5 star italian dining experience in the mid peninsula! their shrimp risotto was delicious! ambiance is romantic and beautiful! i've been here for both a work outing and family night and it never disappoints. they do have kids menus and several gluten free options which we appreciate read more

Stella - shrimp risotto - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

This restaurant is stunning in ambiance and service. Making a reservation here and ordering the truffle gnocchi practically guarantees an elite evening. When I found out Stella was participating in " Flavors of the Peninsula", our suburban version of Restaurant Week in the city and that the 4-courses included a truffle gnocchi course, I made a Monday night reservation for two. The $65 prixe-fixe menu offered some of our favorites. Of course the best came first. Their version of truffle gnocchi is simply perfect - four delicate hand rolled pillows swimming in butter with fried sage leaves and truffle oil. I always have to stop myself from canceling everything else I've ordered and piping up " eight more gnocchi please". I opted for the salmon and my kid really likes Stella's chicken parmesan. The Stella salad features a yummy champagne dressing, candied nuts and cranberries in a nest of butter lettuce. The salmon was delicious, though the thinnest parts of the fish were a tad overcooked. The broccolini', spinach and carrot combination were fantastic, as were the perfect mashed potatoes. Kyle loved his chicken and made me take a bite if his pasta- yummm. Generally we are not dessert orderers but we were delighted with the lava cake and caramel gelato. It was a lot of food, especially for this restaurant and a true bargain at $65 for a four course meal at one of our neighborhood favorites that we generally save for special occasions due to the price tag. read more

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Came here with high hopes, but overall it was just okay, especially considering all the great Italian spots nearby. We started with "The Fish Market" cheesy garlic bread, which sounded promising but didn't really stand out. The Caesar salad was similar, fresh but pretty standard and not very memorable. For my main, I got the truffle stuffed gnocchi with brown butter and sage. The flavor was actually really good and well balanced, but the portion was small, about 15 pieces. For the price, it didn't feel worth it, and I was still hungry even after appetizers, which was disappointing. My husband ordered the milanese di pollo. It looked great, but the chicken itself was a bit underwhelming. It tasted a little bland and not as well seasoned as we expected. I will say the atmosphere is really nice. It has a warm and inviting vibe and would be a good spot for a date night. The staff were also friendly and attentive, and the restaurant was pretty busy, which says a lot. Overall, nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either compared to other Italian restaurants in the area. Glad we tried it, but not sure we would go out of our way to come back. read more

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Nicer upscale Italian restaurant in the Peninsula. Nice patio in the front that's good for families with small kids. La Violetta: Really well made refreshing cocktail served upright. Rosemary focaccia: Tasty, but not sure if it's worth $8 Carpaccio: The beef was super fresh and paired well with the mushroom. Lasagna: Solid, but not a standout Fiocchi: A super special pasta that is sweet with the pear. On the rich side due to the cream sauce. Petrale Sole Piccata: The fish was well cooked and the lemon and capers were tasty. Comes with mashed potatoes and some veggies. Osso Bucco: the veal was overall tender and solid and came with tasty polenta. Piccata di Vitello: The veal was again solid. Service was a bit slow and stiff, but otherwise the meal was solid. Wouldn't hesitate to come back! read more

Stella - Carpaccio - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

This is a cute restaurant with delicious food and excellent service. Our server, Nava was great. He suggested perfect recommendations which we appreciated. We ordered the truffle oil gnocchi with brown butter and sage, rosemary focaccia to soak up the gnocchi truffle oil sauce, insalata boscaiola , spezzatino al barolo, the day special - ravioli filled with lobster and creme brulee. For drinks I ordered a glass of sparkling rose and an espresso martini. Everything was really delicious. But the dishes that stood out for me were : the gnocchi, focaccia and the ravioli . The gnocchi was soft and pillowy. Very simple in the truffle oil and brown butter sauce, the focaccia was crispy but soft and chewy which paired perfectly with the gnocchi sauce! The ravioli was simple but rich in flavor. The espresso martini was perfect not too strong and visually appealing with the waffle cookie as garnish. Such a great place to dine with friends and family. read more

