So, last night I told you all a little bit about our epic hike at Point Reyes yesterday.
And now I shall tell you all about our victorious post-hike meal at Stellina in Point Reyes Station!
Here’s how it went down: it was six thirty and Cindy and I had just come off the trail after five solid hours. We were both hobbling at this point, and I was battling an angry dose of stinging nettle on my left calf. I had to pee.
We pulled off the side of the road the first time civilization struck and we ran into the first dining establishment that we saw. No matter that we were covered in mud and smelled like mountain lions. We needed food and we needed it fast. I slid into a seat at the bar in the back of the restaurant and chugged a glass of wine. Things were looking up.
This was the local “wine on tap”—a zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley. Love that it was only six dollars; it made me feel like I was in Europe or something!
Pretty much, I wanted to eat the entire menu.
But ended up settling on the second pasta item listed—the Bucatini with Tomales Bay’s manila clams, italian parsley and garlic and chilies. All the pasta at Stellina is handmade, which I loved!
This
was
out of control.
Sometimes you have those meals that are just so utterly perfect in every single way. These meals stay lodged in your memory forever and have the capacity to make you smile even when, twenty four hours later, you are eating leftover pizza by yourself in your kitchen wearing pajamas with holes in them.
Cindy also had victory pasta, but hers had thick cut bacon, cream and peas in it. It was divine.
Oh, but wait, there’s more! I almost forgot—we also split the grilled bread with fresh ricotta cheese and honey for an appetizer.
There were toasted macadamia nuts on top of the honey soaked cheese bread. I thought I had died. Right there.
After we sufficiently stuffed ourselves to the point of no return, we glanced at the dessert menu.
It looked delicious and while I was wearing my Lululemon wunder unders (thank God for stretch!), I just didn’t think I would be able to buckle my seat belt if I consumed any more food.
But, I HIGHLY recommend Stellina if you are in the Point Reyes area. I can’t wait to take Almanzo back here—he would love it!
I also wanted to run away with this teddy bear dog after dinner. But that’s another story.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
What an amazing post workout meal – yum! Love Lululemon wunder unders – so comfortable, they’re my favourite workout capris.
i died just READING this…i can’t imagine what it was like to eat that fabulous meal! so glad you guys had such a wonderful hike!
Yummm. I love clams + pasta combo. Clams have been one of my favorite foods since I was literally 3 years old!! I was a weirdo. Also, love the restaurant name! My dog’s name is Stella and I think I have a new nickname for her…to add to the growing list: Stel, floppers, fuzzybeardog, pooper, bubs, STELLINA!
I have been a silent follower of your blog for a while, but I had to leave a comment here because this post brought back so many fond memories. I worked as a line cook and pastry assistant at Stellina’s and seeing your pictures made me super nostalgic. That place is amazing; the staff is the most loving and wacky I’ve ever worked with. I’m so glad you enjoyed your meal and beautiful Point Reyes. Make sure to get dessert next time…and the grilled cheese…and the nettle pizza…I used to make and roll all the pizza dough and it’s out of this world.
there is nothing better than glorious food after a long hike. looks amazing!!
i agree
I would have to go with the pasta with BACON in it!
LOL…I love that you had on stretchy undies!!
All of that sounds so so good. What a great reward for a longer-than-expected hike. And that dog is outrageously cute!
Wow, that food looks amazing, especially b/c I’m stuck at the airport and subjected to airport food for the rest of the day!
Delicious looking food!!! That dog is super cute!
O.M.G. That pasta with clams looks tremazing!!! My hubby and I love your neck of the woods – thinking Point Reyes might have to be a stop on our next vacation. Thanks for the resto recommendation!!!
Epic, indeed!
I’m particularly interested in your photography in this post. What camera do you use?
A canon rebel with a 60mm macro lens
Osteria Stellina!!! I love, love, love the place. Last time we went we had (among other things) the slow cooked octopus (a revelation!), and braised goat on polenta – two solid fabulous dishes. The home made pop tarts with buttermilk sorbet were also highly memorable. I’m always thinking of excuses to get back up there, as its not technically that far away!
So glad you enjoyed Stellina! I love this restaurant…everything is very fresh. I’ve only just recently tried it myself! And, BTW, I’m sure you fit in just fine with mud on your shoes, smelling of mountain lions…..that’s what I love about Pt. Reyes Station, you fit right in completely dressed down and braless or dressed up a bit…..definitely see all types of dress:)
i agree
That dog really does look like a teddy bear.
Sounds like an epic day, overall. yum yum.
Teddy bear dog is cute !
First – that dog really looks like a teddy bear!
LOL – I thought you went home and showered – the restaurant seems “high-end”!!
I like Cindy’s I think…bacon versus clams
That’s a winning dinner, for sure! I’ve never had handmade pasta at a restaurant, that’s awesome. That appetizer looks amazing, too. Yum all the way around.
Jenn
What a day! I love that the first restaurant you saw happened to be awesome – you live in such a lovely part of the country.
Yum! I love seafood pastas. I went hiking this weekend, too! There must be something in the air.
I love a post-hike meal. Especially one that involves a good friend and a meal to remember. So fun!
What a great end to a fun hike! Looks delicious!
That dish sounds amazing! I wish I could try it
What breed is that puppy dog?!? She looks a lot like my mix that we adopted.
Teddy bear puppy!!
wow what a lucky find for a desperate meal ( was afraid you might go for *gasp* taco bell or something LOL).
eat well!
Teddy
‘Covered in mud and smelled of mountain lion.’ LOL!
Was sitting here trying to write an article–but stymied by 80% of my brain zeroing in on what’s for dinner and the grocery list. Now I have it. Thanks! LOVE Point Reyes. So amazing can happen on a foodie heaven even in that remote, sparsely habited area. Ahhh, the San Francisco Bay. More gorgeous pix.
Wondered how highlighted menu lines?
That pasta does look out of control, not to mention that heavenly looking appetizer with ricotta and honey. Sweet Moses! A carb-laden, decadent meal such as the one you enjoyed alst night is the ideal follow-up to an intense hike.
Oh my, my, my! That meal looked amazing!
The pasta looks good, but I am not a huge fan of clams. If it were mussels….yum!
As for the hike, wow! How gorgeous!! I am so jealous.
Mmm, now this is what a pasta dinner should look like! Not the cheap spaghetti topped with canned sauce and meatballs that most restaurants try to pass off as pasta!
What a sweet dog.
Wow, what a great restaurant find after a long hike!! Sounds like the food was to die for!
THAT DOG!! I WANT THAT DOG!!!! i absolutely ADORE teddy bear dogs. goldendoodles and labradoodles–yes!
MmmmmMMMmmm! That’s a growling kind of yummy.
I LOVE mussels.
I love that the first place you happened to stumble into was that place – if that isn’t fate, i just don’t know what is!
I was JUST at Stellina after hiking a 14mile hike in Point Reyes. I live in Kansas but my best friend lives there and a friend from high school is the chef at Stellina….so glad you liked it. I will tell him that he is famous in the blog world now…..
The Bucatini with Tomales Bay’s manila clams looks AMAZING! I gasped.