La Stella Pasta & Pastry

Vegan Chocolate Cake at La Stella Pasta & Pastry in Norwich

Their vegan banh mi. This is the regular size. It’s larger than my plate. at La Stella Pasta & Pastry in Norwich

La Stella Pasta & Pastry
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Health Store

Italian market, pastry and pasta shop. Has a few vegan desserts and vegan ravioli, meatballs, sausuage and mozzarella cheese in the grab and go cases. Vegan meats are reportedly made in-house. Open Mon-Sat 7:00am-5:00pm.

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4 Reviews

First Review by AmandaJean

JeffLawrence

Points +142

Vegan

07 Oct 2023

Amazing! - Edit

We stopped by and picked up vegan meatballs and vegan spinach-mushroom ravioli from the freezer case on the way home today, along with a kalamata olive bread. All three were terrific, though for this guy, the filling in the ravioli was the stand out. Well worth the stop.

options1

Points +34

Vegan

16 May 2023

Not a Vegan Option to Be Had! - Edit

My friend and I [both vegan] had heard so many wonderful things about La Stella's Italian Restaurant in Norwich. They had many vegan options-desserts, ravioli, cheeses, meatballs, and sausage. We couldn't wait to bring a bunch home from their Grab and Go section!

But sadly, they did not have a single vegan option to offer us. There were so many listed on Happy Cow, so I was confused about how they had no vegan options. But after reading a couple of other reviews, especially the one where the customer had gone 8 or 9 times without having any vegan meals available I realized it wasn't just they were "out"; they didn't carry vegan food consistently. One staff member commented on having to "throw out" some vegan items since no one bought them, But people don't know you have these items available if they don't promote them. They also need to be consistent and have vegan food available if they say they offer it. Too much hit or miss is too disappointing.

I am always on the lookout for great plant-based options, and my understanding is this restaurant has some amazing vegan options Hopefully, with some improvements in the future, this restaurant can strive to meet the expectations of vegan and non-vegan diners alike. I am hoping to give it another try, but I will make sure I call first.

Updated from previous review on 2023-05-16

Pros: Great vegan options [listed], It's cute, The cashier was welcoming

Cons: There are usually no vegan options, Vegan options not advertised much or shared, Staff didn't seem too concerned

AmandaJean

Points +741

Vegan

16 May 2023

Some New Vegan Options in a Town Where There are Few - Edit

*UPDATE May 2023*

*I still enjoy this place and highly recommend getting the vegan banh mi or even just a meatless grinder because all of their veggies are fresh and delicious and the bread is amazing but the last 8-9 times I went they haven't had any of the grab and go pastas, meats or cheeses like they did when I wrote my first review. Maybe they just happen to be out of stock every time I stop in? Either way I felt like it was worth mentioning since my original review was so focused on those items.*

Someone shared a Facebook post with me from La Stella where they were advertising their vegan options so I stopped by on my way home from work to check it out!

Very comfortable and cute space, they have a large case of desserts and a few small tables for dining in the first room then the market is in the second room. That's where I found the vegan options: mozzerella cheeze, "meat"balls, sausage and dairy free cream cheese. They also carry vegan ravioli but they were sold out when I went. I bought one of everything then a mini chocolate cake at check out (they also have vegan carrot cake). The employees I spoke with were so nice and a man who I think is the owner mentioned that he had a lot of vegan family members. I did inquire about a few of the fresh baked breads but they said most of them contained butter and eggs...

Once I got it all home I made pasta with the meatballs and sausage along with some cheezy garlic bread and I have to say the vegan mozzarella was delicious!! Melted well and the flavor was delicious! the meatballs and sausage tasted a little too "real" for me but my partner enjoyed them a lot!

Updated from previous review on 2022-03-28

StacylynnKCottle

Points +28

Mostly Veg

09 Jun 2022

Legit! - Edit

I love that their vegan and vegetarian friendly foods don’t feel like an afterthought. Pastas, sauces, soups, all available fresh or take and bake. Their banh mi is divine!

Pros: Many vegan friendly options , Super friendly staff, They have take and bake meals and pastas too

Cons: It’s a little pricey, but what isn’t these days., It’s indoor eating area is kind of small.