Celebration Dinner in Irvine - Italian Restaurant Recs?

[flyn]

Taking a friend out for celebration dinner in Irvine area, looking for a good italian restaurant. Any recommendations? Close to Irvine also ok. Thanks!

[Kaisgraham]

I would highly recommend Onotria in Costa Mesa. High end. Great wines.
For Southern Italian and more family style, try Roma d'Italia in Tustin. Been there forever and always busy.

[kphilbin]

Antonellos is better than Il Fornaio. However, it's pretentious and a little tacky.....murals of Italy, waiters with Pantomime Italian accents and fancy plates.Food beats Il Fornaio though which is about as Italian as Taco Bell is Mexican

Think I'd take a drive to LA

[cqt]

One more to throw into the mix if it's not too late: Ristorante Max. Owned by a family who has a restaurant in Positano that I've been to.

Try the lobster with spaghetti as a split starter and the shrimp scampi (it's like the scampi you get in Italy with the hard-shell claws but super-sweet meat)!

Very authentic and not as saucey as American Italian restaurants.

[brekkie_fan]

Where's that?

[cqt]

brekkie fan:

It's in Newport Beach:
1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach
949-515-8500

It's expensive but a different Italian than Antonello's and Maggiano's. I like the fresh pastas. I miss the preparations of fresh seafood and pastas in Italy - this place was not the best in Positano but it's pretty good for OC.

[cdmedici]

Are you looking for more authentic Italian or American style? What about atmosphere?

[flyn]

Thanks for suggestions!! Really appreciate your input... will check out Vessia.

[erintoc]

I second Vessia. I am from Irvine and my family goes there all the time for celebration dinners...It is off of Barranca and Culver in the Crossroads mini-mall...

Just had dinner there 1 month ago and loved it!

[crystaw]

I know it's a chain, but when I worked in Irvine people I talked to really liked Maggiano's near Southcoast Plaza. I can't vouch for it myself though.

[rob.nolen]

Maggianos is pretty good. They have a family style dinner (I think 4 or 6 persons minimum) for 22 dollars (this price may have changed) that is 3 courses, all you can eat. They even pack up all the leftovers for you to take home. Buca di Beppo is another chain, they're in Tustin off Jamboree, decent food at a decent price. This is a family style dining place, so everything is large portions intended for sharing.

[Juji]

I really like Prego, the Agnolotti d'Aragosta is delicious.

http://www.pregoristoranti.com/

[MzMaggie]

Vessia on Barranca & Culver in Irvine is really good. Roma d'Italia on Camino Real in Tustin is a family run place that;s been there for years.

[byeCalihelloBahamas]

Antonellos in Costa Mesa (across from SCP) is very good.

Il Fornaio is pretty good. Chain restaurant, but nice atmosphere and good food in Irvine.