The atmosphere is elegant and high-end (although it is a bit noisy when there are many people) but the price is still affordable, making it a good choice for dates.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Camden Alchanati
Management at this establish were probably praying I wouldn’t leave this 1 star review, but I am compelled to. I have ate in and taken out many times pre-COVID and post-COVID. I truly believed this was one of the best Italian restaurants outside of LA, Miami and Italy. I’ve never had any problems or complaints until the unforgivable act that took place a couple days ago.I ordered a $100+ take out order and during my pick up I asked the waitress to remove the 3%+ health benefits surcharge before I paid for the order. I explained to her that I’m happy to leave a 25% tip, but I will never pay more taxes or surcharges than I’m required to pay regardless of the amount. Long story short, I left without my dinner and went to IN N OUT because her manager’s manager’s manager wouldn’t budge. They care more about passing down their employee benefits to their customers than their customers’ satisfaction.On to the next Italian restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Hung Phan
Great Italian restaurant!!! Will come back to try more dishes. The seafood is fantastic, fresh, and cooked perfectly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard Carroll
Food, service and atmosphere always good. Had Salmon Caesar. Good, should have asked for more dressing, was light on that. Salmon portion a little smaller than last time but sufficient for lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ceasar Salad
keith beekie
First time trying il fornaio. Very nice location with free parking in a structure. The restaurant itself is very nice but is loud when busy. We went with another couple and price wise we got two
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bryan Patterson
The service was excellent and the atmosphere was too. But I wasn't too thrilled with food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Lunchlady
The service was great! My husband had to return his lamb, was over cooked. The waiter got a new plate, for him promptly. My risotto was very good. We learned about a new region of Itally!
Dino
The fusilli is star, house made so simply, but so tastefully. Couple this with roasted cauliflower again, such an unappealing vegetable, but so bold in its presentation. A lingering dinner - service could be improved.
CALGal
Went with a friend for Orange County Restaurant Week. We each had one of their three course meals. I had Caesar salad, grilled salmon with sautéed spinach and roasted potatoes. For dessert I had their cheesecake with strawberries. My meal was very good. Their bread was a nice addition to my meal. My friend had the minestrone soup, chicken and mushrooms with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Everything was cooked very well. The sauce on the plate was heavenly. Her dessert was tiramisu, which was yummy. All in all, we had a really good dinner with very good service. The people who cleared the tables and refilled glasses were particularly attentive. This was a very enjoyable experience and we will be returning.
Il Fornaio made our group event a perfect evening spent with friends. Despite a larger group of nine, the service was fantastic, and as usual, the food was excellent. The ambience of Il Fornaio Irvine is still fresh and lovely. Thank you to the wonderful staff and chefs.
SUNGJIN MOON
Went here twice. Food was good and I sit only at the bar and the bartender is good too and he knows about wine so good.Parking: There s a parking lot and the restaurant will give you a stamp
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Randi
Il Fornaio is a lovely little restaurant on von Karmen across from the Marriot. The food is excellent, the service is great and the decor is lovely. I always enjoy going there for lunch or for dinner. They have valet parking, which they validate, but there is also a parking structure on the grounds. It is a favorite spot of mine.
Foodlovers
Food and service topnotch as usual!! However, be aware of the independent valet service. This was the second time we were presented with a valet ticket timestamped well before our arrival. It was stamped at 3:05 PM, when we actually arrived at 4:27 PM as validated by the hostess who so informed the valet. Since there is a 3 hour limit for complimentary parking at Il Fornaio, the valet was strong arming us to pay more than $4 extra even though we had been there only 2 hours.
IanM
This was their restaurant week lunch offering. Thought the caesar salad was poor, very little dressing, salmon was a good size but didn't love the sauce. Like many restaurants lately wine by the glass and cocktails are unreasonably expensive.
Best fresh pasta in the OC. Great salads too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere is elegant and high-end (although it is a bit noisy when there are many people) but the price is still affordable, making it a good choice for dates.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Management at this establish were probably praying I wouldn’t leave this 1 star review, but I am compelled to. I have ate in and taken out many times pre-COVID and post-COVID. I truly believed this was one of the best Italian restaurants outside of LA, Miami and Italy. I’ve never had any problems or complaints until the unforgivable act that took place a couple days ago.I ordered a $100+ take out order and during my pick up I asked the waitress to remove the 3%+ health benefits surcharge before I paid for the order. I explained to her that I’m happy to leave a 25% tip, but I will never pay more taxes or surcharges than I’m required to pay regardless of the amount. Long story short, I left without my dinner and went to IN N OUT because her manager’s manager’s manager wouldn’t budge. They care more about passing down their employee benefits to their customers than their customers’ satisfaction.On to the next Italian restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Great Italian restaurant!!! Will come back to try more dishes. The seafood is fantastic, fresh, and cooked perfectly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food, service and atmosphere always good. Had Salmon Caesar. Good, should have asked for more dressing, was light on that. Salmon portion a little smaller than last time but sufficient for lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ceasar Salad
First time trying il fornaio. Very nice location with free parking in a structure. The restaurant itself is very nice but is loud when busy. We went with another couple and price wise we got two
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service was excellent and the atmosphere was too. But I wasn't too thrilled with food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
The service was great! My husband had to return his lamb, was over cooked. The waiter got a new plate, for him promptly. My risotto was very good. We learned about a new region of Itally!
The fusilli is star, house made so simply, but so tastefully. Couple this with roasted cauliflower again, such an unappealing vegetable, but so bold in its presentation. A lingering dinner - service could be improved.
Went with a friend for Orange County Restaurant Week. We each had one of their three course meals. I had Caesar salad, grilled salmon with sautéed spinach and roasted potatoes. For dessert I had their cheesecake with strawberries. My meal was very good. Their bread was a nice addition to my meal. My friend had the minestrone soup, chicken and mushrooms with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Everything was cooked very well. The sauce on the plate was heavenly. Her dessert was tiramisu, which was yummy. All in all, we had a really good dinner with very good service. The people who cleared the tables and refilled glasses were particularly attentive. This was a very enjoyable experience and we will be returning.
Restaurantji Recommends
Il Fornaio made our group event a perfect evening spent with friends. Despite a larger group of nine, the service was fantastic, and as usual, the food was excellent. The ambience of Il Fornaio Irvine is still fresh and lovely. Thank you to the wonderful staff and chefs.
Went here twice. Food was good and I sit only at the bar and the bartender is good too and he knows about wine so good.Parking: There s a parking lot and the restaurant will give you a stamp
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Il Fornaio is a lovely little restaurant on von Karmen across from the Marriot. The food is excellent, the service is great and the decor is lovely. I always enjoy going there for lunch or for dinner. They have valet parking, which they validate, but there is also a parking structure on the grounds. It is a favorite spot of mine.
Food and service topnotch as usual!! However, be aware of the independent valet service. This was the second time we were presented with a valet ticket timestamped well before our arrival. It was stamped at 3:05 PM, when we actually arrived at 4:27 PM as validated by the hostess who so informed the valet. Since there is a 3 hour limit for complimentary parking at Il Fornaio, the valet was strong arming us to pay more than $4 extra even though we had been there only 2 hours.
This was their restaurant week lunch offering. Thought the caesar salad was poor, very little dressing, salmon was a good size but didn't love the sauce. Like many restaurants lately wine by the glass and cocktails are unreasonably expensive.