The aroma of freshly baked pizza crust and simmering pasta sauce now greets passing shoppers in Stanford as a new restaurant offers a contemporary take on classic comfort foods.
Delarosa opened its fourth Bay Area location, at 136 Stanford Shopping Center on Nov. 24, introducing a flavor of Italy to the mall.
The restaurant transformed the space previously occupied by California Pizza Kitchen into a bright, inviting room. Soft orange lighting, plush booth seating and a classic brick pizza oven welcome diners into a community-focused environment. Black-and-white portraits with Italian script line the white-painted brick walls, while slender cylindrical lights hang from the ceiling, casting a subtle glow that highlights the room’s contemporary design.
Server Randy Rodriguez said that the San Francisco-based restaurant decided on Stanford’s location because of Delarosa’s ability to bring a different range of food.
“There aren’t any Italian or pizza restaurants at this location [Stanford Shopping Center],” Rodriguez said. “The owners wanted to bring something new.”
Although the pricing is affordable and provides the atmosphere of a family-style restaurant, Rodriguez said the service aims to be that of a high-end restaurant.
“Although we are not fine dining, we do try to bring that [feel] into our restaurant,” Rodriguez said. “We make sure that every guest feels like they’re dining at an upscale Italian restaurant.”
The restaurant’s casual, yet classic menu spans a range of thin, Roman-style pizzas, fresh pastas, small plates and delicious crafted drinks.
Rodriguez said that they only use natural ingredients for their dishes.
“We source [our ingredients] locally and seasonally,” Rodriguez said. “Everything is fresh, never frozen.”
We waited only 10 minutes for our Sunday night dinner and sampled some of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Here’s what we thought:
Margherita pizza ($18) – 7.5/10
This classic pizza is simple but surprisingly flavorful. It features a bright, fresh tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs, creamy fresh mozzarella and a generous topping of fragrant basil. A light drizzle of olive oil ties everything together, adding richness without overpowering the freshness. The crust is crisp and well-baked, not too thin and not too doughy, making it a well-executed Margherita. Overall, this dish is a reliable choice if you want something straightforward and delicious.
Rigatoncini ($22) – 8/10
This dish is excellently balanced, rich and satisfying without feeling overly heavy. The pasta is cooked perfectly al dente, giving it a nice bite. A generous amount of smoked pancetta was added to the dish, and brought a savory depth to it. The spicy vodka sauce is creamy and seasoned with onions, garlic and tomato, blending smoothly together. We recommend this dish to those who want a hearty, comforting meal. A small bowl filled with parmesan was additionally offered on the side, providing customers with the ability to sprinkle as much as cheese as desired.
Shirley Temple ($4) – 7/10
This drink is refreshing and fun: A carbonated lemon-lime soda mixed with sweet grenadine and served with a skewer holding a single maraschino cherry. Sweet, fizzy and easy to enjoy. We would recommend this classic drink to anyone looking for a light, non-alcoholic option that pairs well with any dish.
Overall, the exceptional service brought by the staff and the comforting ambience of Delarosa makes it a recommendable choice for anyone looking to enjoy an Italian night.
