Stella is the embodiment of serious Italian cuisine - original recipes and techniques alongside the freshest organic products, housemade cheeses and carefully selected Italian flavors.
Stella reflects the intermingling of Neapolitan - High Italian style while embracing the warm and inviting comforts of home. Stella, means “Star” in Italian, and Stella’s is just that. Incandescent and radiant are the interior, lounge and New York Style bar, wrapped with dark stained floors and European fabrics. You'll intstantly feel at home with the mouthwatering aromas from the open style kitchen and wood burning brick-oven. You can also enjoy our heated patto that overlooks the ocean by day and the twinkling lights of the St. Regis and Ritz Carlton hotels by night, when Stella’s features music and late night entertainment.
Stella’s is the perfect place for friends and family to gather - be it at the bar with a chilled martini, an appetizer in the lounge or dinning alfresco while tasting your way through the wine list and menu, whatever your pleasure or your mood, Stella’s can make it happen!
Stella's Serious Italian - One could start a meal here with bruschetta, a garlic-forward tomato topping over fat slices of golden brown toast, or Rappini Portabella, a savory combination of mushroom and bitter broccoli rabe. But it's the pizzas I return for. The pizzaiolo, or pizza maker, is also the owner, Joseph Morano, and then there's that mammoth oven just begging you to try the individual-size pies. Pizza Bianca is a combination of cheeses over a heat-scorched crust. Pastas are also hearty choices. Penne con Sarge is infused with tarragon, and the Penne Alla Joe's Nana is a homey, grandmotherly dish. End the meal with the hard-chocolate coverd tartuffo.
From the Orange County Register, December 27, 2007
