Stephano's is one of those places that forces me off my "all the best food is in the Cities, nothing but chains in the 'burbs" high horse. It's just a shame, for me, that's out of the way. But if you live out this way, do yourself a favor and eat at Stephano's instead of a chain. Our service was outstanding. My dining mate is expecting, and as soon as she sat down, she needed something to eat. Our very attentive waiter brought out a basket of bread, along with a side of very tasty garlic butter, and was very good about refilling her drink throughout the meal. Great wine list, very reasonably priced. Menu is very traditional Italian, with several options. I ordered a special - gnocchi with peppers, garlic, and ricotta. Was very happy they accommodated my request to get eggplant instead of sausage. Tablemate had a tortellini with cream sauce. Neither of us could finish our dishes, but mine made for great leftovers the next day. Was bummed we didn't get to talk to Stephano himself, like other Yelpers had mentioned, and I had heard, he's a great host.
(4)
Tom O.
We had a tremendous dinner with great wine. Best Italian I have had in Twin Cities. Fresh made bread and amazing deserts. My friend had the prime rib and said it was the best he'd had. Great food and service, thanks.
(5)
Wendy M.
WOW. Simply, WOW." Now here's the deal: I was there at a private party where we sat at Chef's table and has a dinner presented by Stephano, so I am sure that this isn't the normal experience, but the food was insane. We were treated wonderfully. Stephano has stories, so be sure to visit with him... he started our dinner with asparagus, wrapped in prosciutto, covered in mozzarella with a fresh crushed tomato sauce. Then we had a strawberry/field greens salad, Shrimp and cheese tortellini, fork tender steak with mushroom sauce and a balsamic reduction.... it made me hyperventilate it was so delicious and he finished off the meal with a lemon/raspberry liquor he happily drank with us! Delicious. The exterior doesn't look like anything special, but the food is delicious and the restaurant is a hidden gem!!! I would recommend it for someone who wants delicious food without a "scene."
(5)
Stephanie l.
We live in the area and thought we'd give this place a try. Our waitress was nice. We ordered mussels for an app, they were fishy and only half of them were cooked enough that they opened. We gave the upopened ones back and told her they were duds and hadn't been cooked long enough. We ordered the gnocci with pesto, while it tasted good it certainly lacked pesto, which is why we ordered it. Also we ordered a spicy seafood dish over risotto. It was tasteless and it came over white rice. I sent that back as well explaining that it wasn't risotto.... the server said it was was the sauce...heh? We were presented our bill and were charged for everything! When the waitress came to process the payment I told her I found it ridiculous to be charged for undercooked mussels and the 'risotto' dish I sent back after taking three bites of. She went and got Stephano. I'm the vocal one and have been in food industry for 15 years. He immediately looked at my boyfriend expecting him to talk when I piped up instead. Why would he assume it was the man who was going to talk. The next thing he said floored us.... 'well i do understand we are all going through tough times....' it was like he was insinuating we were trying to get free food and couldn't afford it! We do plenty well. In the end he comped half the apps and my 'risotto' dish. We will not be back.
(1)
Timothy S.
A group of co workers decided to order while here on business. What a mistake.. The food was all frozen food and nothing homemade. Then on top of it he tried to over charge us 70 plus dollars. Four or five phone calls back they agreed to fix the charge... We shall see. What a way to run customers off...
(1)
Leslee A.
I had always wanted to try Stephano's and we finally managed to go last weekend. The interior of the restaurant is nice - however, they put us in the back right next to some strange storage area with a ton of chairs piled up. Not even neatly stacked - just piled up all sorts of ways. Anyways, it didn't make for good ambiance. I also felt that our table was too close to other tables, so getting out of the chair was difficult without bumping the patron behind you. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and i'll admit - I usually only want just the pasta and the sauce. So when the waitress took my order I asked if I could get the spaghetti and meatballs with no meatballs and parmesan. She looked at me like I was crazy. "So.....you just want the noodles and sauce?" I affirmed that's what I wanted. When it came to the table there were no meatballs but it did have the parm. I didn't have it sent back, just went ahead and ate it. The sauce was tasty but it was really watery. Stephano did stop by the table to say hi, which was cool. Our waitress was very absent and didn't come around as much as I thought she should have. I'm not sure if i'd go back or not. Things weren't terrible but they certainly weren't great.
(3)
Nancy C.
