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Roma D Italia
The Top List of Best Italian - Orange County, CA
by Judy Asman
Somewhere in between beach town busy-ness, single-family homes, and glass exterior office buildings are intricate hideaways featuring classic and neo-classic Italian cuisine. Spectacular sauces, fine wines and tiramisu shape the magnificent experience that is Italian gastronomy. But if you’re seeking a unique venue to enjoy some of the most flavorful cuisine in the county, here are our favorites.
RENATA’S CAFÉ ITALIANO
227 East Chapman, Suite F, Orange, CA 92869
(714) 771-4740
Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11 am–9 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am-10 pm
Located at the Chapman entrance of the Old Towne Historic District, Renata’s is the Italian restaurant in the Orange circle. Offering a light northern Italian fare, Renata’s is said to be as warm and quaint as it when Renata herself opened it 14 years ago. Even with new management, the food is superb. If you associate clams with Italian cuisine, Renata’s will exceed your expectations. The white sauce in the linguini vongole integrates the rich natural juices of large and succulent Manila clams, making the dish anything but bland. And for stylish plating and elegant taste the chefs top the entrée with fresh rosemary sprigs. The clam chowder is, in a word, delizioso. Usually with New England clam chowder, the clams are miniscule and the flavor of the shellfish is obscured by heavy cream stock and an overload of potatoes. At Renata’s, the stock is creamy with a nice accent of butter, but the consistency is light and thin. The clams are shucked especially for the soup and their freshness blended with an array of wholesome herbs, allows you to savor the taste of the sea. Renata’s has a decent selection of California and Italian wines and decadent favorites such as the Italian cream gelato and the cannoli Sicilian (okay, the one part of the menu that’s southern Italian). On the patio, clear tenting, burgundy awnings and a four-tiered fountain create a pleasant and intimate vibe.
Estimated cost per person: $15 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Varies by year, Christmas Eve-Varies by year, Christmas Day-Varies by year, New Year’s Eve-Varies by year
SALVATORE CUCINA ITALIANA
27001 La Paz Road, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 859-4572
Hours: (Tues–Fri) 11:30 am-2 pm; (Tue–Thur, Sun) 5 pm–9 pm; (Fri-Sat) 5 pm–9:30 pm
Located next to a dentist’s office in a cabin-style strip mall, Salvatore immerses the patron in a rustic setting adorned with pendants showing Italian national pride and a passion for soccer. On its price fix menu, the food is as sinfully flavorful as it is a good deal. You can order a full course meal starting at $9.95, which includes a pasta and sauce of your choice, homemade soup, salad, coffee and dessert. After you’re seated, your server will bring you a mini baguette and a piece of bruschetta, appropriately flavored with a hearty amount of garlic. Each course is rich in flavor—right down to the spritzy kick of the creamy salad dressing. For down home comfort eating, the penne al forno has all of the elements of a hedonistic Italian dish. Baked in four chesses, marinara and meat sauce, the penne comes out of the oven perfectly al dente ($13.95). If you’re a parent, Salvatore makes it possible for you to do away without cooking every once in a while. Originally from Naples in southern Italy, founder and owner Salvatore S. D’Abbusco designed his establishment 17 years ago to be a family style restaurant. It’s no wonder you can order a take-out family meal for four for $26.95. Your mouth will continue to water, no matter how full your tummy, when you see the desserts. Lose yourself in a chocolate getaway with triple chocolate cheesecake. Willy Wonka, eat your heart out.
Estimated cost per person: $12 - $21
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Fourth of July-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
ROMA D’ITALIA
611 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 544-0273
Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 11 am – 9:30 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am-10:30 pm
Roma D’Italia prides itself in being Tustin’s “first and original family owned Italian restaurant.” Having opened more than 45 years ago, the Dominic Corea establishment has certainly lived up to its reputation as a family place. Boasting two large dining rooms and a small patio, it’s not unusual to see little league sports teams enjoying pizza on a Friday night, all alongside mid-20s to -40s hipsters, families, and couples of all ages. Country style wall paper, wood trim and framed pictures of the Correa family displayed in every nook and cranny will entice you to make yourself at home in a lively environment heavily permeated by the scent of fresh garlic. Drawing off of Nina Corea’s recipes, the menu is extensive, offering everything from crepes Florentine to osso buco—veal shanks baked in white wine and light tomato sauce ($9.95-$17.95). The cioppino ($24.95) not only comes with clams, mussels and shrimp but also chunky pieces of calamari and crab claws. As far as pizza, Roma is great for place for this old time favorite. Make it a girls’ or boys’ night out with Roma’s original New York style pizza; the crust is hand thrown and if you want thick, it’s $3 extra. Specialty pies include the “Roma Vegetarian” and the “Roma Special,” the latter is topped with meatballs, green peppers, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and onions ($10.95-$16.95).
