I made Valentine's Day reservations in advance. They were for 4:00 pm, and we were on time. A man who I later learned was the owner told the hostess where to seat us. Actually, he pointed because he was on the phone. We were led outside to a covered patio area that was chilly because the weather outside was below freezing -- in the 20's. I explained to the hostess that I could not sit there as I have anemia and get cold very fast and stay that way. We walked back up to the entry, where the owner was on the phone still. He got off of the phone at which time I explained my situation. He responded, "It'll warm up," and turned away from me. I told him that it was cold out there and I would prefer to sit inside. There were only two other couples in the restaurant and vacant tables everywhere. Ignoring me, he said to the hostess, "sit em in the bar." I was really frustrated by his attitude at this point and told him, "I will not sit a the bar with a 12 year old child, " as my daughter was with me. He looked at me for a long time and then said, " can you finish eating in an hour?" I could not believe it. This "person" was rude, condescending, and had no regard or appreciation for my patronage, and mind you, I had a reservation. I turned to leave the establishment, and then saw the pleading in my daughter's eyes. She had looked forward to this Valentine's Day outing in a so called nice restaurant. Therefore, I grudgingly told the hostess that we would sit on the patio. The hostess was very kind and apologetic, and explained that the Owner was under a bit of stress, and was trying to get things in order for Valentine's day. She lead us toward the patio, but gave us a table just inside the restaurant, just before the patio. She said it would be somewhat warmer there. Again, the hostess was very kind. So my daughter and I made the best of it, dining with our coats on. The food was nothing special... did not taste fresh, like they had premade it a few days before and then thrown gobs of sauce over it. Heck, there was even gobs of sauce on the escargot! We both had diarrhea later. In short, I will not go back to a place owned by a "person" that does not appreciate my patronage, and serves mediocre food. This owner could learn a thing or two from Chef Cindy Wolf, who owns Charleston, the finest restaurant in Baltimore. She serves exquisite cuisine with humility and appreciation for her guests' patronage. Please know that there is no exaggeration in this review. I am speaking the truth. Visited February 2016 read more

I'd like to give it more stars but the pizza is a little chewy. Love the pasta with the Stella Notte sauce, and would highly recommend trying it. Staff are nice and the bar is a good place to hang out. read more

I love this place. The ambience is cozy and warm. Everyone is very friendly and service is great. The hostess is so warm and inviting. The food tastes very fresh and they makes good changes to their menu fairly frequently. They have great variety to their menu and delicious desserts. I love their homemade marinara with fresh tomatoes, angel hair, and spinach or artichokes. If only they made their own pasta, then it would feel truly Italian! read more

Went back on a Friday night and the place was empty. I got the eggplant, but if was sliced incredibly thin and was mostly breading. They also didn't provide nearly enough sauce. My husband's shrimp and scallop pasta had very few of either. Definitely not worth $24. Their dishes are way overpriced. We would have been better off going to Olive Garden. read more

I should've just walked away when food came out doughy and undercooked but I didn't. And guess what - I got food poisoning here earlier this week!! Maybe it was an off night or something but I certainly won't be back. read more

Great restaurant, the best around the area. It's Italian food with a twist. You have to try the calzone it's to die for. The scenery is one of a kind and really "sets the mood". Prices are more than fair and you will not be disappointed. Great place for a large group dinner or a quick bite for lunch. read more

The food was and service was great I was in there a few weeks ago and will be going back.

Hosted my daughters 21st birthday dinner there tonight. The restaurant party area was beautiful and perfect for our table of 15 and the service was fantastic - Bernadette was a fun and efficient server - we all had a great time, the food was delicious! Dan - one of the owners - was very accommodating and helpful with the party planning ensuring that this was a stress- free event for me! read more

We had a coupon so we decided to try it out, it was pretty good. Food was very tasty and the staff was very friendly. We loved the seating around the pizza oven. It was a little over priced we were glad we had a coupon. read more

I can not wait until my next opportunity to dine at Stella Notte. The cuisine itself could easily stand up against the best of restuarants I've visited throughout Italy. However, the real spotlight of the evening belongs to the truly outstanding service from every employee of the restaurant. The manager went out of his way to get us a table promptly, despite the fact that we were in no rush and happy to get a very dirty martini from the smiling, enthusiastic bartender. Our waiter was more than knowledgable and the timing of every course couldn't have been more perfect. On the way out, the chef was standing by the door. The grey haired gentleman engaged us in conversation and was more than interested to hear our opinions of our experience. This may be the only time I've ever requested Yelp the add a 6th star. "Last night, I experienced something new, from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its creator have challenged my preconceptions about italian cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. " read more

Delicious meal and excellent service! We had Trout Almandine and Hawaiian Pizza. Yelp helped us find this little gem. Highly recommend.

Still our favorite Italian place in Ellicott City. From brick oven pizza, to pasta dishes, there is something on this menu for everyone.

