Stellina Pizzeria

Recently married, my husband and I have committed to a bi-weekly date night to keep the romance alive. While we currently reside in Stafford, our hearts still yearn for the vibrant Northern Virginia and D.C. area where we spent many years, especially during our dating days. For our inaugural post-wedding date night, we decided to venture into D.C. Our go-to spot in Alexandria, RedRocks, had lost its romantic allure due to changes in both the food and layout. Determined to recapture the magic, we embarked on a quest for a pizzeria that would offer a romantic ambiance rather than a sports bar vibe. Our search led us to Stellina Pizzeria, nestled at 399 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002. As we arrived at the location, we were immediately struck by the lively, bustling atmosphere. The streets were teeming with people, all seemingly relishing their evening. Stellina had both outdoor and indoor seating options, and we opted for the cozy indoor setting. Fortunately, there was no wait, and our host promptly seated us. Our night took a delightful turn when we were introduced to Julio, our server for the evening. Julio was not only welcoming but also a font of knowledge regarding the entire menu. His recommendations were spot on, and he didn't stop at merely suggesting dishes; he took the time to explain why he chose each particular item. He steered us towards the Cuoppo Misto as an appetizer, followed by the Picante and Napulella Pizzas. It's no exaggeration when I say that everything Julio recommended surpassed our expectations. The crispy prawns, calamari, and potato chips were a symphony of flavors, expertly seasoned with just the right touch of saltiness. The pizzas, a delicate balance of dough and toppings, were bursting with flavor and texture, creating a culinary masterpiece. To accompany our meal, we enjoyed drinks that were equally outstanding. I opted for the "On The Way To Rome," a blend of bourbon and raspberry puree that, in my opinion, achieved perfection in a glass. My husband chose the "Mezcalita," a drink so delightful that we couldn't resist ordering a second round. Our evening was an unequivocal success, with every element contributing to its perfection. From the warm and generous hospitality of Julio to the masterfully prepared dishes, we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We left Stellina Pizzeria with the certainty that we would return to Union Market soon, eagerly anticipating another evening like this one.

One of my favorites for Neopolitan pizza in DC. The crust is perfectly thin and charred and the toppings are fresh. The unique combinations are to die for. Definitely recommend the zucchini and guanciale topped pizzas!

Stellina Pizzeria offers pizza, pasta, sandwiches, cocktails and much more. Conveniently located in the Union Market area, Stellina has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to sit outdoors and the service was very attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered the COTTO & FUNGHI pizza with wild mushrooms, mozzarella and prosciutto. All of the ingredients were fresh and delicious. My personal favorite was the CACIO & PEPE pasta. I felt like I was picked up and transported to Italy. That’s how authentic and delicious this pasta tasted. Highly recommend. For dessert, we ordered the CANNOLI SICILIANI with ricotta, chocolate, and pistachio.

We ordered take out - overall decent experience - we had the piccante, sausage and peppers, as well as the pork sausage with thyme. The crust on these is very good, super authentic ingredients and good flavors. The Cesar salad and rice balls were delicious. We will go again to try some different pizzas but it’s not your traditional pizza joint. Excited to try some pastas.

“Fraid” Cicchen Parmigiana - Chicken was very tender with a light crust - Tomato and mozzarella together complemented the eggplant well - I added a little bit of their home made ketchup to make a little saucer. I only added a little because the ketchup has a strong vinegar base that is great for their homemade chips. - Customer service was great even their new staff.