Tale of the Tape: Pizzeria Stella

Pizzeria Stella is set to open tomorrow at the corner of 2nd and Lombard. Stephen Starr’s pizza joint takes over the former Cosi location and promises 12 varieties of pizza plus a selection of antipasti, insalata and meats.

The Hunt

• Stephen Starr and company traveled the country looking for inspiration.
• One such scouting trip to Connecticut and New York was well chronicled by Rick Nichols
• Among the towns visited and pizza tried:
  • Pepe’s (NewHaven)
  • Una Pizza Napoletana (Manhattan)
  • Co. (Manhattan)
  • Artichoke (Manhattan)
  • Lucali (Brooklyn)
  • Franny’s (Brooklyn)
  • Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix)

The Space

• 80 seats inside
• Room for another 45 outside
• Wood burning tiled stove cooking at 700-800 degrees
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to midnight
• Wall mural of Venice
• Repurposed elements
  • tables come from planks of Coney Island’s boardwalk
  • chairs from elementary school
  • Outdoor chairs from Philadelphia Civic Center
• No reservations accepted

The Food

• Stella Chef is Shane Solomon
• Menu features antipasti, insalata and meats
  • Antipasti
    • $5 for each
    • Includes the likes of octopus and calamri, salt cod, asparagus with sunny side egg and parmesan, tuna and white bean
  • Insalata
    • Range from $5 to $8
    • Roasted beet and arugula, grilled radicchio, romaine salad
  • Pizzas
    • 12 varieties
    • About 12″ in diameter
    • Priced from $11 to $17
    • From the standard Margherita, Marinara, Bianca and Pepperoni
    • To the intriguing, Pistachio, Vongole (clams, guanciale, broccoli rabe), Tartufo (black truffle, fontina, egg, parmesan)
  • Dessert
    • House-made gelato claims to be “a secret family recipe”
    • We’re already hearing praise for the Olive Oil gelato
• Full Menu (PDF) via Grub Street

The Drink

• Selection of wines by the glass and bottle
• House red and white are $5.50 per glass
• Bibbiano “Casalone” tops at the glasses at $10
• Beers include:
  • Italian Birra Moretti
  • Lagunitas IPA
  • Belgian Brigand Strong Pale Ale
• Kutztown Sarsaparilla and Red Cream sodas highlight the non-alcoholic selections

Pizzeria Stella
215 Lombard St
(Corner of 2nd & Lombard)
215-320-8000

For more on Pizzeria Stella check out these links:

Pizzeria Stella in Pictures [Meal Ticket]
The Day the Earth Stood Stella [Thrillist]
The Updated Menu for Pizzeria Stella [Grub Street]
Stella! [The Insider]

Pizzeria Stella [Official Site]