Portraits of Sophia Loren add a touch of Italian cinematic flare to La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge.
Courtesy of La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge.
The space that was home to Lawry’s The Prime Rib until it closed early last year is home to a new restaurant, La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge, and judging by the reaction to the restaurant owners’ other location in town, the new spot might challenge Lawry’s for longevity.
The new steakhouse, which opened the day after Thanksgiving, is the sister of La Stella Cucina Verace in the Arts District, which opened in 2022, offering authentic, upscale Italian fare and winning our pick as the top Italian restaurant in the Observer’s 2023 Best of Dallas issue. “La Stella fits in with [its] Arts District address, with an interior steeped in bold colors, splashes of neon and modern decor. A white piano sits just inside, and live music kicked in about halfway through our visit,” contributor Chris Wolfgang wrote after his first visit to La Stella.
Not to be outdone, La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge promises decor and dishes to take diners back to “Old Italy.”
“Designed by renowned Italian architect Daniele Venenzoni, known for his work with the Qatar royal family, the space blends timeless elegance with cinematic flair. The interiors are a study in sophistication with their seamless blend of Italian craftsmanship and Hollywood glamour,” according to the restaurant’s press announcement. Imported marble, Murano glass chandeliers and vintage Italian furnishings from the 18th to early 20th centuries blend with Art Deco gilt doors from the 1920s Hollywood era and portraits of actress Sophia Loren for a touch of la dolce vita.
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An 8-ounce Wagyu tenderloin filet and a 16-ounce Wagyu rib-eye top the steak portion of the menu, or opt for a Tuscan-style 40-ounce porterhouse, dry-aged for 45 days. Chops of veal, pork and lamb are also there for carnivores alongside a range of pasta dishes, all of them promising the same Italian authenticity as La Stella in the Arts District.
The new steakhouse is part of an 11,000-square-foot “multi-dimensional concept” that includes La Stella Music Lounge, a 21-and-up venue featuring live performances along with fine Champagne and craft cocktails. Private dining rooms are also available.
“Bringing another groundbreaking restaurant to the former Lawry’s space is both an honor and a responsibility,” La Stella’s founder Giuseppe ‘JP’ Piccinini said in the press announcement. “This building represents the decades of Dallas history, and we’re proud to carry that legacy forward with our authentic Italian roots.”
La Stella Italian Steakhouse and Music Lounge is open seven days a week from 4 p.m. to midnight, with live music and entertainment from 5:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. It’s located at 14655 Dallas Parkway.