I HATE writing this review. I've read the previous reviews and prior to tonight, would have agreed wholeheartedly with them. Stephano's has always been the place we went with out of town guests, or when we just wanted a really delicious family dinner. Tonight, we went for dinner, the place was empty when we got there. Our waiter was completely devoid of any personality. The place was completely silent, it felt uncomfortable to talk, like we might be disturbing someone sleeping in the corner. We ordered: Appetizer Roasted Beets- $6.00 - Served with gorgonzola, walnuts, aged balsamic vinegar, olive oil & country bread. This turned out to be canned beets (even though beets are in season now), and country bread apparently means lightly toasted white bread (they didn't even cut the crust off). Entrees: Eggplant alla Parmigiana- $13.00 - Sliced eggplant, baked with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. There was no breading on the eggplant. I've never seen eggplant parm without breading. And, it was served with penne....penne? Really? That's just not right. Seafood fra Diavoli - $18.00 - mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, and baby scallops, served with a spicy sauce over a bed of rice. Okay, I'll take blame for not reading the part where they say that they serve their Fra Diavoli over rice...but really? Rice. Again, just wrong. And, the frozen pre-cooked shrimp were not what I was expecting from a restaurant of this caliber. I will try to give them some credit for the relatively low prices on the menu. But, I for one would rather pay more and enjoy my meal. We ended up leaving after our first bites of the entrees. So very disappointing.
(2)
Jenna G.
Came here for Valentines Day this year and I loved it, I was soooo glad that it wasn't crazy busy like I expected and we were seated right away even without reservations. That was perfect! My bf knows the owner, Stefano, who seemed really nice and attentive. Super romantic, the service was good (I noticed some people said it was bad service and my thought was that I think they mean to NOT be so annoying like some restaurants are as far as checking up on people over and over). I liked that we could have a conversation and enjoy each other's company without the waitress standing over us every 5 mins, so that was a plus for me. Fettuccine Alfredo was great and so were the drinks etc. Loved it, best Valentines Day for me!
(4)
Jessica F.
This place was fantastic. I was worried after reading the complaints, but after dining there I truly believe that some people just like to complain. My boyfriend and I were seated immediately. We had water and bread within seconds of sitting. The waitress was at our table right behind the bread. She was super pleasant and attentive. The food was amazing. My boyfriend had spaghetti and meatballs and I got the ravioli. Both dishes were phenomenal. We will make Stephanos a regular place to go. I can't believe it has taken us this long to eat there.
(5)
Erika B.
Ate at Stephano's for the first time last night. Staff was wonderful and I enjoyed meeting the chef/owner Stephano. The food was served hot and in reasonable time. I chose a dish that I didn't enjoy and I was quickly given a new entree. I had spaghetti and meatballs and it was good. Not great and I was missing a bold flavor.
(3)
Bill D.
Lots of 'French' on the menu. I came here for Italian. If I wanted French I'd go to Chez Daniel or Forepaugh's. We came in off the street. No reservation, and were seated immediately. Took a few minutes for our server to make an appearance, but the bus boy was ready with water and bread. They were busy but not packed. A number if open tables around us throughout our meal (7 to 8pm). Out server was mysteriously absent on occasion. And what's with the music? It kept getting louder throughout our meal, and then would just suddenly stop... The escargot was swimming in butter when it arrived. The Cesar salad just taste odd. Either the lettuce wasn't washed properly or it was old. I wanted the Braised Beef Manicotti but was informed they were out if the braised beef. So, salmon it is.... Suggested dress code: business casual. Anything less and they'll look at you funny since they run the place like its supposed to be fine dining. Our server came out at one point and said our food should be up in just a few minutes. 20 minutes later we're still waiting. Already had the app and salads, finished those over 30 minutes ago. Make sure you check your chicken for plastic. If you want a table with linen in it, ask to sit by the windows. Those are the only tables with cloths on them. The rest are bare. Who's little girl is it that's following the servers around and generally getting in people's way? And we're still waiting on our server to check back so we can ask about the plastic we found in her chicken entree. So, we're done now. No dessert, just the check please.
(2)
William G.
We were promptly seated and drink orders placed. We ordered pretty basic Italian : speghetti and meatballs, chicken alfredo, and seafood fetticini. Food came out hot and was very good. I am on a salt-free diet and am always worried of excessive salt when eating out. Our meals were tasty not salty. After the food was was delivered the waiter became elusive. This was the only complaint of the night. Portions were generous. Two of us could have shared an entre. We all brought home enough for another meal.
