Best described as a cafe. Friendly professional staff, the person who stood out by far was Sergio! He made our evening with his attentiveness and delivery of everything we requested/needed. Although our waitress took our order, he brought our food...(apps, entrees), filled our glasses, cleared plates, provided us with salt/pepper/olive oil/utensils/extra napkins/refilled bread/bagged our leftovers...WOW, he was awesome!!! He should have been our waiter! THANK YOU SERGIO!!! Now, the food was pretty darn good, hubby enjoyed his pasta & sausage and I enjoyed the special, seafood fra diablo, very good. We had the arugula salad which hubby continuously raved on throughout the meal. Me, roasted romaine which was dry and left a strong charred burnt taste, thus the request for olive oil and some of hubby's artichoke dressing. Surprisingly, you pay for your bread basket here but it was tasty. And the burrata app was fair, if it was warm, it would have been better. Would we visit again...maybe. read more

impeccable service with excellent food.......................................................................just to keep it short and sweet, highly recommend read more

Great little place. Quint interior with a youthful boutique type atmosphere, we really enjoyed our dinner. The service was first class. There were plenty of servers helping us. No complaints despite former reviews. The place was packed for 7:40 on a Sunday and they held their own just fine. My husband had the combo veal and eggplant dish which was in a delicious marinara sauce with a side of homemade pasta. The portion was perfect. Not sized for a giant but sized for a normal healthy sized meal. My eggplant parm was out of this world!!! It was in a smaller sized bowl topped with fresh ricotta cheese and served with a side of parmesan sprinkles and a side of red pepper flakes. The eggplant was not breaded but lightly egg battered. The gravy so fresh... I will go back and get this again. This is an artesian type meal... Portioned as such... Not your typical mass quantity Italian restaurant. Oh yeah! We loved it and will be back! read more

We needed an outdoor dining option while staying in AC since all the places there are booked. Stumbled upon this spot only a 15 minute drive from AC. The food was excellent. Tables were a bit small and you are on a sidewalk but that is what happens during covid and you are grateful for the people who are working hard and the dining experience. BYOB is a plus! Must get the dates (omg), the meatballs, Caesar salad and low country shrimp! read more

I really want to rate this place higher, but after two recent visits Stella is just OK. The service is really poor. Vincent is charming, but he is all over the restaurant and the rest of the staff is clueless how to give proper service. The food is good value for being at the beach, however; the scallops were served under cooked and shrimp were over cooked, polenta is creamy but bland. Meatballs are dry and the mezze is unexciting. The Orchette pasta was a little over cooked plus it should be served on a plate instead of a bowl so it stops cooking. Mussels are very good, and the short ribs and mashed potatoes are the highlight. And please, increase the light or make the menu larger. I don't want to have to work when reading the menu. I'm out to relax and enjoy the people I am with. Not get blinded by the flashlight from their smartphone. read more

Our favorite restaurant in the area. Food and service are excellent. We go often. Everything is good. My favorite is short ribs or the salmon. read more

We had a wonderful dinner at Stella last night. My wife had the sausage, fennel, an pasta dish that was excellent. I had the veal with eggplant and fresh mozzarella. Also excellent. The only reason for not 5 stars was the $7 bread plate which was a .79 Baguette which is not what I expect from a restaurant that serves such well prepared food. read more

Best meal I have had in a long long time!!! Shrimp was delicious! All apps were great!!! Please support this restaurant during the pandemic!

