Stella 34 Trattoria

The visual aesthetic of the restaurant is pleasing to the eye and is comfortable to be in. I personally did not like the way they crammed so many people in the restaurant. There was no distancing whatsoever. The staff did have masks on. The server I had a pleasant demeanor and attitude. I did not have to wait to be seated or served. This is where the three stars comes in. Everyone who has complained about the quality of the food was not wrong. The calamari looked nonexistent and a few of those pieces were fried dough. That is something I'm not sure keen with. The Caesar salad was much to be desired. It had one anchovy on it and I paired mine with shrimp. The shrimp was chewy and tough. The croutons were hard on my teeth and turned me off. I tried their passion fruit lemonade and it is more sour than sweet. It paired well with the sauce for the calamari. I cannot recommend this restaurant to my native New Yorkers or out of towners.

This was not our first visit to Stella. The location is convenient if traveling in and out of Penn Station. Enter through Macy's to the 6th floor to find the restaurant behind bedding. We ordered drinks to start. The glasses of wine were less than half full and the Frose was not as pictured. We ordered a second glass of wine halfway through our meal and it arrived about 45 minutes later after we had finished eating. Service was very slow. We ordered the eggplant and another pasta dish. Both were very good. However the gluten-free pasta was not at all similar to it's equivalent pasta dish. For dessert, the affagato was just ok. More coffee than ice cream. The ice cream dishes were tiny servings but good. Would definitely not rush back. First visit (pre COVID) was much better than this time around.

When you're in the middle on midtown and would like to enjoy a quiet meal with a good view, Stella 34 is the spot. Coupled with being located in Macy's, there is no greater convenience. Complete your shopping and enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner in the same building. It's all about ease and accessibility.

Decided to check this place out with a friend for NY restaurant week! I thought it was interesting that the restaurant itself was inside Macy's on the 6th floor. Interior of the place was very open with a nice bar area (good place to have a drink or two after you finish your shopping). We started off with some cocktails, where we tried their Aperol Spritz to cool down for the summer. Then, we decided to order from the restaurant week menu. I decided to order the Gnocchi Napoletana, Pollo Milanese and Tiramisu. The appetizer and entrée tasted good, but i feel like my chicken could've used more sauce for topping. Also our server forgot about our dessert so we almost missed it, but was able to take it to go. Overall, my experience here was not too bad, if you're looking for a quick dine in spot after you finish your shopping. I would probably come back to hang out by the bar next time because their cocktails were pretty good!

Very nice, attentive and friendly lunch service by the wait staff. Great location if you can actually find it from the sparse signage on 6th floor and sometimes rude home goods employees pointing (it’s actually on the broadway side of the building, not the middle like it appears on this map). But anyway everything was tasty and priced as expected.

Great first experience. The arancinis and the linguine were delicious! Our server was attentive. Ambiance is pleasing

Great coffee, excellent, kind staff, chill, calm music and a relaxing vibe to the whole place! 100% recommend! A rejuvenating oasis cut off from the hustle and bustle of one of NYC's busiest department stores! Gives you time to think through any impending purchases and your mind a break from the downtrodden aisles of endless possibilities. Re-cooperate and re-charge in Stella Trattoria with amazing, sympathetic waiters and waitresses and great decor in the middle of mayhem! (The coffee's Lavazza btw and you can really taste pungent, fruitful espresso in your latte or cappucino....)

The cost is reasonable, plate presentation is great drinks are very good. Needed to leave early and had a hard time getting our dessert packaged to go, was too much work.

Stella is a staple for me. They have a great selection of Grappa and the most beautiful herbed focaccia bread to dip in the olive oil they have imported from Italy. I've not had anything on that menu that I don't enjoy. I bring my out of town guests here because the floor to ceiling windows afford beautiful views of the Empire State Building and the wall to wall white marble is beautiful. They've got celebrity caricatures on the wall and if you get lucky you may even see Santa when you're visiting during Christmas. TOURISTS: Book a table on open table.com you will skip the line and save yourself a lot of trouble. Even if there is a line just approach the hostess at the time you've booked and let them know you've got a reservation.

