Cucina enoteca is awesome! The decor and atmosphere is fresh, rustic and eclectic. I recommend sitting outside during the day because the cushions are really comfy and there's a fireplace. The menu has a great variety of dishes, I wanted to try everything. I've had the Short Rib Penne, Pork Ragu and Butternut Squash Ravioli. I recommend all of them but I especially loved the Ravioli. The service is friendly and attentive. The food comes out quickly so come hungry!
(5)
Karla C.
We passed by and were attracted by the patios and how inviting they were. We of course sat outside. The service was good. We ordered the lunch special; pizza, lasagna and salad for two. It was delicious and very authentic. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Jennifer R.
My friend ordered the Sea Bass. It was tough. I ordered a pizza with Gorgonzola, Figs and Arugula. The pizza crust had been overworked and it was tough. Very hard to bite or even cut. One thing that was delicious was the brussel sprouts. Those were amazing. Not interested in returning.
(2)
P E.
Great food, great service
(5)
Miss D.
Went with friends after reading reviews on yelp...had the mason jar of burrata + roasted garlic with the tuscan toast (good)...then we all shared farmers chopped salad (great) - then shared the short rib pappardelle - everyone raved about this but our short rib strips were a little dry and missing some flavor - all 3 of us wanted to love it but we didn't. I liked how we can do family style by adding extra money to some of the items & the service was good - there was a long wait since it's irvine spectrum & was expected which we didn't mind...just have had better food elsewhere & glad we tried something different but all 3 of us agreed that we would not come back.
(3)
Nancy M.
I still have dreams about the seafood linguine here. My mouth is salivating as I write this review. The flavors were unique and memorable. At first it had a strange/strong lemon taste but soon I got used to it. I made the wrong choice of ordering sparkling water though. Unless you actually like it don't be like me and order it just because it sounds cool. Service was spot on, especially considering how busy it was the night I came. I'm looking forward to returning in the future and trying other things!
(4)
Chris G.
Delicious food, lovely ambiance with stellar service. My caprese hollendaise was fun and fresh and I got to sample everyone's food, all equally excellent.
(5)
Mikkel P.
Nice heated outdoor setting. Fast and unpretentious service. We got our food fast (we came just after 8pm). Wine at retail price and food well prepared. Nothing absolutely fantastic, but the overall experience was without flaws. That is worth a lot in my book.
(4)
Christine H.
Why we gave it 5 stars: 1. The food is fabulous. It's going to sound strange, but the kids Mac n' Cheese is one of the best either of us have had. (We are both allergic to onions so we couldn't order the adult version.) 2. We sat outside and the atmosphere is great. 3. So far this is our favorite restaurant in the OC.
(5)
Julia O.
Love this spot. Not only is the atmosphere classy and comfortable but the food is also delicious. My favorite dish is the portabello ravioli with the balsamic reduction -- absolutely delicious!! The balsamic reduction with the portabello mushrooms gives it such a unique flavor. I also love the caprese salad! The prosciutto and the burrata cheese makes this caprese salad stand out from all the other caprese salads I've had. I want to try other dishes here, but always tempted to get the same things again. Will need to venture out of my comfort zone ;)
(4)
Diana M.
A total fan. The burratta spread is AMAZING. Love the environment too. Looking fwd to Newport Beach location opening soon.
(4)
Michael A.
Top 3 meals I've had in Irvine. Notables: Blueberry Semifreddo - This is the best dessert I've had in Irvine hands down period the end ($10, 9.6/10) Octopus - WOW! ($13,9.4/10) (I THINK) do not leave the restaurant without trying those two dishes. just wow. what a great meal.
(5)
Justin B.
Pros: Great food. Nice decor. Cons: Service is kinda slow I've been here twice and I have yet to be let down by their food. On those visits, I've tried the following: 1) Meatball + Mozzarella di Bufala Pizza - Great pizza if you like thin crust pizza. 2) Truffle Mushroom Mac and Cheese - When have you ever gone wrong with "truffle" anything. I don't even like mac and cheese that much, but this was great. 3) Short Rib Pappardelle - Pasta with short ribs. very hearty and very delicious. 4) Truffle French Fries - See comments about "Truffle" above. 5) Mushroom soup - It was the soup of the day, but totally worth getting if they have it and you like mushrooms. The decor here is pretty nice too. Very modern feel. Great place to have a dinner with friends. Only downside was service was kinda slow. In their defense, the place was pretty packed. Hope that can get that figured out. Overall, worth checking out.
