A Star Is Born
Stella Ristorante Has Southlake Abuzz Over Its Authentic Italian Fare.
Southlake residents now have a place to go if they want to escape to Italy. Since its opening in late April, Stella Ristorante has quickly earned the love of locals who are ready to “ciao” down on its authentic Italian selections.
“My focus is to be true Italian,” owner Paola Pedrignani says. “I really believe that when you walk into Stella, you enter [Italy]. I want to welcome you like you are in an Italian piazza.”
Paola says the restaurant’s name comes from the Italian word for “star.”
“‘Star’ is [for] the Lone Star of Texas,” Paola says. “I always say there was a perfect alignment of stars to open Stella.”
Diners who arrive at Stella Ristorante will have the opportunity to choose from six cocktails such as The Godfather, made with Aberfeldy scotch whisky and amaretto disaronno, or the Negroni Sbagliato, which features red vermouth, Campari and prosecco.
Moving into the main menu, Stella’s selections are built out with a bevy of Italian dishes. Guests can start off with an appetizer like the Fritto Misto Di Capri, which includes fried calamari, shrimp, zucchini and fennel, or the Antipasto Italiano, which features a daily selection of cold cuts and cheese from Italy.
Stella’s pasta is just as authentic. The Spaghetti al Limone di Sorrento con Gamberi, one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, tops spaghetti with shrimp and creamy lemon sauce. The Spaghetti Carbonara is another favorite complemented by an egg yolk, Italian bacon and cream sauce.
Meanwhile, other main courses include dishes such as the Tagliata di Filetto all’ Amarone, which showcases thinly sliced filet mignon, vegetables and Amarone wine sauce, and the Scaloppina di Vitello, which is classic veal piccata made with Sicilian white wine, wild mushroom and carnaroli rice.
The Mediterranean feel continues into the desserts with sweet selections like pavlova, gelato and tiramisu. Whether you stop by for a date night, a family dinner or just for a drink or two, Stella will make you feel like you’re truly in Italy.