North Italia

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.

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 $).

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.