OC Italian

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Comment by Brent Courier on March 10, 2010 at 7:36pm

Has anyone tried Il Dolce on 19th and Harbor for dinner or lunch, and had anything other than his "best in class" in the OC napoli-style pizza? I'm going to post commentary/experience on the Pizza blog. Just wondering if any Italia-philes had dined on pasta or meat dishes. (hmm. Would we be trying to compare vs. the Alessa benchmark?)

Comment by Brent Courier on January 19, 2010 at 1:51am

I get take-out at Alessa at least once every 2-mos. I enjoy their meals and presence, as you do. It's very well prepared Med-Italian--which I like. They are a very pleasing establishment, with a bellissimo owner/chef who loves to please the customer with his product. I haven't strayed from his menu, but I believe he would try to come up with a grand result, from any request a customer could desire.

Comment by Barbara Vealey on January 15, 2010 at 1:27pm

Hi again, Brent. I did go to Alessa a couple months ago and it was really good! I've been wanting to go back. My friend and I each had a pasta (of course!) which were similar and both awesome. Hope to get back there very soon to try something different. Thanks again! BTW, decent pizza can be found at Tutto Fresco in RSM, pasta and meats not too bad either, but still no comparison to east coast. Bon appetit!

Comment by Brent Courier on January 15, 2010 at 12:47pm

Mama D's has lots of fans. Why the heck don't they participate more with the Restaurant Association to get their name out? I drive my bicycle past their place of business as often as I can, but have never felt enticed--despite mostly very good reviews.

Comment by Tracy on January 15, 2010 at 12:30pm

I love Mama D's in Newport! I htink the Chciken David is my favorite! It is pasta with chicken and mushrooms with a marsala like sauce. And the service is outstanding!

Comment by Brent Courier on January 15, 2010 at 11:08am

This is not OC-related, but many of us travel, and we have no Chowhound OC--I've petitioned, but get no response. I've been traveling to NYC a lot, and if you get the opportunity--check out Artichoke Brasille in East Village. Bring a friend so you can try their 3-varieties (Gigantic Artichoke/Spinach/Alfredo slice on nicely oiled NYC-water crust, Sicilian, and Margarite (sp?) charred thin crust) (primo red sauce--my fave), and a Big Gulp Beer for $5.50. This place is new, but they've got "classic"--down. To keep the thread OC-related, I've not found the holy-grail of Pizza and Italian, yet, in the OC. Cucina is absolutely the closest--on the Italian-themed thread.

Comment by Brent Courier on September 4, 2009 at 12:59pm

Barbara, you'll be pleased. I, personally, would stick to the appetizer/salad/entree/pasta/dessert offerings vs. the pizza at Cucina. I've become a pizza snob, as I age, since I travel so much. Very good pizza at Cucina, but stick to my rec. and I think you'll be very satisfied. (as an aside, though I really like pizza, I'm rarely enamored with the product as a whole, sans a Grimaldi's, Di Fara (Brooklyn), John's (GV) or even (darned me) a Gino's East Pie in downtown Chicago. "Not a pizza, it's a lasagna with a cornmeal crust. . . ." Whatevah. . . .

Comment by Barbara Vealey on September 2, 2009 at 10:50pm

Brent, Thanks for the tip on Cucina Alessa, I just checked out the menu online and was impressed with the creative pasta dishes. I'm from NJ and have been hunting down Italian restaurants in The OC for years. I can't even mention one that compares to home. BTW, I tried Mama D's last week with some friends who live in Newport and no offense to Michael, but it didn't excite me. The service however is great, I will agree.

Comment by Brent Courier on August 29, 2009 at 3:15pm

Great meal at Cucina Alessa, as always. One person must order the Seashell pasta w/ Shrimp and Asparagus, and the other can order anything else. Be sure to have a side Caesar with every meal (best in town.) Great neighborhood Italian done right--most items under $17. Not sure what you want? Come here. Had a nice bottle of Abruzzo w/ dinner for only $30. This place is approachable and very satisfying. Dinner, bottle of wine, tax, and 25% tip = less than $80. Big smiles and happiness.

Comment by Brent Courier on July 21, 2009 at 9:37pm

Michael,

Thanks for the tip. Hard to think about food right now, "me belly" is all full o' Ruby's. Nice burger and rings atop the Balboa Pier.

So their pizza is up there on a tops list in the S. Coastal County area? (. . .when asked for as crispy. . .)

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