LA: Cafe Stella

[Rebel Rose]

Cafe Stella

Wow. This is an interesting place! Very dark inside, the tables are lit with one small candle each. (We had two, so when the hostess took one away, we lost 50% of our ambient lighting.) The interior decor is very knockoff French, and I understand the owner is or was a set designer. The door looks like plywood with a speakeasy peephole, and when you enter the dimly lit front room, be careful of the two steps down. The hostess is apparently accustomed to helping night-impaired visitors, or just impaired visitors, down the steps.

I had the escargot, very plump and swimming in butter, wine and tons of chopped parlsey. The butter was a little salty, which didn't stop me from sopping up the sauce with my bread. I savored them slowly, and was too full to tackle the hearts of romaine salad, which was, well, fairly large hearts of romaine decorated with olive oil and two croutons. I was expecting something a little more elaborate there.

When the waiter asked for our wine order, I told him what I planned to order and asked for a by-the-glass recommendation. He suggested the Groth sauvignon blanc, which I would have picked. (I just like to check out the waiters.) Service was great and attentive, although there was a certain amount of confusion. Are these your mussels? No? How about this steak? Hm. The place is really crowded and very, very noisy. My companion, our local sales rep, says it is currently the local spot for romantic dining.

And the waiter gave us each a complimentary glass of Les Tuileries 2002 Sauterne for dessert.

I see other online reviews run the gamut from very unhappy to ecstactic.

[rjwong]

Rebel Rose,

I might have to try this place since I live close by.

BTW, Cafe Stella is NOT in Glendale. It's in Silverlake, which is part of the incorporated city of Los Angeles & a little bit west of Glendale.

When I first saw your topic title, you really got me going because I live in Glendale.

[chefzadi]

It's on Sunset, non? Right at the junction if I recall.

I'drather go to In n Out for 3 Double Doubles.

[Ore]

I would kill for 3 Double Doubles - or trade some damn good Culatello di Zibello (DOP)!!

You arrange the shipping!

Ore

PS - About the SNAILS - fresh or canned - tells a lot about the place...check avg.?? A pricey place??

Ore

[Rebel Rose]

Sorry, my bad. I guess it is in Silverlake, although I don't know where that begins and ends. Cafe Stella is very close to Silverlake Wines and Gingergrass, which are on Glendale Avenue, and only 15 mins. from the Westin Bonaventure in LA. And it is on Sunset.

I don't know about the snails. They were fat and squeaky. I didn't even know there was such a thing as canned snails.

Prices were very good--$7 to $20, and the servings were hearty.

[chefzadi]

Canned snails are used more often then fresh. Snails would have to become trendy again for more restaurants to use the fresh stuff. The canned can be pretty tasty though.

[chefzadi]

I would kill for 3 Double Doubles - or trade some damn good Culatello di Zibello (DOP)!!

You arrange the shipping!

Ore

PS - About the SNAILS - fresh or canned - tells a lot about the place...check avg.??  A pricey place??

Ore

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They are good aren't they? Alain Ducasse says he likes Burger King burgers. But I suspect he has not tried In n Out.

It's getting harder and harder to find true Burgundy snails in France. Those delicate morsels *sigh*