OC Italian

Comment

Comment by Brent Courier on August 10, 2010 at 2:39pm

How did you know I won that Crow Bar certif? I've had no luck since, and I don't jump for candy, so I'll let the other's scramble. Be sure to try IL Dolce. They are very nice people and the man has acute talent. Salty, chewy, wood-burned tastiness with condiments of your choosing on top. FYI, the toppings are just teasers. Sort of like a mini-skirt, in the eyes of a man.

Comment by Barbara Vealey on June 2, 2010 at 12:16am

Hey Italiaphiles...I finally made it to Sonny's in San Clemente and the pizza was really good, VERY thin crust. Interesting combos on the toppings too. Pasta not so exciting, but will go back to try again. Brent, you lucky dog, I saw you won a gift certificate from the Foodies, nice! Haven't been back to Alessa since the first time. I'm in south county, so, no Il Dolce yet either. Until later...Ciao!

Comment by Miles Heggi on June 1, 2010 at 10:59am

My favorite Italian place lately has been Tannins in San Juan. Try the salmon spinach salad...it's really good. They have a dedicated pizza kitchen and I really like those too. It's a little pricey, but it's a nice little spot for a special dinner some night.

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. . . .

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page