Stella Barra (6372 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 323.301.4001) is the new sister restaurant of Santa Monica pizza haven Stella Rossa and it opens Wednesday in the former BoHo spot in the ArcLight Cinema complex.
The house-made dough and pies are represented, but this isn’t just a Hollywood version of its West Side sibling. The dinner menu is larger with fresh fish crudo and weekly family-style, handmade pasta specials, and big salads, while lunch is filled with sandwiches. There are also small plates like local burrata with roasted tomato jam and house-made bread; and organic meatball with tomato, lardo, basil and oregano. As for pies, they have shaved mushroom and organic sausage. There’s also a breakfast menu (a first for Stella chef Jeff Mahin) with options ranging from healthy like almond milk muesli to hearty like breakfast burrito with provolone and sausage.
The atmosphere is different too, with cozy chesterfield sofas and Edison bulbs for a night owl crowd. The focal point of the 120-seat restaurant is a cement-topped bar in the center of the dining room, with cocktails created by Proprietors LLC and an expanded wine list.
