Went for wife's birthday dinner after seeing the outside patio over the summer. Pretty good experience overall, not super memorable but might go back during busier time due to potential of patio and bar area. Sadly is was raining so didn't get to sit outside, but the inside bar area is really cool and seemed like it would have a great vibe when full (we went on a Monday night so was pretty empty). Food was good-not-great, and they forgot to bring our salad (which we didn't remember until we got home - our fault for not asking/checking the bill). read more

Food was incredibly tasty & the service was quick & friendly! Great location as well. read more

STELLA - Classic Eggs Benedict, Stella Wants A Burger & kill b.i.l - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I've read the other reviews and I am convinced that several of the superlative ones are definitely fake. Sounds like the writing voice of their manager or maybe our waiter. There's no way a real reviewer would actually name the chef and extoll her resume. I sat through the breathless soliloquy our waiter gave extolling the resumes of Carolynn Spence and the award-winning mixologist (very similar schpiel as written in some of the 5 star ratings). We oohed and ahhed and got excited. But he never stopped to ask where we're from, what's the occasion for our six person, multi-generational party. My husband noted "Birthday" under special occasion in his Open Table reservation. My family and I traveled from San Francisco for a getaway and to celebrate my birthday. Our waiter never acknowledged it or engaged with us, other than to lecture us on their food and cocktail offerings. It was definitely "all about them". Having dined there for my birthday, I can tell you that the reality at Stella is: 1) from the hostess to the waiter to the manager, there's an air of "You're lucky to be here" and a weird frenetic energy. 2) service is slow 3) while the outdoor dining area is charming and one of the reasons we chose Stella, the downside is that it is across from the Swedish hospital so we heard ambulance sirens blaring all night long 4) the menu is super basic and unadventurous 5) most items we ordered were undercooked and under-seasoned, 6) a basic drink such as the Aperol Spritz was not executed properly by the renowned mixologist, i.e., they forgot to add Prosecco (!). I asked for the flavorless, flat Aperol Spritz to be redone and when the waiter returned with the new one, he told me in a voice that seemed to scold me an and how dare I question the mixologist, that now my drink "has ONLY Aperol and Prosecco, and he ran out of room to pour the sparkling water." What??? I didn't want to bother the waiter anymore as he was definitely exuding a lot of passive aggressive vibes, so I accepted the drink which was syrupy (ick!) , had flat Prosecco or maybe a white wine or who knows what, and no club soda finish. I make this drink often and order it frequently as it's one of my favorite hot weather drinks (it was a 95 degrees in Seattle last Friday). At Stella, there is no *spritz* in their Aperol Spritz! The manager came around twice. Once to gaze upon us and the second time, after we had made it halfway through our meal, to ask us if we were "enjoying the flavors from the kitchen". It was awkward and dead silent at our table. After about 10 seconds, my sister finally said, "My dish was bland." For her Linguine and Clams was completely devoid of flavor. The asparagus several of us had, might have been blanched but not in salted water and they were too unpleasantly undercooked. My daughter's vegetarian radiatore was dry. The Chickpea Fried Artichokes were ok. My mother's Steel Head was so - so (FYI, she ALWAYS orders the salmon. She is the Queen of Salmon and an expert on salmon). My 83 mother said "It's acceptable." Since the manager showed some interest in us, I thought he would redeem the evening by engaging further. But upon hearing the second and last response from our table which was my mother's "It's acceptable." the manager actually laughed and replied, "Acceptable? We'll take it!" And took off in a flash. As my husband's review says on Open Table, "the staff didn't care". In fairness, the Slow Cooked Octopus was tender and delicious. My Prawn Cocktail was fresh, juicy and the sauce was balanced. My husband's Pappardelle was decent. My nephew's burger and the truffle fries were good. The music was great. Those were the hits. The rest were misses. To cut our losses, we opted out of dessert and took a chance on finding better desserts elsewhere. We've never done that before but it was the right call. Stella's staff, service, vibe and the food were the opposite of the thoughtful, professional, timely, engaging service and spot on preparations we enjoyed at Westward, The Pink Door, and if you're on Bainbridge Island, Agate Restaurant. read more