What happened to this place????? First off-the bar area looks closed; sterile Staff is all conglomerated by the hostess stand- Entire restaurant looks dingy dirty and old Floor was filthy Patina do better- When Stella opened it was amazing Great happy hour-affordable! Better choices Now- Extremely expensive, terrible staff and a dreary experience This is a flagship store - should be a premier establishment not run like an airport concession Done with Stella SADLY ALSO-the old gelato area-been empty since covid-extremely uninviting - makes the restaurant look closed - and piled with garbage

Food terrible service the same and not sure how still in business. Room was dry bland warehouse feel

I recently visited Stella 34 at Macy's for a Hocus Pocus-themed Sunday drag brunch, and it was a blast. The event started at noon, and guests lined up outside to get ready for entry. My friend and I were able to choose any open seat, so we picked a spot by the window to enjoy the view of the street. The setup was spacious, which was great for both guests and performers, giving everyone plenty of room to enjoy the show. From the brunch menu, we opted for the bottomless mimosas, which were reasonably priced. I appreciated the few gluten-free choices available and decided on the grain bowl. Unfortunately, it was a bit underwhelming, with a bland flavor and some contrasting textures that didn't quite work together. One thing to note: the speakers were extremely loud, so I ended up using earplugs, which I would definitely recommend for others. Despite the noise, Stella 34 made for a fun venue to enjoy a themed brunch, and it was a memorable spot for a unique show.

This Trattoria is in Macy's on the 6th floor. It has a decent view. Our server was friendly and attentive. We ordered the Arancini to start. For our meals we had the risotto (I was able to sub chicken for the prawns due to allergies) and their swordfish special. All of it was very good. The risotto was done perfectly with a hint of firmness to it. The swordfish was perfectly done despite being a very thin filet.

Stella 34 at Macy's, located on the 6th floor, is a pleasant and satisfying option if you want a bite and looking to get a load off your feet. Though I've eaten here a few times, I failed to write a review. Macy's, due to last minute Christmas shopping, was jam packed today. We swung by around 2 for a later lunch. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. We both ordered pizza, mushroom for me, and an order of rice balls for sharing. The rice balls with saffron/cheese and a side of sauce was pretty good. There were 2 to a serving. My pizza was accompanied by a glass of crisp/delicious Rose Prosecco. The pizza was almost too crispy but good. I remember having their pizza in the past and the style has definitely changed. While Stella 34 might not be recognized as the best, the atmosphere, service and food were above satisfactory and worth a visit. It's an inviting atmosphere.

They have the best Drag brunches here! I love a specialized menu based on themes and Stella never fails to deliver. I took my daughter to a Shrek Drag brunch, which was full of great performers dressed as Shrek characters. We had a blast watching and interacting with them all while getting our tummies filled. I ordered waffles with short ribs and my daughter had waffles with strawberries, which were both so yummilicious. The service here was a bit low in the beginning because there were only 2 servers but when I brought it to their attention that I had been waiting awhile to make my orders, they accommodated me immediately. The place is also super clean and spacious. The best part of the drag brunch was that it ended in a dance party with the performers, which is how every show should end!

We came for the Taylor Swift Drag brunch. Talk about a show! Such a fun afternoon. The service was what you'd expect for a completely packed house, average. Our waitress was good but overwhelmed. The food was great but the kitchen def had issues forgetting orders. Sides that came out as the main courses were done. If you don't care about that, definitely go for the fun during one of their events.

Been many times. You can't believe it's in Macy's. Good food, really nice ambiance and always good service. If you need to be in the Penn area and have a little time, it's an oasis.

My friend and I ate dinner there. I ordered an artichoke risotto with limoncello spritz and my friend got the paccheri with a glass of prosecco. While the food was edible, it was mediocre. The fennel on my risotto tasted salty and soaked in oil, and the ragu sauce on my friends pasta was watery. The limoncello spritz was quite refreshing though. Other than that, the vibe was bougie and the service was friendly. It is located in the Macy's building.

