I have a soft spot for Italian Cuisine so I was thrilled to learn, during my recent trip to NYC, we were having dinner at Stella 34 Trattoria. Located two blocks from the Eventi hotel inside the Macy’s at Herald Square, we took the antique elevator to the sixth floor to embark on our culinary treat. When we stepped off the elevator we were greeted with a tempting selection of fresh meats and cheeses in a deli style counter that they called a Cibi Ronda, designed to allow shoppers a chance to pick up freshly baked focaccia, coffee and Italian treats. We bypassed the counter to enter a sleek, modern restaurant done in contemporary lines.
Our waiter greeted us immediately, recommending drink specials and presenting us with our menus. I wasn’t sure what I wanted so he offered helpful suggestions and didn’t even mock me when I decided not to attempt to pronounce the Italian name of the dish, Paccheri Napolitana, and pointed, saying, “I’d like this, please.” My dish turned out to be a flavorful blend of large hollow tube shaped pasta, braised beef ragu, caramelized onions and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Also, if you have a chance to sample the appetizers, which I was so busy enjoying I forgot to make a picture, be sure to try the Verdure, a vegetable plate featuring wood oven roasted brussels sprouts, cauliflower, pine nuts and golden raisins. I was a little hesitant at first, because brussel sprouts are not a favorite of mine, but I need to find this recipe because it was delicious.
Even though we were all stuffed, after taking a look at the freshly prepared desserts, we couldn’t resist. I chose the Delizia Al Limone, which was a fancy name for a meringue topped lemon cheesecake and lemon curd gelato. As much as I liked my entree, I wish I had this first because it was so amazing and I couldn’t eat the entire thing. I thought the prices were very reasonable for New Year City, my entree was $20 and the dessert was $8, especially since the last time I was in New York I had an overpriced salad at another restaurant that I knew was only a $2.99 bag of Fresh Express Salad mix with some dressing.
I recommend visiting in the evening for wonderful views of the Empire State building lit up in all its glory and the opportunity to watch the hustle and bustle of the busy streets below. Of course, don’t miss the opportunity to look around Macy’s while you are there!
I have been to NYC twice and didn’t get a chance to visit the Empire State Building. Would love to see it someday. The food looks delicious too!
That dish looks delish! That placelooks wonderful.
Your food looks delicious. I would definitely try the Brussels sprouts that you wrote about. They sound fabulous. 🙂
Wow. The food sounds amazing and you took great pictures. I want to try to copy that dessert.
Looks like a nice place to dine in in NYC. I miss eating out when we were in NYC. Stressful but it’s experiencing what a metro city feels like leaves a good mark for life.
what a lovely time you had and a great eating experience next time can you take me with you i promise to behave
Oh my gosh, this looks like such a nice place to eat at!!! I love trying new eateries!
WOW! Take me with you! Stella looks absolutely amazing and i would be in heaven to dine there!
Oh this sounds good! I definitely would like to try it!
Looks fantastic! NY is on my bucket list!!
What an amazing trip!My fiance’ is from NY and I hope to visit soon.That Delizia Al Limone looks delicious!
It looks like a beautiful restaurant. I agree with you, $20 for an entree at a nice restaurant in NYC is quite the bargain!
I’d love to go for the food. I think I would like the views of the Empire State Building just as much though!! Very cool!
Italian food is my absolute favorite! I haven’t been to this place, but New York is just incredible for italian food, overall. Need to make a point to try at Stella 34. The meringue topped lemon cheesecake and lemon curd gelato looks amazing!
What an incredible meal you had. I’m so with you on the Italian. That’s always my pick if it’s available. I hope to try that place one day.
I definitely need to visit NY city some time soon. I am enjoying your reviews of the places you’ve visited
That meal looks delicious, especially the dessert! And those prices are totally reasonable.
Sounds like a great place to eat!
Wow…I’d love to go there. Crossing fingers I make to NYC someday again.
the food looks great, looks like a nice relaxing atmosphere too!
So cool to read more about your trip to NYC. That food looks so yummy!
What a clean and fresh looking restaurant. The appetizers sound great and I love the main dish too!
Oh, what a fun place to visit. That food looks amazing!
Looks amazing. Now I need to plan a trip to NYC
This looks so good. I wish I lived close to there!
Wow what a fantastic sounding restaurant – that food looks delicious as well! x
Oh wow. I have to stop there the next time I am in NYC
YUM! That looks like such an amazing meal!!
