Probably the best Italian food I have ever had!! Our waitress Iris was so helpful and sweet. I wish we lived in Denver, this would be the restaurant I would choose every time I went out for a date night. read more

We can't speak more highly of this place. The restaurant is intimate. The service is out of this world, no matter who serves you. The food is something you'll crave for weeks afterward and tell about to everyone you meet. After trying many of their dishes on the menu, you can't go wrong with a single dish. read more

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Food was phenomenal and the staff was even more amazing! We had the scallops, mussels, and rigatoni and every dish tasted impeccable. Our server Jake was wonderful and made the entire evening so special and worth it. Will absolutely be coming back soon! read more

AMAZING Italian food. Intimate setting. Great service! My husband, our friends and I had a wonderful time dining at Lo Stella Ristorante. This place was recommended to us by a friend and it did not disappoint. Our server brought great energy and was very knowledgeable about the menu. My husband and I ordered the Prosciutto e Burrata and Vongole al Vino bianco to start. Both delicious! Then we shared two pastas: Cacio E Pepe and Tagliatelle Al Ragu' D Agnello Nella Forma Di Formaggio. Both incredible. I would highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for authentic Italian food in the Denver area. read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Prosciutto e Burrata - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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10/10. I dream about the duck ragu. Service was excellent, food is fresh and full of flavor and it's now my go to when I visit Denver. read more

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The original Lo Stella has graced Portofino, Italy since 1850 and is now run by the eighth generation of the founding family. They continue to prepare fresh Ligurian specialties just as their ancestors did in 1850. Alessandro Polo, another member of the eighth generation, ran a Lo Stella branch in Tokyo for 25 years, but decided to bring the Lo Stella style to Denver in 2013. Our Lo Stella offers the traditional Ligurian recipes with a few Colorado touches. This is truly authentic, regional Italian at its best and is a Denver treasure. The restaurant is small and narrow with a tiny outdoor patio. The front is dominated by a comfortable bar, the rear by a large, glassed-in open kitchen. There are about 15 tables, a mix of two tops and four tops. I'd describe the space as cozy and intimate. It can get noisy when there is a crowd at the bar. We shared the Ravioli di Pesce to start. This is one of the most famous classic dishes from the mothership. I've had it here several times and it is always extremely satisfying. The ravioli is stuffed with a tender and flavorful fish that is perfectly cooked, not mushy or dry, and then served in a delicious shrimp sauce. Truly a wonderful taste of the sea. We then each had the lamb medallions. I chose the sautéed mushrooms as my contorni (side dish). The portion was generous and the lamb was flavorful and perfectly cooked. I also enjoyed the mushrooms. I took a bit home for lunch the next day which was equally delicious. The space is comfortable and our table near the rear was quiet and peaceful. Service was seamless, helpful, and efficient. Lo Stella is an exceptional restaurant and Denver is truly blessed by its presence. read more

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Came from all of the recommendations from social media, expected way more. Overpriced and mediocre. Drinks were weak, everything is upwards of 30+, and I wouldn't be scared away by those prices, but with stale, hard bread; a server that said maybe said 3 sentences the whole dinner; bland, luke warm mains - this place obviously thrives off its gregarious host and vibes. read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Tagliatelle Bolognese Della Nonna Laura - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Just as flavorful as the TikTok video made it seem. My friends and I went here for my birthday dinner. I made a reservation online. It's street parking so make sure you read if you have to pay the meter or not. I went there specifically for the Cacio e Pepe or the gnocchi pesto. Both options looked amazing on TikTok. My friend ordered the pesto gnocchi so I ended up getting the Cacio e Pepe spaghetti. The Cacio e Pepe was very creamy and very flavorful. I felt it was heavy on the cream so keep that in mind if you're wanting to order. My friend, let me try her pesto gnocchi. The gnocchi was very light and fluffy I thought, and the pesto had a great taste. Both options were amazing and I would definitely go back to try more items on the menu. The staff was very friendly and very knowledgeable. Very patient on what we wanted to order. Towards the end our plates were empty and taken away and then we waited for the server to come back with the checks. Overall a great experience! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Pesto gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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When it comes to amazing service, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and amazing food, you're going to catch me there multiple times. Which explains how my wife and I ended up at Lostella twice in less than a week - once without our daughter for date night and once with our daughter as a family dinner. We made reservations both times because after Instagram stalking for months, I know how busy this place can get. The moment you step off the street and into the door, you are met with your own personal Italy. With warm lights, a room full of laughter, and a team dedicated to your experience, you are in for a treat. The first night we had Luca as our server, who was incredibly kind, attentive, with a joyous personality, even with the speed and business of the restaurant. Quality is very evidently important to him as well as experience; he remembered us on the second visit, and I'm sure he sees so many people. On our second night, we had Alex, who was knowledgeable, funny, attentive, and a joy to have as a service. She made having our daughter (7) with us so easy and helped us select our extra options. We saw Alex interact with her tables on our previous visit, and you can tell it all comes so naturally to her. We agreed she would be our server every time we return. We ordered: Bread and Focaccia Basket, Capesante alla Trevor (Scallops with Red pepper Purea, Burrata and Hazelnuts), Prosciutto e Burrata, Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, Rigatoni alla Carillon, Penne al Ragu d Agnello, Gnocchi with Lamb Ragu (specially ordered) and Gelato - Vanilla Bean and a Salted Caramel To start - if you do not want authentic Italian food, centered around the flavor of the ingredients, Lostella is not for you. Capesante alla Trevor - 7/10 - I was not the target audience for this dish, however my wife thoroughly enjoyed every bite. While the scallops themselves were flavorful, evidently fresh, and cooked to perfection, I was not a fan of the sauce. I think for me I would have preferred a bit more flavorful sauce - similar to that of the sauce in the Lamb Ragu or the Rigatoni - but regardless still a beautifully plated and delicious meal. Prosciutto e Burrata - 9/10 - Delicious We had it with the focaccia and it was delicious. The prosciutto was buttery, fresh and smooth and the Burrata made for a perfect balance between the flavorful bread and prosciutto. Spaghetti Cacio E Pepe - 10/10 - For a simple dish having this much flavor should be unheard of. The noodles were cooked to perfection and the preparation within the cheese wheel added even more. We added some extra fresh parmesan when they came to the table and this is such a classic dish that we will always want a piece of. Rigatoni alla Carillon - 9/10 (my wife rated as an 8 - specifically for preference for a softer guanciale) the creaminess of the vodka sauce and delicious richness of the noodles made this plate a delight to try. We saw it come to another table on our first night and swore that we would come back for it, and we were so happy we did. Penne al Ragu d Agnello - 10/10 The entire reason that I came. From the preparation within the cheese wheel to the overwhelming flavor of the Lamb Ragu topped with the fresh parmesan, every single bite was a treat it was delicious and worth having a thousand times over. Gnocchi with Lamb Ragu - 9/10 - This was a special request; the Gnocchi comes with a pesto sauce, but I am personally not a huge fan of pesto and asked for other options. Due to my positive experience with the lamb ragu previously, I requested that when offered on top of the Gnocchi. The Gnocchi was soft and buttery and overall delicious and the lamb ragu was an excellent addition. One thing I wish is that the gnocchi in itself could be prepared in the cheese wheel (and yes I know it would likely destruct the shape and the integrity of the noodle, but the cheese really does make a difference). Vanilla Bean Gelato - 10/10 A classic, delicious and flavorful - every bite was the perfect balance of sweet and light. Salted Caramel Gelato - 10/10 Star of the show - this was a balance of flavors and while packing sweetness still remained light. read more

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Italy has always been our first choice in Europe for food and I am so glad to have found a place in Denver that captures the same magic! Authentic flavors, good wine and warm atmosphere - everything reminded us of Italy! Service was top notch - our server had some great recommendations. I got the gnocchi Gorgonzola and my husband had the lobster paccheri - my goodness I could not stop stealing bites from his paccheri. Absolutely recommend you try this dish! This is a restaurant I will come back in the next couple months to try other things on their menu. Love it! read more