Discovered totally randomly and pleasantly surprised by food quality and stunning views of midtown/Empire State Building. Located inside Macys building, on 6th floor and one thing to know-kitchen closes at 8pm! We ordered burrata, Napoli salad and eggplant Parmesan. Burrata was a hit: creamy, complemented by crunchy arugula, walnuts and acidic sweetness of balsamic created a total sensation in the mouth. Napoli salad was perfectly balanced, with homemade croutons. Eggplant parm was a classic home style version, thinly sliced eggplant, paired with tomato sauce and cheese, also very delicious! Service was attentive, prompt and professional. Noise level was minimal. I certainly recommend this place for a date night as it's a great escape from hassle and bustle of a Macys block and a hidden gem romantic spot.

Mamma mia, here I go again My, my, how can I resist you? Mamma mia, does it show again Celebrated Mother's Day with their RuPaul's Momma Mia drag brunch! There is a line so go early if you want to choose where to sit. This was sooooooo much FUN! A good mix of people but definitely more groups of girls and families. With like most brunches Stella offered bottomless mimosas/Bellinis and let me just say totally worth it. They even have it down to a science as the servers have the mimosa in pitchers to refill the empty flutes. A few reviews left not so great comments about the food. So let's dish!!! The chicken and waffles were a hit as was the lasagna. Were they good yes were they the best? I mean hey it's a Sunday brunch/show - so no. The sides were good too ... they advertised choose three for a set price but we got charged a la carte. Not sure why but hey I'm not going make a big deal of it given that it was a couple of $$. Just putting it out there for some who want to know. Lastly, the egg on my daughter's croque madame could of definitely benefited from a lil longer on the grille but the over all dish itself was tasty. This is a must do if you are up for a non traditional fun lively music filled Sunday brunch. While the food and drinks are not the stars it's the show - it is nice to know that they were also great contributors to one wonderful dining experience. What I really loved was they asked the audience if there was anyone celebrating their birthday, they lined up, announced themselves and then had them parade around the restaurant like the performers to get dollar bills. How sweet and what a cool unexpected birthday treat! Really such a fun time!

Great food and service. A little overpriced that's why 4 instead of 5 stars. $24 for pasta and tomato sauce? Delicious, but not $24 delicious. Great view of empire building and always a positive experience. Out of town guests love it.

We came for the Easter brunch two years in a row, but should've learned the first time. Terrible food and even worse service. Considering we made reservations weeks in advance and pre-paid, they had plenty of time to prepare for the event but for the second year in a row, they were horribly unprepared. Not enough food for the table, no utensils, no coffee refills or milk. The waiters were nowhere to be found. For $100 we were supposed to get a choice of drinks as was stated on the website, but we were all given half a glass of mimosa. When I brought this up to the hostess, she seemed shocked and surprised. No one knew what they were doing or what was supposed to be offered. Food was terrible. Hard bagels, spongy eggs, chewy pancakes. Really a mess all around, and a huge rip-off. Don't waste your money!!

Always a girls lunch favorite. Great selection of Italian wines, fresh home made pastas. The green linguine w mushrooms was delicious, faro salad w shrimp amazing, although the faro was a bit too cold. Restaurant is nice n bright. Our server was super friendly n courteous. We stayed a long time n he didn't rush us. Sometimes we come here for happy hour before 6:30 for drinks. Place is lovely. Doesn't even feel like you are on the 6th floor of Macys.

Great customer service. Everyone was friendly and I felt welcome. The food was Ok. I ordered Eggplant Parmesan and garlic bread. Fry Calamari was a little salty for me. The food is flavorful however, it didn't sit well for me later that evening. Space was clean. You get to see Empire State Building. Many tourists here. This is a great place to brag something to eat if you are shopping in Macy's.