(4)
Karen P.
I came here again, the seating hostess had us seated within seconds of opening the door... The bread is the same good stuff and I get the tiramisu every time I come here. It just can't get better!
In a nutshell: great food, mediocre servers. I was delighted to find out that Stephano is the chef and not a mysterious figurehead. I attended a wedding reception at Stephano's - the Chicken Marsala was delicious, as well as the roasted potatoes served alongside it. There was also a penne dish with ricotta cheese and a tomato sauce which left a bit to be desired: the penne was mushy and overcooked. The cabbage salad was excellent and I finished it wishing I could figure out what was in the vinaigrette. Now on to the bad: the servers. I had barely finished my last bite of chicken when a server appeared, asked "Can I take that plate for you?" and whisked it away before I could open my mouth. Now robbed of my plate, I began nibbling on some bread that was still on the table. Two or three minutes later, that same server appeared, reached right over my shoulder, and took the nearly full dish of butter away while I had a mouthful of bread. There was also an open bar - which was staffed by one of the crankiest bartenders I've ever met. I completely understand being asked for my ID, but I don't believe the bartender is supposed to scoff first, then stare me down as I return to my table. Call it an off night - I might give this place another chance when I'm in the area.
(3)
Phil K.
Food is ok,service and hospitality are terrible. We did not make a reservation And they seemed insulted by that. They sat us in the back and we did not even get Menus for fifteen minutes. When we complained we were told if we wanted better service we should have made a reservation. Since then we have tried take out a few times which has been ok, we will never eat in the restraint again. I prefer the food and service at Brianna's by far for take out.
(1)
Michael K.
Great service! Everyone is exceptionally friendly and helpful. Good recommendations on food, though occasionally felt I was getting "upsold" items. Zuppe de pesce is fantastic. Escargot appetizer just OK. Caprese salad great with healthy slices of mozz.
(4)
Rhonda G.
I seem to be meeting a lot of Italians lately. This is good. On Jennifer S. recommendation, and that she actually met Stephano, and that I was just at Soprano's I had to get over here. I like that it's very easy to get to from St. Paul. It's a straight shot over highway 13, take a right at Cliff, then your first right and you are there. Considering all the strip malls around that corner, it's its own building. A very nice patio is the first thing you notice. THIS is more of what Artie Bucco's Vesuvios is. The decor of the Italian vines is just part of the detail. I almost expected to see Adrianna and Charmaine greeting us. The friendly, good looking host, son Alex had the same effect. We started with the calamari, we both had pasta seafood entrees. I loved mine with the shrimp, spinach, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, topped with feta in oil. I like that the bread is served with garlic butter in addition to oil. Dessert, I finally got a panna cotta done right. It was blended with a lot of fresh fruit and topped with pistaschio dusting. Basil got a tiramisu, more solid than most. It was so big it reminded me of a Borg spaceship covered in chocolate syrup. There is a huge difference here than other upscale/trendy Italian places. The main one is the value. It's not a gip joint. Good size portions on everything. Many places charge at least ten bucks more for half. This food is just as good if not better than places like I Nonni or Sopranos. I'll drive out of town for the value alone. I actually caught Stepano passing our table. He's a cross between Danny Aiello and Dean Martin. I found The Family and it's right here.
(5)
Rob H.
The food was okay. The service was mediocre. The place is nice but some improvements need to be made to the quality for them to charge these prices.
(2)
Jeremy C.
I've been in here numerous times for lunch and it's never been impressive. They meet all the requirements to be called an Italian restaurant, but no single part of it is great. I had the cheese stuffed ravioli, very blah tasting. The red sauce on top tasted freshly made, but that alone didn't make it taste good. The bread they served with the meal was clearly made the day before. It was cold and the ends were drying out already. At the price point I don't expect a lot, but I expect more than this place delivered.
(2)
Marilee A.
