Stella Alpina Osteria
| Address: | 401 Primrose Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010, USA |
| Phone: | +1 650-347-5733 |
| Site: | stellaalpinaosteria.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 5–8:30PM 5–8:30PM 5–8:30PM 5–8:30PM 5–8:30PM 5–8:30PM 5–8:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 25
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David Adams
Stella Alpina Osteria has a nice atmosphere but the food isnt impressive. We started with the Antipasto Piemontese. It seems like they went to whole food and bought middle-of-the-road versions of everything on the plate: Prosciutto, olives, and grilled asparagus. That Antipasto is definitely worth skipping. Our entrees were also underwhelming: the special pasta of the day (ground filet mignon meatballs) and the pork tenderloin with pancetta. The meatballs were undercooked and generally underseasoned with a very watery pasta sause. The tenderloin was perfectly cooked but under salted, with mildly flavored sauce. The tenderloin also came with giant beans that were worse than flavorless as they reduced the flavor of the other parts of the dish. My assessment is a little harsh, but Stella isnt cheap. Any restaurant that costs almost $50 per person for dinner should produce high quality food, not something that I can buy from Whole Foods for a third of the price.
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Xavier Minakawa
My wife and I come here infrequently, but every time its been a delight. They have delicious Northern Italian dishes and we often order a pasta dish with some sort of bolognese sauce - often with wild boar. I grew up in an Argentine-Italian family, and fondly remember homemade gnocchi and canneloni. This is 1 Italian place whose gnocchi reminds me of my childhood. Weve never had a problem making a reservation, but its a really good idea to have one and call at least a few days in advance for better luck in getting a table.
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A Private User
I have no complaint on everything they served, from appetizer to pasta to main to dessert. We ordered everything todays specials, so that may be the reason. I often think we can cook most of the things in Italian restaurants at home, but not the case with this place. Their cooking was very complex, well-flavored, and truly authentic. By the way, make sure to eat their cannolis. The shells come from the wonderful small store in San Mateo called Romolos which makes the best cannolis in town.
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Meenu Natarajan
Incredibly rude Manager Aaron. We made reservations for a large party after reading about the food reviews . We needed clarity on corkage and cake (not cutting just bringing our own cupcakes) fee and called the restaurant. Manager Aaron rudely says, "I dont have any time to spend with you. Cancel your reservation if you like". Nice class act and a delight if you like to deal with rude obnoxious businesses.
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Fabien Curto Millet
The food here is pretty tasty and perfectly pleasant, although I would not call it outstanding as far as Italian food goes. The place is unfortunately let down by the front of house, who was basically uninterested in us showing up spontaneously without a reservation (made us feel like an inconvenience and was rather rude). We ended up taking out but are not inclined to go back.
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Nikole Azzopardi
The food was fabulous but the hostess was rude! She actually came to our table to ask us when we were leaving! After we expressed our shock, especially after spending the amount of money that we did, she became extremely rude & hostile. My friends and I will never frequent this restaurant again and I will continue sharing the lack of customer service provided!
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A Private User
I had the best meal Ive had in a long time at this restaurant. I live in San Francisco, so thats saying something. Excellent ingredients, excellent balance of flavors. You have to try their special gnocchi w/ truffles appetizer! Our server, Rachel, was exceptional--attentive, friendly, and very accommodating to my very picky partner!
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Claudia Fung
Had been here twice and my friends all love this place. I have to say it is not my favorite Italian place in the bay area, but their escargots are to die for. I can keep dipping bread into the butter after finishing the escargots! Entrees I got was OK both times, and I am happier with their homemade pasta, appetizers and dessert.
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Uyen Dinh
Excellent, authentic tasty Italian fare. Friendly, efficient + professional service. Had a business dinner--prompt but unobtrusive service. Has House pasta special + my guest had House special fish. Everything was delish!! Ignore the naysayers who say otherwise. Go + enjoy an authentic + delicious Italian meal.
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Stu Fisher
Didnt find the cuisine to be particularly innovative or interesting. They stick to some of the well worn Italian restaurant standards. Food was tasty enough. Cant say the food is bad, just not imaginative. Clientele is more senior and this probably works great for them.
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Diego Mendoza
While vacationing in the Bay Area, glowing reviews pointed us towards Stella Alpina. And wow, what an amazing culinary experience this was. Two dishes, the Pear Gnocchi and Speck and Mushroom pasta, were standouts. The food felt so fresh and authentic, truly wonderful.
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D.S. Benson
Excellent, local, family-owned. Small restaurant across from the Burlingame Library. I think this is hands-down the best Italian restaurant in town (and there are quite a few). Call for a reservation, and dont try to show up without one.
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Gavin Zau
Great italian restaurant. It was very busy so we were lucky to get 2 seats on the bar. The food was excellent. It was close enough from SFO that we went for dinner before our connecting flight. You need to call and book ahead
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Jack Turner
The food is some of the greatest I have ever had. The truffle gnocchi is outstanding and the rigatoni pork ragu is out of this world. Every thing we ordered we loved and would recommend this place to anyone.
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A Private User
A Gem! I am an admitted food snob, and I can say with confidence that Stella Alpina is an absolute gem. Outstanding in every respect: food, service, and atmosphere. I just wish I lived on the west coast.
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Thi Chau
The food here is wonderful! Everyone in my party was raving about their meal the whole time. The starter bread was great, tasted fresh and handmade in-house. Expensive, but a good special occasion choice.
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CJ Donahoe
I love northern Italy and Stella Alpina makes me miss it even more than I already did. The pasta purses were out of this world and Ill be going back just for those! The atmosphere is also fantastic.
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Ted Temple
Great space. Food lacking passion and generally summed up by charging $3 for hardly remarkable "bread basket" . This could be a gem if the cuisine in any way lived up to the environment / space.
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A Private User
Service is excellent, food is fantastic. There is nothing to say, I have tried majority of the restaurants and this is the best italian restaurant in the area. Thanks Matteo for opening it.
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Chris John
The steak I had was amazing. The pesto my girlfriend had was incredibly salty. The rest of our food was great and the waiter was very helpful suggesting wines to go well with the food.
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A Private User
Best restaurant in Burlingame. My wife and I eat there on our date nights almost every week. Make sure to get the homemade gnocchi appetizer. I prefer the Orechiette pasta for dinner.
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A Private User
This place is amazing. Best Italian in the Bay Area outside of San Francisco. Hard to find good food sometimes in the burbs. Lets hope he never decides to relocate to the City...
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Trevor Mathews
Great place to eat. Good wine list, great food and great service. Had the gnocchi appetizer, and it was amazing. Went with the chicken parmigiana and was very satisfied.
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Javier Escobedo
Best upscale food in town. A bit cramped but its comfortable enough. Good wine list, especially Italian. Try the nocchi with truffles - to die for. Not cheap.
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A Private User
Everything on the menu is something you want to eat, which makes ordering a challenge... and makes you want to get back there to try the other items!