Their home made mozzarella was soooo good!!! Melts and turns in to milk in your mouth. Other foods, pizza and everything was good also but I just remembers about the mozzarella. This place is so crowded on the weekends so better to put your name on the list and then go shopping.
(4)
Steve W.
Their caesar salad was outstanding in so many ways. I had pasta with duck and it just melts in your mouth like a good piece chocolate. The wine was not expensive but very good.
(5)
Kevin F.
Burrata is a must...the SHORT RIB pasta tastes really good but I have been thinking that if I order it again I would ask for extra pasta....what do you think?
(4)
Ryan D.
Cucina is an amazing addition to the Irvine Spectrum! There are plenty of big box restaurants already with nothing too different, until now. We have been to Cucina a bunch of times now and each one is a new adventure in trying a new item. The staff is top notch, very friendly and knowledgable...plus passionate about their menu! You honestly cannot go wrong ordering anything off the menu, and their happy hour specials are really good. Our favorites have been the pizzas, lasagna and the chicken is excellent. The decor is great too, kinda looks like Anthropologie threw up all over the place...but thats not a bad thing :) We will be back over and over again.
(5)
Lance S.
Have eaten lunch here twice in the past 2 months. Good, well-priced food in a clean and hip atmosphere. Located just across from Edwards Theaters in the Spectrum. Certainly one of the best places to eat at the Spectrum. Wine list is extensive and well-priced.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Elyse L.
Cucina enoteca is awesome! The decor and atmosphere is fresh, rustic and eclectic. I recommend sitting outside during the day because the cushions are really comfy and there's a fireplace. The menu has a great variety of dishes, I wanted to try everything. I've had the Short Rib Penne, Pork Ragu and Butternut Squash Ravioli. I recommend all of them but I especially loved the Ravioli. The service is friendly and attentive. The food comes out quickly so come hungry!
(5)Karla C.
We passed by and were attracted by the patios and how inviting they were. We of course sat outside. The service was good. We ordered the lunch special; pizza, lasagna and salad for two. It was delicious and very authentic. I highly recommend it.
(5)Jennifer R.
My friend ordered the Sea Bass. It was tough. I ordered a pizza with Gorgonzola, Figs and Arugula. The pizza crust had been overworked and it was tough. Very hard to bite or even cut. One thing that was delicious was the brussel sprouts. Those were amazing. Not interested in returning.
(2)P E.
Great food, great service
(5)Miss D.
Went with friends after reading reviews on yelp...had the mason jar of burrata + roasted garlic with the tuscan toast (good)...then we all shared farmers chopped salad (great) - then shared the short rib pappardelle - everyone raved about this but our short rib strips were a little dry and missing some flavor - all 3 of us wanted to love it but we didn't. I liked how we can do family style by adding extra money to some of the items & the service was good - there was a long wait since it's irvine spectrum & was expected which we didn't mind...just have had better food elsewhere & glad we tried something different but all 3 of us agreed that we would not come back.
(3)Nancy M.
I still have dreams about the seafood linguine here. My mouth is salivating as I write this review. The flavors were unique and memorable. At first it had a strange/strong lemon taste but soon I got used to it. I made the wrong choice of ordering sparkling water though. Unless you actually like it don't be like me and order it just because it sounds cool. Service was spot on, especially considering how busy it was the night I came. I'm looking forward to returning in the future and trying other things!
(4)Chris G.
Delicious food, lovely ambiance with stellar service. My caprese hollendaise was fun and fresh and I got to sample everyone's food, all equally excellent.
(5)Mikkel P.