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I last visited Stella more than 12 years ago when it was at the old location across from the Burlingame Library, so I decided to take my better half to their newer Broadway Avenue location for a Valentine's dinner. The new space is modern, spacious, and very inviting. Reservations were surprisingly hard to get -- probably because of Valentine's week -- but I managed to snag a last-minute 5pm weekday opening. We were seated upstairs, which initially felt extra special since we were the only diners there. Within an hour, though, the second floor filled up quickly. Thankfully, the layout is roomy enough that it never felt crowded or uncomfortable. For starters, we ordered the garlic gnocchi with truffles -- absolutely delicious. The cheese garlic bread was another highlight: perfectly toasted outside, soft inside, and loaded with cheesy goodness. For our mains, we shared the filet mignon served over garlic truffle mashed potatoes with broccolini. Cooked medium rare, the filet was incredibly tender. We also shared the penne pasta, cooked perfectly al dente -- always a sign of well-executed Italian cooking. Dessert was bread pudding, and it was the perfect sweet finish to the evening. Overall, I can definitely see why Stella remains a local favorite. The service stayed attentive even as the restaurant filled up, and the food was consistently excellent. A must-try if you enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. read more

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Solid 3.5 stars. Vibe in here is very nice and cozy. We often sit at the bar and the main bartender is always friendly. Espresso martinis come with a cookie, which is very fun. Meals are good but not the best Italian food I've ever had. Pastas are reasonably priced. $8 for focaccia is greedy. "Tiramisu" is a very loose term here (it's dry vanilla cake with cream, not traditional at all) read more

Stella - Rigatoni, pasta purses, and focaccia. - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

For a few that know, this has been an absolute crazy last few days! So on a whim & on a weeknight, dressed in simple sweats & a smile, my hub & I stopped by for dinner here. My fave is Italian food & he just thought, "It's about time to unwind." We enjoyed a fulfilling meal of decadent carbs that made the chaos we're dealing with just a tad less messy. Thank you for the amazing experience, Stella! We have to say it's long overdue & we dang well deserved it! read more

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Fabulous restaurant and service from top to bottom. Our server (didn't get her name) was exceptional on a Saturday evening. She recommended the risotto with shrimp and it did not disappoint! Warm Apple dessert hit the spot. read more

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Absolutely amazing!! They made my brother's birthday incredibly special. We made a last min reservation and they went above and beyond. The food was excellent, service was extremely friendly and the ambiance was absolutely beautiful. They have some stunning Christmas decor up right now too. They decorated the table for my brother's birthday and it was such a nice touch. Food: - Cheesy garlic bread with dungeness crab: cheesey, creamy and delicious - every bite was delightful - Fiocchi con pere e taleggio: my dish - it was a delicious pasta stuffed with pear and cheese in a creamy sauce. Perfect mix of creamy, salty, and sweet - absolutely divine - Gianna's Eggplant Parmigiana: my brother ordered this, he loves eggplant parm and this dish was enjoyable for him - Gamberi all aglio: my mom ordered this, it was delicious and in a yummy garlic sauce, shrimp was fresh and spaghetti was perfectly cooked - Petrale sole piccata: my dad got this, a crispy fish that was cooked and seasoned perfectly - Tiramisu: so decadent and coffee flavor really came through - Bourbon bread pudding: my brother was given this by the restaurant for his bday, it was divine!!! The pudding was a perfect texture and in a delicious milk sauce. We loved it!! Such an amazing experience. 10000% recommend this for a celebration of a date night - they will make it truly special. read more

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Went in for dinner on a Monday evening and there was no wait. However, it did take a bit for a waiter to visit my table, which was in the bar area. I ordered a Stella salad with chicken along with focaccia. I thought the salad was great and the focaccia was tasty. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place. read more

Stella - Stella salad with chicken along - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Our server, David, made the whole experience flawless! The menu is enticing, although large, but he guided us through it with thoughtful recommendations and descriptions. He was knowledgeable about the wines as well, and helped me pick the perfect Italian red for my meal. I loved the pasta "purses" with pears and taleggio. NOT TO MISS: the focaccia! Even though all our food was amazing, the focaccia stood out. David even brought us out a delicious crème brûlée to end the meal. Side note, sit in the giardino because it's beautiful and the quietest part of the restaurant. I hope to return soon for the great service and food. read more

