Stella Mia Ristorante Italiano

Stella Mia is my favorite restaurant. I've been going there for years and have never had a bad experience. I don't know if my favorite dish is their gnocci, spaghetti and meatballs, pumpkin pasta, or lasagna. Everything is delicious. The specials are always an inventive use of seasonal ingredients. I love you Chef Bruno! more

I always hesitate to write a negative review because it must be hard to run a business, but I also work hard for my money, and it was a complete waste on this place. It's basically like a renovated house. It smelled musty, and the sense of privacy was the same as if you set up a few tables in your living room. We also waited in this odd waiting area that was basically two chairs stuck behind a partial wall. We were then put at round table for 5 people, even though there were two of us, and they seated us next to each other which I guess is the most appropriate when you seat two people at such a large table. But the result was that we were basically staring at everyone else in the restaurant/living room and had to turn side ways to talk to each other. The staff was friendly, and I think we had almost everyone stop by our table at some point. The food was mediocre and simple: pasta with meatballs, pasta with cheese and peas, pasta with cream sauce. I felt like I was at someone's house instead of a restaurant, and the atmosphere was very awkward, and the food not really up to what I would consider restaurant standards. And our caraf of house wine, an appetizer, starter salad, and meals came out to about $100. You are MUCH better off with Grazie's down the street! Pros: Music, friendly staff Cons: Awkward atmosphere, food, price, smell more

A great experience as a whole. What the food lacks in finesse the very friendly staff and interesting setting more then makes up for it. Pros: Great staff, good food. Cons: odd flavor combinations more

My fiancee and I went to this resturant and were greeted by a seemingly confused waitress. For some reason, there was some mix up and we ended up getting served by three different servers (all of which made this dreadful experience even longer). My dish looked like catfood and tasted very bland. My fiancee felt her dish was average. We both didn't feel that it was worth the price. On top of that, after I expressed my dislike of my dish, they didn't do anything to accomodate me. All I can say to all readers, is to avoid this place at all costs. more

I don't travel to the north end very frequently, but I do make the trip to Bothell for Stella Mia. Pros: ambience, parking more

My wife and I read the reviews, asked around and found that there were a lot of positive responses to our probe for a ""good"" Italian restaurant. We went, loved the dim lighting, the private table (we called ahead) and prompt service. more

I've been dining at Stella Mia's for years. My mother brought me here when I was about 15 and I've been hooked ever since. The service has always been excellent. The food is amazingly delicous and always exceeds my expectations. The only downside for me is that I don't like wine, so I can't enjoy their vast selection of unique wines. If I have to drive out of my way for Italian, you can be sure that I will avoid those chain resturants. For the same price I can have excellent service, reasonably priced food, and a cozy atomosphere. Pros: Ambience, privacy, service, and the menu! Cons: There are a couple of tables too close to the kitchen parking in the village isn't great more

The restaurant is located in an interesting place. It's surrounded by interesting stores and chickens and... more

We were incredibly surprised by this place. Absolutely wonderful food - great flavors. Atmosphere Serene - we sat outside - the village is quaint and peaceful. Pros: Ambience, Food, Service more

We love Stella Mia's! We go there all the time for dinner and occasionally for lunch. The food is always good, the staff is very friendly, inviting and accomodating and the atmosphere is warm. I love the fresh sauteed veggies and polenta with the Secondi dishes. I just recently changed up what I usually ate and went with the Caprese Salad and Minestrone soup. They both were wonderful (not surprising!) and made for a great, light meal. If you come to Bothell, make sure to stop by and have some of the best Italian food in the area! Pros: Homemade Bread, Friendly Staff, Wonderful Specials more

After moving to Bothell from Seattle I was certain that I would be sacrificing my selection of good Italian places. As such, I was surprised to find Stella Mia on CitySearch in a rating sort only a mile from my house! It has quickly become my favorite Italian restaraunt in all Seattle. The waitstaff is consistent and very personable. They have a very good wine selection. There are a number of very unique specials that they offer that are exceptional (such as their sweet pastas: mango penne and also pumpkin ravioli). My favorite dish is their popular polla penne which includes artichoke hearts, spinach, garlic, feta and chicken in a gorganzola sauce - it's wonderful. My only complaint about Stella Mia is that they often close before their 10:00pm schedule (as listed on this website); if you are going later than 9:00pm, call to make sure they are open. Pros: Unique, Eastside Italian, Tasty Cons: Inconsistent Schedule more