Nice heated outdoor setting. Fast and unpretentious service. We got our food fast (we came just after 8pm). Wine at retail price and food well prepared. Nothing absolutely fantastic, but the overall experience was without flaws. That is worth a lot in my book.
(4)Christine H.
Why we gave it 5 stars: 1. The food is fabulous. It's going to sound strange, but the kids Mac n' Cheese is one of the best either of us have had. (We are both allergic to onions so we couldn't order the adult version.) 2. We sat outside and the atmosphere is great. 3. So far this is our favorite restaurant in the OC.
(5)Julia O.
Love this spot. Not only is the atmosphere classy and comfortable but the food is also delicious. My favorite dish is the portabello ravioli with the balsamic reduction -- absolutely delicious!! The balsamic reduction with the portabello mushrooms gives it such a unique flavor. I also love the caprese salad! The prosciutto and the burrata cheese makes this caprese salad stand out from all the other caprese salads I've had. I want to try other dishes here, but always tempted to get the same things again. Will need to venture out of my comfort zone ;)
(4)Diana M.
A total fan. The burratta spread is AMAZING. Love the environment too. Looking fwd to Newport Beach location opening soon.
(4)Michael A.
Top 3 meals I've had in Irvine. Notables: Blueberry Semifreddo - This is the best dessert I've had in Irvine hands down period the end ($10, 9.6/10) Octopus - WOW! ($13,9.4/10) (I THINK) do not leave the restaurant without trying those two dishes. just wow. what a great meal.
(5)Justin B.
Pros: Great food. Nice decor. Cons: Service is kinda slow I've been here twice and I have yet to be let down by their food. On those visits, I've tried the following: 1) Meatball + Mozzarella di Bufala Pizza - Great pizza if you like thin crust pizza. 2) Truffle Mushroom Mac and Cheese - When have you ever gone wrong with "truffle" anything. I don't even like mac and cheese that much, but this was great. 3) Short Rib Pappardelle - Pasta with short ribs. very hearty and very delicious. 4) Truffle French Fries - See comments about "Truffle" above. 5) Mushroom soup - It was the soup of the day, but totally worth getting if they have it and you like mushrooms. The decor here is pretty nice too. Very modern feel. Great place to have a dinner with friends. Only downside was service was kinda slow. In their defense, the place was pretty packed. Hope that can get that figured out. Overall, worth checking out.
(4)Jonathan C.
Very Aesthetically pleasing decor and interior. Extremely impressive visually. My wife and I ordered the assortment of meats and cheeses for our appetizer. We then had the ribeye and burger for our entrées. Everything was excellent. Food was fresh and tasted clean (clean meaning not full of low quality cooking oils or a ton of flavor masking seasonings). Our server was top notch and provided 5 star service. Will definitely come back.
(4)Emme E.
Their home made mozzarella was soooo good!!! Melts and turns in to milk in your mouth. Other foods, pizza and everything was good also but I just remembers about the mozzarella. This place is so crowded on the weekends so better to put your name on the list and then go shopping.
(4)Steve W.
Their caesar salad was outstanding in so many ways. I had pasta with duck and it just melts in your mouth like a good piece chocolate. The wine was not expensive but very good.
(5)Kevin F.
Burrata is a must...the SHORT RIB pasta tastes really good but I have been thinking that if I order it again I would ask for extra pasta....what do you think?
(4)Ryan D.
Cucina is an amazing addition to the Irvine Spectrum! There are plenty of big box restaurants already with nothing too different, until now. We have been to Cucina a bunch of times now and each one is a new adventure in trying a new item. The staff is top notch, very friendly and knowledgable...plus passionate about their menu! You honestly cannot go wrong ordering anything off the menu, and their happy hour specials are really good. Our favorites have been the pizzas, lasagna and the chicken is excellent. The decor is great too, kinda looks like Anthropologie threw up all over the place...but thats not a bad thing :) We will be back over and over again.
(5)Lance S.
Have eaten lunch here twice in the past 2 months. Good, well-priced food in a clean and hip atmosphere. Located just across from Edwards Theaters in the Spectrum. Certainly one of the best places to eat at the Spectrum. Wine list is extensive and well-priced.
(4)