Estimated cost per person: $13 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Fourth of July-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
VALENTINA
27755 Santa Margarita Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 707-0888
Hours: (Sun-Mon) 11:30 am – 2 am
It’s not everyday one experiences the grandiosity of Vegas in an Orange County strip mall. But if you’re a regular at Valentina, the odds are a lot greater. Designed by restaurateur Domenico Grillo, Valentina spares nothing when it comes to its lavish interior. Amid plush red velvet drapes, leaded glass doors and Roman columns, exquisite crystal chandeliers create ambient lighting. Posh seating is brought on by bulbous red leather-esque booths and high back chairs upholstered in elegant tapestries. Master chef Domenico—who also instructs cooking classes at the restaurant—has matched plentiful setting with an exquisite menu. When in Valentina, you might as well enjoy the shellfish or lamb, which is imported fresh from New Zealand. Dishes are subject to availability so you might want to call ahead to see if the “Costolettine D’Agnello Arrosto”—New Zealand rack of lamb roasted with rosemary, sage and garlic in a red wine sauce ($26.95)—will be available. Or go classic style with the “Pappardelle alla Contadina”— fettuccine with spicy homemade sausage, chicken, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms in a white wine sauce ($13.95). While waiting to be seated, you can enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine at the mahogany bar or wash up in the ornately designed restroom, which shamelessly bears Baroque-style curves and flourishes.
Estimated cost per person: $25 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
FINBARS ITALIAN KITCHEN
620 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 430-4303
Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11 am-10 pm
Interesting place, Finbars. With rock n’ roll and sports paraphernalia featured on most of the walls, Finbars is Hard Rock Café meets collegiate sports bar. No complaints here. Obviously the joint is a fan of the “greatest rock band of all time,” an on-stage moniker given to the Rolling Stones in their movie “Gimme Shelter.” At Finbars, the adoration is made plain with a subtly placed mural featuring the band’s trademark tongue and the words, “It’s only rock n’ roll.” But Finbars isn’t all rock n’ ball kitsch. The central dining room, and another in the back, offer more privacy and refinement, while the rest of the place drowns in the sounds of lively chatter and images from large screen TVs, mostly airing sporting events and music television. The servers are enthusiastic and friendly and will deliver warm sourdough bread after you’re seated. For eats, Finbars incorporates California fusion with Italian favorites, offering everything from spaghetti with meatballs ($13.50) to nicoise salad ($9.50) to thin crust New York style seminola dough pizzas. The shrimp pesto pizza deliciously combines shrimp, fresh tomatoes, kalamata olives, homemade pesto, and sun dried tomatoes ($10.99). Check out the chic lounge decorated with black velvet drapes and leather couches. Metro Point, Costa Mesa location: (714) 641-3000.
Estimated cost per person: $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open at 3 pm, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY
3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 546-9550
Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am-11 pm
Perhaps it’s the proximity to the Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast Plaza that continues to make Maggiano’s a prime spot for fine Italian dining and 5:01 meetups. With locations all around the country, Maggiano’s maintains an intimate and upscale feel with elegant dark wood, simple off-white pillars, ample displays of Italian family photos, and hard wood floors (ladies, be careful if you’re wearing spiked heels). There seems to always be an energetic crowd at Maggiano’s, making it a festive experience as you delight in distinctive entrées such as the Italian pot roast, which is cooked slowly and carefully in a rich red wine sauce and served with garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, fennel, peas, caramelized onions and button mushrooms. To satisfy the occasional craving for roast chicken, Maggiano’s will motivate you to keep from picking one up at the grocery store. Marinated in fresh herbs and served in a light chicken sauce, the whole chicken will arrive to your table already cut and ready to eat. Hard day at the office? For happy hour, you and your coworkers can enjoy the “Bombalina Platter”—a gluttonous assortment of stuffed mushrooms, crispy zucchini, bruschetta, and baked spinach artichoke.
Estimated cost per person: $18 - $40
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL AND BAR
26641 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo 92656
(949) 425-0180
Hours: (Sun-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am-11 pm
Do we dare pay compliments to a food chain that’s becoming as ubiquitous as The Olive Garden? We think so. Small, intimate and personal it is not, but Macaroni Grill nails it when it comes to a flavorful multi-course meals, friendly service and all around good times. With its popularity somewhat rooted in the wine jugs on each table that allow for honor system free pouring, some of their dishes are not just unique but enough to keep one going back for more. The penne rustica is rich and bold—a hodgepodge of imported penne with shrimp, grilled chicken and smoked prosciutto, all baked under a savory crust of Parmesan cheese ($12.49). The chicken marsala is extremely well executed with a sauce that has just the right amount of thickness. Sometimes marsala sauces can be too heavy in the wine taste, but not this dish. And, as with any cuisine, impeccable flavor is in the details, so the roasted garlic and portabello mushrooms included in the sauce create a flavor that’s perfetto ($12.99). Then there’s the shrimp portofino ($13.79). Served with angel hair pasta and sautéed in a tangy lemon butter sauce, the combination of shrimp, pine nuts, spinach and mushrooms is heaven to the palate. During the spinach recall, Macaroni Grill stopped serving this dish, making good times, hard times. Visit macaronigrill.com for a spot near you.