I have been to this Macy's more times than I can remember but never thought to eat here since it's amidst so many wonderful restaurants. And really, I only ended up at Stella on the 6th floor, opposite an enticing array of bedding and sheets, because my original food plans fell through. I had low expectations but the beautifully and naturally lit dining area of this restaurant during a bustling weekday lunch was enough to make me want to overstay my welcome. I was here during Macy's Flower Show week and had the prix fixe menu which consisted of three courses. They had me at scallops. I don't like seafood and these were the best scallops I've ever had. They were big, plump, and tender, like the visible pillows Macy's was selling across the way. They tasted like pork fat and butter. Along with fried polenta and a sprinkling of green peas, this appetizer could have been my entire meal and I would've been very very happy. It's been three weeks and I still think about these scallops. My tuna steak and strawberry torta were very yummy but oof, those scallops stole the [flower] show [menu].

We went to a drag brunch. It was advertised as a Lizzo themed brunch with Shuga Cain. I was so excited to see her but she was in Palm Springs. I was very disappointed. However, the other entertainers were good and made it like a party atmosphere. It was more lip syncing than dancing but our party of 8 had a wonderful time. The food? Well I didn't eat my Nutella soggy waffle. The staff was excellent friendly and nice.

I wish I got to experience what some others claim to have had at this restaurant. What a pile up of bad at Stella 34. I cannot recommend this place, even if it was just an atypical night for service. The food was lackluster and the only appeal is to see the view from above Macy's. Not worth the experience, see below. I went here with some friends for a 7pm dinner. Though they close at 8, I thought things would be speedy and efficient to get us our food. Alas, it was just a clusterF of bad: -Took awhile for a waitress to even come to the table. She seemed frazzled and busy and eventually another server came and took our order again. -We said to bring out the food whenever it is ready, no need to course it. The food took forever and we waited over 45 mins for apps, which were messed up. -Cicoria salad was super gloppy, bitter, and had a really weird taste. Sent it back and got a Caesar instead. Where is a simple house salad or something without 12 different ingredients in it? -First batch of calamari was room temp and the breading was falling off. Second batch was better. Still don't understand how this was messed up. -The $21 margherita pizza was so bland and flavorless that parm and pepper flakes couldn't save it. The sauce was watery, crust was floppy, and we only ate it because we were starving. -Paccheri pasta dish had potential but the pasta was overcooked and the ragu was watery. Again, lack luster on seasoning (salt & pepper). At a certain point, you could tell the staff was just avoiding our table and cared more about cleaning up to go home. They gave us no plates or utensils for dinner so we grabbed off other tables until another staff member brought us some. We asked for the manager who eventually came over. She listened to the feedback, apologized, but only offered us dessert. She seemed quiet and couldn't really converse about the problems. She ultimately took the apps off the bill but never said anything else. Couldn't tip much because everything was just bad and we had next to no service. Would give 0 stars if possible :(

Service was fine, but the wait for food on a not very busy day was very long. And our waitress clocked out halfway through our meal and we had to chase down other servers to try and get drinks and finally the check. All the food was decent -- the polenta was really more like grits, rather than a true polenta, and the woodfired vegetables were very tasty, as were the roasted potatoes. The pizzas were basic, with a fairly flavorless sauce. It's a very nice space, with ample room at each table.

Came in for a quick bite and drink after a doc appointment nearby to this cute little getaway from the hustle and bustle of Macy's. Once inside you don't feel like you're having lunch in a dept store but rather with a nice view of the Empire State Building. My appetizer was the perfect amount of food for a quick lunch. My server was very attentive as well. If they had a happy hour, I'd definitely come back for the drinks. The shrimp was also divine.

This place is located in Macys and has a nice view of the city. It has a wide window so there's lots of natural lighting which is nice. I only got drinks here no food. The drinks were definitely overpriced but I didn't expect anything else from inside a Macys which is there mostly for convenience. The bartender was friendly and attentive.