We dine here once very few months, and it's always cozy and welcoming, and usually good. One of my favorite Italian dishes is Chicken Marsala, and this place has some of the best I've had. My wife loves their liver & onions, which comes with sweet potato fries. We've also had their pizzas which are good, and their calamari, which is excellent. read more

Great ambiance Great staff Sub par food. My arrabbiata sauce was three huge pieces of tomato and not spicy at all Pasta was boiled out of a box and not fresh Such a nice location and place to have ok Italian food. Good for large parties though and kids since they had pizza. Probably won't come back for my Italian food fix read more

The food here was delicious. I ordered a build your own pasta dish with penne and a garlic pesto sauce. I went here with friends Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend for dinner, and we were seated right away, but the staff seemed rushed and inattentive to the point of almost being rude. If the food wasn't as great as it was my star rating would be WAY less. I will definitely return with hopes of happier and more friendly staff! read more

We love Stella Notte! We are always greeted like family and the food is consistently delicious!

We just had our holiday luncheon today catered by Stella Notte (we ordered and picked up the food). First of all, Mr. Dan (the owner) worked with me to ensure that I had an ample amount and variety of food for our party- we had 15 people. He was amazingly courteous and helpful when I had to make decisions for 15 people of varying dietary needs). We purchased three entrees, a salad and garlic and white bread. Suffice to say that the choices were pleasing to everyone (we chose one with meat, one without meat and a veggie - Eggplant Parmesan). The Eggplant Parmesan was out of this world. It was affordable and amazingly delicious. We will definitely go back if we need to pick up catering again. Thank you so much, Dan and Stella Notte for making our holiday party a huge success. read more

The dining room and the service here are excellent. It's a good family owned restaurant that's a nice authentic change from chain restaurants. I had the fruits de mer. The seafood was exceptionally fresh. In fact some of the best I've had. I feel the sauce could have been a bit more substantial, but it really did not matter as the seafood selection was fresh and perfect. My husband had the petite fillet minion. It was just OK. The menu is very heavily influenced by seafood and from our experience it best to order it. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant or go there again myself. read more

The owner of this place is so nice and really takes care of the quality of food and service. The only thing I can not make is lasagna so my husband really loves to come here, their lasagna is extremely good. On top of that they always remember our names, our glasses are always topped off. We have not missed one anniversary or Valentines Day here, ever :) Also, the prices are very fair. read more

We hosted a rehearsal dinner in Stella Notte's Terraza Room (http://stella-notte.com/images/pic18.jpg). It could not have been a better experience. Dan (the owner) was extremely helpful in the planning, and was readily available by phone. The serving staff were also awesome, and made everyone feel at home. The food was excellent, and they had our carry-out catering order boxed and ready when we were ready to leave. My wife and I also had a date night there before the rehearsal, and we were sold on the food. read more

Had Chicken Parmesan, and it was delicious to the core...also had mozzarella sticks and they were amazing as well. New favorite Italian spot! read more

This is our favorite neighborhood place. Nice ambiance and friendly atmosphere. We usually sit in the bar area; it has a cozy feel. The food is consistently good; however we come here all the time so we are in a food rut. My husband loves the spaghetti with meat sauce or a steak and I usually get one of the salads or when I'm splurging the lobster mac and cheese which is amazing. I always have enough to wrap for lunch the next day. The fresh out of the oven bread is always yummy with the olive oil herb and parm mixture. They usually give us a $10.00 coupon off for the next visit which is a nice added touch. They are very accomodating. Quite simply, we are huge fans! read more

This past January we had a surprise birthday party for my husband in the garden room. The room was perfect for such an occasion and the amount of people we had. The service was excellent and the staff was very attentive. They were very friendly and quick to respond to our every need. The owner was super nice and accommodating during the planning, set up and the actual party. The food was very good, as usual, and our guests had nothing but good things to say about the evening. I would highly recommend Stella Notte for a small party or for just regular dining. JoAnne M. read more

Went here for dinner one night. The hostess seemed a little confused and was running around trying to seat people. One we got seated we were tended to promptly. Bread arrived after a few minutes (it took too long in my opinion). It took a little while to arrive but our main course was hot and tasted fresh. My wife was not impressed with her fettuccine alfredo saying it lacked taste and was too salty. I was happy with my meal and with our overall experience. I will be trying their coal fired oven pizza next time. read more

Just finished eating there, food was just ok nothing special at all very disappointed. Atmosphere was not very welcoming to me nor my wife. Our waiter gave an attitude as if we were inconveniencing him by being there. read more

Great food, ambiance and staff! Had a wonderful evening with friends.

