OSTERIA STELLA, A Wonderful Mid-Town Manhattan Find
Written: Apr 07 '04
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Pros: Pleasant atmosphere, Excellent choices.
Cons: We had to leave for a show.
The Bottom Line: This is far from your Carmine's atmosphere and food selections. This place is fresh and new.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Osteria Stella |
For my wifes birthday, this last weekend, I managed to get a pair of tickets to Radio City Music Hall to see Josh Groban. We live on Long Island. We rode the LIRR to Penn Station and took the #1 subway line uptown two stops to 50th Street. This happens to be in the heart of the theatre district.
We wanted to have a quick dinner before the show. We had no reservations yet we did know there were many choices along the way cross town to Radio City Music Hall.
We passed right by TGI Fridays. I cannot recommend their NYC locations. On the next corner is Applebee's. This is now a new restaurant that took over a wonderful place by the name of Lundy's. We were willing to give this new location a try, however there was a one hour wait to be seated. We had other options. A number of good delis are in the area as are places like Ollie's Noodle, Ellen's Stardust Diner, The Pig n' Whistle, and the Manhattan Chili company, that I have reviewed and are suitable for a quick bite before a show.
We decided to look for something else closer to the theatre. While walking cross town on 50th between 7th Ave and 6th Ave we looked in a window to see a brand new restaurant that we had never seen before. We took a quick look at the menu posted outside the door, saw that there were many choices, and the prices were much in line with the many walk-in restaurants of the area.
THE ATMOSPHERE
This place was an eye catcher with it's warm yellow colours of faux painted walls with soft touches of lighting throughout the eatery. It is a large open room with dark leather banquettes and wooden chairs with white cloth coloured tables on hardwood floors.
Fresh cut flowers were perfectly placed within the room. Forced forsythias, begonias, and other flowers were arranged in small and huge arrangements with both back-lighting and spot-lighting bringing them to life.
The absolutely gorgeous bar extended the full east side of the restaurant. One can't help but notice the ten foot tall shelving of neatly placed wines and liquors across the wall above the 70 foot marble bar. Scattered along the long smooth uncluttered bar were bunches of bread sticks standing tall out of stemmed glasses.
The restaurant has a soft toned, yet rich elegant style that is quite sophisticated. I was told that most of the decor of the room was imported from Italy including oil paintings and hand-painted antique tiles.
THE STAFF
As we entered the restaurant a sharply dressed, well groomed young man extended a warm professional welcome. We explained to him, the maitre'd, that though we would like a leisurely dining experience, we did need to be finished in 50 minutes so we could make curtain time. He assured us we would be promptly taken care of. He seated us holding our chairs, asked us for our drink order, and moved directly to a waiter who immediately attended the table.
The waiter, a nice looking middle aged gentleman with an Italian accent was quick to greet us and offer the nights specials. We then asked that he give us a moment to look over the menu. Our drinks were brought to our table by the maitre'd . The waiter returned just two minutes later and jovially said, "Your time is up, would you like to order." He knew we wanted to get to the show.
That was that, with a drink in hand and orders taken within five minutes, we knew we could now relax with dinner. That special early attention made our, time shortened, dining experience perfect.
Throughout the dinner we were asked how everything was, had our water glasses filled constantly and the staff was friendly.
OUR DINNER
Moments after or maybe just before the waiter took our order a basket of assorted fresh breads were set on our table as was a small basket with warm Focaccia and a whipped, soft butter and garlic. The breads were wonderful. They offered fresh toasted country breads and some that were sliced and toasted to a perfect crispness. Some nicely flavoured bread sticks were also in the basket. These breads and such were much like we experienced on our few weeks in Italy.
Also set before us was a dish with some finely sliced meats and mixed olives. The prosciutto was excellent as was the salami. This was a surprise and the perfect item while waiting for our salads. We were asked if wanted bottled water or if tap would be fine with dinner.
My wifes Cosmo was to her satisfaction. I had ordered a very sweet Rob Roy. I did have to send it back for a bit more sweet vermouth. It was returned promptly and perfect.
My wife and I both ordered the same dishes of salad and entre. That happens more times than not. We started with Mista. This was their mesclun salad in a light lemon dressing. The piled high greens made us think we should have shared a salad. The dishes were full of a varied assortment of greens including spinach. The lemon dressing wasn't especially light, but was perfect to my taste. My wife enjoyed it too. The price was $7.50
Our entres at $22.00 of mixed shell fish on pasta was heavenly. The aromas were delectable and fish was very fresh. The scallops were extremely sweet, the mussels clean, tasty and perfectly cooked, and the tiniest little clams were all to be found in their shells and were tender. Calamari was also on the plate. These were small delicate slices that were perfectly cooked. No rubbery taste with these.
