Reviews

Based on 22 reviews

GMan1

We loved it!

Went out with friends and my lovely wife to Stella's the other night and was thoroughly impressed.

For starters we had the Mexican Styled Oysters, OMG you have to eat this! I could have walked away right then and been as happy as could...

posted at 09/10/11

Matthew M

Rooftop seating

Wonderful seafood with a great rooftop view of minneapois. I had a great time here and plan to go back

posted at 07/21/10

discriminatingtaste

Best for diners with defective palate

My experience with Stella's was horrible. Me and my friend total a check of $130 and I got the worst dinner of my life. My sea bass came out not fully cook twice and it was the same piece of fish. By the time they did it right on the third trial, it was extremely dry. If I wanted raw fish, I would have gone sushi or sashimi. Our waitress asked me "is it worth the wait?" when I sink my teeth into the dry tasteless shrinking sea bass. I don't even know what kind of question was that. She spent most of her time talking to her friends at the next table. As I walked to the kitchen to talk to the manager, the gourmet chefs look like they were trained in taco stands. Don't get me wrong, with the right recipe and quality control, even a taco bell crew can cook up a tasty meal like Big Bowl. It's seems like Stellas' crews don't really take customer feedback well, more like "I hear you but I am not listening". The dessert portion is gigantic (which it shouldn't be) but taste like the lemon pie from cubs food. I have had better oysters from IOWA than Stella's, honestly! I have been eating seafood my whole life but none could compare to this high-price-bad-everything fish shack. The only good thing is there were a few good looking ladies in Stella's, I hope my experience with Stella's is an isolated case because I would hate to think that those gorgeous ladies don't have good taste ..... : )

posted at 07/24/08

lovinlife23

Outstanding Across the Board!

Went to Stella's tonight with a group of friends celebrating a birthday. We sat on the roof (although we had to wait an hour) it was definitely worth the wait. Happy hour every night starts at 10pm every night - even on the weekends.... what a deal!!! Can't wait to comeback.

posted at 07/25/08

friendlyflower

Wonderful accross the board

Myself and some friends went to Stellas on Thursday night. We wanted to sit on the patio but the wait was very long and we were very hungry so we opted for the downstairs. We were seated promptly by the host, who by the way was an absolut doll and very friendly. Once seated we were greated by our waitress almost right away. I ordered there Halibut special, and it was outstanding. One of my friends ordered the salmon which she said was amazing and my two other friends both had the stuffed grouper which they both said was the best thing they had ever eaten. Our server offered us dessert and after dinner drinks. We had the Key lime pie and the creme brulee, both done to perfection (there was no lemon pie even on the menu like the review before me said, weird...?) The manager came over after dinner to see how everything was and we couldnt stop raving. The nice thing about Stellas is even though they were busy, everyone from the host to the server made us feel like we were the only people in the building. They paid a lot of attention to us and everything was wonderful. Kudos to the chefs as well!!!

posted at 07/26/08

addddd

Uptown Fave

I love Stella's. I have been there a number of times. I've gone for dinner--the sauce with the mussels appetizer is amazing--ask for it spicier. I've never gone wrong with what the servers recommend--stuffed grouper, add on a crab leg to anything. My friend and I this last time had mojitos--perfect for the summer on the crazy busy rooftop. Busy weekend night or not...if the weather is great--be prepared to wait if you really want the rooftop. I think it's worth it for the only great view of the downtown skyline. I had the monster red velvet cake, friend had the fresh berries with whipped cream. I've been there when it's slow and busy...the crowd definitely changes based on what time it is. Earlier you have a more family friendly crowd, late night--you have 20s drinking crowd. Depending on the night, it can be pretty swanky, or it can get too packed and drunk. Service has been a bit uneven, but again--it depends when you go and where you sit--its a completely different experience if you're there at 6:00 or 11:00...if you sit at the bar, dining room, or on the patio. Go for a great night, don't go if you're in a rush--get apps and drinks at the bar--there will be a wait for a table, there will be a wait for the food, but totally worth it for the view, food, and the crowd is fun people watching. End up running into everyone I know there. Kind of expensive depending on what you get, but I go once I find a coupon ($10 off $40...good deal) and sometimes just share a bunch of appetizers and have drinks. All in all--definitely recommend.

posted at 09/17/08

stevekathg

Good, but with some flaws

Stella's was the April stop for our dinner-of-the-month club with two other couples. While everyone generally like Stella's, there were a couple of glitches that I hope were just anomalies as we plan to go back sometime. Stella's has a nice selection of dishes across the price spectrum. Appetizers were very good; huge jalepeno poppers with peppers that weren't mushy like most versions and calamari with a very light batter that wasn't greasy. I also had a bowl of clam chowder that was very good; although not the best I've had in the Twin Cities. Everyone enjoyed their entrees with one exception. My lobster roll was very good with nice size pieces of lobster on an excellent roll. The batter-fried walleye looked very good, and two people raved about the jambalaya (and they used to live where good jambalya is an art form). My wife was the exception because her Shrimp Po-Boy was soaked through (not sure by what) so that she couldn't even pick it up. The other glitches came during happy hour which included the Friday Oyster O*gy (sorry, had to work around the word police). It took over 30 minutes to get my order of a dozen oysters. While the place was packed and lots of people were ordering the oysters, you'd expect a place the claims to be an oyster bar and touts an Oyster O*gy special to be ready and capable of getting the oysters out quicker. I also thought the oysters weren't shucked carefully as most contained bits of shell and other debris. All and all, Stella's had the look and feel of a good coastal seafood stop. Hopefully, the glitches will not reoccur when we return as there are far too few good seafood options in the Twin Cities that don't cost an arm and a leg.