I have been here over a dozen times and I have had a consistent level of service and food, which by standards, was excellent. Sorry to hear the last fella didn't have the same experience. The food is EXCELLENT and the service is great. It has a very authentic italian feel, and the chef has been out to greet us several times. I would highly suggest this place. Pros: Good food, Great location, Nice folks and ambien more

I had lunch here, and regret to say that it was the 1st time in my life that I've ever had to send a dish back. My cheese ravioli in marinara was so repellently salty and oily that the scant tomato in the greasy slick had settled at bottom. I asked for a gorgonzola green salad to replace the inedible oil mess, and the salad, too, was so overdressed that I couldn't eat the bottom 3rd of it. They even ruined the bruschetta, what with the 20 or so ingredients they heaped atop of it, letting the poor little bread underneath liquefy in a puddle of balsamic slop. Reminds me of the stuff I used to cook when I was in college and just discovering ""ingredients."" Yikes, more is not always better. A light, simple touch is called for in authentic Italian cuisine; not a bludgeoning. Pros: Interior decor, Homemade bread, Location Cons: , Fussy, unskilled prep, Too much oil & grease more

After reading all the rave reviews, I wonder if we ate at the same restaurant. My experience at lunch was not good. The ice tea was from the gun, not fresh brewed. The caesar was lifeless with tiny bland crutons. The calamari was overbreaded & rubbery. The dill on the plates as presentation was attractive but the flavor did not work. Our server seemed completely uninteresting in whether or not we were enjoying our lunch. I eat out a lot & in comparison, the quality of the food & service I had definitely did not stack up. Pros: Attractive & Cozy, Interesting Area Cons: , Customer Service more

My least favorite food is Italian; however, Stella Mia is my favorite restaurant! Great atmosphere, wonderful, knowledgeable staff. My fiancée and I come here at least once a week. Great place to get full on a low budget! Pros: Inexpensive, Comfortable atmospher, Friendly Service more

This is perhaps the finest Italian Restaurant in the Seattle area. It is also oh so affordable. Try Sunday or Monday nights for 1/2 price wine night. The Veal Saltimboca is my Favorite. My wife loves the Gnocci here! Pros: Always Prompt Service, Always Excellent Food, 1/2 price wine nights more

This is by far my favorite Italian restaurant in the Seattle area. The food is fresh and delicious. Every meal we've ever had has been a hit. The prices are reasonable and meals even include salad (when was the last time you found that?). And what's more the welcoming feeling at this family run establishment can't be beat. It's like being able to eat in the home of your favorite Italian chef. Well worth the drive. Pros: Ambiance, Delicious, Charming Cons: Average Desserts more

The food here is real, filling, tasty and true to it's heritage. Great specials and standards will leave you making tough decisions. They use spices here, so if you are a milktoast type, you may want to stay home. Good selection of reasonably priced wines and attentive and helpful waitstaff. Dinner for 3, with appetizers, entrees, deserts and wine about 100 bucks plus tip. Try that downtown :) more

i found that the service and atmosphere fits into the whole ambience.....just like anything that is THE best. the food is EXTREMELY tasty (born and raised in NYC, with Italians and lots of good GENUINE Italian food) and truly represents authentic north Italian cuisine at its BEST! SE BUONO! ps: If you are from NYC, I would not recommend the Pizza. Other than that, everything else is awesome. Pros: inexpesive, authentic, because of, good choice of beer a Cons: pizza, no sauce more

Have dined here about 6 times and has always been very good, reliable, & delicious. The best in the Bothell/Kenmore area, and holds it's own against the best in the greater Seattle area. Charming decor and friendly competent service. Country village is also a very charming little village to walk around. Pros: Location, Romantic, Food quality Cons: Limited menu more