Stella - Seasonal Panna Cotta - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Great spot in downtown Burlingame. Lots of italian classics with a little twist. The truffle pasta appetizer was rich and heavenly. The fondue also was a hit among my table. Lamb rack was cooked just right to my preference and everyone at my table enjoyed the food. Service was a little miss but for a large group (10+), I understand how hectic it can be. Great spot for business lunches and dinners. Parking in downtown is easy and there is residential street parking only 1 block away. read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

The food is always incredible. Must haves: burrata salad, truffle stuffed gnocchi, risotto cakes, and tiramisu. One of my favourite places to splurge on! Always had quick service, but they never rushed me through a meal read more

Came back to try again after 4 years! Forgot to leave a review the first time around so I'm back again to revisit the dining experience & ordering the same things I did last time. Escargot was good; wasn't a fan of the tiramisu. Main dish had a wonderful mascarpone polenta. The meat was dry, but the red wine reduction saved it. The wine was the best part of the meal. Loud date night vibes. Thanks! read more

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Delicious restaurant! I highly recommend. My wife and I were very hungry and came across Stella. Nice atmosphere, and delicious food. read more

Stella - Here is a plate of chicken parm very delicious! - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

First time to Stella and it was great. Colleagues and I had lunch to celebrate. We were seated immediately and water was brought to our table without asking. Our waiter gave us ample time to talk amongst ourselves and decide on what we wanted to order. Throughout our lunch the staff was attentive and refilled our drinks and took the used plates away. The food itself was delicious and spot on. The group decided on family style so we could try as many different dishes. Sadly I didn't get pictures of everything but it was all so so good. I highly recommend the lobster escargot and when you're done take the focaccia and dip it in the butter sauce. Incredible!! The rigatoni salsiccia calabrese had so much flavor, the spicy tomato cream sauce isn't spicy at all and it added that kick that makes you need another bite. Their espresso martini was great, I had a few, it had been quite the week. The decor and ambiance was warm and inviting. Since it was sunny out I can only imagine what it looks like in the evening. I don't go into the office often but this place is a must return for dinner. read more

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Came here for our anniversary dinner and had a great experience. The ambiance is very coach and romantic. I really liked all of the lights and decorations inside. The staff were also very knowledgeable and friendly. We got the fondue appetizer ($32), truffle gnocchi ($20 for 10 pieces), and short rib entree ($42). They also provided a complimentary crème brûlée dessert, which was absolutely delicious. It had a thick brûlée layer on top which paired up very nicely with the creamy base. My favorite dish! The truffle gnocchi, their signature fish, was also very good - super rich and buttery. I thought the short ribs were a bit on the dry side, and the fondue was a bit expensive for the dippers that were offered (broccoli, mushroom, apple slices, and bread). Overall though, a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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Had an amazing time renting the upper mezzanine for a private event! The restaurant was perfect - great food, chic space, attentive waiters, and overall great vibe. I coordinated with Bianca about a month before the event, and everything went super smoothly. I brought in my own flowers for centerpieces and it really added to the ambiance of the room. The decor, tables, and chairs really give it an upscale feel. The food was DELICIOUS. All of our guests complimented how great the dishes were. We also chose a red/white wine that was poured to our guests. -Truffle gnocci (4/5), the truffle taste was a bit slight, but overall a great appetizer, just a bit small -Rigatoni Salicicca Calabresse (5/5) - this was SO good. A combination of white and red sauce, the sausage really tied it together and pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. -Salmon with Prosecco beurre blanco (5/5) - the salmon was cooked perfectly. A creamy white sauce to pair and mashed potatoes I'd definitely come back here, not just for the event. I do wish Bianca gave me her personal number, as there were many times I was trying to get hold of the restaurant regarding the event and couldn't be connected to her/got a voicemail with no return. Overall, wonderful experience and I'm so glad I had my event at Stella. read more

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Not sure what's going on at Stella, but quality and consistency are down. Usually the lasagna comes out freshly baked with bubbly brown cheese. Today it was slimy and cold. Clearly just microwaved, and not even long enough. For this price please bake the lasagna! Also recently the chicken parmigiana was not good. The chicken had a strange rubbery texture. Almost inedible. My guess is that it was frozen and fried. So bad. Please use fresh chicken! read more