I have wanted to eat at Stella for a really long time, but do not live near downtown. I was very disappointed in my meal. My husband and I ordered similar priced items, but his was very large while mine was minuscule. I don't know why a little slice of the one portobello mushroom was used versus using the entire Portabella. The flavor was fine, but not particularly great. The mushroom soup was very good and my dessert that I ordered was also good. I ordered dessert to compensate for the disappointing meal. read more

We're staying at the Sorrento and wandered down for an early dinner, snagged a reservation on Open Table. The staff was so friendly and the manager went above and beyond to make sure my partner, our toddler, and I were all comfortable and well taken care of. We got the oysters (they were lovely and light), the fritto misto (they artichokes were an incredible addition), and for the mains we got the pork chop and the emerald goddess salad and a Mac and cheese for the little one. All were perfect and hefty portions. Highly recommend! read more

Walked in around 5:30 4/8/2023, immediately seated for dinner. We started with cocktails and oysters and moved on to white wine, a split caesar, the scallops, and the beef tenderloin. We finished with lattes and desserts, a berry custard and a tiramisú. Everything was literally perfectly prepared. The only flaw was that there were only four scallops in the main, but in the end I don't think it mattered that much - I couldn't quite finish the pea and radish sprout garnishes and was given about a third of my dining partner's tenderloin. The absolute star of the food was definitely that tenderloin. We ordered medium rare and it was literally perfect, as tender as sponge cake and bright red without being raw. The best steak I have had in years. We also really enjoyed the staff interactions with multiple staffers coming by with food or freshening drinks and so forth, and their amusing, slightly cynical social interactions included us and made us laugh. Everyone who worked here that night seemed happy and extremely welcoming and we made sure to let them know how delightful the experience had been on our way out. We did pay for it, though - the end tab including tip was about $280. I am not sure that can be cited as money well spent, but it was the best restaurant experience we have had in literally years, I mean it was Xeno's approach to perfection. I will remember this meal fondly in 30 years, on the cusp of turning 80. read more

Ambiance was beautiful, the drinks were nice, but the food was very underwhelming. We had the bread, scallops, greens salad, and the pasta bolognese. The pasta was nice in texture, but it lacked flavor. I got a to go box because I knew it needed something more that I could do at home. I would score that a 2.5/5 stars. I tried the scallops and it was also muted in flavor, but better than the pasta. The salad was basic and was definitely not worth the price. It had simple greens, light dressing, and a couple radish slices. I was very excited about this place, but alas, I would not come again. At least, not for the food. read more

Outstanding service and clam Linguine. Food took a bit to arrive, but the staff was incredible. Such a great place. read more

STELLA - Clam Linguine - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Stella restaurant at the Hotel Sorrento is a gastronomic delight, not to be missed. First the ambiance: The Stella restaurant at this historic locale, is located on what was once the hotels garden. The restaurant has paid great homage to its previous incarnation as a garden, filling the outdoor space with a variety of greenery, which creates an oasis in the center of the city. The Edison bulb lighting casts a nostalgic yet modern glow on the backdrop of the historic hotel. Now for the service: Our party was immediately greeted by an extremely friendly and masked host. We had a reservation at 6pm and were sat promptly upon arrival. Our server Michael, had great knowledge of the menu and was a delightful and attentive presence throughout the meal. Michael, was wonderful at navigating when to step back and allow our party to enjoy the food and conversation. Next up, the drinks! Michael let us know about the Margarita flight, which consisted of four offerings: first a pineapple coconut margarita reminiscent of a piña colada, second a violet margarita lovely in lavender and luscious in flavor, third a bright Ruby red grapefruit margarita, and last but certainly not least the guava margarita which is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. We greatly enjoyed these drinks. Other members of the party imbibed the Signature Stella-Rita, the Capri-Sun, a Negroni, and a hand crafted cucumber mojito which was specially made for my mother who requested something light and refreshing. She was floored by how delicious her drink was, the mixologist did not disappoint. And finally the Food: To start the meal, we ordered the Cod-Fritters, which taste like a savory seafood beignet minus the powdered sugar, plus a delicious salsa verde. We also partook in fresh shucked oysters and a delightful fresh chilled prawn cocktail. Who knew parsley coated shrimp could be such a treat. For entrees my sister ordered the Diver Scallops, which included 3 succulent scallops, which melt in your mouth like butter and lay upon a bed of sweet corn succotash. The marriage of the scallop and the succotash made for a supremely satisfying bite. I ordered the Pappardelle Carrot and Lamb Ragu. The pasta tasted as if it was from Italy. The Carrot and Lamb complimented each other creating an authentic old world mouthful that was as fulfilling for the soul as it was the stomach. We ended the meal with Risotto fritters accompanied by a Huckleberry sauce and a Poached Pear with deconstructed cheesecake and Graham cracker crust. The Huckleberry sauce with the fritters playfully celebrated the infamous fresh berries of Seattle. This dish evoked memories of a light and airy freshly-baked donut on a chilly morning. The Poached Pear dish was romantic and rustic providing a perfect ending to a perfect meal. Overall, our experience was one for the books. If you are in Seattle spending an evening at Stella is an enchanting experience you will not forget. read more