Sometimes I do forget there's a restaurant up at Macy's... but the work peeps chose this spot for a dinner outing; so here we are. Very open space, service was nice... and timely. Italian food, and we got some stables... Margherita pizza to share and a warm bread w/ olive oil. Both were good (not the best I've had); then a variety of entrees... I got a lasagna with veal meatball... it was quite flavorful and portioned just right. The sauce was on the salty side but not overwhelming. The veal meatball was delicious. I could eat a side portion of the veal meatball by itself. The rest of the party liked their food but no one screamed "repeat". When we wrapped up - I enjoyed the Affogato the most, as my dessert!! Must get!

Shakeel is best! Made my party and I such amazing drinks and provided us with quality service. I recommend the giarbadli or paloma for a cocktail.

Sunday afternoon in the city with my youngest. We left the Long Island Rail Road to see the holiday windows before entering Macy*s to dine. Redervation was set and we arrived on time. We were seated by the window wirh a great view of EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. We were all happy with the calamari, chicken sandwiches, eggplant parm, Gelato, affogato and torture chocolate. A meal well served which I filled our bellies.

The 'pepperoni' 'pizza' was VERY floppy, greasy, and overall almost inedible. The pizza tasted like spaghetti o's. After one bite, all of the 'pepperoni' came off, leaving just the thin crust and thin layer of tomato sauce. The buns were the only thing that tasted alright, but the butter had a hard time spreading.

Went to the Drag Queen Disney Villains Brunch. It was a hoot, of course. So much fun. And the food was wonderful. We had the avocado toast and was delicious

Decided to check this place out with a friend for NY restaurant week! I thought it was interesting that the restaurant itself was inside Macy's on the 6th floor. Interior of the place was very open with a nice bar area (good place to have a drink or two after you finish your shopping). We started off with some cocktails, where we tried their Aperol Spritz to cool down for the summer. Then, we decided to order from the restaurant week menu. I decided to order the Gnocchi Napoletana, Pollo Milanese and Tiramisu. The appetizer and entrée tasted good, but i feel like my chicken could've used more sauce for topping. Also our server forgot about our dessert so we almost missed it, but was able to take it to go. Overall, my experience here was not too bad, if you're looking for a quick dine in spot after you finish your shopping. I would probably come back to hang out by the bar next time because their cocktails were pretty good!

My mom and I visited Stella's 34 Trattoria restaurant located on the 6th floor in Macys - 34th Street. The decor was excellent and the views of NYC was stunning. You'll get the most glamorous view of the Empire State Building. We actually came here for tea and dessert after a long day shopping. They have a really pricey menu, but everything on the menu looks delicious. My mom and I had ordered two pots of green tea with chocolate and tiramisu cake. Yummy! I'd love to enjoy brunch here one day as long as my mom is up to it. We also noticed there were a lot of creative paintings hanging around on the wall. There was also a bar in the restaurant in case you'd like to grab drinks there as opposed to sitting at a table. Overall the staff were very knowledgeable and friendly on what the menu has to offered. The customer services was beyond phenomenal.

After a few hours of shopping at Macy's, we decided to stop by Stella 34 for lunch and it was the right decision of the day. The food was exceptional and made fresh. That's why it took a bit long, but it was really worth it. Nice services

3.5 stars. Located on the 6th floor of Macys. We made reservations here on a Friday evening around 6:45ish. The place wasn't packed, easy to sit down quickly. Didn't know this place closed at 8! We picked a window seat and we were able to watch the sunset. View is nice, the Empire State Building is within range of the restaurant. Saw some tourists taking photos. Restaurant week was what we had in mind. $45 for appetizer, entree, and dessert. They offered us tap water or bottled water shortly after we sat down. For appetizers, we had the caprese salad and gnocchi napoletana. My friend didn't think there was enough balsamic flavor, lacking in flavor for her caprese salad, and kindly asked the waiter for a bit more who ended up bringing a small little dish (like a sauce cup from Shake Shack) with way more. Now for the entrees, we had the sea bass (branzini alla scapece) and the steak (filetto). We thought the filetto tasted great (medium rare and yummy!), though not the biggest fans of the juicy fat asparagus. Watch out for bones in the sea bass. The sea bass was alright. Be warned, either the appetizers or the entrees (or both) were quite salty (more the appetizers I think). We kept drinking glasses of water after water. I think she finished 5 glasses of water before we even got halfway through the entree. As for the dessert, I liked the tiramisu! Sweet but not terribly sweet. The panna cotta was more on the sweeter side. Unfortunately, we weren't really able to finish the entrees and the desserts because of all the water in our systems.

