New tenant announced for H-Street Kitchen space

La Stella Wood Fired, which is set to open late next month at 2420 Hillsborough St., will serve up wood-fired meats, sandwiches and salads. Construction is set to begin Wednesday on the space.

"La Stella Wood Fired represents the foundation – the heart and soul of the La Stella Restaurant Group,” said Rudy Theale, owner, La Stella Restaurant Group, “With its relaxed, warm vibe and unexpected twist on wood-fired cooking, La Stella is designed to be a natural hot spot on Hillsborough Street.”

La Stella’s food will be prepared using a 1,000-degree wood-fired oven, the only cooking element in the restaurant.

Pizza La Stella Executive Chef Matt Kepp and Theale collaborated on the menu, which will also include Old Bay Boiled Peanuts, Roasted Potato Poutine, Puccia (La Stella's twist on a wood-fired sandwich stuffed with vegetables and cheeses), rustic steak and drunken chicken soaked in tequila-lime jus, Honey Habanera and Dr. Pepper wood-fired wings, and wood-fired pizzas and desserts including a S'mores Skillet.

Look for portions to be large enough to share, Theale said.

La Stella will keep some of H-Street Kitchen's art in the 6,000 square-foot space but want to enhance the restaurant's connection with N.C. State University. Look for the N.C. State Mr. Wuf mural to be highlighted with more lighting and prominence. The map of downtown Raleigh will remain. 

Overall the interior will be gutted and furniture replaced, Theale said.

There will be two large N.C. State-red ovens in the open kitchen. There will also be more TVs added. The second floor, which previously had a conference room, is being redone into a full outdoor patio.

Theale said the restaurant really wants to embrace not only the students at N.C. State, but also the faculty and staff. 

La Stella Wood-Fired will be open seven days a week, with live music and late night entertainment.

​La Stella's sister restaurant, Pizza La Stella, opened at 219 Fayetteville St. in December. The menu focuses on Italian cuisine prepared using only two large wood-fired ovens. The restaurant also serves brunch.