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We stayed at the Hotel Sorrento for two weeks in June 2021, right after their post-pandemic re-opening. We ate at Stella for dinner once, and visited for drinks and snacks several times. Food - Our dinner was delicious. We came in on a rainy night and both ordered pasta (perfect comfort food on a blustery evening). I believe the pasta is made fresh in house (it was great quality) and the sauces and accompanying sea food were exceptionally good. The wines we got were also lovely. Ambiance - Both the main restaurant and the fireside room are very cozy. The hotel was built in 1908 and the details are very pre-prohibition posh. If you come on a warm night, their is also outdoor patio seating. Service - The service was very attentive. They struck the perfect balance of being friendly and unobtrusive. Over the course of the stay we chatted with the wait staff and restaurant manager a few times and they were all very kind and happy to give recommendations for other Seattle spots. In future visits to Seattle we hope to visit Stella again. Thanks! read more

With its classy location on the ground floor of the historic Hotel Sorrento, this place felt not only somewhat European but also of another time. If it wasn't for the King County bus farting its way down the street, I'd think I was in Napoli. Great spot for a first date or to let your husband know you're leaving him due to his financial infidelity and emotional abuse. The food we had was just delicious - salty enough for my American palette, but rich and flavorful to make me think it's authentic Italian. Wife and I went on tequila night where the "award-winning" bartender was selling a $20 sampling of rather syrupy tequila concoctions (one of them, for example, was guava, which tasted like a Japanese gummy bear). This felt like something you'd sooner see on a Friday night at a Mexican place on the Jersey Shore, but nevertheless, it didn't break the fantasy of the evening. Hostess had that kind of in-control femininity that you love greeting you at a fancy place. Our waiter was weird in that Seattle mix of opinionated yet soft-spoken -- between the mask and his self-esteem, I only caught about 50% of what he said. I don't think we had a busboy. read more

Located in the Sorrento Hotel. We enjoy eating there when we have a break from appointments at Virginia Mason Clinic, which is just a short walk. They serve breakfast until 11am then switch menu to lunch. They close at 2 pm and reopen again for happy hour 4-5 pm and dinner from 5-. Great food. read more

Incredible food, cocktails and staff!! So happy we found Stella and will certainly be back soon!!!

Incredible food and matching service to go with it! Very quaint atmosphere. The oysters were top notch and our server was very accommodating/helpful in finding us a perfect wine pairing with our food. read more

Our waiter, Elijah, helped make our evening with great suggestions and a positive attitude. The food was fantastic, too. What a great evening! read more

This place was fabulous! I came with a friend one night after work and it was just what we needed! The place is so trendy and the drink options were so fun! We also really enjoyed the food. I got pasta, and my friend got the burger. We both finished our meals, which is rare! Highly suggest this restaurant to all! read more

While the venue and atmosphere are nice, the food was over cooked - both the burger (server never asked what temperature to cook at) and pasta dishes. read more

What a lovely dinner at Stella tonight! Our server Mitch was comforting and charming and the food and drink were on point! We started with the prawn cocktail, husband had the scallops and I had the shepherds pie, and shared it with him also. The scallops and prawns were perfectly done and tender and flavorful and the Shepherds Pie was hearty and tasty and warmed the soul. We finished with a poached pear for dessert, perfectly balanced with some type of delicious cheese in the center and delicious buttery cookie crumbs underneath. Everything is highly recommended, go and enjoy! read more

STELLA - Shepherds Pie and a lovely beer - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The outdoor dinning in the front courtyard is spacious and comfortable. The service was excellent and food was fresh and flavorful. It's nice to see independent businesses opening back up amid the COVID-craze. read more

