Pecan pie is never my first choice for dessert, but I'd order this again in a heartbeat. I feel confident that every experience here will be good, making it a great place for a first date, parents from out of town, etc.
Headline: I've been here many times (just because, or for special occasions) and have always left happy and satisfied. Ambiance, food value (especially pastas and pizzas), and cocktails make Stella one of my favorite places in the city!
Story: Whether I'm looking to go all out or just have a solid meal, Stella is always on my list of places to go. I've been here half a dozen times and have always had a great time. Great servers, courteous and friendly, great atmosphere (decorated by a two-woman power team, it's trendy and upscale, but there is also music so it doesn't feel stuffy and you don't feel like you have to hold your breath or move gingerly). Food portions are generous, especially for upscale dining. I always feel confident recommending this place to friends and visiting guests.
Also, for a group of friends with different budget restrictions, I think Stella is a great place to go because of the pasta and entree diversity on the menu.
Cocktails: Basil lime gimlet and bellinis are refreshing and delicious.
Appetizers: I've had a lot of (or all?) apps, all delicious. Standouts for me include parmesan arancini, beet & goat cheese salad, and melon & mint salad. Crudo misto, though I am a huge fan of raw fish, was not one of my favorite apps there--the fish is cut so thin that it was basically cooked through with the citrus. Mussels have a great depth of flavor, sausage is a very generous portion, artichoke hearts are tasty, love the beef tartare.
I usually go for pasta when I eat at Stella, though I've had a couple of entrees as well (the dollar goes further, and it's fresh pasta). Linguine with asparagus cream is my go-to, the egg is always poached to perfection and I usually take leftovers home for lunch the next day (if I get an app, which I always do). Gnocchi is also a favorite, and I've had all of the other pastas and thought they were great.
Big fan of Stella's biscotti, which they get from a bakery in the North End, dipped in coffee of course, just to end on a sweet note.
I don't have enough good things to say about Stella and the experiences I've had there, can't wait til the next time I go! Also, very curious about brunch, will have to report back on that.
What a great little place.
Found Stella randomly on the recommendation of a bartender at Icarus...and what a great recommendation it was! The food here is solid, but the best part is that they serve until 1:30 in the morning! Its refreshing to find alternatives to the usual late night diner (sometimes eggs and pancakes just doesn't cut it after a night at the bars).
Anyways, the 2 of us shared a bottle of prosecco, the bistecca tartare, crudo misto, a pizza, and the canoli desert. They were all pretty good. The tatare was a little mustardy, but still tasty. The crudo was definitely my favorite, I'm always down for some good crudo. All of this was only $80 before tip. Definitely not breakin the bank here.
Ended up here randomly, again, the following night. Came for drinks during our hour and a half long wait for a table at Toro down the street. It was about 7 pm on a Wednesday and the bar area was pretty crowded with people who looked as off they had just gotten off work (imagine that). I had the Camparitini off their specialty drinks list. It was tasty and refreshing. Will definitely come back here next time I'm in Boston. Its a great little spot for drinks or late night dining.
Stella is one of my favorite restaurants in the South End. I honestly can't think of any time I've been here and haven't loved every minute of my dining experience. I take friends here when they're visiting from out of town and they specifically ask to come back the next time they're in Boston. Whether you're seated at the outdoor patio (with heated lamps--serious bonus in late summer) or inside with the all white, South Beach-esque decor, you'll get impeccable service and delicious food. I've been here for dinner a bunch of times, once for brunch, and once to just sit at the bar.
I had a very picky (almost embarrassingly so) friend with me for dinner once and the server was so patient and sweet about answering all of my friend's questions. I think she wanted one of the pizzas without the cheese and without any oil, with the sauce on the side, or something ridiculous like that. Having dined with this friend for years, I know that it's tough to find someone who's willing to put up with all her questions and wishy-washiness. The servers at Stella took it all in stride.