Intimate, classy, but casual, Stella is one of the more interesting restaurants south of AC. Simple yet with some eclecticism, the well thought out offerings are flavorful and delicately prepared. The stuffed dates we a perfect starter to our meal, opening our palates to the variety of flavors we were about to enjoy. The labne salad was so fresh, it smelled and tasted like it had just been picked in the backyard. The roasted chicken I ordered on this humid summer day was tender, juicy and delicious. I would have ordered the well reviewed short rib entree but for the summer heat, I decided to choose something lighter. BTW, the bed of mashed potatoes were some of the best I have ever eaten. My wife's lemon sole and crab were cooked to perfection, expertly seasoned and equally delicious. We topped it all off with two cups of decaf and a slice of sumptious dark chocolate torte. Don't let the fact they charge for bread scare you away. The bread would've just taken away from this great meal anyway. Stella is so good, it'll make you do your best Brando imitation, screaming it's name over and over in post dinner bliss! read more

Had dinner there last night. Everything on the table was sanitized before we were sat and the servers had masks on properly the whole time we were there. The service was excellent! Food was great and was reasonably priced with nice size portions. We had the dates and meatball appetizer. Both were excellent. Dinner was the seafood paella and low country shrimp. Again delicious and nice size portions. I would definitely recommend and will go again. read more

Great place! Great service. We ended up having to wait even after making a reservation and they gave us a free appetizer. Second time here and it doesn't disappoint!! BYOB read more

Tried to eat here 3 weeks ago. I was called to inform me they would not be opening due to weather. We found them on open table (which I am a VIP)and were very excited. 4.7 rating and home made pasta. We live in Manhattan but we're staying in AC. So now we're back again and I make a reservation for 8-8:15 as I'm Driving back from golf. We got there at 8:01. A 6 top had already paid their check and we were informed it would be a few minutes. By 8:15 a 4 top also paid their check still nobody has left their table. We told them no worries we would come back another time. Again we were told a few minutes. By 8:30 and starving we decided to leave. My husband went next door to la Padulla but they were closing. I spoke to Gabby (Mgr) and (as a bartender fir 42 years) said to her she really could have asked them to move along as we had a reservation. She informed me she could not and was sorry I felt that way. I'm sure they were local but all the more reason you can say (I do) to my regulars I'm sorry but can you more along? There was a couple sitting and overheard what was happening and offered to cork his wine to give us their table which I said absolutely not. they were still enjoying their time as the other 2 tables did not even have water left. Somebody thank them for me. In nyc there are signs 90 minutes for a table, party of 6 or more 2 hours due to COVID. We would have gladly left earlier and come back another time. Now we will never try it. Just not a way to do business. I'm sure it will not hurt them if we don't go back but if you're from out of town and standing outside in a bit chilly weather you may feel as I do. I would give 0 stars since I didn't try the food but you need to put something down. read more

Great menu, great food, even better prices. The char on my grilled romaine was more burnt than it was char but I still ate the whole thing. They charged us for my brother's birthday cake which was inhospitable but fine. Definitely will return. Try the: lemon sole, meatballs, dates and veal! read more

The food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy and a classy yet relaxed vibe. We enjoyed a dinner for 7 there on a Saturday night. It was full but not too crowded. The food from apps through dinner was great. It was very well flavored and the quantities were reasonable. My only gripe is that the service, although friendly, wasn't the most attentive AND our food took forever to come out. I understand that the kitchen is small, but it was a little too long of a wait for food. It's byob, so that is a huge plus. Overall a really nice night. read more

One of my favorite parts about Stella is definitely the vibe. To me, the vibe and the ambiance of a place sets the entire tone when you're dining out. I had the charred edamame for my appetizer(it was SO GOOD I ordered another plate of it!). The entree selection was just a wee bit underwhelming for my picky palette but, for what they did offer it was very good. *And of course it's BYOB which I'm a big fan of. :))) read more

Delicious meal at Stella! Everything we had from appetizers to entrees were good. The standout item was the short rib entree. I would highly recommend Stella and we are looking forward to going back to try other items on the menu. Also, I should note that it was a bit cold outside when we went but we were fine thanks to the numerous heat lamps they have! read more

A beautiful Restaurant with great food, service and menu options. Braised Short Rib, Stuffed Dates, and labne appetizers are all stand out dishes. Loved our meal and cannot wait to return! read more

