Reviews North Italia

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Taylor Reilly
+5
Amazing food! The Calamari appetizer was the best calamari I've ever had. Our server was hysterical and extremely helpful when picking the right dishes. The food is incredible! You can't go wrong with anything you order. And of course.. try the tiramisu and affagato... you won't be disappointed!!
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Ruby J. Manly
+5
Excellent restuarant. Service, food and ambiance all good. Very busy but it was worth it. We had a large party but the food arrived very timely. I have food allergies and was able to order without incident. Apparently, very fresh and minimally processed. We will definitely make this a favorite.
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Trisha Nguyen
+5
Last night we had dinner with a group of 8 people . We made an advanced reservation a week ago but we still have to wait for another half hour eve though we came a little early . since the restaurant was really busy and the table they reserved for us still having another group was before us still not done their meal. The host apologized and brought us some cups of ice water to drink as we are waiting. Then it came the table was ready , the manager came to our table and apologized again and offered us two big appetizers with Free of charge on our bill. We enjoyed the rest of our food and having a great time . The servers were very attentive and polite . Our friends were impressed by their excellent service , not to mention the food were delicious and exceeded our expectation. We love the casual vibe and the decoration of this restaurant. It is very open , airy and cozy the same time ... We definitely will come back to dine here again . P.S: Our favorite was Chef's board, The white truffle garlic bread , and fried Calamari for appetizers . Prosciutto pizzas, Short rib Radiotari and Squid ink Malfadine pasta. Desert: Lemon donuts .
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Julie Davis
+5
The food was exceptionally good, the meatballs, tortellini, salad and pizza and the desserts were divine! Tiramisu and the hazelnut Carmel Chocolate one!!
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Nancy Nichols Healis
+5
The best Italian food I have ever had! Truffle oil infused bread cubes, toasted and topped with house made ricotta and garlic? Heaven! Excellent outstanding service...kudos to Devin and Natalie!!!
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Karyn Klaus Nelsen
+5
Wow! Can't believe I never been before. awesome food. Best service! Great atmosphere. If you love flavor and feeling welcome you gotta go...
5
Emily Wagner
+5
The food here was so good. you must try the white truffle bread small plate! I would eat here just for that. Spicy sausage pizza is not spicy and has the white truffle spread dolloped on it too. The pizza crust is perfect and I loved the flavor of the short rib lumache. It was the perfect spot for our anniversary. I've heard desserts are good but didn't try myself. It gets really busy and crowded even on weeknights. Make sure you get a reservation and plan plenty of time for parking (or valet park for $).
5
Ceci
+5
This place has my dad’s stamp of approval. He usually prefers Asian food, and eating in places within a 15 minute drive of our place, but he’s willing to make and exception for both if its for North Italia, and for good reason! It’s a cute Italian spot that has a great variety of food, yet keeps it casual. This was actually the first time we came during brunch time, since we usually do dinner here, but it didn’t disappoint. We got the italian meatballs (my dad’s favorite) and the calamari to share, as usual. My mom ordered her usual salmon, my dad the bolognese, and my sister ordered the farmer market’s board. They all enjoyed their usuals. I tried something new and ordered the omelette. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect such a big plate to come: there was salad, a huge omelette, and cute little potato balls to act as hash browns! Overall, we enjoyed our meal, and will be coming back for sure!
4
G A U
+4
We stopped for dinner at North Italia in Irvine and had a nice experience. Elisabeth was our server extraordinare and did a fantastic job and pushed my 3 star rating to a 4 simply due to her amazing attitude and service. We both started with our favorite tequilla drinks, and the bartender did a great job with the drinks. Next, we ordered the eggplant parmesean appetizer, and it was served nice and hot, but for eggplant, a bit spicier than the dish should be. Yes, I am Italian and also a chef who learned from my Sicilian grandma. Still, I give the eggplant a B. Next, we ordered our entrees, and once again, Elisabeth was prompt and a great listener as my wife is the Elmer Dills of the family. My wife ordered the shrimp scampi and a side Cesar salad, which she stated was good. The chef loves garlic, and so do we. I ordered the short rib, which was also a B, as it was not seasoned and a bit dry. Thank God for the tequilla. This restaurant has a very positive vibe, and the service is spectacular. I can tell the management and staff are well synchronized. The kitchen may need a bit more practice to achieve an A, and we will be back to give North Italia another try. Recommended.