How do I love thee, Stephano's, All Kinds a YUM, All kinds a ways!!All the Buzz about Stephano's, & when I heard it from another Chef, I had to trek to Burnsville & scratch it off my wish list.They had me at "Hello".A Warm Welcome from the Owner, Stephano, no reservations, no problemo.We sat on the Patio since it was a Gorgeous Evening. I informed them that I was a Vegetarian & again, no problemo, the Chef could make me something Special.Chef Giovanni came out personally, a Handsome, Trained in Paris, French/Lebanese Man, Worldly, well spoken, but not pretentious.Italian Restaurant, French Chef, this is gonna be great!!!He decided to Surprise me. 1st)Roasted Beets w Gorgonzola, Walnuts, & glazed Balsamic Vin & Olive Oil w toasted bread rounds. Was this Chef a Mind Reader? Because the way to this Girlies Heart is with- 2)Gnocchi w a Dreamy Creamy Pesto,& Spinach.3)Penne Ala Primavera-Roasted Red Pepper, Asparagus,Portobello, Spinach in olive oil,basil, & roasted Garlic.Just when I already think I've Died & gone to Veggie Heaven, then he sends out another favorite,4)Baked Polenta w Pomodoro Sauce, Maz, & Parm. Diet Blown, Soooo WORTH IT!!! This was a trip back to Venice for my Taste Buds!!! My Companion couldn't make up his mind, so ordered both. 1)Linguine di Mare-Shrimp, Mussels,& Clams in Garlic Oil w Sun-dried Tomatoes, White Wine,& pesto over Linguine.2)Fettuccine Florentine-Beef Tenderloin Tips, Portobello, Spinach, & Chianti Demi Glaze & Roma Tomato over Fettuccine.He was almost as impressed as I was.Then they Tiramisu'd us for desert.Tiramisu means something about Angels & Heaven for a Reason!!! They were so sweet, they bought us Desert, & one of my Chef's Specials.This is Fine Dining at it's finest, by it's Finest.It was like a Vacay in Europe, yep, that FAB.Thank You Chef Giovanni, tonight you made me feel more like a Queen than a Princess!
(5)
John O.
Mediocre food. Spaghetti was soggy. Very strange we came here a 1/2 a year ago and the food was supurb. This time three of our dinners had soggy spaghetti. The clam sauce was uneventful. The two orderes of spaghettie and meatballs were good though not great. We were disapointed this time.
(2)
Jennifer S.
I met a friend here for dinner on a recent Tuesday evening. I must say up front that my friend has been coming here to eat and also ordering food from this restaurant for 20+ years and is friends with the owner, Stephano. The parking lot was fairly empty. Once inside and saw my friend, we were escorted right to a table. There may have been 4 or 5 other customer in the place at 6:30 pm. Our Italian waiter with a heavy accent was friendly-with-a-smile, polite, and efficient. Quickly glancing at their wine menu, it seems their selections by the glass are very modestly priced. I enjoyed my Pinot Noir. Our waiter brought some bread and some olive oil with balsamic vinegar and powered Parmesan cheese in it. The bread was just alright, nothing memorable, and the dipping oil combo was good. We started off with a traditional Caesar salad with anchovies - actually, I ordered it and they brought it to our table "split" on two plates. I thought that was nice. We had our calamari appetizer. I think that it was the BEST sauteed (or steamed?) calamari I have ever eaten. It was in a light broth of maybe oil, wine, garlic, and, most certainly, basil. All the rings were small-ish and ohhhh so tender. I even got a teeny tiny squid/octopus in my serving. Yum! Next I received my requested entree - veal piccata. Given the choice of pasta or potato to accompany my veal, I chose pasta. The dish arrived with a perfectly steam-cooked hunk of broccoli whose head had been dipped into some powdered Parmesan. The veal tasted very good, but it was not very tender. I think it could have been helped by more pounding/tenderizing prior to frying. The pasta was angel hair with just oil, strips of sun-dried tomato and some slices of artichoke heart. Simple and good. I enjoyed meeting Stephano and later talking with him and another of his friends for a little while as my friend and I were fixin' to leave the restaurant. I think I'll return to this place again. I liked that it was pretty quiet, with occasional louder music being played, I liked the decor (rather simple with some antique touches thrown in here and there), and the ambiance.
(4)
Tina W.
What did I do to you? Servers are rude--barely say anything to you the whole meal. I like the food ok; not great, but probably around the 3 star rating. Loved the whipped garlic spread for the butter. Ah, Stephano, I had such high hopes for you! Twice bitten.... ETA: It used to be SO good. There's been a huge decline in the last year or so.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Karen S.