Oh my. This looks so mouthwatering. I love italian food more than anything, and this makes me feel hungry!
oh my goodness that dessert! That looks amazing.
That food looks pretty amazing. Looks like you had a good dinner.
That is so what I would have picked for dessert too! Everything looks delicious!
Looks fancy and sounds amazing!! I need to go back to New York soon!!
How exciting! I’m hoping we will be able to check this spot out while in NYC this weekend. Looks really good!
This Is AWESOME Will Have To Go When I’m In NY, Looks Amazing!!
Yummm..this looks like a wonderful place.. I love Italian and this sure will be on my list to visit NYC..thanks for sharing and soo glad you had a great night, soo jealous of your dinner, it sure looked delicious
I want to visit NYC SO bad!!
Just came back from New York and wished I would have been able to peek through this. Very nice! I love all the food pics!
This looks absolutely amazing. I have a soft spot in my tummy for Italian food too!
After reading this post, I need to go eat right now! That dessert looks so delicious and unlike anything I have ever seen.
We get to NYC a few times a year so I’m adding this recommendation to my list. I love Italian food.
I lived in NYC for most of my life but don’t think I’ve ever been there. It’s amazing the places that I see that I wish I had gone too now that I’m no longer there. I agree with you though, if you’re ever in NYC, you have to go into Macys. 🙂
My mouth is watering like crazy looking at those pictures. I LOVE italian and if I ever take a trip to New York this will be my first stop.
We haven’t been to NYC yet, but I would like to go very soon!
What a beautiful establishment. Since I live right here in New York City, I definitely will add it to my must-see places.
That sounds amazing! I would love to visit there.
Wow this looks like a fabulous place to eat! I would love to go there!
Wow! I have never been before, but I’ll have to check it out the next time we are there. Those are great prices for NYC! Thanks!
We haven’t been to NYC in years and I’m dreaming of going back. Thanks for tips on this restaurant.
I will be heading to New York City as soon as the weather warms up and my Hubs goes to Atlantic City. I always take a bus to NYC just to see the sights.
I love Italian food. Looks like an amazing place to eat!
I want to visit NYC someday,the food looks tasty in that restaurant.
that looks fabulous. lemon is a new thing for me- and i’m crazy about it!
OH YUM! Looks fab although I’d have opted for the tiramisu, I’ve got a huge weakness for that!
Wow, the whole meal sounds delicious and that dessert — YUM! Will have to plan dinner there next time I’m in NYC.
What a lovely restaurant! I still think that the ravioli portion should be larger, way larger! 😀 Or maybe that is my love for ravioli speaking 🙂
I’ll have to add this to my list of places to visit when I make it up to NYC! Love that Paccheri Napolitana!!
Those looks like yummy treat! <3 Perfect dining experience indeed.
Sounds awesome! If I ever get to NYC, I’m going to put this on my list of places to eat!
Looks swanky! Not a fan of New York in general, but this could change my mind!
So many great NY travel ideas today on the web. My girls would love to go eat some Italian food at Stella 34 and admire the view of the Empire State Building. Thinking about a trip.
This sounds and looks like a great dining find in NYC!
Prices are very reasonable
Glad you still went for dessert!
I love that place, so jealous! Glad you enjoyed it.
That looks like a lovely place! And that Delizia Al Limone looks AMAZING!!!
This looks like a great place to visit in NY! I hope to travel there soon and I LOVE Italian food, so it seems like a perfect fit. 🙂
It looks amazing there. Now my stomach is growling…
Yummy that food looks delicious! I wish we lived near this, cause I would so head there and eat!!!
Planning on visiting NYC in the summer. Will be marking this as a must-do!
Hum–this sounds like a great place to eat-that dessert is calling name! There are actually a lot of places in NYC where the prices are pretty darn low-of course you have to know where to go! There is a street called Restaurant Row in the theater district where you can really get some great food at low prices-you just have to stroll down the street and look at there chalk board outside menus-or the ones in the window!
That place and the food look Fantastic. Will have to go there if I get the chance!
What a fantastic restaurant! You meal looks delicious and I love the wide open layout of the dining room!
Sounds like a great location to dine and yes the prices are fantastic for NYC! I know the feeling about not taking the pics – I do that all the time. I get so involved in something when it is over I am like “I forgot to take a pic! If I plan to blog about my event – I tell my family “Do not let me forget to take the pics!” Sometimes that does not even help.
I think we will be in NYC in March or April – I will have to add this to my list of places to eat!!