My wife and I like to go to the little local places for good food. The ambience was very nice. Our appetizer with mozzarella and tomatoes was delicious. We ordered an entree with chicken and unfortunately the chicken tasted funny, but the pasta and sauce was fantastic. We will give this place another try, but I will avoid the chicken. It tasted like it had been frozen for weeks and then overcooked. read more

I really wanted to like this place. I gave 2 stars because the staff and owner were so friendly. The decor reminded me of some of the wonderful "mom & pop" restaurants I loved when I lived in in Austin TX. I hoped I had found a little gem here in MD. The food however was mediocre (and that is being kind). I had the Eggplant Sophia (Eggplant Parmesan). It was tough and the crust was incredibly mushy and undercooked, my pasta was also mushy and over cooked, the sauce tasted like it was from a jar (a cheap store brand jar at that). My husband had a calzone, the outside crust was blackened, not golden brown and the inside was visually one of the most unappealing things I've ever seen at a restaurant. Lets see, another diner said their vegetables were almost raw but their pasta was also too mushy. My son had the pizza and it was the best thing but still not very good. I have made better at home. I don't know why we said yes when the dessert tray arrived, I guess hopes of having something tasty that night. We opted for the Strawberry Shortcake.... it tasted like the freezer it came out of and like something you buy in the supermarket. I lived in NYC for 10 years and got spoiled by great food. Even the worst Italian place in Manhattan would be better than this place. I will keep searching for great Italian food here, since we've only been in MD for a few months. read more

Very disappointed. Tried the restaurant after reading the the great reviews. Definitely more expensive than expected. $18 for an eggplant parmesan that was terrible. Three thin strips of mushy eggplant on maybe a quarter cup of bow tie pasta with smattering of dry and over baked red sauce. This dish would have been proud to even make it to Olive Garden standards. Stuffed shrimp were bland and crab filling watery mush. Calamari appetizer just under par. Side order of meatballs was outstanding. Bill over a hundred dollars for two meals with two drinks. read more

Very good Italian restaurant. Everything was fresh. The desserts were amazing. The service was exceptional. They have very good deals as well. read more

Very authenticate and fantastic ambience. The people are extremely friendly as well! A must go if you like Italian food.

very homey. stella notte sauce over everything. half off deals on many days of the week= i'm coming more often.

I love in the area and love to support local businesses, so this restaurant is definitely one of my go to's. The decor is amazing, I especially love the outdoor/indoor patio. I can't exactly explain the decor in a manner that would do it justice, but just go and you'll see what I mean. Unfortunately, I don't always get to sit in that area every time I go and the rest of the restuarant is Classic Italian. The food is great though!! The potions are large, and the prices are perfect for the amount of food and quality of food that you get. Love the mussels, calamari, shrimp scampi, and have heard wonderful things about all the other dishes. Definitely go here! You won't be sorry. read more

My wife, a very good cook, said that for a pasta dish with seafood for $26 should have fresh and not commercial pasta, as well as a velveeta sauce. Seafood qty was OK and the wine also, hence the 2 stars. read more

Try the Scallops Michelangelo. Lots of sweet scallops, a delicious, lemony sauce on top of garlic wilted spinach and cherry tomatoes, with a creamy mound of risotto in the middle. Wow. Good job, Stella Notte. read more

I had the most wonderful dining experience at this wonderful restaurant. From the warm greeting of the hostess Miss Kaye to the fine Italian cuisine which has some hard to find dishes like my favorite veal saltimbocca, I was truly impressed. Lovely decor in the terrace dining.This restaurant has a warm homey inviting atmosphere and a top notch staff. With run of the mill Italian restaurants all over the place that have quickly produced meals, this place is a treasure. Not to be missed. read more

I ordered a veggie lasagna and veggie tray for a party and was quite pleased with the quality of the food and the professionalism of the staff. The lasagna was chock full of veggies. I was pleased with the quality and quantity. The staff - from the cook who immediately took my order, to the hostess to the bartender - were all friendly and great to do business with. I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again at my next party. read more

The food is good and the atmosphere is good. Beware of the coupons offered. My wife and I were looking for a restaurant for a birthday celebration and we came across a coupon for this restaurant. When we were seated, we were sold a 1/2 price bottle of pinot grigio. When we got our bill, the discounted meal was not honored. We would not have ordered the wine if we knew no disounts can be applied. Also, an 18% gratuity was added to the bill. We went on a Monday night and the place was empty. We had been there many times before as a couple and with friends. The manager was rude and ruined a perfect evening. We will not be going back there. We wil advise our friends in Ellicott City to avoid this place. read more

First time eating here and was very happy with my meal. Had veal parmigiana and the portion size was very generous. Atmosphere was very good to bring young children as it is very family friendly. Cannoli cake for dessert was very delicious. Would try this place again. read more

I grew up in an italian neighbor so I can truly appreciate "great" italian cruisine. Their food is numero uno on my list. Never had anything that was less than perfect. The homemade spaghetti sauce is excellent. Why go to baltimore when we have our own secret italian restaurant right in ellicott city. read more