10/10/09

Great Place

by Sugarman

The place is top notch!

• Pros: Good Food
• Cons: None

08/17/09

service that made me want to SCREAM.

by darbro

Jebus! I've never been as insulted as I did when I brought my fiance to celebrate our engagement to this otherwise charming restaurant. It was like being spat on by a hot girl after giving her flowers.

The African American bartender did not demonstrate any offense, however, his service was "cool" and impotent and he always seemed to be bothered by us whenever we needed anything. Despite his lackluster service, we left him his obligatory 20% tip.

I complained to the maitre d' (tall, skinny, Frenchmanorexic with longish hair). I told him that I was celebrating my engagement and that the service could have been better. In his arrogance, he snipped "I don't care," and quickly pranced away, leaving my fiance and I stunned.

We are easy going diners, and do not expect too much. We've worked in restaurants ourselves, and are sympathetic to the moment to moment plights of restaurant service people. What did we do to deserve such grievous service?

So as it stands, this place gets decent reviews on YELP. No question that it displays a charming bistro facade. But take a closer look at all the one star reviews. Many of the reviews blast the arrogant service. Hope they treat you better than they treated us. :(

• Pros: atmosphere
• Cons: service that made me want to SCREAM.

01/03/09

Try it, you will love!

by detmarlow

I have probably been to Stella about 15 times. The food is always good, but you can never go wrong with the beet salad and the moules frites. Dip the delicious bread in the white wine sauce....yum!!

Stella is a lovely dining experience, the ambiance is great and the service is consistently pleasant. Only once did I experience a less than accommodating hostess but the odds are in their favor.

Stella is my neighborhood fav!

• Pros: ambiance, the food, the patio
• Cons: more meat dishes that fish or vegetarian but that is only a con if you don't eat meat.

12/30/08

up up & away go the prices

by citypal

I've loved this restaurant for many many years and am so sorry to report that things are changing for the worse. The owner was there when I recently ate at the bar and he was loud and invasive to everyone. He strutted around like a rooster and commented on everything we all were doing. The wine list has gone through the roof and there is no bottle under $45. The menu is not as innovative and the prices have gone up on all the food as well. This place used to be the "go to" neighborhood spot for a quick Moule Fritte or the "special night out" for the high end elegant experience in the dining room. Now it's lost it's elegant vibe and has priced itself out of the "neighborhood hang." BoooHooo

• Pros: Joshua the bartender - food is still good
• Cons: the owner - pricy food & drink - parking$$ - no longer cool

10/26/08

Frustrating.

by wehoconcierge

This place was perfect before they covered the beautiful outdoor dining area with a horrible roof. I can't dine here anymore. I thought it would be temporary but it seems here to stay. I can no longer send my guests or dine there myself because the asthetic is ruined. There I've said it. Take down the roof, s'il vous plait.

09/24/08

Don't listen to the last review! this restaurant is the best!

by rawrimeanmeow

First of all, if you read the last review....That birthday party was my party and it was off the hook. I don't know who wrote the review but out of 20 people there, 19 of them LOVED it. The chef is one of the best, most inventive chefs in LA and if the waitress was a little overwhelmed, it is totally because we were a hectic party of 20 that the restaurant kindly took at last minute. The wine was delicious and the food was perfect, as usual. I work at a restaurant and it is always challenging when there is a big party and it's not fair for anyone who is part of the party to judge so harshly. I highly recommend cafe stella and mad props for the staff for helping me have such a great birthday!

08/27/08

Horrible service, mediocre food, overpriced

by zatanna

Went here last night for a birthday dinner. The service was so terrible, it set the tone for the entire evening. We had one waitress for a very large party, and she was completely scattered and annoyed with us the entire time, because she obviously couldn't handle our table herself. We ordered several bottles of (expensive!) wine, and she kept hoarding them on a little table in the corner, only pouring us glasses whenever she felt like it. Finally, I went and retrieved the wine myself, and she saw me trying to pour a glass and ran over and poured it for me, basically grabbing the bottle from my hands.

The food was ok, but would have been better if it was actually hot. It took so long for everyone to get their food, it would have been smarter to have just eaten as soon as we received our plates, instead of waiting for everyone. I had the gnocchi, which was greasy and bland. Others had steaks and salmon, which they seemed to enjoy, though a handful of peoples' steaks were cooked incorrectly (probably not the fault of the chef -- our waitress was clearly inept and probably put the orders in wrong).

As soon as I set my fork down, a bus boy swooped in and took my plate and utensils, BUT I WASN'T DONE! I tried to call after him, but he pretended he couldn't hear me. Others at the table were treated similarly -- they were clearly trying to rush us out. To top it off, my friend ordered an espresso which was served with 1 sugar cube. He asked for a different sweetener and cream, and was told by the waitress, "sorry, we only have sugar." Ridiculous.

Overall: snobby atmosphere, overpriced menu items, horrible service, and not worth the trouble. Go to the Cliff's Edge down the street for a meal and ambience you can actually enjoy.

• Cons: horrible service, overpriced

08/20/08

Viva Le France!!! thank you!!

by chic3p2

My friend and I went to eat here the other night and had a great meal and a great time....starting with the food, which was really exceptional...I had the steak frites and it was very tender and robust with flavor. My friend had the salmon which was as tender as a stick of warm butter. We started with a really simplistic heirloom tomato salad that was mixed with the most delicious mozzarella I have ever tasted. Our waiter Jack was really helpful in picking our wine, and here is a shocker for LA restaurants....he was funny and devoid of bitterness!! Didn't hurt that he was easy on the eyes either. The decor is really warm and welcoming....we sat outside which reminded me of being at a cafe back home in New York. It has a really great neighborhood energy that I have found to be a rarity in this city, and all these things considered, I will definitely be coming back soon.

• Pros: Food, Service, Ambience
• Cons: little pricey

08/10/08

Rudest Service Ever

by jsgmdfacc

One of the worst experiences ever!. Went with a long time customer and had requested a particular table. After being seated, the manager came over and said we would have to move as that table was reserved for the owner.The manager and owner were both so rude and even went so far as to suggest that we dine elsewhere...which we did...never to return.

08/06/08

great overall dining experience

by luvfood7

I love this place. really transports you-great ambiance AND food- quite a feat these days.

steak was delicious. went back and tried the cod..also very good.

food is consistent. I usually go to ethnic hole in the walls so I will not have yet another expensive, disappointing experience, but Cafe Stella impressed me.