La Stella Cucina Verace touts itself as “Dallas’ highest rated fine dining Italian restaurant.” Soon, it will open a second location, right off Dallas Parkway, not too far from Galleria Dallas. And Local Profile got a first look.
What’s La Stella
Located in the Arts District in downtown Dallas, the first La Stella made its name with exceptional food and service. The new Addison location features an expanded menu and it’s open for lunch and dinner, which the Dallas location isn’t.
The restaurant blends tradition with a modern touch, anchoring the menu in authentic recipes passed down from the owner’s nonna while elevating them through the work of an Italian-trained chef, a French-trained chef and a team of skilled sommeliers.
Photo: Brian Ashcraft | Local Profile
“We learned a lot from our Dallas location,” owner Giuseppe “JP” Piccinini told Local Profile during the preview event. “It’s fantastic for couples and date nights, but hosting corporate events and larger celebrations has been a huge part of our success. Up here in Addison — right in the business district — we have the space to do that.”
As Local Profile previously reported, Italian-born JP Piccinini built his billion-dollar real estate firm in Plano. Since then, he’s found success in the restaurant business with La Stella.
How The New La Stella Is Different
The new restaurant clocks in at more than 11,000 square feet — over twice the size of the original 5,000-square-foot Dallas spot — and can seat nearly 400 guests compared with the 130 in the original. The footprint gives them room to play: two private dining rooms that handle everything from a table of 10 to a party of 100, plus a music lounge that can be reserved for larger corporate or social events of up to 200 people.
Why Addison
“We knew we wanted a second location,” JP said. “It’s always about finding the right spot. I’m a real estate guy, so I’ve got an eye for location.”
And the location is perfect. Addison has long been a restaurant hot spot, but as the cities north of George Bush continue to grow, it’s become the epicenter of Dallas, able to pull from downtown and places like Plano and Frisco.
Photo: Brian Ashcraft | Local Profile
This building previously housed Lawry’s for 40 years (the space originally housed the Rusty Pelican, which closed in the 1980s), and when JP first started scouting North Dallas, it wasn’t even available. “I was actually negotiating at Shops at Legacy,” he said. “We wanted to be somewhere with a strong business base because we attract that crowd — private events, corporate dinners, business celebrations. We needed a place that could do more than just a dining room.”
At the time, this space was under contract with Mastro’s, the California steakhouse. “They ended up backing out and heading to Frisco, up by PGA,” said JP. “The moment they moved on, I stopped negotiating at Legacy and came straight here.”
“Up here in Addison — right in the business district — we have the space to close off private dining rooms, the lounge, even the entire wing,” JP continued. “January’s already booked out for corporate events.”
What To Eat
During the sneak peek, we tasted some of what will be on the full menu. We made our way through, starting with the polpette della Nonna: soft wagyu meatballs in a bright San Marzano marinara that not only tasted like something pulled straight from a family recipe, it is. The prosciutto, burrata and jam was also a hit at our table: 24-month prosciutto, creamy burrata and Sicilian fig jam. A sweet and salty symphony.
The u’purp was charred Spanish octopus with crispy potatoes, ’nduja and a lemon-saffron aioli that tied everything together. On the lighter side, the caprese invernale, baby gorgonzola wedge, prosciutto with burrata and jam and the waygu meatballs were sharp, fresh and balanced.
Photo: Brian Ashcraft | Local Profile
For entrées, the filetto al barolo was a standout: Mishima Reserve wagyu with a deep Barolo demi-glace. Tender and delicious, sometimes I feel like it’s hard to impress with steaks here in North Texas, but La Stella did. The agnello scottadito was also a standout, thanks to perfectly cooked Colorado lamb chops and honey-glazed carrots. For vegetarians, the polenta con funghi with burrata was creamy and comforting. The Branzino Mediterraneo was simple, clean and bright with lemon-caper butter. I was a big fan.
We ended with dessert the right way: cannoli, tiramisu and pistachio cake, with conversation that went well into the evening for a wonderful night.
When Does It Open
La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge will be open in the coming weeks, hopefully by the last weekend of November. Located at 14655 Dallas Pkwy, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Check the official site for more.
La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge is located at 14655 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas. We thank them for hosting and treating us.
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Dining and Cooking