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Featured Dining ITALIAN

See Maps Pages to see indicated grid locations.

Amelia’s For 45 years, Amelia's has been delighting visitors and locals alike. Located among the boutiques on Balboa Island, this quaint European-style restaurant specializes in exquisite pasta and delectable seafood. Try the Linguini with Baby Calamari and Fresh Bay Scallops with Marinara Sauce. Amelia's features fresh fish, four types of lasagna and mouth-watering combination dinners such as the Filet Mignon and Scampi. Fine wines available. Private parties from eight to forty eight. Dinner nightly; lunch Friday–Sunday; Sunday brunch. 311 Marine Ave., Balboa Island 949.673.6580 www.ameliasbalboaisland.com

Anaheim White House Historic home provides romantic setting for one of North County’s finest restaurants. Presentations give it the wow factor. Gazebo for garden dining. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.772.1381 $$$ Map I10

www.anaheimwhitehouse.com

Il Fornaio Known for breads, light pastas, items from rotisserie (especially chicken) and wood-burning oven. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 18051 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.261.1444 $$$ Map J14

www.ilfornaio.com

Pasta Pomodoro Pomodoro offers contemporary Italian cuisine at extremely affordable prices. From Milan, Founder Adriano Paganini has worked in Italy, France, London, New York and cooked for famous guests including Luciano Pavarotti, Queen of England, President of Italy and President Ronald Reagan. Visit Pomodoro, 'Laguna Beach' which is featured in the hit MTV series of the same name! 5789 Alton Parkway (Irvine): 949.654.1100 21133; Newport Coast Drive (Newport Coast): 949.759.1303; 234 Forest Ave (Laguna Beach): 949.497.8222; 7811 Edinger Ave, (Huntington Beach): 714.897.8062

www.pastapomodoro.com

Mamma Gina's Florence, Italy, transplant; waterfront location. Lombatina Alpina, with porcinis, may be the county’s best veal chop. Excellent gnocchi, tiramisu. Lunch, dinner daily; Sun. brunch. (AE, DC, MC, V) 251 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.673.9500 $$$ Map M14

www.mammagina.com

Sapori Ristorante Excellent food, lovely patio. Penne otero in tomato cream sauce with fresh tarragon, bacon, vodka and hot pepper. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. 1080 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.644.4220 $$$ Map N14

www.saporinb.com

Sorrento Grille and Martini Bar Boisterous Tuscany-inspired bistro. Martinis; charred rare peppered ahi steak on risotto cake with spinach. Dinner daily. 370 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, 949.494.8686 $$$ Map H15

www.culinaryadventures.com

More ITALIAN

Antonello Ristorante Top-notch Northern Italian; power lunch, romantic dinner. Off-the-menu: filetto al piatto, thin-sliced marinated filet mignon medallions. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.-Sat. (All major cards) South Coast Plaza Village, 3800 Plaza Drive., Santa Ana, 714.751.7153 $$$ Map J13

Baci Fans flock for fine fare in faux villa. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, DS, MC, V) 18748 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, 714.965.1194 $$ Map M9

Barolo Cafe Chef-owned; specialties from calamari in umido to scaloppine alla Sorrentino. (All major cards) 13771 Newport Ave., Tustin, 714.734.8882 $$ Map C5

Bellagio Huge menu ranges from halibut Florentine to rack of lamb and build-your-own pastas. Lunch, dinner daily. All major cards. 12361 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, 714.971.8520 $$ Map J10

Buca di Beppo Gluttony at its finest: family platters of ravioli al pomodoro or spaghetti and meatballs (three half-pound meatballs and 2 pounds of pasta) in kitschy atmosphere. Dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 13390 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714.665.0800. 7979 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.891.4666. 11757 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, 714.740.BUCA. 1609 E. Imperial Hwy., Brea, 714.529.MAMA $$ Map J14, C2, J10, A3

Luggatti’s Italian Grill New spot offers pizzas and bubbling casseroles. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 210 5th Street, Huntington Beach, 714.536.8846 $$ Map D2

Maggiano’s Little Italy Dark woods, checkered tablecloths, classic Southern Italian. (Adjacent Corner Bakery.) Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.546.9550 $$ Map J13

Mulberry Street Great bar, sophisticated Italian in the heart of historic, happening downtown. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 114 W. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton, 714.525.1056 $$$ Map A3

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria Family fare from Patina Group; Neopolitan pizzas, Chianti-braised lamb shank. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) Downtown Disney, 1550 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.776.6200 $$ Map I10

Nello Cucina Italian Steakhouse plus thin crust pizzas, innovative pastas at South Coast Plaza; sibling to Antonello. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 714.540.3365 $$ Map J13

Nesai Michiko Soffer (of Issay) is back with a mostly Italian menu, a few Japanese starters. Don’t let the mix throw you. Dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 215-17 Riverside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.646.2333 $$$ Map M13

Pavia Fine dining room offers elegant Roma atmosphere, seafood and pastas, and arias. Dinner nightly. (All major cards) Anaheim Hilton & Towers Hotel, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, 714.750.4321 $$$ Map I10

Pomodoro Cucina Italiana Pasta, grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, steamed mussels, salads; leggero (light) menu too. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 234 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.497.8222. 21333 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, 949.759.1303. $$ Map H15, E4

Prego Rustic, regional cuisine in Tuscan-inspired villa. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, DC, MC, V) 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.553.1333 $$$ Map J14

Quattro Caffe Antonio Cagnolo of Antonello rejuvenates shoppers with stylish fare. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.754.0300 $$ Map J13

Renato Beachfront, elegant and casual seafood ristorante. Dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 2304 W. Oceanfront Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.673.8058 $$$ Map N13

Ristorante Ferrantelli In Rome for 50 years, here for 20. Mixed grill (filet mignon, Italian sausage, lamb chop, pork chop), mixed seafood grill (lobster, Hawaiian prawns, calamari steak, fresh fish of the day). Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 25001 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.493.1401 $$$ Map J16

Ristorante Rumari Unpretentious, family-run restaurant serves Cal-Ital: squid ink linguine baked in foil with Manila clams, tiger shrimp and tomato-brandy sauce. Dinner nightly. (All major cards) 1826 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.494.0400 $$$ Map H15

Ti Amo Romantic eatery with classically inspired wall paintings and trellises. On a date? Get a table by the fireplace. Dinner nightly. (AE, DC, MC, V) 31727 S. Coast Hwy., South Laguna, 949.499.5350 $$$ Map I16

Trattoria Barolo Old World Italian fare and alfresco dining. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 2658 N. Santiago Blvd., Orange, 714.637.1671 $$ Map B4

Tutto Mare Festive ambience, serious cuisine. Seafood’s the specialty. Lunch, dinner daily; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) 545 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.640.6333 $$$ Map L15

Vessia Ristorante Regional fare; smart food amid smart décor. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (All major cards) Crossroads Shopping Center, 3966 Barranca Parkway, Suite B, Irvine, 949.654.1155 $$ Map L15
SYMBOL KEY
Credit Cards Price Range
AE American Express $ under $15
MC Mastercard $$ under $30
V Visa $$$ under $50
DC Diners Club $$$$ over $50

American • Brew Pubs • California Cuisine • Chinese • Continental • Cuban • Eclectic • French • Indian • International • Italian • Japanese • Mediterranean • Mexican/Southwestern • Persian • Quick Bites • Seafood • Steak • Supper Clubs • Tea • Thai • Theme