Stella was awesome! Tucked away in Macys on 34th, this restaurant is a perfectly hidden gem. The staff here was so fantastic, I can't stress it enough. Everyone was super helpful and friendly. I came here for my birthday and attended a Harry Potter themed drag brunch! It was amazing and the staff really played along well with the event. I LOVED that they went all out with the menu and making it fun. We ordered a ton of drinks, they were all great. I also got the croque madame and it was delicious and tasty. Got to try the Cesar salad and it was really great as well. I would absolutely come back here for another brunch event, really such a fun time!

Came here for drag brunch which was fun so this is not on the performance but venue and food quality as well as service. It's in the mall but rather packed when we went. It's not the best venue for drag viewing as there are various things blocking your view. I had the Marg pizza and it was probably one of the worst I've tasted. I didn't have more than two bits and didn't even finish one slice. It was expensive given the price but there are so many other places that are better in food and price. The pizza was a bit cold and the crust was so hard. Not enough sauce and so thin....the drinks were slow to being refilled and the bottomless option was not worth it given slow service.

Food and ambience were good. I wish the portions were bigger for the prices, but it's NYC. We stopped by for lunch before we hopped on the train for the Hamptons.

While this restaurant is in the flagship Macy's at 34th Street Herald Square, it does not make up for its lackluster flavors (or lack thereof) and overpriced anything and everything. We ordered two entrees and one appetizer. We skipped out on the pizza this time around. The appetizer we got was just the fried calamari. This was $16 and it was basically a plate of breading and some bs pieces of "calamari" inside the breading. There were also some friend jalapeños too...it almost seemed like that was a little over 25% of the plate. The dipping sauce was like 5 drops. There was no seasoning anywhere at all...good thing for that lemon slice cause otherwise we'd just be eating plain tasteless breading for $16. Next came the entrees...I got the branzino sea bass and my gf got the chicken. The server asked if I wanted any sides to go with my fish...for an extra $10; I said no. Presentation looked ok of the food was ok but I get why I was asked if I wanted sides because the fish came with literally nothing except a few capers and the fish bones on the inside. The chicken dish had some sides to complement the chicken but it does not make up for the sorry fact that the food had absolutely no seasoning at all. None. I could not taste a single grain of salt or pepper on the chicken or the fish. And at $30 an entree, I can honestly say that the food was a huge disappointment for the price that we paid. Sure the atmosphere is cool since you're eating at a nice looking restaurant in a Macy's but don't let that fool you cause the food is bland beyond belief. Maybe I should have ordered a pizza to make up for it but I will most likely not be going back here for another overpriced meal. On my way out, I at least got to shop for some new bedding and towels on the 6th floor in Macy's so not all time was wasted here.

Went to Stella 34 Trattoria for a nice brunch on a Sunday. It is located on the 6th floor of Macy's Herald Square in a nice and bright space with views of the Empire State Building. The food was pretty good - the Margherita Pizza, Meatballs and Linguine (with mushrooms and spinach) were all solid. The one disappointment was the ice cream - even ordering the largest size resulted in two small scoops. Overall, worth a stop if shopping at Macy's or if in the area.