5
Frank Sea
+5
My visit to North Italia was a delightful culinary adventure. The Chicken Pesto, undoubtedly my favorite, offered a burst of rich flavors that made my taste buds dance with joy. The tender chicken paired with the aromatic pesto created a mouthwatering combination that left a lasting impression. Equally impressive was the calamari, perfectly crispy and paired with a sauce that blended seamlessly, creating a harmonious medley of textures and tastes. To complete this exceptional dining experience, I indulged in the Pomegranate Mule cocktail, which was a refreshing delight. This concoction featured a delightful ginger aftertaste that added a unique twist to the traditional Moscow Mule. The tangy pomegranate flavor and the zesty ginger notes combined to create a drink that perfectly complemented the savory dishes. What made the experience even more enjoyable was the efficient service. Despite being at full capacity, the wait time was surprisingly short, a testament to their well-organized staff. Additionally, the open kitchen concept allowed me to witness the culinary magic happening behind the scenes, adding an exciting element to the overall ambiance. North Italia truly provides an exceptional dining experience, combining delectable flavors with efficient service and a captivating kitchen view, making it a top-notch choice for a memorable meal.
5
Hannah
+5
The food was very good! Service was great! Our server was really sweet~ I wanted a cocktail, but I was not sure what was good and asked for her recommendation. I said I wanted something sweet and she recommended the Fiore Scarletto. As she said it tastes like a tea from Starbucks with alcohol :) We ordered the Bolognese, Squid Ink Tonnarelli, and the Italian Meatball. I really like the texture and the cook level of the pastas. I believe we wanted something similar to the italian meatball at first, but they don't have it on the menu anymore. Still the Italian meatball were really good! I think creamy polenta on the plate was a perfect match with the meatballs. For dessert, we were debating between the butter cake and tiramisu.. I believe the butter cake had seasonal fruits that we were not big fans of so we got the tiramisu!! Perfect amount of sweetness and crunch from the mini chocolate balls!! Thank you for the amazing service and great food :)
5
Khalid Khan
+5
I had an incredible dining experience at North Italia! The customer service was top-notch; the bar manager went above and beyond, ensuring our satisfaction. We indulged in calamari fritti, crispy eggplant parmesan, and white truffle garlic bread for starters, followed by a delightful array of main courses. The ricotta cavatelli, seasonal anolini, crushed meatball ragu, strozzapreti, chicken parmesan, and fries were all cooked to perfection. The calamari stood out with its fresh, crispy, and delicious flavor, while the eggplant parmesan, though loaded with cheese, was exquisite. To cap off our delightful meal, we enjoyed a fabulous cup of black tea, adding a touch of warmth and aiding digestion. Overall, North Italia is a must-try – I wholeheartedly recommend it! The seamless combination of exquisite dishes and comforting tea truly made our visit memorable.
4
Vy Hoang
+4
The place is great for behaved pets. The food was lacking but the drinks were delicious. The carpaccio was overly seasoned with sauces. All I tasted was the sauce. Sub par taste on the pasta.
5
Robert Amato
+5
Awesome spot for a night out or date night. Very upbeat and lively. Food in great! Pasta is so fresh and drinks are good! Service is always great!
5
Maxim Flemdan
+5
Indoor and outdoor seating, both very nice dining options! Food was great and was much better than anticipated. Definitely will return as the food tasted great and had a nice dining experience as well.