STELLA - Seared scallops with pea shoots - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I would give this place a rate of 0 because not only was the service HORRIBLE, they made us wait for almost an hour to get our food which weren't even complicated. The food didn't taste good except the fries were ok. THE PASTA WASN'T COOKED WELL! HOW ARE YOU AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT BUT CANT MAKE PASTA???!? I think people over hyped this place b/c people got to sit outside! They don't open the outside except when during the Fall season so don't bothering going if it ain't Fall season or you'll eat inside. Overall please don't go to this place save your money and go somewhere else. You'll thank me later read more

STELLA - POTATO RAVIOLI - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Holy. Cow. Stella did not disappoint! Came here with some friends for brunch & we were stunned by the beautiful hotel lobby, personable staff, and the restaurant decor/setup. Valet parking is available at the front entrance & COVID-19 vaccine cards are checked upon arrival. The food & drinks were not only outstanding, but unique & different from other brunch places. I recommend eating here, especially around the holidays! read more

STELLA - Fritatta - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Make a reservation! They were fully booked but we got into the fireside room. The burrata was good. It could have used a cracker instead of big rustic slabs of bread. Truffle fries were great! The pork chop was the best I've ever eaten! Juicy and moist! The accompanying green beans were nice and crisp and creatively served in delicate squash rings! The tiramisu was more of a parfait which was interesting. Too much coco powder though. It made it difficult to enjoy. Still the good outweighed the bad. Will definitely repeat. read more

This was one of the best places I have been to. The drinks were absolutely fantastic (suggest adding the sorbet to the ones available) and the food, service, ambiance, was all amazing. Last night in the city and went here and cannot recommend it enough. Scallops were perfectly cooked and the cauliflower pasta was excellent. read more

STELLA - Scallops - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A Seattle classic. Came here with a family group today. For a more upscale place, they are very kid-friendly despite their lack of an official kids menu. Service was very warm and attentive. Burger was amazing and eggs benedict was pretty good. Good coffee. The biggest downside to the current menu is that they no longer have tomato soup! Half of our group was looking forward to ordering the tomato soup when we decided to go to the Sorrento. Bring back the tomato soup!!! It was so good! read more

Majorly understaffed, 45 min delay between ordering and being served due to "shift change." Food was fine once we got it, but nothing worth the wait. read more

After seeing this place on social media, I knew I had to give it a try. My friend and I decided to meet up and do dinner here on a Saturday night. We had a reservation, and was seated promptly. We dined in the courtyard which was covered with a semi heated tent. Our server Joe was lovely and very honest with food options which I enjoyed! We went with a bottle of wine to split, the Putini as an appetizer to start and pasta as an entrées for the both of us. Between the two pastas that we ordered, the Pappardelle Bolognese and the Linguine Alle Vongole, I liked the Pappardelle better but both were still delicious. The Linguine Alle Vongole was a little salty for my liking but salty is a given when you're working with clams! All and all, this is a great little spot to enjoy a little outdoor dining in Seattle. I will be interested to see it with the tent down! read more

The vibes outmatch the food. Can the food catch up, yeah!? Things to get: cod fritters Other thoughts. If you are walking to this place bring you hiking shoes. Ya boy worked up an appetite and a cramp on the way to dine. Vibes 4/5 Food 3/5 read more

My child and I were celebrating an amazing visit. We sought out an elegant, intimate setting to relax and enjoy good conversation. Stella's offer this environment and so much more. From the impeccable service to the exquisite meal, and relaxing music I feel somewhat spoiled now that I know I live near such a wonderful experience. read more

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My girlfriend and I love Stella, we come for brunch on the weekend and get the risotto arancini and the eggs benedict and share them. The benedict is one of the best I've had in Seattle, and the arancini with truffle oil is seriously one of the best dishes we've had in Seattle. We always sit at the bar and Tony the bartender is personable and attentive. It's never been busy enough that we've had to wait for a seat. Highly recommended. read more

Wonderful time capsule atmosphere.. Good food, and great service by the bartender that is a Jeff Bridges look alike........