Estimated cost per person: $15 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
AMELIA’S
311 Marine Avenue, Balboa Island, CA 92662
(949) 673-6580
Hours: (Fri) 11:30 am-2:30 pm; (Sat) 11:30 am -3:30 pm; (Sun) 10 am-3:30 pm; (Sun-Mon) from 5 pm
Located on Balboa Island, Amelia’s offers quaint and romantic scenery that is New England seaside and European bistro. Founded by Amelia Seton almost 45 years ago, Amelia’s features delectable original recipes by the fashionable and gifted Ms. Seton herself. With its prime location on the island, it’s understandable one will immediately acquire the taste for steak and seafood. A trademark dish at Amelia’s is the Black Angus filet mignon served with scampi ($35) and the linguini with fresh bay scallops and baby calamari in marinara sauce ($18). On Sunday through Friday, from 5 pm to 6 pm, Amelia’s features a “Sunset Menu,” where you can order an entrée such as the vegetable or chicken lasagna, bay scallops in butter or Amelia’s meatballs with vegetable and pasta for $10.75. Light eaters can enjoy the soup and salad sunset special for $3. Another highlight is the Sunday brunch ($12-$20), a favorite for kids and adults alike. Sunday specials incorporate the Friday and Saturday lunch menu as well as specials such as fresh salmon hash topped with poached eggs, pasta carbonara and eggs benedict with either Black Forest ham, filet mignon or eggplant. Amelia’s welcomes private lunches for up to 40 people each day. It also prepares large meals for banquets from eight to 45 people.
Estimated cost per person: $25 - $50
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Varies by year, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Mother’s Day-Open Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, New Year’s Eve-Open
ANGELO AND VINCI’S RISTORANTE
550 North Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 879-4022
Hours: (Sun-Thur) 11 am-9 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am-10 pm
Even if you’ve never heard of Angelo and Vinci’s, a slow drive up Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton will eventually pique your interest. With a terra cotta exterior enhanced by strands of festive lighting, lively vines and attractive green awnings, it’s not unusual for the uninitiated to ask, “Ooh, what is that place?” While not upscale in furnishings, inside, it’s an optical adventure. Intricate and family-friendly décor salutes the theatrical experiences of owner Steven Peck—a renowned Hollywood dancer, choreographer and veteran actor. The mementos from the late Mr. Peck’s Tinsel Town wanderings add to the whimsical lighting and colorful thematic décor featured throughout the restaurant. As unforgettable as the décor, is the size and full flavor of Angelo and Vinci’s award-winning pizza. While some complain the pizzas are over-doused in sauce, others have become quite addicted. Gourmet pies include “The Masterpiece” and the “Lasagne Pizza”— special red herb tomato sauce with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, garlic, sausage and sliced tomatoes. You can choose the thicker, square-slice Sicilian version or stick to the classic New York style. Either way, the recipes are original and represent all regions of Italy—and the pasta is homemade. For just $2.95 you can get a weekday lunch that includes slice of pepperoni, a green salad and a pasta salad. There’s a game room downstairs for the little ones as well as a wine cellar. Every month in the summer and every other month in the winter, look for movie showings in the parking lot, “Movies on the Fox,” which is done in conjunction with the Fox Historic Theater Foundation.
Estimated cost per person: $15 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
SPAGHETTINI ITALIAN GRILL AND JAZZ CLUB
3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 596-2199
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11 am – 2:30 pm; (Mon) 5 pm – 9:30 pm; (Tues-Thur) 5 pm – 10 pm; (Fri-Sat) 5 pm – 11 pm; (Sun) 10 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 9:30 pm
Behind a distinctive brick façade off the 405 freeway in Seal Beach, is Spaghettini—an upscale Italian eatery known for an elegant live jazz backdrop, ambient lighting and premier dishes. Home to the Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch, sponsored by 94.7-FM, The Wave, Spaghettini is rarely without a large crowd and, at the minimum, a short wait. The menu is reflective of a northern Italian fare and incorporates unique dishes such as the lemon shrimp bruschetta appetizer, the butternut squash ravioli, and artichoke baked halibut. Brunches feature New Zealand lamb chops, “Filet Benedict” and parmesan crusted sea bass ($55.95 for adults, $15.95 for juniors). The only downfall is the overblown emphasis on tight Spaghettini T-shirts and short plaid mini-skirts on the female wait staff—as boasted on the restaurant’s Web site for wine tasting events. Granted, owners Laurie Cisneros and Cary Hardwick brag about sending their staff to Italy and Napa Valley grape crushes for added education—yeah, yeah, yeah. But, seriously, if that’s how the staff is dressed for what are to be sophisticated wine tasting events, it’s basically Hooters in an upscale environment. Other than that, Spaghettini’s central location between Orange and LA counties makes it a great place to meet friends from LA half way.
Estimated cost per person: $35 - $70
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Varies by year, Easter-Open for brunch, Thanksgiving-Varies by year, Christmas Eve-Varies by year, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one appetizer if it’s an a la carte menu, one beverage, tax and 20 percent gratuity.
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