Stephano's is one of those places that forces me off my "all the best food is in the Cities, nothing but chains in the 'burbs" high horse. It's just a shame, for me, that's out of the way. But if you live out this way, do yourself a favor and eat at Stephano's instead of a chain. Our service was outstanding. My dining mate is expecting, and as soon as she sat down, she needed something to eat. Our very attentive waiter brought out a basket of bread, along with a side of very tasty garlic butter, and was very good about refilling her drink throughout the meal. Great wine list, very reasonably priced. Menu is very traditional Italian, with several options. I ordered a special - gnocchi with peppers, garlic, and ricotta. Was very happy they accommodated my request to get eggplant instead of sausage. Tablemate had a tortellini with cream sauce. Neither of us could finish our dishes, but mine made for great leftovers the next day. Was bummed we didn't get to talk to Stephano himself, like other Yelpers had mentioned, and I had heard, he's a great host.
(4)Tom O.
We had a tremendous dinner with great wine. Best Italian I have had in Twin Cities. Fresh made bread and amazing deserts. My friend had the prime rib and said it was the best he'd had. Great food and service, thanks.
(5)Wendy M.
WOW. Simply, WOW." Now here's the deal: I was there at a private party where we sat at Chef's table and has a dinner presented by Stephano, so I am sure that this isn't the normal experience, but the food was insane. We were treated wonderfully. Stephano has stories, so be sure to visit with him... he started our dinner with asparagus, wrapped in prosciutto, covered in mozzarella with a fresh crushed tomato sauce. Then we had a strawberry/field greens salad, Shrimp and cheese tortellini, fork tender steak with mushroom sauce and a balsamic reduction.... it made me hyperventilate it was so delicious and he finished off the meal with a lemon/raspberry liquor he happily drank with us! Delicious. The exterior doesn't look like anything special, but the food is delicious and the restaurant is a hidden gem!!! I would recommend it for someone who wants delicious food without a "scene."
(5)Stephanie l.
We live in the area and thought we'd give this place a try. Our waitress was nice. We ordered mussels for an app, they were fishy and only half of them were cooked enough that they opened. We gave the upopened ones back and told her they were duds and hadn't been cooked long enough. We ordered the gnocci with pesto, while it tasted good it certainly lacked pesto, which is why we ordered it. Also we ordered a spicy seafood dish over risotto. It was tasteless and it came over white rice. I sent that back as well explaining that it wasn't risotto.... the server said it was was the sauce...heh? We were presented our bill and were charged for everything! When the waitress came to process the payment I told her I found it ridiculous to be charged for undercooked mussels and the 'risotto' dish I sent back after taking three bites of. She went and got Stephano. I'm the vocal one and have been in food industry for 15 years. He immediately looked at my boyfriend expecting him to talk when I piped up instead. Why would he assume it was the man who was going to talk. The next thing he said floored us.... 'well i do understand we are all going through tough times....' it was like he was insinuating we were trying to get free food and couldn't afford it! We do plenty well. In the end he comped half the apps and my 'risotto' dish. We will not be back.
(1)Timothy S.
A group of co workers decided to order while here on business. What a mistake.. The food was all frozen food and nothing homemade. Then on top of it he tried to over charge us 70 plus dollars. Four or five phone calls back they agreed to fix the charge... We shall see. What a way to run customers off...
(1)Leslee A.
I had always wanted to try Stephano's and we finally managed to go last weekend. The interior of the restaurant is nice - however, they put us in the back right next to some strange storage area with a ton of chairs piled up. Not even neatly stacked - just piled up all sorts of ways. Anyways, it didn't make for good ambiance. I also felt that our table was too close to other tables, so getting out of the chair was difficult without bumping the patron behind you. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and i'll admit - I usually only want just the pasta and the sauce. So when the waitress took my order I asked if I could get the spaghetti and meatballs with no meatballs and parmesan. She looked at me like I was crazy. "So.....you just want the noodles and sauce?" I affirmed that's what I wanted. When it came to the table there were no meatballs but it did have the parm. I didn't have it sent back, just went ahead and ate it. The sauce was tasty but it was really watery. Stephano did stop by the table to say hi, which was cool. Our waitress was very absent and didn't come around as much as I thought she should have. I'm not sure if i'd go back or not. Things weren't terrible but they certainly weren't great.
(3)Nancy C.