(BYOB)Bring your own Brunello or other quality wine to Stella at 7303 Ventnor Ave in Ventnor City, NJ. Leave the marginal wine at home because this food deserves better. Stumbled into quaint little restaurant while staying in Atlantic City and looking for a place to eat in a nice neighborhood. It was early on a Saturday evening and they were able to accommodate us. The mirrored dining room and lit candles created a romantic ambiance. We were served warm fresh baked rolls and basil infused olive oil. That hooked us immediately. We had the dates stuffed with almonds, goat cheese, bacon and arugula with balsamic which was very good. Both entrees, eggplant parmigiano and orecchiette with sausage were absolutely delicious and generous portions. Although the menu had only eight entrée choices, I did not feel limited. I actually want to try all of them. Stella is my favorite kind of restaurant. One that does a few items and does them exceptionally well. I will definitely return and urge you to visit them too. read more

Short ribs were melt in your mouth. Meatball over polenta was very tasty and cooked perfectly. BYOB is always a plus. Staff was very attentive and friendly. Loved the dim lighting and atmosphere. read more

So, this is/was our second time here. I'm actually yelping from the table. We came here a few weeks ago, had a late reservation and it turned out we were the only table left. It wasn't long till they were rushing us out. We were not happy and felt it to be amature but the goodness so good we decided for round 2. So we made an 8:30 reservation and didn't sit till after 9:00. Got our menus and water immediately and decided exactly what to eat right away. Well, we didn't have out order taken for another 15min. Again, dinner was amazing. We had a seared scallop app and the snapper and sole for dinner. The scallops were like candy and the fish was cooked perfect. I gave them 4 stars bc they shouldn't be penalized too much bc of their growing pains. They are just disorganized and amateur right now. They only allow 1 person to take your order and drop your check so it really freezes things up and it's annoying. Other then that, the food really is amazing and I'm sure they'll work out the kinks! read more

We had the most incredible dinner at Stella's last night. Everything we ordered came out piping hot which in itself is fantastic but the food was so delicious. The eggplant was just like my Mother would make and the seafood Fra diablo was the best I ever tasted. The Short ribs and bouillabaisse were memorable. The only problem with going to Stella's is, it is too hard to decide what to order. We will go back over and over to taste everything on the menu and because it is a seasonal menu we have plenty of days ahead to enjoy this wonderful restaurant. The service was great too. read more

We ate at Stella's for the first time and were very pleased. The restaurant is beautifully designed. The service was top notch. The food was delicious and the desert was wonderful. This is a BYOB and cash only. read more

Very good food Very good service Lovely cozy restaurant Food is fresh Lovely choices on the menu read more

Outstanding. Food was amazing. Service perfect - well paced, not rushed. We came from Brigantine - well worth the drive. Short ribs are succulent. my new fav. read more

Stella was truly beyond amazing . Vincent is one of the finest servers I've seen in Jersey . Throughout my day, I've encountered some distasteful people. However, Vincent and the chef really made my day! Family owned business. Outdoor seating feels amazing . Couldn't ask for better service and a better atmosphere. Thank youuuu read more

Dined here on a Saturday night with 8 people total. The service was very good as well as the atmosphere. If it wasnt for those two factors, the star rating would have been a 2. The food was just plain old ok. We had the meatballs as an appetizer and for dinner my date and I split the short ribs and the eggplant parm. Neither dish had much taste to it. We were disappointment in the meal overall. read more

My sisters favorite restaurant in Ventnor. We seem to go there almost every time I visit her in Margate. I love BYOBs & they have indoor & outdoor seating. Fair pricing. read more

Had some friends visiting from London and wanted to take them to a really good restaurant when someone recommended Stella's. Well, we were not disappointed. The atmosphere was quaint, the food was phenomenal and the staff was courteous. I am a vegan and was expecting a typical 'oh we have salads" standard line when asked what they may have for vegans. The cook came out, talked to me and made me an incredible vegan meal! My guests has the shrimp dish and the fish with crab. They could not say enough on how great the food was followed up by a decadent dessert. In conclusion, I highly recommend. read more