Stella had just reopened under new management 4 weeks prior to our visit after a long pandemic shutdown. No sign of any new restaurant / new staff rough spots. Food: Fantastic (not that we expected anything else from a kitchen headed by Carolyn Spence). The Cod Brandade Fritters are incredibly light and pair well with the salsa verde. The scallops (always an excellent choice) were presented on a bed of succotash that was perfect for a summer evening while the steelhead & asparagus, both items that are notoriously easy to over or under cook, were perfectly done. For the meat eaters, the pork chop was deliciously seasoned and set off well by the use of radicchio instead of the more traditional cabbage. The "Ode to Toklas" chocolate pot au creme was a treasure hunt and HIGHLY recommended by the entire table. Portions of everything were substantial. Ambiance: The patio location is perfect for a warm summer evening. Traffic noise was only a minimal disruption and more than offset by the backdrop of the gorgeous hotel and potted flowering trees. Service: The entire staff was welcoming. Service was prompt but discrete, clearly taking cues from our table's conversation to pace courses and offers to take orders for additional drinks or items. Our server, recognizing we were eating family style, kept us supplied with fresh small plates at appropriate times. Can't wait to see how Stella evolves as the new team takes hold. I'm expecting it to be epic! read more

Some of the best food we've had during our stay in Seattle. Especially loved the pork chop and fries. Staff was friendly and helpful. It's located adjacent to a quaint boutique hotel, with lots of traditional wood work. read more

$29 for a pasta that really had not much flavor. Service was pretty slow, hard to catch waitstaff to ask for a drink, to get the check, to pay read more

We looked forward to a nice dinner for four. The food was okay with marginal portions. However, my wife's fish "stunk" and I convinced her to send it back. Later we got the usual mechanical apology from the waiter who was dressed as if this was a hippie event instead of like a professional. They took off the charge upon my request for an "adjustment" but never offered a substitute. Too bad the lounge was closed as it is the best in Seattle. It also has inappropriately attired servers with huge visible tattoos, etc. read more

Great food, great atmosphere, and great service. The menu is Italian with fish, steak, chicken, vegetarian options as well as pastas. We sat outside in the courtyard of the Hotel Sorrento. It was beautiful with umbrellas, cantina lights, and a fire. We had wonderful cocktails, a delicious bolognese, and a perfectly cooked branzino. Would highly recommend! read more

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The outdoor seating area had a great atmosphere and the short rib bruschetta was fantastic.

We stayed at the Hotel Sorrento for a night and made a reservation for a Thursday night before we leave the city in the morning. The food was incredible! Service was great - they were busy but very accommodating to all customers. The food service director was very nice, as was our waiter (Terrance). What a way to end our trip to Seattle! Great atmosphere. read more

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Min is unmatched when it comes to mixology and customer service. Definitely coming back, and only for the service we were provided tonight. Thanks Min! read more

This was an interesting experience. Our party of 3 made reservations at 8:30 pm. The restaurant was about half full, not busy. We ordered two drinks, bolognese, scallop potato ravioli, and the burger. It took almost an hour for us to get our food. Our server was not attentive and didnt check on us even once or to tell us when our food was coming out. We ended up talking to the hostess who then grabbed the manager, Lex, for us. Lex was great and apologetic and offered free drinks. Since we werent drinking more we asked for a discount instead. When our food finally came, the bolognese was cold. My friend asked to heat it up and the server was almost annoyed? He didnt give an answer but said "hold on" and went to the back. When he came out he had a very weird attitude. His hands were on our table, leaning over us, and said "okay heres the deal..." and told us the chef started making another batch. My friend and him went back and forth a little bit because she didn't want to waste food and was wondering if he can just heat up her plate to which he said "that's blatantly against health code". Sorry we don't keep up with health codes. We then asked him for boxes and the hostess gave them to us. By the time our check came our server had the same attitude. Hands on our table, leaning over us, started the sentence out with "okay here's the deal..." then gave some half sincere apology and it was just awkward. He couldn't look us in the eye. My food was good though (scallop and potato ravioli) but everyone else's food was average, not worth the price tag. read more

STELLA - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Had a fantastic group brunch! I had planned a brunch at another establishment and got a call 24 hours before the event to say they couldn't accommodate my group as planned. So I frantically called every place in Seattle and the staff at Stella was BY FAR the most helpful and friendly people I spoke to all day. They luckily had space for our party and got us on the books. Day of they allowed me to bring in flowers and light decor. Food was fantastic, honestly better than I anticipated. Plus they graciously plated some special dessert I brought it and wowed the whole table. The atmosphere and aesthetic is awesome. Highly recommend checking Stella out, I'll be back for sure. read more