I HATE writing this review. I've read the previous reviews and prior to tonight, would have agreed wholeheartedly with them. Stephano's has always been the place we went with out of town guests, or when we just wanted a really delicious family dinner. Tonight, we went for dinner, the place was empty when we got there. Our waiter was completely devoid of any personality. The place was completely silent, it felt uncomfortable to talk, like we might be disturbing someone sleeping in the corner. We ordered: Appetizer Roasted Beets- $6.00 - Served with gorgonzola, walnuts, aged balsamic vinegar, olive oil & country bread. This turned out to be canned beets (even though beets are in season now), and country bread apparently means lightly toasted white bread (they didn't even cut the crust off). Entrees: Eggplant alla Parmigiana- $13.00 - Sliced eggplant, baked with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. There was no breading on the eggplant. I've never seen eggplant parm without breading. And, it was served with penne....penne? Really? That's just not right. Seafood fra Diavoli - $18.00 - mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, and baby scallops, served with a spicy sauce over a bed of rice. Okay, I'll take blame for not reading the part where they say that they serve their Fra Diavoli over rice...but really? Rice. Again, just wrong. And, the frozen pre-cooked shrimp were not what I was expecting from a restaurant of this caliber. I will try to give them some credit for the relatively low prices on the menu. But, I for one would rather pay more and enjoy my meal. We ended up leaving after our first bites of the entrees. So very disappointing.
(2)Jenna G.
Came here for Valentines Day this year and I loved it, I was soooo glad that it wasn't crazy busy like I expected and we were seated right away even without reservations. That was perfect! My bf knows the owner, Stefano, who seemed really nice and attentive. Super romantic, the service was good (I noticed some people said it was bad service and my thought was that I think they mean to NOT be so annoying like some restaurants are as far as checking up on people over and over). I liked that we could have a conversation and enjoy each other's company without the waitress standing over us every 5 mins, so that was a plus for me. Fettuccine Alfredo was great and so were the drinks etc. Loved it, best Valentines Day for me!
(4)Jessica F.
This place was fantastic. I was worried after reading the complaints, but after dining there I truly believe that some people just like to complain. My boyfriend and I were seated immediately. We had water and bread within seconds of sitting. The waitress was at our table right behind the bread. She was super pleasant and attentive. The food was amazing. My boyfriend had spaghetti and meatballs and I got the ravioli. Both dishes were phenomenal. We will make Stephanos a regular place to go. I can't believe it has taken us this long to eat there.
(5)Erika B.
Ate at Stephano's for the first time last night. Staff was wonderful and I enjoyed meeting the chef/owner Stephano. The food was served hot and in reasonable time. I chose a dish that I didn't enjoy and I was quickly given a new entree. I had spaghetti and meatballs and it was good. Not great and I was missing a bold flavor.
(3)Bill D.
Lots of 'French' on the menu. I came here for Italian. If I wanted French I'd go to Chez Daniel or Forepaugh's. We came in off the street. No reservation, and were seated immediately. Took a few minutes for our server to make an appearance, but the bus boy was ready with water and bread. They were busy but not packed. A number if open tables around us throughout our meal (7 to 8pm). Out server was mysteriously absent on occasion. And what's with the music? It kept getting louder throughout our meal, and then would just suddenly stop... The escargot was swimming in butter when it arrived. The Cesar salad just taste odd. Either the lettuce wasn't washed properly or it was old. I wanted the Braised Beef Manicotti but was informed they were out if the braised beef. So, salmon it is.... Suggested dress code: business casual. Anything less and they'll look at you funny since they run the place like its supposed to be fine dining. Our server came out at one point and said our food should be up in just a few minutes. 20 minutes later we're still waiting. Already had the app and salads, finished those over 30 minutes ago. Make sure you check your chicken for plastic. If you want a table with linen in it, ask to sit by the windows. Those are the only tables with cloths on them. The rest are bare. Who's little girl is it that's following the servers around and generally getting in people's way? And we're still waiting on our server to check back so we can ask about the plastic we found in her chicken entree. So, we're done now. No dessert, just the check please.
(2)William G.
We were promptly seated and drink orders placed. We ordered pretty basic Italian : speghetti and meatballs, chicken alfredo, and seafood fetticini. Food came out hot and was very good. I am on a salt-free diet and am always worried of excessive salt when eating out. Our meals were tasty not salty. After the food was was delivered the waiter became elusive. This was the only complaint of the night. Portions were generous. Two of us could have shared an entre. We all brought home enough for another meal.
(4)Karen P.
I came here again, the seating hostess had us seated within seconds of opening the door... The bread is the same good stuff and I get the tiramisu every time I come here. It just can't get better!
(5)Birgitta S.