We went here for an early mother's day dinner. We had reservations and were seated right away. The restaurant had dim lights which added to the ambiance. The food was coursed out nicely since we ordered all of our food at once. read more

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Food was fantastic and hit all the marks. Out of the dishes that we had, i would say the short ribs knocked everything else out of the park. They were tender and juicy and the polenta is a nice surprise as opposed to the typical pairing of mashed potatoes. The osso buco and sole were also delicious and well prepared. The service was great and they decorated the table nicely and brought out a dessert with a candle for a birthday we were celebrating! read more

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Great ambiance and a large, unique menu. Cheesy Bread appetizer is fantastic. Lasagna had good flavor but was served lukewarm and the interior layers were quite dry. My partner's shrimp risotto was very bland and under seasoned. Service is a bit slow even when the restaurant isn't busy. read more

Stella - "The Fish Market" cheesy bread and Antipasto Piemontese - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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I came here for a work dinner so we had a prix fix menu. We had the upstairs to ourselves. The ambiance was very nice. Felt like it would be a nice dinner date spot. It is right in downtown Burlingame as there is street parking around. The menu included: Antipasto Piemontese (4/5) Stella garlic bread (5/5) Rosemary foccacia (4/5) Insalata caesar salad (4/5) Truffle stuffed gnocchi with brown butter & sage (5/5) Filetto con taleggio (5/5) Bourbon bread pudding (3/5) Everything was delicious. The portions for the entrees were surprisingly large as well. My favorites were probably the gnocchi and the beef filet mignon. The mashed potatoes it came with was great. The waiter suggested we use the breads to soak up the brown butter and sage sauce. Service was great. read more

As walk ins, we were seated right away, though in the smallest table facing the window / street. Service was fine, but abnormally fast. I ordered the risotto special (with short rib) and my wife ordered the gnocchi with truffles and brown butter. Both dishes came out within 5 min. Both were a bit tepid and struck us as odd. My dish had decent flavor but the short rib was TOUGH. Lots of connective pieces still attached, which was a bit off putting. We also had focaccia but it was super dry. This was a miss for us. read more

Stella - Short rib risotto - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Came in with a coworker for dinner, and overall, it was a really nice experience! We started off with the rosemary focaccia and the caprese, both of which were solid choices. The focaccia was warm and fragrant, with the rosemary giving it a nice earthy flavor. The caprese was fresh and simple. For my main, I had the truffle-stuffed gnocchi, and it was absolutely delicious. The gnocchi was perfectly tender, and the brown butter sauce had just the right balance of richness and flavor. The truffle filling added a lovely depth to the dish; it was indulgent but not overwhelming. The food was really great, but the service left something to be desired. We had to flag down our server a couple of times, which was a bit frustrating, read more

I had a company lunch here on a weekday. It was an amazing experience. The waiter recommended a good menu and patiently explained. I ordered the fish of the day, which was the grouper. I enjoyed the fish; it didn't taste fishy to me at all, and the texture was quite tender when biting it. The dessert tiramisu was delicious, too, but it was a little sweet to me. The restaurant is big and clean. read more

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We had a very pleasant experience here at Stella in Burlingame. We celebrated my husband's birthday with a sumptuous dinner and great conversation with family. Although the restaurant was packed, it was not too loud. It helped that we made reservations thru the Yelp app. Our server was attentive and helpful. We started with some mushroom soup that went very well with their Rosemary Focaccia. We shared the Penne all' Arrabbiata which has a bit of heat. The Scottadito di Agnello is this tasty grilled lamb chop dish with rosemary and mint gravy, served with baby carrots. The Osso Buco di Vitello is this delicious dish of tender veal shank served with mascarpone polenta. We shared a side of the Roasted Brussel Spouts with Pancetta and Balsamic Reduction, and Roasted Garlic Butter Mushrooms. We shared the Bourbon Bread Pudding drizzled with crème anglaise as a perfect finale to this hearty meal to celebrate another milestone for my hubby. read more