We had a great meal at this sidewalk BYOB eatery in Ventnor City. The staff was excellent and the food tasty and prepared perfectly. The. braised short ribs are amazingly tender and the crab cake was magnificent. We highly recommend Stella for a casual but elegant meal experience. read more

Vince, your restaurant keeps getting better and better. My date and I shared your delicious mezze plate appetizer. He had your seafood fra diavolo special and I had the low country shrimp entree. We both licked our plates clean. Great atmosphere for a date. Soft music and lighting, good noise acoustics (I noticed your noise deadening ceiling tiles). Beautifully decorated. Your restaurant truly is a rare seashore gem. read more

Went here for a 65th surprise birthday party earlier in the month. the restaurant allowed us to reserve the entire restaurant and it was the perfect setting for the birthday party. The food was all very good - but special shout out for the salmon which was delicious. they put together a very nice menu for us and it was greatly appreciated that they were willing to allow us to reserve the entire restaurant off season. highly recommend this restaurant for anyone in a similar situation. they gave us a very nice package and it was a very successful event read more

This place is awful! The food is mediocre, the service stinks, and the prices are outrageous! Nine dollars for 3 stuffed dates? 6 dollars for a scoop of "broccoli rabe" that was suspiciously like collard greens? Please. Stay away! I have my entire family here tonight, 9 of us, and we will definitely stay far away from Stella. Oh, and Mr LoBianco is awful at customer service, just awful. Worst dining experience ever at the shore....... read more

Great little BYO. New menu included amazing dishes such as braised short rib and a low country shrimp and polenta dish. Modern, rustic atmosphere. Casual but perfect for date night. read more

Fantastic little restaurant. Food was great, beautifully served. We had the roasted chicken and short ribs. Appetizers also wonderful: stuffed dates with nice side of chopped salad with apple and white Spanish anchovies on toast. Looking forward to our next meal. read more

Great meal! First off, the food was served HOT out of the kitchen! Grilled Romaine with goat cheese was very tasty. Love the rolls and especially the basil oil which I could bath in! I had the Veal and eggplant and the veal was very tender an delish.We also enjoyed the very abundant Spicy Seafood w/ pasta, (lotsa seafood cooked to perfection)! It is noisy but patrons are loud and having fun and you can't help that ! Could use a host up front! Great meal ! read more

Lovely bistro in Ventnor. Cash only, BYOB They offer a 3 for 30 menu. Any combo of soup, salad, appetizer with an entree and/or dessert. Highlights: mussels, meatball appetizer, grilled romaine, salmon. read more

Would have gave a higher rating but the staff wasn't very personable. We were seated right away. We were served bread and water then waited 15 minutes for the waiter to wait on us who was waiting on 2 tables who came in 10 minutes after us. We were never asked if everything was alright with our meal or given a thank you when we paid the bill. It's a shame because food was delicious but staff left a bad taste. read more

Everyone I went with enjoyed their meal-Scallops, sole, short rib, and seafood fra diovlo. My mom and sister both felt their meals could have used a touch more salt. Beet salad needed a little more goat cheese or vinaigrette. Olive oil with herbs is a nice compliment to their warm bread to start. Lemon pound cake had great texture and flavor. BYOB is always a plus! read more

The food was delicious but the front of house was not run well. Everyone on staff was hustling but we ordered and then they forgot about us. Had to ask for water refills a few times and we watched others get served before us who came after. They just need to have someone concentrating on the front and watch what's going on more. Others were waiting 15 minutes for their check. read more

Got seafood and pasta. I thought they were a little heavy on the scallops and light on the other clams and mussels. Also the scallops were overcooked. My fellow dinner was very pleased with their meal which, I believe, was short ribs. Service was subpar, we never saw our waiter once the food was served (served by another staff person) and someone had to go in to get our check (probably could have gotten up and left and it would have been awhile before they would have realized). read more