We went last night for my birthday dinner, Oct 10th, 2014. The server was devoid of a personality and simply did not listen to me. I ordered the Tilapia for my daughter who is 7. I asked if they could just sauté it in butter instead of blackened. He said yes. It arrived blackened and she almost ate it. When he finally returned to check in I told him the problem and he just stood there. I started to get angry, I said she's 7 years old why would she be able to eat fish covered in pepper? He finally apologized and quickly got her a new fish. Overall the service was poor and the food was just okay. No reason to ever return.
(2)Jessica H.
In a nutshell: great food, mediocre servers. I was delighted to find out that Stephano is the chef and not a mysterious figurehead. I attended a wedding reception at Stephano's - the Chicken Marsala was delicious, as well as the roasted potatoes served alongside it. There was also a penne dish with ricotta cheese and a tomato sauce which left a bit to be desired: the penne was mushy and overcooked. The cabbage salad was excellent and I finished it wishing I could figure out what was in the vinaigrette. Now on to the bad: the servers. I had barely finished my last bite of chicken when a server appeared, asked "Can I take that plate for you?" and whisked it away before I could open my mouth. Now robbed of my plate, I began nibbling on some bread that was still on the table. Two or three minutes later, that same server appeared, reached right over my shoulder, and took the nearly full dish of butter away while I had a mouthful of bread. There was also an open bar - which was staffed by one of the crankiest bartenders I've ever met. I completely understand being asked for my ID, but I don't believe the bartender is supposed to scoff first, then stare me down as I return to my table. Call it an off night - I might give this place another chance when I'm in the area.
(3)Phil K.
Food is ok,service and hospitality are terrible. We did not make a reservation And they seemed insulted by that. They sat us in the back and we did not even get Menus for fifteen minutes. When we complained we were told if we wanted better service we should have made a reservation. Since then we have tried take out a few times which has been ok, we will never eat in the restraint again. I prefer the food and service at Brianna's by far for take out.
(1)Michael K.
Great service! Everyone is exceptionally friendly and helpful. Good recommendations on food, though occasionally felt I was getting "upsold" items. Zuppe de pesce is fantastic. Escargot appetizer just OK. Caprese salad great with healthy slices of mozz.
(4)Rhonda G.
I seem to be meeting a lot of Italians lately. This is good. On Jennifer S. recommendation, and that she actually met Stephano, and that I was just at Soprano's I had to get over here. I like that it's very easy to get to from St. Paul. It's a straight shot over highway 13, take a right at Cliff, then your first right and you are there. Considering all the strip malls around that corner, it's its own building. A very nice patio is the first thing you notice. THIS is more of what Artie Bucco's Vesuvios is. The decor of the Italian vines is just part of the detail. I almost expected to see Adrianna and Charmaine greeting us. The friendly, good looking host, son Alex had the same effect. We started with the calamari, we both had pasta seafood entrees. I loved mine with the shrimp, spinach, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, topped with feta in oil. I like that the bread is served with garlic butter in addition to oil. Dessert, I finally got a panna cotta done right. It was blended with a lot of fresh fruit and topped with pistaschio dusting. Basil got a tiramisu, more solid than most. It was so big it reminded me of a Borg spaceship covered in chocolate syrup. There is a huge difference here than other upscale/trendy Italian places. The main one is the value. It's not a gip joint. Good size portions on everything. Many places charge at least ten bucks more for half. This food is just as good if not better than places like I Nonni or Sopranos. I'll drive out of town for the value alone. I actually caught Stepano passing our table. He's a cross between Danny Aiello and Dean Martin. I found The Family and it's right here.
(5)Rob H.
The food was okay. The service was mediocre. The place is nice but some improvements need to be made to the quality for them to charge these prices.
(2)Jeremy C.
I've been in here numerous times for lunch and it's never been impressive. They meet all the requirements to be called an Italian restaurant, but no single part of it is great. I had the cheese stuffed ravioli, very blah tasting. The red sauce on top tasted freshly made, but that alone didn't make it taste good. The bread they served with the meal was clearly made the day before. It was cold and the ends were drying out already. At the price point I don't expect a lot, but I expect more than this place delivered.
(2)Marilee A.