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Our server was so amazing. She was so attentive, patient and answered all my menu questions. (It was my first time at Lo Stella so I was curious about different menu items.) My friend and I had the caprese salad, a bread basket, seafood ravioli and the pasta that was tossed in the cheese pinwheel. Everything was so good and fresh tasting. We got the tiramisu for dessert and it was so light and fluffy! It was some of the best Italian food we've ever had but it was our server that made it so enjoyable. I can't wait to go back! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Ravioli di Pesce in Crema di Gamberi - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I came here with my father food was terrific I had the fish ravioli and shrimp sauce she had the lobster pasta very tasty and served at the right temperature. She had the Italian Cosmopolitan and she stated it was good well mixed and a good size portion. The tiramisu was nice and the cheese cake was flavorful with a coconut shavings. Service was good a little hard to have good due to volume read more

I made a reservation in advance - seems they get booked pretty quickly since it's a small restaurant. I've been waiting to try this place so was excited to finally go! We were able to get in and seated due to our reservation which was nice. We were a couple minutes late just due to looking for street parking but staff was super friendly. We ordered bread for the table which had 2 types of bread and olive oil/balsamic to dip. The focaccia was my favorite. I ordered the Cacio E Pepe. I was offered to watch it get tossed in the cheese wheel! I saw this was a speciality on the menu so even though it's a simple pasta - I had to try it since it was freshly made. Our food came out pretty quickly. Mine was so delicious. Very rich and flavorful. I had leftovers since the serving was big. My friend had the bolognese. She said it wasn't as flavorful as she would've wanted. My fiancé had the basic tomato pasta and he ate the whole thing! The staff was so friendly. Cute authentic place. Prices are a little on the higher size when you compare to other Italian restaurants but I would say that it was delicious! Money well spent! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and had such a fun time and everything was so yummy! We all got a cocktail and everyone loved theirs and I got the aperol spritz which I always enjoy getting at Italian restaurants because it's nice a refreshing! The FOOD was amazing! We got the pasta special with langoustine and spinach noodles and this was my favorite dish of the night, we also got the cacio e pepe, prosciutto e burrata, clams in white wine sauce, and gnocchi tricolore. I would rate all the dishes 10/10. This spot is small but very cute but it was very lively with a lot of people standing around the bar. The servers were very attentive and we never had to flag them down. read more

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The food was unimaginably delicious. Our server got a good tip for excellent service and making sure we picked a good wine for the evening. We sat at the window enjoying a lamb ragu and fish ravioli for our entrees. We started the night off with an insalata topped with parm, tomatoes, and pan seared mushrooms cooked to perfection, paired w/ pan seared scallops in a bell pepper sauce. Our favorite question of the night was " Sparkling, tap, or tonic water". This place will be a staple for an Italian night out in the Denver Downtown scene!! Cheaper than tavernetta prices, better dish choices with 10x better taste and ambience! Oh and don't forget the half off $100+ bottles of wine on Tuesdays. Beautiful! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - window seating, ambient lighting, wine of the night, - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I have been wanting to come to this spot for awhile now and on Saturday my dream came true. First of all I want to say how accommodating they are. I had made reservations online for 6 and suddenly a few days later I had to call because online only made me modify it for 8 people and my party was 10. So I called and explained and they were very nice about it and modified my reservation. On the day I called because I was running late for 4 minutes and let them know my party went down to 6 people. We arrived and the place was packed. Once you go inside feels so cozy. The dimmed lights, the ambiance is *chef kiss* for my luck I tend to be a little hot so I was sweating lol but the waitress was so kind and let me barrow the menu for my to use it as a fan. The waitress was super nice, welcoming, patience. We ordered Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe and Lasagna alla Bolognese. Both were very filling and delicious. Full of flavor. Worth every penny. Loved that you can see them cook your food and when it goes out to the customer. I need to comeback to get dessert and try other things on the menu. I think this place is perfect for a romantic date, and friends get together. read more