Anyway, my favorite items on the dinner menu are: crispy fried artichokes and the braised beef short rib. The dish that originally got me hooked is, very sadly, not on the menu anymore. But even without the halibut, there's always something on the menu that I want to eat, even something as simple as the spaghetti and meatballs. I'm hoping the menu is seasonal and the halibut will return, but without a doubt, just being at Stella makes it feel like a special meal.
Stella is exactly the type of hip, fun, and fashionable places that you are looking for dinner on a Sunday night. The mood and setting go to great lengths to promote people watching and intimate conversation.
The food is pretty good as well. I must say though, I had the filet mignon and was not blown away - my medium rare was more medium, the sides were charred too hard, the meat tasted a little bland - but the pastas at the table were all very well done: perfectly light and blended with great pasta, great sauce, and succulent meats.
To be specific, we had the fried artichoke hearts and the beet/goat cheese salad to start. The beet salad was so-so, served with toast, offering a very farm-animal-esque experience. The fried artichoke hearts on the other hand tasted like creamy walnut shrimp you get at chinese restaurants - PERFECT.
Our table ordered the Quattro Funghi (four mushroom) pizza, linguine (with poached egg), and the orcchiette (along with my filet, but you already know).
The pizza was very very good - great cheese, soft salty mushrooms, topped with a little bit of truffle oil to finish it off (also a huge size pizza). The linguine was perfect al dente, and the poached egg really adds to the creaminess yet light sauce. The orcchiette is a meat lovers pasta, like a light but delicious red sauce based pasta shell dish....really good.
Overall, my experience was so-so, but the food everyone else had begs for another attempt, and a really great review.
Oh yeah, about that $140 bill...a litte on the expensive side, but justifiable.
Stella feels like a place to be seen, and I'd go there for the atmosphere over the food. Everything is white and pristine and feels very metro.
Salads are a bit small, but the parmesan arancini are a great way to start your meal. They're very filling and satisfying, and I love the chunky tomato sauce that goes over the crispy balls of gooey rice and cheese. Orecchiette was al dente and had a good sausage and tomato to pasta ratio. The pork milanese was also thin and very flavorful.
Food isn't bad, but the place isn't really my style. I prefer more of a focus on food over the scene, but it'd be a great place to come late night, especially since they're open later than most other places.
You know that scene in every episode of Hell's Kitchen where Gordon Ramsey, in his permanent yell voice, takes his minions to some gleaming restaurant filled with happy customers and a kitchen staffed by the children of Epicurus? Then he yells some more and some of the people cry because they know they will never run a restaurant that good? Yeah, that's actually Stella.
After two visits, I'm convinced it can't possibly get any better. Great drinks, perfect food, and kickass staff is the trifecta of restaurant excellence.
The wine is boss (boss, by the way, is one of those words I plan to bring back into rotation in 2009) - first visit we had several glasses of an excellent merlot recommended by the waitress, second time a round of winter ales and prosecco left us feeling warm and ready to eat.
Dinner arrived quickly, but not in that "how long has this been sitting back there?" kind of way. The arancini is so delicious that you'll end up with flashbacks to how good it was. You'll be sitting in front of a failure pile of a pizza at some crap place and want to jump in the fastest cab possible down to the South End for some risotto ball excellence. Split it with another for a perfect way to kick off a meal. We've tried the mushroom pizza, the gnocchi, the orecchiette and sausage, the artichoke hearts - it's all ridiculously good. It's even better when the chef gives you two bowls of the butternut squash soup on the house as you wait for your entrée. Yeah, that happened for real.
Be sure to get there early and grab a seat at the bar for a pre-dinner drink and just take in the scene. Stella, now that's boss.
I love this restaurant.
Stella is my goto, whether it's for food or drinks. Lately, I've been coming in for their late night menu, and my experience has always been great. The staff is friendly and the food and drinks are always fantastic. I come after 12 to avoid a huge huge crowd. My girlfriends and I usually get a table.