4
Julie Landreth
+4
The food has been consistent. That's why we like this place. But we looked forward to arancini but they replaced it with bocconcini which was equally as good. We really appreciated our server John. Meatballs good but a little cool in center but the sauce was hot. The grilled bread was delicious. I had the salmon on the arugula salad which was good. And the chicken Parmesan is delicious the butter cheese penne, yum. My one complaint is our appetizers were all delivered before I got my glass of wine.. that drives me crazy. I'd give it less stars but our server made up for it at other times. Look wise it's a cool atmosphere. But a 2 star because over crowded and loud and even when you have a reservation you arrive on time and you still wait 15 minutes to get seated.
5
Alex Kertis
+5
I recommend this restaurant to family and friends because I've enjoyed it every time I've visited. However, this review is about our Happy Hour experience. My wife and I enjoyed Happy Hour here on a Monday afternoon recently. We sat in the bar area, ordered a couple beers, and two items on the Happy Hour menu: Italian Meatballs and the cacio e pepe pizza. It's worth noting their Happy Hour menu here has only seven food choices, three wine options, two cocktails, and maybe 10 beers to choose from. The three meatballs were good-sized and served on a bed of polenta. They were delicious - I'll definitely order them next time. The pizza was superb (it's made with many different cheeses) and I will order two of them every time I return to the restaurant (my wife will veto this edict but I'll still try). In my picture of the pizza I placed a fork on it for scale (it's about 12 inches in diameter). We like the interior of the restaurant and especially the bar area because of the huge opening behind the bar which allows a view of their patio seating as well as a path for fresh air. Upbeat soft music, excellent food and service, and reasonable prices make this restaurant one of my favorites.
5
Coco Chou
+5
Service is good. Food is delicious. Cocktail is amazing!😍 they give our food to other table and apologize in very professional manner. Worth to come to the restaurant!
4
Steven Price
+4
Great servers that actually care about their customers! Very busy, always a good sign. Decent wine selection. We enjoyed the Fontodi wine 🍷 classic clean finish. The dinners were great. A don't miss Italian spot in Orange County!
5
Jonathan Michel
+5
Dylán is the best server I’ve experienced this far. It’s been a while since I wrote a review. He can read minds and will go above and beyond to deliver an amazing experience!! Go see Dylán and tell him Jon sent you!
5
Travel Bause
+5
Vibrant atmosphere...food and drinks were outstanding. Our server was always there when we needed him, despite the restaurant being very crowded. The reservation was for 4:45 because all the best slots were taken. We still ended up staying for almost 3hours. Beautiful staff and excellent decor. Great indoor outdoor opportunities too. All in all. Thumbs up
5
Michelle Dornak
+5
Great service. Great food. The appetizers were awesome. It's our first time here with friends. The garlic bread with truffle butter was amazing. Our calamari tasted like it was breaded with funnel cake. The meat balls were really good. I don't recommend the tropical margarita get a regular one.
5
Carime Gervasio
+5
Upbeat and lively atmosphere, this place is always alive, not to mention amazing food. for me it’s official everytime I go I leave with a good experience.
5
Jay E.
+5
Was in a party of 3. Everyone, myself included loved there meal. Service was great, prices are fair. Definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been!
5
Gloria E.
+5
I took my son here between classes at the University nearby. We wanted to get a quick but delicious meal. I have to say that it was impossible to find a parking space directly near the restaurant because all the slots are for valet. You have to park near the other stores and the bigger lot if you don't want to valet your car. The Host was efficient and good at his job. Everyone who passed by us on the way to our table greeted us with a smile and a" Hello". Very lovely decor with a lot of bright light. I love the meatballs and the eggplant parmesan. The truffle toast was awesome. Also the calamari was tender and juicy. I really like the two choices of dipping sauce. Our server was a very older woman with long red braids. She was very personable with us and very conversational. If I had a negative to say it was that she had a bit of the sniffles when she came to the table.
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