Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Belltown / Pike Place Market

We have been to Stella’s before for their holiday offerings and have not been disappointed. We decided to try their Christmas Eve dinner and we were served 4 courses of very delicious food. The prime rib dinner was particularly outstanding. What was different this time around was the service, however. They seemed to be short staffed and it took some time after we sat time for us to be acknowledged. After we received our food, no one bothered checking in with us to see whether it was to our liking. We ordered wine and it finally arrived after our dessert! My wife and I have eaten at Stella’s many times. We have always enjoyed the food and the service as being outstanding! I will just chalk this up to being a one off.

It was a great experience. Everyone was very nice and polite. As always. My girl wanted a drink that wasn’t on the menu. The bartender was so nice and made something especially for her. Which she loved. Me and my girl will be back for sure 🤤 food was outstanding I can’t even find the words to describe. Thank you. we’ll see you soon

Love it so much we are coming back on Saturday bringing my parents. Another fantastic meal, we may have to rent a place in Kirkland so that we don't have to keep driving the hour each way to get here. Fernando, Cindy, Tony and the rest of the wonderful team makes us feel like family. The food is excellent, I love the selection of wines and my Wife and I have decided to go through the menu trying everything. Started with Prosciutto e Melone a great bottle of Super Tuscan Wine, the directly to the I had the Pasta Meatball with Marsalla Sauce and the Wife had Lemon Chicken and finished it off with Limoncello Gelato with a shot of Limoncello (according to my Wife that is the best way to have it). Everything was wonderful and had great flavor. I am not sure what they did to the marsalla sauce but it was the best I have ever had. When we come back on Saturday I may have to have it again. My Parents love coming here, but they only want to come when Tony is there becuase they love his singing and the energy and extra love he brings. What a great start to Christmas week.

This is our second time visiting Messina and it is amazing. The appetizer of Sicilian Meatballs is so flavorful and reminds me of my recent trip to Sicily. The Beet salad is probably my favorite, but I left just a little room for my Short Rib Lasagna. I am going to enjoy that the next day for sure. The sauce is so flavorful, perfection in every bite.