Downingtown's Stella Rossa sets its opening

Stella Rossa - Dave Magrogan's Italian bistro/wine bar replacing Firecreek in Downingtown (20 E. Lancaster Ave., 610-269-6000) - will open to the public on Sunday, Aug. 4. It will run dinner only for the first week, and begin lunch/brunch on Aug. 12.

This restaurant - a rough-hewn former paper mill on the Brandywine - is a monster, with 350 seats, including a 225-seat dining room, 50-seat patio and 25-seat bar. Magrogan bought a large-bellied oven for Neapolitan pizzas.

It's the onetime chiropractor's foray into Italian food; he also owns Kildare's (Irish bar), Doc Magrogan's (seafood), and Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar (American food, portioned in 500 calories and fewer).

Anthony DiPascale, who has spent the last year as executive chef of the Harvest in University City, is Stella Rossa's chef. His past includes the former Brasserie Perrier and Max's Fine Dining, as well as Aldo Lamberti's Tutti Tuscani.

He's locally sourcing his ingredients and making his own mozzarella, while Di Bruno's sources other cheeses, and an ambitious charcuterie and olive program. Severino of Westmont provides the pasta.

The bar menu includes Italian wines (4- and 7-ounce pours, as well as carafes and bottles), international craft beers and specialty cocktails.

Menu - most priced in the teens - is here.

Magrogan is looking at mid-August for the opening of a Harvest in the Shoppes at English Village in North Wales.