The dinner wait can get long though, so I would definitely recommend making reservations.
(impression based on my one and only experience there: sunday brunch)
Was so starving when I got here that my roommate and I ate everything on our plates within 10 minutes--but what a delicious 10 minutes that was!
The menu's limited. Probably about 5 appetizers and 10 entrees listed--delicious-looking drink menu (trendy takes on brunch drinks--and martinis which might make you a bit of a sloppy lush in the middle of the day but i say go for it), but not too pretentious (which is my biggest pet peeve!)
The atmosphere there is nice--very atypical to uptight brunch-y surroundings--LOUD, current (albeit a little too poppy) music, nicely decorated
this review is mainly to tout the BEST french toast i've ever had--thickest slice of toast (it's one slice...i think they buy a loaf of bread and cut it into thirds--that's how big the slice was)
def ask for the fruit on the side because it comes on top of the toast (the fruit was good, but there's juice all over my bread now and what the hell is that?)
regardless, this bread was challah-esque but less dense, more fluffy--crispy crust all on the inside, perfect, not-to-moist consistency on the inside...perfect.
one problem: parking's nearly non-existent--bueno suerte!
I have never had dinner here, just cocktails on a few occasions. I heard the food is good. Once I sat at the bar and ordered a few appetizers with a friend and I remember a good experience.
I typically drink wine when I go out or an occasional mixed cocktail and as long as you are a bartender with some skill at all there is usually no issue with my drinks. I rate this place based on atmosphere and service.
Perhaps I should wait to write this after I have dinner there, but that could be forever from now. There is an itch inside me to tell you that I feel that bartenders there profile people. I know that we ALL profile people at one time or another, however, the service is noticeably different to people who don't "meet their standards". This is not a fact, just an observation on my part. I typically do not ever have a problem but I notice it in other people.
This past weekend an older gentlemen walked into the bar who was obviously a sore-thumb in a bar full with a young hip gay crowd. He three times ordered a drink and the bartender repeated to him that he could not hear him. The older man just walked away frustrated and never got served. The bartender sort of laughed it off and to me, being an industry professional, thought it was gross.
I think the atmosphere here is great but come-on Mr. Bartender, grow up.
Very trendy and filled with many beautiful gay men. My whole table admired them! Dined at Stella for the first time with an out of town guest and some local friends. Everyone seemed to like their meals.
The place was packed and it impossible to get a drink at the bar while waiting for our table. There wasn't much space to wait around and since it was dead of winter, everyone was crammed together in the entry. Regardless, the staff was friendly enough. Our waitress was able to make helpful suggestions from the menu and the wine list.
While pricey, the menu featured many dishes with exciting twists. I had the Linguine / asparagus cream / poached egg / truffle / thyme for $18. I liked it a lot, different and fun. Very rich.
Stella was the right kind of place to meet a visiting friend for dinner.
[rewind]
Let's take it back.. senior year at BU ('05-'06):
My favorite place to eat when shitfaced by 1 AM in the South End.. a sign that I (1) went out way too early (before midnight), (2) went to Club Cafe and enjoyed too many free shots as FH of the night, or (3) need to start attending those AA meetings again.
In any case, as long as you act relatively sedate, you can enjoy the best late night meal here, bar none. You'll sit at the bar in the peace of the empty restaurant, enjoying perfectly prepared pasta with the chill bartenders, occasionally the chef's wife (or was it gf?), and other older late night diners (decidedly NOT the typical BU crowd) to listen to your drunken philosophizing.
They continued to be very very good to me considering either one of my friends or myself has returned this deliciousness to the sidewalk within close proximity of the glass restaurant windows on more than one occasion.
Wednesday Night is Spaghetti…
Boston, MA
Introducing
Somerville, MA
Neighborhood: South End
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: South End
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: South End
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: South End
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: South End
Category: French
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