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Incredible food, incredible staff. Was very well taken care off. They put us in a high top by the fire which was amazing read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Cheese wheel Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe and Rigatoni alla Carillon - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

The food was great definitely worth coming out for however the restaurant entry is so very tiny we had to wait for our table because we were a little early for our reservation. We had to stand next to other diners tables as we waited. When we got seated we got sat for a table for two near the bar, another patron and I sat elbow to elbow and back to back with me interrupting his dinner with my movement and vice versa. The water glass was cleaned in a hurry probably because the place was so busy and it smelled of dirty dishwater. The point of our dinner was to celebrate our birthdays and although we listed that on our reservation nothing special happened. Waiter forgot all about our drinks and we were nearly done with dinner by the time he remembered to come out to our table again. The cacio e pepe was the point of our dinner here and it was delicious but the fan fare of the production of the dish was lack luster to say the least. They bring you up to a window where the pasta is made in the cheese wheel in the already crowded restaurant and you gape at the man through a window he makes the dish and yay plates it while you stand blocking the main walkway of guests and staff and you hurry back to your crowded corner space. Not the happy Birthday we had hoped for oh well. read more

This review is from 2 visits. The first time we had the lamb ragu, cacio pepe. They were great but the cacio pepe felt like it needs some meat or chicken in it. The prosciutto was excellent. The 2nd visit we went as a group, everyone had a great meal. The gnocchi pasta was great, lamb ragu was excellent again, lasagna was perfect, and the riggatoni was probably the favorite. The lamb special appetizer was really good. We will be back. read more

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My boyfriend and I were on a staycation and committed to trying new spots and we both can agree this was our favorite new find in Denver! Far out beats Tavernetta and Carbone! Our Server Michelle was so informative on what the menu had in store and not just the focus point of the most expensive thing in the menu. She was also super friendly with great energy. We got the Bolognese, rigatoni, and cacio e Pepe, Al dente and the rigatoni truly stole the show! Looking forward to be regulars here! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Food, drink and ambiance were good. Crazy to us that they upsold adding truffle to our pasta, and we agreed, having been to Italy and knowing the cost. They added an additional $40 to our pasta dish so a measly bowl of pasta cost us $71. Disgusting that their servers completely duped us, we will never be back. $40 in addition to anything should be outwardly spoken, anything above $20 should be in anyones book. read more

Wow! We went last night on a whim, and we'll definitely be going back! We splurged for the caviar and toast points, it was amazing! We also ordered risotto with truffles and the tagliatelle, I can't explain how good the food is here. The service was also amazing, Iris took care of us very well, and even invited us to watch how they prepare the risotto, you gotta watch! There isn't a thing I can think of that I'd change, we even had our leftovers tonight and couldn't stop with the compliments! Nicely done Lo Stella! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Tagliatelle with grandma's sauce - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Small but packed with so many amazing things. The staff, the wine list, the espresso martinis...and the pasta!! If you haven't been here, put it on your short list. If Michelle is behind the bar you're destined to have a great cocktail and if Alex has your table, she will make sure you love your entire meal. read more

We have been here twice and really enjoy the food! The bread basket is a nice starter and good for soaking up additional pasta sauce. The pastas are a bit pricey, but the portions are good and the ones we've tried have been flavorful. We especially enjoyed the fish ravioli, shrimp taglierini, and rigatoni alla carillon. The vodka sauce on the rigatoni and the shrimp sauce on the ravioli were definite highlights. We have also tried the wild boar ravioli and cacio e pepe, and both were good but lacking flavor. The service has been good both times we visited. Overall, this is a nice place for authentic Italian dishes! read more

