Thread: Need a good Italian restaurant in OC

Originally Posted by MaxwellSmart

For example, I asked my friend, who is Thai, for a good authentic Thai restaurant. He said, in OC there is only one: "Thai Nakorn." He said all the other ones have bland flavoring because people in Orange County think those flavors are too harsh because they have grown used to all the other Thai food places here.

Try this place for Thai. Owned by a Thai family and all of the employees are Thai

Spice Thai | Lake Forest, CA

For the record, Angelo and Vinci's does suck. They are still living off their reputation of once being a good restaurant and being owned by (the now late)Steven Peck.

Yeah, it is amazing how bad Orange County sucks. Please people just stay out, go eat elsewhere and just leave us to our franchise eatin'-SUV driven-fakeboob lovin' selves.

Originally Posted by KingsJohn/Obediah

Try this place for Thai. Owned by a Thai family and all of the employees are Thai

Spice Thai | Lake Forest, CA

For the record, Angelo and Vinci's does suck. They are still living off their reputation of once being a good restaurant and being owned by (the now late)Steven Peck.

Spice Thai is amazing! I blame KJ for me craving Thai food now.

You're completely ****ing stupid if you think living in Orange County means you dont have access to decent food.

Originally Posted by lunchbox

:
the food in NY, SF, paris, tokyo and even f***ing brussels is better than the food in OC AND LA. what's you guys' points?

Best Pizza I've ever had was in Brussels. Salami on a thin crust. So amazing.

For the record, about Angelos and Vincis, I haven't eaten there in 10+ years. I should (or maybe shouldn't) get updated on that ****.

I stand by Genovese though.

Originally Posted by Leatherface

Best Pizza I've ever had was in Brussels.

For the record, about Angelos and Vincis, I haven't eaten there in 10+ years. I should (or maybe shouldn't) get updated on that ****.

I stand by Genovese though.

It's changed...trust me

It really took a dump after the owner died. It's a sad shell of its former self

Originally Posted by KingsJohn/Obediah

Try this place for Thai. Owned by a Thai family and all of the employees are Thai

Spice Thai | Lake Forest, CA

For the record, Angelo and Vinci's does suck. They are still living off their reputation of once being a good restaurant and being owned by (the now late)Steven Peck.

Thanks for the recc!

By the way, after all that I said, my favorite Italian gem is a little place in a food court, of all places, called Franco's Pasta Cucina in Irvine near the John Wayne Airport. It's only open weekdays from 11:30 to 2:00.

The chef/owner is a pasta nazi who will yell at you if you ask for extra salad dressing, parmesan cheese, etc. I think he is the main chef at a restaurant in Santa Monica at night, but he moonlights here during the day.

I haven't seen him there in a while, but he and his assistant cook up pasta dishes by the plate, and it is very good... especially for the price: $8, which includes the main dish, salad and a drink.

My friend got the chicken parmesan and I thought it was pretty good. I've had their lasagna, linguini with seabass, and lobster ravioli.

Here is an old write up: Monster Munching: Franco's Pasta Cucina - Irvine

My favorite little Italian place is Pizza D'Oro in Costa Mesa.
Italian Restaurant in Fountain Valley, CA Its just a little hole in the wall place. It can't seat more than 40 people, the salad is just plain iceberg mix and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. But it is inexpensive and damn good. I usually get 2 meals out of an entree and am still stuffed. Its not fancy, but just good, homemade Italian food. I liken it to going to dinner at my Grandparent's house for dinner (who were born in Italy). Plus they have great pizza and subs. The wife and I usually get out of there for less than $40 including a bottle of wine!


For more upscale (or whatever you want to call it) I also like Nello Cucina. Nello Cucina Its in the crystal court area of South Coast Plaza. Its a little pricey, but Veal Raviolis are amazing!

Haven't tried the Chicken Parm at either, but I'm sure Ray Ferraro would endorse it!

I've been wanting to find a place near me in Tustin that might be good. But haven't seen any I want to try yet