posted at 04/11/09

stp28

Stella's has always been good to us

We've always enjoyed Stella's. We prefer to sit in the bar area. We are both big fish/seafood fans & our meals are always delicious. I think our favorite experience is when we came in on a Saturday for lunch. They had a few food & drink specials, plus the place wasn't super busy. I have yet to experience the rooftop bar but heard it's a good view.

posted at 06/19/09

helokity

Good atmosphere....just Okay food

We ordered the coconut shrimp app to share and I ordered a spinach salad to save room for the Red Velvet Cake. The salad was bland and our garlic mashed potatoes were drowning in green butter. Unfortunately the Red Velvet Cake didn't save the experience like I was hoping....over all it was just Okay....Sad for 67$ for 2 people :( If we go back I think the roof top for drinks will be all we'll do.

posted at 07/30/09

randyd

Good Food, atmosphere

We recently discovered Stella's this summer, while driving through the neighborhood. We went on a night where they offered a Crab special. Overall, our experience was very good. We started by going to the rooftop, in hopes of enjoying a drink while we waited for our table. This was a mistake. It was overcrowded, and it took a very long time for us to make our way to the bar and get a drink. Once we did, I felt like a pinball being bounced around through the crowd of people. The idea is good, but it would be better if they accepted rooftop reservations, and limited the amount of people that were allowed up there at one time. The dining experience was very good. My wife enjoyed the crab (an all-you-can-eat special may have been a better offering, but wasn't an option) and I had a very tasty Jambalaya. I was impressed with the variety of food offered for a seafood restaurant. This was a nice change. The service was good, and the atmosphere was very nice. It was also very reasonably priced. Overall, we had a very pleasant experience, and I would return.

posted at 08/29/09

nenechan

Mediocre Food and Service

Stella's Fish Cafe is basically for Uptown yuppy bar scene rather than for it's value as a restaurant. The food was so-so --- my cioppino was watery tasting bland, the scallops were overcooked in it. My husband ordered the Chef's Select Oyster and not only did the waitress not know anything about the oysters, she didn't even know which were which when we asked. Though our waitress wasn't particularly rude, she wasn't friendly either, not a single smile from our seating to the bill. Really expensive for this Applebee's style food and service. If you really want excellent seafood, a better bet is the Oceannaire which has incredible seafood at similar prices with some of the best service I ever had.

posted at 09/25/09

CFMN

Great patio, average food

I do love this place for the people watching and for the patio. The fish has never compared though even to red lobster, and i have always been dissapointed with their crab legs. Worth a shot though if you want a good atmosphere.

posted at 10/06/09

T2009

Horrible Service - Food Never Came

A group of friends and I went out to eat, and we sat down. About 15 minutes later, another group sat down in the table behinds ours. The server took our orders. Then they took the orders of that other table. 2 hours later, the other table had eaten and left, while we didn't get any of our food. So we went to complain, and they said that they would check on the order. They didn't even have any of the food started. We got tired and hungry so we said we were leaving, and the manager tried to convince us that we were the ones who were wrong.

This might just be my experience, but still, this kind of stuff shouldn't be happening so often.

posted at 10/20/09

Timmer123

Check For Damage

We went to Stellas for a surprise 40th birthady last week and had a great time. Food was great and we'll miss going there. Unfortunately the valet drivers did quite a bit of damage to our car. We are at $1,300 so far and still waiting on an estimate for the rest of it. Looks like it will probably be more like $3,000. If you've been to Stellas recently, check your back bumber for damage. If you're planning to go to Stellas soon, DON"T VALET! Of course the GM and drivers deny it, which makes this a huge PITA.

posted at 03/27/10

Abra Cadaver

Nice start, inexcusable finish!

The service was fine through the meal but the food was sub-par and severely overpriced. Once the hostess realized we weren't planning to order any more food she announced that one of our party was cut off from alcohol and needed to be removed from the premises, though this person was not being obnoxious or inappropriate. We've deduced that they must have wanted to flip the table quick and make more $ but this was a poor way to do it. A simple mention of the fact that there was a wait for rooftop dining and would we be needing anything else would have made the situation clear and perhaps we would have returned at some later date. Instead, I will never return to Stella's Fish Cafe, Sushi Tango can have my $150 next week.

posted at 05/19/10

Darcy222

Rooftop Memorial Day Lunch

My family of 4 arrived around 1pm for a little lunch, and we were told they couldn't give us a wait time, but there were 7-8 names ahead of us on the waiting list. So, we decided to hang at the bar (which no seating was available) ordered blue moons, and waited. A waiter assured us the wait wouldn't be long.