It was the light seasonings that made this dish so fine. Most of the Northern Italian cooking is not heavy on the red sauces. This dish had just a hint of tomato and it was the other spices that brought out and complimented the flavours of the shell fish. You see my problem, at times, is that I enjoy one particular dish so much that I tend to order it again rather than experiment with new choices. This restaurant has many of them.
THE MENU
I had asked for a menu upon leaving and the maitre'd was happy to oblige. He gave it however in the form of a press pack. This was the first time that ever happened. It wasn't till after we left and studied the menu, while on the train ride home after the show, did we find out all they offered and in much more detail. There were many reasons to return.
A couple of Bruschettas were on the menu as were a few soups. The Salads were simple; A Tricolore was a mix of Radish, arugula and endive in a balsamic dressing. Romana was $9.00 and it was baby romaine lettuce in a light anchovy, garlic, and lemon dressing. I saw a couple of these go by. All the plates were nicely prepared and presented. The Caprese was $9.50. This was definitely a sharing salad. The fact is, they all are. This Caprise had imported buffalo mozzerella, tomato and fresh basil. I almost had the Insalata di Bietola e Caprino. This had red beets, that I happen to love with goat cheese mixed with lemon and extra virgin olive oil. This too was $9.50.
I didn't get to taste or even see the four selections of Antipasti they offered. These were priced at $9.50-$12.50 The menu made them sound wonderfully good.
Osteria Stella also offered a selection of cold cuts, any three for $16.00. The selection consisted of Prosciutto S.Danieli. We stayed at a hotel in Venice by that name. No, not Prosciutto but Danieli. The other meats were Mortadella, Bresaola, Salami, Ossocollo, and Culatello. I haven't heard some of these names or tasted them in years but I remember my grandmother, straight from Italy, serving some of these with her six course Sunday dinners.
Many of the pastas are homemade. There is nothing like fresh made pasta. These dishes that had mostly cream sauces and light red sauces all sounded wonderfully good. How does this one sound? Tortelli all'agnello- Homemade tortelli pasta with lamb fillings, sage, pine nuts, dry prunes and lamb reduction. It makes me want to go into the city right now and order it.
Prices varied. A lasagna was $14.00. When you add some assorted seafood or spinach or mushrooms and chicken, the prices go up a few dollars. There were many creative sounding combinations.
Specials like Mediterranean sea bass filet,sauteed cherry tomatoes, black olives, onion, tomato, and bay leaf command $22.00.
The meats consisting of flank steaks, veal scallopini, sirloin steak, porterhouse, chicken breast, calf's liver, and braised lamb shank all cooked with fresh and varied ingredients all read to be good choices.
PIZZA TOO
This place has Pizza Rustica on their menu. This is a big reason we want to return. This was made just like that we had in a Tuscan hill town two years ago. We were in the town of Rada in Chianti. We found this wonderful little place to eat at the bottom of a small hill. The pizza was fantastic. That is what this pizza seems to be. I look forward to trying it. They have special open area in the back of the restaurant with ovens.
WINES
The wine list consists of about 40 Italian and 40 American wines with approximately 60 wines from around the rest of the world. The wines you could purchase by the glass were $6.50-$9.00 per serving. Bottled wines were $22.-$$165. The choice is yours.
DESSERTS
Due to getting to the show on time we did not have any of their desserts. I did see some of the staff bringing around trays to tables with an assortment of pastries. They looked good. Our waiter asked if we would like to end our meal with a little Sambuca but we regretfully declined and moved on to the show.
ROUNDING IT ALL OUT
We are very excited about this new find of ours. It did open just a few months ago. Upon conversation with one of the help, a lovely young lady who was bussing and helping in other ways, we found out that this is the third restaurant by the same owners. They all have Osteria in the name. The menus though being Northern Italian influenced, are all different due to the free reign of the chefs that run the kitchen.
I just loved the feel of the place. The diners were a mix of couples of all ages, a few families and what looked like some professionals gathered together for a casual dinner after work. A dress code for this place might be a casual but neat look to dressed up in semi-formal attire. Formal attire would not be out of place in this atmosphere but I do not want to scare off anyone who may be much more casually dressed.
The service we received made our short dining time perfect. We hope to return soon.
Some Midtown places to eat as reviewed by popsrocks
Stardust Diner A great casual place before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here and entertain.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, restaurant and MORE!
TGI Friday's Times Square Location.
Pig'n'Whistle, a good Times Square Pub
Ollies, Broadway
Some NYC Places of interest.
The Empire State Building
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
Museum of Natural History
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Thoroughly Modern Millie A 6 Tony award winner Broadway Play
Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations You can stop in here for a quick bite before or after a show.
Best Suited For: Trendy Crowd
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