This review is for the Hocus Pocus Drag Brunch and the food. Unfortunately, I did not have a great experience here. I was so excited to go to my first drag brunch in over a year and I left so unsatisfied that I went to another drag brunch immediately afterward (the best - Lucky Cheng's). The performance - I was disappointed that the performers barely made it to our section of tables. The layout of this restaurant is long and narrow, which is not conducive to putting on a performance and allowing the maximum number of people to enjoy it. Most of the performers came down to our end of the restaurant, collected their money, and left, not stopping to perform while they were there. Some of them (Shuga Cain, the host and former contestant of RPDR) never came to our end of the restaurant at all. I was very excited to see her perform and I didn't get to while I was there. Marti Gould Cummings is basically drag royalty in NYC as well as a local politician, so I expected her to put on more of a performance in our section, but she also barely stuck around. The food - The frittata was NOT a frittata. The eggs were basically put in a blender with no seasoning whatsoever and baked in a pan with only a few more ingredients added to the top that added no flavor. I almost never send back food unless it's categorically awful. This was one of those times. 3 out of the 4 of us ordered the frittata and none of us ate it. Basically, we came to drag brunch and didn't get any drag or any brunch. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars is because the service was good. I would not come back.

Very limited menu, but it was thanksgiving. We enjoyed our time, service was good, food was also good, but not out of this world good. Hit the spot. Eggplant Parmesan, linguine, build your own pasta for the kids. Calamari was average, same with broccoli. Come back again? Probably, but wouldn't make a special trip to do so.

Hidden away on the 6th floor of Macy's Herald Square lies a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of midtown. I found out about this place from someone who works at Macy's. I went on a Saturday around 3pm and was pleasantly surprised to find floor-to-ceiling windows that offered diners a full view of herald square below, as well as lots of natural light. I was disappointed to learn that all of their mocktails are high in sugar, with a Sprite base. Their garlic parmesan flatbread was nothing special - just a toasted pocket-less pita covered in garlic, grated parmesan, and herbs. It tasted like something you can get at Pizza-Hut - good, but nothing special. But the pasta was different - I had the mushroom linguini, and it was love at first bite. The flavors were complex and I enjoyed every last bite. It was the perfect portion size, and you could really taste the effort and planning that went into this dish - everything from the consistency of the green linguine to the broth to the stracciatella on top was excellent. I'd come back here just to eat this dish again. That said, the service was a bit slow, even though the restaurant was mostly empty when I went, but when I did get service, the staff was attentive and caring. If you're shopping and want to grab a bite to eat, I'd say this is one of the better Italian restaurants in the area.

To the attention of Owner/s of Stella 34 Last year I enjoyed tremendously eating at Stella 34 which I surprisingly discovered while I was doing business in the Garment District. I have just returned to my hometown (NYC) to star a new chapter of my life after being overseas 5 years. I have not been able to be at Stella 34 since October 2023 due to health issues. I have returned to Stella 34 on Monday March 25 with a very special guest, a person who has been there for me during recent difficult moments. I wanted this lovely and caring person to know my recent favorite restaurant in Manhattan and thank her for her kind support. When I entered the restaurant I noticed immediately there were changes with Staff. A great disappointment that the great Manager I knew well last year and my favorite server were no longer. Although my guest and I have enjoyed our time together at Stella 34, I was terribly disappointed with the presentation of my courses. I ordered my 2 favorite dishes, meatballs and fried calamari. The fried calamari was full of fried "chili" slices which burned my mouth and palate. These 6 chili slices could have been replaced by 5 more pieces of calamari. I feel I have been cheated. These slices of "chili" were not part of the dish which I have eaten half a dozen times last year. Please alert your guests of this "hot spice" which is a not common addition to food in USA unless it's a Mexican eatery. Since management has made changes in ingredients, your customers should be alerted. Mind you this an "Italian" restaurant and "chill" is not part of the culture. I have lived and visited Italy for 40 years and never been served food with "chill". Italy is "garlic" culture NOT chili". I thought it was the sauce which was prepared with hot red pepper flakes. My guest brought to my attention that it could be these dark pieces covered with batter were which were the culprit. Another thing about the Calamari, the batter crumbled every time I lifted a piece with my fork. I have had fried calamari at Stella 34 many times, years ago in NYC and all around the world but never seen crumbling batter. My second course, the Meatballs were served in tiny dessert plate. Is it to fit the shrunken size of the meatballs. I was shocked. Your Kitchen Staff should remember that "presentation" is crucial as we eat first with our eyes. Thankfully nothing wrong with the taste. I brought this matter to the attention of the only very professional and very busy server who had taken my order. She swiftly offered me an appropriate plate. This young lady is the only person in the serving capacity who has a great presence; I always noticed her professionalism and special attention to the guests at the restaurant. I know this lovely server from my many visits last year. Her name is Miss Jocie Santana. I am pleased that my guest's courses were served correctly. My grievances were taken very seriously by Miss Santana who has graciously apologized and brought the issues to the new restaurant's manager. The manager, Mr. Chris Fuhr, has taken charge to remedy this unacceptable and unexpected occurrence. Although I was touched by their sincere apologies and their enormous efforts to remedy the disappointing situation, the presentation of my meal has left a "bitter taste" in my mouth. It will take a very long time to think of returning to Stella 34. If I do, it will be with the hope of having Miss Santana and Mr. Fuhr are at the front. I am terribly disappointed to have had to write a negative review. Negative situations do affect my whole being and to write a review not complimentary. Thank you for your special attention. Dr. Joslyn Aarons

