Stellina — Restaurant in Montreal

This is, without a doubt, the best fine dining Italian kitchen in Montreal as of the time I'm writing this review. The atmosphere was good, the service was excellent, but let's face it, you're here to learn about the food. And the food was phenomenal. We took the sharing option for 4 people and almost sampled the whole menu. Everything is done in beautiful simplicity. There aren't 72 ingredients per plate, but rather just a few flavours that shine in every bite.

The raw appetizers (carpaccio and branzino) were well seasoned and garnished. The zucchini flowers were packed with flavour and the octopus was grilled just right, which is not an easy feat even for big chefs. The focaccia is in a league of its own. It was unapologetically oily. It's reminding you that you're not here to diet ; you're here to make your tastebuds feel alive! It was sublime.

The pasta plates... Well, this is not a commercial kitchen trying to produce as many spaghetti bolognese per hour as they can. This is a kitchen where the chef seems to be cooking what he likes, and you can feel it in every plate. Everything was well balanced and delicious.

The meat! Great cut, great meat quality. It beats most big and fancy steakhouses in town, but I wasn't here for the steak. What I'll say is if you have a celiac person in your party who can't have pasta, they will certainly enjoy the steak. If they're both celiac and vegan, well you need new friends.

The desserts! They went simple. I was worried. It's a gamble, but it's a winning one. It works. The panna cotta is to die for and the torta caprese could break couples if there was only 1 slice left at the end of the night.

Finally, the wine selection and recommendations were great.

If you want a better Italian meal, you're going to have to book yourself a plane ticket to Italy, drive to an Italian village and try to charm an old nonna into adopting you for a day.

I'll be back soon to try whatever is left...

Stellina: A Taste of Authentic Italy in Montreal

Nestled in the vibrant culinary landscape of Montreal, Stellina stands out as a delightful haven for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine. From the moment you step inside, the aroma of fresh herbs and simmering sauces transports you straight to the heart of Italy.

Food: 4.5/5

Stellina boasts a menu that captures the essence of Italian flavors, and the dishes served during my lunch visit did not disappoint. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauces were rich and full-bodied. The simplicity and authenticity of the ingredients shone through, creating a memorable dining experience. However, the menu, while delightful, could benefit from a touch more variety.

Service: 5/5

The service at Stellina is impeccable. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, the staff contributed significantly to the overall positive experience. Recommendations were spot-on, and the pace of the meal was well-managed, allowing us to savor each course.

Ambiance: 3.5/5

While the restaurant's interior exudes a cozy and intimate atmosphere, the noise level during lunch was notably high. The clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation made it challenging to engage in a quiet tête-à-tête. If you prefer a more serene dining experience, an evening visit might be more suitable.

Overall Experience: 4/5

Stellina is undoubtedly a gem for those seeking an authentic Italian dining experience in Montreal. The flavorful dishes and top-notch service make it a standout choice for any food enthusiast. While the noise level during lunch was a minor drawback, it did not overshadow the overall positive impression left by Stellina. For an Italian culinary journey that feels like a trip to the heart of Rome, Stellina is a must-try in the Montreal...

I am taking the opportunity to write a review of my experience attending a 14 person birthday at Stellina. I was incredibly underwhelmed. Considering its a new restaurant in a highly competitive market, the manager was incredibly rude requiring us to leave a custom birthday cake in the car to melt/ruin. He raised his voice at paying customers and refused to let us bring the bought cake in the restaurant to celebrate a birthday! He does not allow cakes or balloons and stated its a “hard no” and no exception would be made. How rigid given your in the restaurant industry and people come to celebrate events?? What in the world happened to customer service!? You'd think there would be a level of appreciation and willingness to retain new customers (hence 14 new customers). In terms of the restaurant, please keep in mind there in no AC. We were all dying of heat! This is a very expensive - high priced restaurant with limited selection. 2 of the guests were credited for very salty pasta! The food was mediocre given the steep price. All in all, when it came time to desert we still needed to ask the waitress to bring one out. I want to highlight it wasn't even offered, which you would think would be common courtesy and just plain customer service for a high end restaurant given refusing to allow your customers to bring in a custom cake. (Keep in mind, manager mentioned they didn't have place in their fridge and we mentioned - we were ok keeping it on our table or cutting it ourselves. These options were both refused and again this is to highlight how difficult they were). Being someone who goes out frequently to restaurants in mtl this is highly uncommon and the first time I ever experienced anything so underwhelming and dissatisfying. I believe as a customer, I have a...