La Stella's

A chalkboard behind the dining room’s bar lists La Stella’s refined Italian dishes, creating a dining experience the Sun Sentinel called "sophisticated, but not pretentious." After honing her culinary talents in Providence, Rhode Island, owner and head chef Jamie Barlow relocated to Boca Raton, bringing along her passion for Italian cuisine. To secure traditional Mediterranean flavors, she relies on imported mozzarella and Italian tuna as well as house-made sausages. The freshness of her cuisine stems from the quality produce and marbled proteins she covertly hauls off the podium at the county fair's blue-ribbon ceremonies.

Clean, black lines on the walls contrast with the white dining room, which uses floor-to-ceiling windows to keep the space welcoming and airy throughout the day. At night, track lighting helps to keep the room as well-lit as a tanning bed full of hand mirrors, and swooping strings of bulbs illuminate the covered seating outside.