1. Fratellino’s by Cesar Lomeli
600 S. Brea Blvd., Brea; 714-255-9100; fratellinos.com
Fratellino’s by Cesar Lomeli is a repeat, multiyear winner in Best of OC’s Best Italian Restaurant category. Fratellino’s also is a three-time “Italian Silver” winner at the Southern California Restaurant Writers’ 28th, 29th and 30th annual Restaurant Awards.
Fratellino’s is well-known for its traditional Italian food, elegant interior décor and wall murals that offer the feeling of dining in Italy. The restaurant is also known for its hot dinner take-out party trays and for being a strong community supporter, partnering with schools and nonprofits to provide food for teams, fundraisers, and gift cards for raffles, among other efforts.
“As a family owned restaurant, we at Fratellino’s take immense pride in being recognized by the O.C. community as one of the best Italian restaurants in the county,” said Cesar Lomeli, who owns the restaurant with wife Gabriela. “Since 2000, we have sought to provide a gathering place for our customers to come together to celebrate with friends and family, meet with coworkers, or relax and unwind over classic Italian recipes within our iconic dining room laden with Italian countryside murals.”
Lomeli announced that Fratellino’s will open a new location in an express-kitchen format in the city of Orange by later this fall, marking a new chapter of serving the restaurant’s familiar favorites in a fast-casual setting. The address is 3436 E. Chapman Ave. “We can’t wait to have our OC family pay us a visit at our new home,” Lomeli said.
— Amy Bentley
2. Capone’s Italian Cucina
19688 Beach Blvd., No. 10; Huntington Beach; 714-593-2888; caponesitaliancucina.com
Established in 2000, Capone’s Italian Cucina has been serving authentic Italian food for many years. A family run restaurant, Capone’s uses fresh ingredients in a cozy, family friendly setting. The extensive menu includes classic Italian dishes as well as innovative flavors created by chef and owner Dino Ferraro, who shares his passion for cooking via generations of family traditions.
Ferraro’s culinary career began when he was 16 and he started making pizzas and lasagnas in his mom’s kitchen for family and friends. Since then, he has cooked all over the world before settling back in Orange County.
Guests at Capone’s can create their own pasta dishes with a variety of pasta types, scratch-made sauces, vegetables, meats and seafood. Meals can be paired with a rich wine or creative drink from the bar. Guests also are advised to save room for dessert and treat themselves to the homemade tiramisu and cannolis, which are made from scratch daily.
3. Buon Gusto
4911 Warner Ave., Suite 109, Huntington Beach; 714-846-2600; buongustohb.com
Buon Gusto is a popular neighborhood Italian eatery that takes pride in being a great place to meet with friends, have a party or treat yourself to a casual Italian dinner. The expansive menu showcases plenty of favorites in the entrée section, plus a large variety of salads, antipasti, gourmet calzones, pizzas, soups, paninis, hot and cold sub sandwiches, veal, chicken and house specialties. Diners also can create their own pizza.
Aftin J. of Monterey Park wrote a terrific review of Buon Gusto on Yelp: “Nice spot to visit if you’re in the area, large restaurant good for large groups and a nice heated patio. The menu is ridiculously filled with all your favorite Italian items and then some. A decent wine selection and a good bar. I went for the classic spaghetti and meatball and I was not disappointed. Sauce is delicious and meatballs were tender. Service was good and fair prices for the portion you receive.”