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Came to the restaurant for dinner on a Saturday night. My son ordered the rigatoni and found a long hair in the pasta when he tried to eat it. Told and show the server. She apologized and said that they were going to make another one. I was trying to let her know that we didn't want it anymore but she took off very quickly before I can even finish my sentence. She came back with the food later and my son didn't even touch it. Wish the customer service was better at listening. I don't even believe the manager was notify of the hair. read more

Enjoyed a nice dinner with a couple of friends tonight. The service is good, the food was delicious ! The lamb chop was cooked to perfection. ( We asked for medium rare. ) The "Fish Market" cheesy bread was so delicious ! The lasagne was ok, I'm not a big fan. The dessert-pomegranate panna cotta was very good ! I could eat the whole thing by myself ! Overall, the food we ordered to night were pretty tasty ! Will come back again !! read more

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Excellent from start to finish. I came here for a corporate dinner and was so impressed. The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was outstanding throughout the evening. It was my first time at Stella, and it definitely won't be my last. The staff was warm, attentive, and welcoming, and the ambiance was beautiful -- elegant and classy without feeling stuffy. I'll absolutely be back whenever I get the chance. read more

We have been long-time customers since Stella's original location, and it has always been our favorite restaurant for dining and celebrating special occasions. My son recently celebrated his 13th birthday here, and it's his favorite place--especially for the risotto, which he absolutely loves. The risotto at Stella never disappoints. The service was very welcoming, as always, and the ambience was beautiful. Thank you, Stella! read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Great food great service great environment. Arrive early as it gets packed! I would recommend. read more

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I had my wedding rehearsal dinner at Stella and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish! My husband and I worked with Bianca to coordinate the details of the day (food and wine choices, decor, etc). She was so helpful and friendly! She gave us a tour of their various rooms and we ultimately chose the upstairs mezzanine because it allowed us to offer a buffet to our 30 guests and it was a more private space. We were also able to get flowers delivered from a local business and Stella helped coordinated the delivery. It was so easy! The service the day of the event was also fantastic as all the wait staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly. The food was a HIT with the guests! One guest told me her son refuses to eat salmon but gobbled up the salmon Stella prepared. I highly recommend Stella for your events! read more

I've been a customer for years, and it's still my go-to Italian spot. I honestly haven't had a single dish or appetizer I didn't love. The new location and aesthetic are beautiful with same incredible flavors, but somehow even better vibes. Consistently amazing every time! read more

Went to Stella for a birthday dinner--definitely on the pricier side, but the food made an impression. Started with the garlic bread, which was seriously amazing. It was fragrant and packed with flavor. For the main, we had the risotto of the day: saffron, shrimp, and marinara. The combo sounded a bit odd at first, but the flavors came together beautifully. That said, the texture was a bit inconsistent. Some bites were perfectly al dente, others a bit too soft. read more

Stella - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Stella was amazing! From the moment the food hit the table, it was clear this place takes its cooking seriously. The bread alone deserves a mention: warm, delicious, and the kind of thing you keep reaching for even when you're full. Dangerous in the best way. The gnocchi was outstanding! Pillowy, light, and clearly handmade, with a sauce that felt rich without being heavy. It will definitely be my main course next time I'm there. And then there was the Petrale sole. Star of the show. Cooked flawlessly, delicate but full of flavor. Simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious. We ended with the affogato that put the perfect exclamation point to our whole experience. Stella manages to be both comforting and classy, which isn't easy to pull off. If you're anywhere near Burlingame and appreciate genuinely great Italian food, this place is a must. I'll be back as often as I can! read more

I found this restaurant expensive and assuming. We ordered martinis with olives and were not alerted of any extra charges until the bill came. Extras charges for a martini glass and extra charges for olives???? I spoke to our waitress, then the manager. The end result... the manager told us that his guests would be offended if extra charges were mentioned to his clients. Too many other reasonable restaurants on the Avenue to give my business to!!!! read more

Amazing service the food is beyond delicious. I appreciate the attention to detail and the kind staff.

Feeling like a little bit of Italian bistro vibes. Delicious and bold favorite of appetizers (butter fresh crab meats on toast, lobster or regular Escargot). Old fashioned cocktail is delicious. Salmon with mash potatoes is tasty. Overall we have a great time! Will be back read more

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