The prices are very high. You are definitely paying for the ambiance. It's a beautiful spot with a nice view of herald square. I had the lasagna, and while it came out quickly, it was boiling hot. So hot, it took a very long time to cool off enough to even eat it. So long that the rest of my party was almost done before I could begin. Our service was mediocre. She was not very helpful at splitting our check. She would not give us individual checks but let us use multiple cards on one ticket. Then made us figure out our own totals for each card. She did not refill our waters at all.

Stella 34 is tucked away in the linen department of Macy's on the sixth floor. It's a little bit of a trek to get to depending on where you enter the store, but there's clear signage all around to get you there. My partner and I went on Saturday morning for a Golden Girls themed drag brunch! They had one clearly labeled vegan option so we both had the same thing--a Chia Fruit and "Yogurt" Parfait with fresh strawberries, blueberries, mango, and banana, plus some crunchy granola. We also got a side of home fries to share which were well-seasoned. As one does at a drag brunch, we drank bottomless mimosas. They were a little on the expensive side but we were seated at the bar and never had an empty glass so they were totally worth it. The Golden Girls drag performance while we ate was absolutely fantastic and so entertaining. They were having a Lady Gaga themed drag brunch the following weekend. If I lived in New York, I'd totally go to that one, too! It sounds like drag brunches at Stella 34 aren't super common outside of Pride Month(?)--there is a separate brunch menu for drag brunch vs. regular brunches.

I finally got to try the famous Stella on 34th street inside the iconic Macy's for my birthday. The food was not as good as I thought it would be. The cacio e pepe was average and the aperol spritz was beyond bitter. I think the aperol may have been expired. At least our waitress was sweet and attentive. But unfortunately to top it off we had a mouse parade invade our dinner towards the end. I definitely don't think I'll be returning.

Beautiful, well lit gem tucked away on the 6th floor of Macys Herald Square with really great views of Midtown. Always fresh, amazing tasting, high quality Italian food. I've had most of the menu the several times I have been here and loved everything I've eaten. I love their lasagna but unfortunately is rarely available. Additionally, always great service from beginning to end. I'm eager to try their themed drag brunch available some weekends. Highly recommend a reservation on the weekends.

Great location. Fresh seafood and great views right above the 34th street Macy. I would suggest the pastas and calamari as it was super fresh and cooked to perfection.

Good vibes, great food, and fun cocktails. We visited for my girlfriend's birthday and the manager Joe personally made sure that we had a memorable evening. Thanks Joe!

Amazing atmosphere food and service Mohamed was a Great Server and the items we chose (Meatballs, pizza and lasagna) were great tasting- keep up the good vibes and stay amazing

Had a nice quick bite at this beautiful restaurant. Great ambiance. Friendly service by Josey! Burrata was great and so was pumpkin pin ‼‼ Brussels sprouts, niiiice, but a bit too dry.

One of my favorite go-to restaurants when I'm in midtown west. Lovely servers, fascinating views, really nice ambiance, and exceptional food. (Try the eggplant. You won't be disappointed!)