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Great place for Italian food. Some classic Italian food and drink options, with some lesser known, but equally delicious choices as well. I had the home made ravioli with mortadella and pistachio and my husband had the classic salti imbocca alla romana. Both fantastic! The atmosphere was cozy and enjoyable, well lit without harsh lighting. The service and staff were the absolute best. The owner taking orders and checking on patrons as the bartenders and waiters kept patron's glasses full and bellies happy. 10/10 for sure! Will definitely be back! Check out the after dinner drink options, a good variety that are classic and some you may not have heard of but give them a try! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Bar area looking toward the back of the restaurant. Didn't get a picture of the meal...I was too hungry. - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Food taste like your Nonna's in Italia. And that's exactly what it is supposed to taste like. Al dente and delicious. Very straightforward. If you go during the week, they have half off wine bottles certain days and there's not a wait. Wine selection is great. They are very particular in the ingredients that they use and they try to import as much as they can from Italy. Very impressed with the place! Manager is wonderful. Ambiance is very local Italian restaurant vibes like in Trastevere. We miss Rome! Already been here twice!!! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Beef Racelette - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Kaleb was the best server and he took great care of us! He went above and beyond and made sure everyone was taken care of! Thank you for a great night! read more

I visited Lo Stella with a friend on a Tuesday evening. Which to our delight, it turns out they have happy hour from 4-6pm and offer half priced bottles of wine on Tuesdays! The manager, Luca, was our server. He was great! He was very knowledgeable and patient as I grilled him on the menu and he also helped us narrow our selection to 3 pastas and dessert! He even asked the kitchen to make us the gnocchi special when it wasn't on the menu that evening! We enjoyed the pesto pasta, the Cacio Pepe, and the gnocchi for our entrees, everything was delightful!! I can't wait to come back again and try more off of their menu! read more

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If you want authentic, amazing Italian food please go here! The service is amazing and the food is to die for! read more

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Good ambiance with comfy booths for group seating-- our waiter was super enthusiastic which was refreshing XD and service was very prompt! -The bread basket on the appetizer offerings was pretty mediocre-- especially when the 'focaccia' was as crunchy as a cracker. -The pasta was solid and everyone polished theirs off-- all the dishes had pasta with a good chew and cooked al dente. Seasoning was good (not too salty). I will say my cacio e Pepe wasn't as creamy as it should be, and the cheese had become somewhat stringy, but overall wasn't bad. -Dessert: We tried the tiramisu which was good but pretty unconventional. It looked like a pudding on the plate, with drenched lady fingers covered in a very soft marscapone cream and dusted with cocoa. Overall, not bad and would come back with friends for solid pasta and good ambiance! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Cacio e pepe - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Legit my favorite restaurant in Denver right now! Thanks to IG I discovered this beautiful gem by their cheese wheel pasta video that kept teasing me over and over. We've been now three times and each time I've tried a new dish and each time I've left a very happy lady! Cacio e Pepe is phenomenal- no joke. I'd order it over and over again! The mushroom pasta was incredible... handmade pasta in a white cream sauce. I couldn't leave a noddle left on my plate because it was that good. Recently we went with the in-laws and luckily I preordered that incredible carbonara gnocchi for my mother in law and one for me. Holy hell. That was magical. Should be illegal. I'm not kidding. The service is amazing and the restaurant is quant and homey. I love that we can bring the kiddos and order them bread and gelato and they are happy. They are super picky eaters but this is a place we can bring the family and have a fun, comfortable and enjoyable dinner. We recently went on a Wednesday when they had the wine deal which of course we partaked in!! 50% off wine!!! Hell yes! read more

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We went here the other night for the first time and it was fantastic! The atmosphere, people and the food were all amazing. My friend got one of the specials and I got the bolognese. We finished it all without feeling gross and full after! We shared a bottle of wine and it was superb. We also got some desserts- I had the oil cake (recommended by our incredible server Nicole) and it was sooo good. The service was fantastic, we never felt rushed and everyone was so nice. We adored our server Nicole and will be coming back because of the food but also because of her! She was so kind, helpful and patient with all of our questions. The whole experience was divine. Truly can't imagine anything on this menu being bad and we cannot wait to come back! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Oil cake - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I've been going to Lo Stella for over a decade now - and each and every time it's an experience that takes you to shores of Italy From the moment you walk through the doors, you're greeted with the warmth of true Italian hospitality, the kind that makes you feel like you've just been welcomed into someone's family home - and they always have sports on in the bar area! Every dish feels handcrafted with passion, from perfectly al dente pastas to fresh seafood that rivals anything you'd find in town. The atmosphere is intimate but lively, a place where conversations flow as easily as the wine. Whether it's a date night, a family gathering, or a night out with friends, Lo Stella creates the kind of memories you want to linger over. Excited to go back next week! read more

