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Italian Restaurant Reviews
Stella's Reviews List
Stella's
Stella's is the embodiment of serious Italian cuisine - original recipes and techniques alongside the freshest organic products, housemade cheeses, and carefully selected Italian flavors. Stella's is the perfect place for friends and family to gather - be it at the bar with a chilled martini, an appetizer in the lounge, or dining alfresco while tasting your way through the wine list and menu. Whatever your pleasure or mood, Stella's can make it happen!
See more Stella's details
42 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 42 reviews
5 stars
(19)
4 stars
(16)
3 stars
(5)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(21)
- special occasion(16)
- fit for foodies(15)
- romantic(12)
- scenic view(12)
- vibrant bar scene(10)
Stella's Reviews List
Review 1 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great ambiance for a special dinner with someone special. Though the tables are close together, they still make your dining experience memorable. Wait staff is knowledgable and attentive and the food is outstanding. Never disappointed."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fabulous Italian Dining Experience!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great Service, Outstanding Live Sax Entertainer/Comedian, and Totally Delicious Food. If you are prepared to spend between $50-100 per person for a special and memorable dining experience, and you love Great Italian Food, then Stella's in Monarch Bay, Dana Point should be at the top of your list. My only regret is that I did not find this restaurant sooner. It's definitely on my favorite's list now."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, scenic view, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 3 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
3rd time NOT a charm
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food excellent; waiter and table service excellent; food service VERY slow even though we were there at 2 PM and the restaurant was not busy at all. They gave us a table near the front door/bar even though we had reservations. They kept opening the front door even though my 92 year old mother requested that it be closed because the wind coming in. When we were leaving a female employee came up behind us when we were barely out the door and, quite rudely, said we will keep the door open now because the restaurant was warm. Hey restauranteur, ever hear of air conditioning? This is the 21st century. WON'T EVER RETURN OR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE!!!!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 4 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Awesome
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great people, wait staff, brought my mom for mothers day , they gave her roses. musician, live, great.
Lamb was wonderful, as was the lobster ravioli, the crab cakes were awesome. Good wine."
Lamb was wonderful, as was the lobster ravioli, the crab cakes were awesome. Good wine."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 5 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Ivan was a great waiter...the way it should be
disappointed to hear that johnny sold the restaurant. hope the food and service remain the same."
disappointed to hear that johnny sold the restaurant. hope the food and service remain the same."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, scenic view
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Review 6 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food average for moderately
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food average for moderately expensive price. Better restaurant options available in area. Great view from enclosed deck tables. Live music overpowering. Wine by the glass needs better quality control; perhaps bottle open too long. Not anxious go return."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2006
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Review 7 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We've enjoyed and recommended
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We've enjoyed and recommended Stella's in the past and were a bit disappointed this time. I would still recommend it, but the meal was not as good as remembered. The service, however, was impeccable. Still . . . when dining out, the meal is key. There were 5 of us and 3 of us walked away disappointed. Perhaps an off night."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
food and service was excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"food and service was excellent cant wait to get back"
Dined on 04/04/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 9 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I selected this resaturant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I selected this resaturant because I had a craving for steamed clams with lots of garlic and saw that Stella's had this on their menu. So we enjoyed that dish but better yet was the crab cakes. Wonderful flakes of crab tender and devine. We were not terribly hungry so then we shared a salad and we were delighted by the meal. Thank you for wonderful service."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2008
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Review 10 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ehhhhh
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very slow service. Server had to be asked about specials. And prompted about appetizer specials. Horrible sax player playing along with recorded music. Tables too close together. Salmon was overlooked & dry. Will not be back"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2009
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Review 11 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Lovely lunch at Stella's
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Stella's is an old favorite for a group of ladies I meet with occasionally for lunch. Sitting in the enclosed patio next to the fireplace is lovely. And the noise level is low so that we can hear each other. The food is always excellent."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 12 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Stella's Dana Point
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"only negative is that restaurant description (Yelp, restaurant website?) describes beautiful view; I thought it would be located adjacent to ocean/beach but it was in a strip mall across from beach; perhaps in the daylight one might have been able to glimpse a sliver of the ocean through the windows
indoor ambience was very nice; food very good; really enjoyed live music"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2010
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Review 13 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Stella's is always on par
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Stella's is always on par with their food. It's tucked away in the corner of a shopping center but people know where to find it!"
Dined on 02/27/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food and atmosphere.!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent food and atmosphere.!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 15 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I liked everything about it,
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I liked everything about it, except for the fact that they ran a special menu for Valentine's Day that you were locked in to. The food was good, but it was over-priced so therefore disappointing. I would not go there again for a fixed menu."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
disappointment on valentines day
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We almost were not going to be seated because they were closing for a special valentines dinner menu. After some discussion they
agreed to serve us lunch. I think the restaurant should have gotten in touch with us to let us know the situation. An email to open table
which could have then emailed us the information. I personally think that it is poor policy to close a restaurant during hours that it is
normally open. While we were eating there were several people turned away. The pricing for their prefixed menu was excessive. I am not sure if we would go back."
agreed to serve us lunch. I think the restaurant should have gotten in touch with us to let us know the situation. An email to open table
which could have then emailed us the information. I personally think that it is poor policy to close a restaurant during hours that it is
normally open. While we were eating there were several people turned away. The pricing for their prefixed menu was excessive. I am not sure if we would go back."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 17 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The Valentine's prices were
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The Valentine's prices were shocking!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, special occasion
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Review 18 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Sub-Par at best. Save your money.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was subpar at best. The Valentines Menu was great but just like any other restaurant great looking on paper only. They had a special menu where you are forced to select from 5 main courses in a preset menu. the cheapest ing on the menu was $90 and the most expensive one was $120. It was a part of a 4 course menu. Not really bang for the buck so I figured great service and food would make up for it, I was obviously incorrect. The waiter came by to bring food, bring the wine we ordered and then our check. Never came by to check on us throughout the meal. The steak was dry just like my dry lobster. And the couple next to me had to order a new lobster because the one on his plate was just too dry."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
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Review 19 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food & service wer excellent.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food & service wer excellent. Recommended."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 20 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
great food.sax player,singing
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"great food.sax player,singing at the bar.honor reservation on time."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 21 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food is fair (once in a while
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food is fair (once in a while it is good, but it is spotty). Service is fair to good,but that depends on the waiter, so it is spotty,too. We have been there many times and always have hoped that it would get better,but this last time it was so bad that we have decided never to return,unless there is nowhere else to go."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2011
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Review 22 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Had a delicious spinach salad
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a delicious spinach salad with salmon and will go back!"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 23 for Stella's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Well, we get to the restaurant,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Well, we get to the restaurant, and strangely, they tell us we do not have a reservation. All we can think of is that they checked someone else in under ours? We asked the hostess, Darlene, to check on it, and make sure we got credit and she said she would get back to us, but never did Anyhow, luckily, there was a table available for us in the front room where the bar is, which I prefer anyways. 3 of us had the dover sole over risotto, which is fantastic. We had bruschetta for an app which I didn't care for, as the bread was toasted and hard- it would be better to have it on soft bread. Our molten chocolate cake was overcooked so there was no gooey center. They have a nice sax guy who you can request songs from, so that adds to the ambiance"
Dined on 01/18/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Stella's
Based on the average of (19) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic