We have ordered takeout and also eating in the bar area. Walking in the building itself was warm and inviting - odd to say about an old mental hospital but the lower lighting, candles and the two musicians was a nice welcome. The bartender suggested the one wine I was thinking of and it was delicious. The pizza was delicious... more

I had one of the best meals ever eaten at Trattoria Stella and our waitress Cathy (?) made my birthday very special. I am still talking about the Almond Risotto. OUTSTANDING! more

The best things about this restaurant are the ambiance and use of local food. Everything else is just average. We ordered the mozarella and ricotta appetizer and found it to be rather plain. They had to cook my husbands game hen twice and my salmon was nothing to rave about. They did give us free dessert since the wait for... more

I grew up in Lansing but live in Seattle and have been trying to convince my husband that Michigan has some lovely cities, sites, and food. I think he's ready to move to TC after this meal. We went around 8:00pm on a Sunday night. Atmosphere is very cool - love the brick and little nooks with tables. Our server... more

We tried to eat here last Fall but didn't have reservations. This year we finally made it and it was worth the wait. We had the Filet special and the Marlin. Great choices and really appreciated the emphasis on local products. We'll be back! more

My wife and I traveled from South Florida to the picturesque resort area of Glen Arbor, Michigan for our son's wedding the last weekend of September '09. Many things including Mother Nature made this a wonderful; to use a quote from a guest, " Mary Poppin-esque" event for all fortunate enough to be in attendance. By far the wedding caterer... more

We did a quick trip up to TC, staying in a Grand Traverse Commons condo for 3 nights. We ate at Stella's the first night, had a remarkable meal, and both agreed there were so many other good things on the menu, we ate there again our second night in town. They use the finest local ingredients, when available, and... more

I've eaten there before and got stuck in one of their little rooms with no view and a bunch of unhappy children. Very noisy and cramped feeling. Went back recently to sit at the bar and have a glass of wine and an appetizer. Their choices for wine by the glass are all Italian (I like CA cab) and they... more

To start off, it's tucked away into the basement of the Traverse commons which is an old mental institution. We drove up in the darkness of late evening and it's an eery looking building that you'd expect to see in a slasher film! Finding Stella wasn't real easy because the area isn't lit up all that well and the signs... more