25 MINUTES LATER, we were seated. We ordered sushi as an app, the italian chop salad, the Grilled Tuna Nicoise Salad, the Lobster Roll, and Halibut Entree.

45 MINUTES LATER...our food finally arrived. the salad's were very slim on actual ingredients -4 small slices of seared tuna, and iceberg lettuce and a pretty plain chopped salad. The Lobster Roll expected after 45 minutes -accidentally came out as the Lobster Mac.

ANOTHER 10 MINUTES, and the lobster roll magically appeared. It was a huge roll, lined with tons of shredded lettuce on the bottom, and not more than 1 cup of actual lobster. It had a completely overwhelming mayo content, and tasted more like tuna salad, than lobster. Not a good meal for the $19 they charge.

We notified the manager of our dissatisfaction, and they're reply was to send us 2 free deserts. We told them we'd just like to go -and have it put in boxes..of which the message never went to the kitchen and out it all came.

$90 total bill, for a lunch that took 2 1/2 hrs, on a hot day-not our idea of a good Memorial Day meal.

Thanks but no thanks -we won't be returning.

posted at 06/05/10

btw1234

I'll pass from now on.

I went to Stella's for the first time last Friday night. We walk in and 4 hostesses were standing there - greeted by blank stares and a "how many?" We waited only about 20 min for a table... the service was good - the food seemed good at the time. I had the ahi tuna steak - however later that night it all came back up. Pretty sure I had some form of mild food poisoning. Definitely over priced for what it was. Nothing special about it. I could have prepared the same meal by going to the grocery store and picking up a tuna steak. We also felt rushed - so they could flip the table I'd imagine. I'd go back for the roof top patio - but doubt I'll ever go back to dine.

posted at 06/06/10

janisl

My new Fave!

Love Love Love Stella's. The jalapeno corn bread is to die for, the swordfish is perfect and the scallops may be the bast in the city. Fabulous sushi menu, cool servers and I have always had great service. Save up your money as it is on the pricey side (for me anyways) but worth it for a great night out.

posted at 09/06/10

vgirl92

Stella Fish Cafe:Not Such a Big Catch :(

We had the mahi mahi and sword fish dishes. The mahi mahi had small portions. They told us the fish is measured out in 10oz. portions and if you want a decent amount to enjoy you must request more. The swordfish is much heartier than the mahi mahi but the sides are also small. As far as taste,texture and look...all very good. The seasoning was well done, and flavors well blended. I was disappointed b/c I miss the east coast and miss fresh well made seafood I could enjoy from Baltimore, plus I am a good cook and don't mind getting a great cut of meat and creating a WOW meal for 1/2 the cos; which is what we are doing next time. Our Server was great with helping us pick different, menu items and she was professional. Next visit will be just to hang out on the roof top & grab an appetizer. Advice go during Happy Hour.

posted at 12/13/10

TravisSmith

Not a big seafood person

But this place knows how to make some great baked fish, The first time I tasted that it was at OCB, and I never it wasn't going to be the best quality. But here at Sella's I told the waitress that I didn't really care for it and she told me I would be surprised and she put in a word to the chef about it and when my plate came it was quite good.

posted at 03/02/11

Foody13

Worst experience ever!!!!!

Do NOT waste your money at this place!! We went last night after carefully considering our seafood options, and boy, was it an utter disappointment! We ordered the pan seared scallops and lobster, an 80$ dinner, and the lobster was overcooked and rubbery, and the scallops were cold. The only redeeming part of the meal were the mashed potatoes, served to us, a la cart on a coffee saucer. From the oil-stained paper menues, to the hard rock and roll jarring us from our seats, the entire experience was a deplorable. Given that the place was full, and given the restaurant's reputation, we were not prepared for such an unsavory experience. The service was slow, the food overpriced, and NO ONE inquired as to whether we (as first time customers) were satisfied with our experience. If you are searching for good seafood in an environment that will allow you to easily digest and enjoy your food, do not go here. It is the worst ever, and I have been to many, many restaurants. They literally stole my money. I will never, ever, ever, ever return. Beware.

posted at 03/20/11

Buni

I don't understand so many poor reviews

After reading all these reviews, I am surprised at how negative they are. I ate at Stellas on May 8th and this was my second time there. Both times have been VERY good! I ordered the Asparagus and Proscuitto salad and the Lobster special with a shared side of garlic mashed. It was ALL very good. Service was excellent to the point of me merely looking up once and someone was at the table asking what I needed. The salad was outstanding! My first time there, I ordered the salmon and thought it was some of the best I had ever eaten. Moist, flavored wonderfully, and a nice portion. (To those complaining about portions, I would suggest you take a look around at the size of the American public and realize that you don't need to have enough food on the plate to feed a small country.) And, for the record, I don't have a mediocre palate. I won't hesitate to go back for a third experience to try even further things on the menu. I really just don't understand so many negative reviews, when both of my experiences have been quite satisfactory as well as those of my dining partners.

posted at 05/09/11

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