How do I love thee, Stephano's, All Kinds a YUM, All kinds a ways!!All the Buzz about Stephano's, & when I heard it from another Chef, I had to trek to Burnsville & scratch it off my wish list.They had me at "Hello".A Warm Welcome from the Owner, Stephano, no reservations, no problemo.We sat on the Patio since it was a Gorgeous Evening. I informed them that I was a Vegetarian & again, no problemo, the Chef could make me something Special.Chef Giovanni came out personally, a Handsome, Trained in Paris, French/Lebanese Man, Worldly, well spoken, but not pretentious.Italian Restaurant, French Chef, this is gonna be great!!!He decided to Surprise me. 1st)Roasted Beets w Gorgonzola, Walnuts, & glazed Balsamic Vin & Olive Oil w toasted bread rounds. Was this Chef a Mind Reader? Because the way to this Girlies Heart is with- 2)Gnocchi w a Dreamy Creamy Pesto,& Spinach.3)Penne Ala Primavera-Roasted Red Pepper, Asparagus,Portobello, Spinach in olive oil,basil, & roasted Garlic.Just when I already think I've Died & gone to Veggie Heaven, then he sends out another favorite,4)Baked Polenta w Pomodoro Sauce, Maz, & Parm. Diet Blown, Soooo WORTH IT!!! This was a trip back to Venice for my Taste Buds!!! My Companion couldn't make up his mind, so ordered both. 1)Linguine di Mare-Shrimp, Mussels,& Clams in Garlic Oil w Sun-dried Tomatoes, White Wine,& pesto over Linguine.2)Fettuccine Florentine-Beef Tenderloin Tips, Portobello, Spinach, & Chianti Demi Glaze & Roma Tomato over Fettuccine.He was almost as impressed as I was.Then they Tiramisu'd us for desert.Tiramisu means something about Angels & Heaven for a Reason!!! They were so sweet, they bought us Desert, & one of my Chef's Specials.This is Fine Dining at it's finest, by it's Finest.It was like a Vacay in Europe, yep, that FAB.Thank You Chef Giovanni, tonight you made me feel more like a Queen than a Princess!
(5)John O.
Mediocre food. Spaghetti was soggy. Very strange we came here a 1/2 a year ago and the food was supurb. This time three of our dinners had soggy spaghetti. The clam sauce was uneventful. The two orderes of spaghettie and meatballs were good though not great. We were disapointed this time.
(2)Jennifer S.
I met a friend here for dinner on a recent Tuesday evening. I must say up front that my friend has been coming here to eat and also ordering food from this restaurant for 20+ years and is friends with the owner, Stephano. The parking lot was fairly empty. Once inside and saw my friend, we were escorted right to a table. There may have been 4 or 5 other customer in the place at 6:30 pm. Our Italian waiter with a heavy accent was friendly-with-a-smile, polite, and efficient. Quickly glancing at their wine menu, it seems their selections by the glass are very modestly priced. I enjoyed my Pinot Noir. Our waiter brought some bread and some olive oil with balsamic vinegar and powered Parmesan cheese in it. The bread was just alright, nothing memorable, and the dipping oil combo was good. We started off with a traditional Caesar salad with anchovies - actually, I ordered it and they brought it to our table "split" on two plates. I thought that was nice. We had our calamari appetizer. I think that it was the BEST sauteed (or steamed?) calamari I have ever eaten. It was in a light broth of maybe oil, wine, garlic, and, most certainly, basil. All the rings were small-ish and ohhhh so tender. I even got a teeny tiny squid/octopus in my serving. Yum! Next I received my requested entree - veal piccata. Given the choice of pasta or potato to accompany my veal, I chose pasta. The dish arrived with a perfectly steam-cooked hunk of broccoli whose head had been dipped into some powdered Parmesan. The veal tasted very good, but it was not very tender. I think it could have been helped by more pounding/tenderizing prior to frying. The pasta was angel hair with just oil, strips of sun-dried tomato and some slices of artichoke heart. Simple and good. I enjoyed meeting Stephano and later talking with him and another of his friends for a little while as my friend and I were fixin' to leave the restaurant. I think I'll return to this place again. I liked that it was pretty quiet, with occasional louder music being played, I liked the decor (rather simple with some antique touches thrown in here and there), and the ambiance.
(4)Tina W.
What did I do to you? Servers are rude--barely say anything to you the whole meal. I like the food ok; not great, but probably around the 3 star rating. Loved the whipped garlic spread for the butter. Ah, Stephano, I had such high hopes for you! Twice bitten.... ETA: It used to be SO good. There's been a huge decline in the last year or so.
(2)