17 Monarch Bay Plaza, Monarch Beach, CA 92629 ph: 949-234-1679
Lunch Mon - Fri 11:30 am to 2:30 pm Dinner Mon - Sun 5:00 pm - 11:00pm
Stella's Serious Italian - One could start a meal here with
bruschetta, a garlic-forward tomato topping over fat slices of golden
brown toast, or Rappini Portabella, a savory combination of mushroom
and bitter broccoli rabe. But it's the pizzas I return for. The
pizzaiolo, or pizza maker, is also the owner, Joseph Morano, and then
there's that mammoth oven just begging you to try the individual-size
pies. Pizza Bianca is a combination of cheeses over a heat-scorched
crust. Pastas are also hearty choices. Penne con Sarge is infused
with tarragon, and the Penne Alla Joe's Nana is a homey, grandmotherly
dish. End the meal with the hard-chocolate coverd tartuffo.
From the Orange County Register, December 27, 2007