Enjoyed my time here last Friday evening with a friend. We went around 5:30pm and we were not able to get reservations, however we did not have to wait thankfully! We immediately got a bread basket which I loved. Both breads were great, however it would have been nice if they were warmed. I struggled in what to get as I really wanted to try the Branzino, however my friend was not feeling fish this night! We both ordered pasta and enjoyed them. The bolognese was amazing! I love the portions and the fact they are not stingy with the meat! I got the pans cotta dessert I think it was called. It was okay. Our server was cool and stayed on top of my friend's napkin that kept falling from her pregnant belly lol, but he was also pretty busy. Overall a good experience. read more

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I absolutely loved this place. Unfortunately we did have to wait a decent amount to be seated even though we made reservations a few months ago, but the quality of the food made up for this. I got the Rigatoni alla Carillon and it was great. My wife may or may not have busted me literally eating the extra sauce on my plate with a spoon after I finished my meal (whoops) Lo Stella is going to find its way into our Italian Dinner Routine moving forward! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Caprese di Bufala Campana - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Who doesn't love finding a gem! Well this is definitely one! This cute restaurant is close to downtown and has a romantic ambiance with sophistication baked in. The menu is not extensive but what they do have is good. I did order the red spaghetti and it was decent nothing special. My friend had the rigatoni and it was good! I would definitely get that next time. Our waiter was very attentive and super funny! I enjoyed my experience here! read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Menu - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Overall I wasn't super impressed with the food . But the service and ambience makes me want to come back! (1) Insalata Tricolore: Arugula with sautéed mushrooms and tomatoes. I have to say this was beyond flavorless. We asked for a lemon wedge and salt to spice it up which definitely helped. But it literally tasted like nothing. There is oil and vinegar at the table but I didn't notice it until we finished the item. We were just glad to get greens in our belly but would never get it again. (2) Rigatoni Alla Carillon: Such a weird dish. The sauce tasted like hotdogs. It was oddly addicting but also super weird at the same time. I really don't know how I felt about it overall. I also thought all their pastas were homemade but only a handful of them are. Then the rest are "imported" but definitely don't taste anywhere near homemade. (3) Ravioli Stuffed with buffalo: Good but not great. The sauce was not too meaty. A little plain though. Drinks were good. We got a manhattan which my partner liked and I got the Italian 75. It was good but heavy on the soda water. Made it refreshing though. We then went to the bar to watch sports which is not a bad place to watch and had a few more drinks. We really like the service and atmosphere the most about this place. The food was probably 3/5 for us but the service and atmosphere makes this place a 4. We'll definitely be back for that read more

Lo Stella Ristorante - Ravioli with meat sauce - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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What a spot - authentic food and chef curated dishes without pretension. Fair price, friendly service and fresh ingredients. Thanks Iris! read more

We celebrated our anniversary at Lo Stella and boy were we happy we did! We requested to sit outside because we had our newborn with us. The owner and our server were so accommodating and helpful. The inside is just lovely, so we'll want to come back--cute and classy with a homey flare that keeps you sitting there drinking wine for hours. Everything from the caprese to the pastas to the tiramisu was divine and reminded us so much of our time in Italy. The food is made with integrity and beautiful, simple layering of bold flavors. We're so pleased Lo Stella lives in Denver and will be back when we want to wow an out of towner or just eat a deliciously perfect pasta meal. read more

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Food was good but not great for the price. Small pour of wine was a bit pricey for what you receive. It was loud and very hot inside. Food was overall good. read more

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