Il Fornaio - IrvineMandatory DiningMake this a regular dinning spot. Quality from start to finish. Excellent service, near outstanding food and great location. Great quality to price to portion servings.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFlavorful dinnerWe especially enjoyed the beet, ricotta ravioli! Although our entire dinner was delicious!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMOur favorite.Always changing regional Italian dishes with wine pairing as well as a broad menu of their specialty meals.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome. as usual!For me, there is no other restaurant in town! Food and service is always consistently excellent, nicely presented. Regional tasting meals are fun and varied.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMgluten free menu is excellentLight sauces, tasty pasta, great muscato. Now all we need is a good gluten free pizza crust!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a great place to goAlways a great place to go for a good meal and drinks with a great atmosphere.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Wine Dinner!We went to Il Fornaio for the Luisa Wine Dinner and had a wonderful time. Everything on the wine dinner menu was absolutely delicious. The portions were generous, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the presentation of the wines was informative and unpretentious. Both the wine importer, Luciano, and the Il Fornaio managing partner, Marchello, took the time to visit the guests at every table. This was everything a great wine dinner should be. I can't wait for the next one!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMMust try their wine dinner!First time we attended one of their monthly wine dinners. The food was perfectly prepared and awesome. The wines were interesting and they were generous with the pours. I would definitely attend again.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Food and ServicePatio dining at its finest. Large selection of food with great service.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and serviceThe food was very good. The service was excellent. The atmosphere wasn't bad, but wasn't special.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMLove, love love this placeVery relaxing, with excellent service - This was my first time visiting Il Fornaio in Irvine, CA I was shocked that's it's very affordable, quiet and very comfortable. I resevered a table through OpenTable on my mobile phone that took 1 sec and was confirmed. The service was outstanding the entire time we dined without it being to overwhelming. We ate calimari for our appetizer, it was very light batter and not chewey at all. I had the porterhouse steak, and recommend it to anyone who loves steak. I never had a steak that melted in my mouth the way it did, it was outstanding. I can't wait to return to try other items on the menu. Il Fanaio is now one of my top favorite restuarants to dine at, and recommend it to everyone.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMvery very good foodVery good food and the service is excellent. The location is a bit odd but it is a very nice restaurant. Not too much noise nice opening ceiling for warmer nights too.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful time asWe had a wonderful time as always dining at Il Fornaio. Absolutely one of my all time favorite restaurants!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific menu for monthlyTerrific menu for monthly 'Festa Regional', as always. Welcoming service, professional and personable staff, easy valet parking in a beautiful setting. That's why we're regulars.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AM"A Must Dining in Orange County"From the moment of booking the reservations online, I had to reschedule my reservations quantity and change my times a couple of times, the hostess were so accomedating with a " We Can Do That No Problem" attitude to our server and his crew who were so delightful and engaging. Also we didn't have to wait long to receive our food on a busy evening on Mothers Day. Il Fornaio -Irvine is the epitome of fine dining. Not to mention the food and desserts were delicious. It was a "Bueno Appetito" environment . I loved and will return again.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSolid choiceWent back after a long layoff during the regional promotion and returned again. Had forgotten that IL F is an nice reasonably upscale dining experience.. Everyone enjoyed their entries. Desserts are European sweet not overlay sugary like typical usa. It was Mother's Day and we did not feel rushed. Open table reservation timely accepted no wait even on a busy day. Look forward to a different taste on our next visit.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMfoor good, fun placeMost people in our party were very happy with their meal. I had 3 items off a special prix fixe menu they had. For me one course was very good, one excellent and one only fair.
The setting is very nice and even on a busy Saturday night the service was good. Hadn't been here in a long time, we'll go again before too long.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner in a Jasmine BowerWe met old friends at Il Fornaio for a delicious dinner under the stars. The patio was welcoming and relaxing after a long week. Service was attentive without being suffocating. We enjoyed appetizers (the tomatoes on the bruschetta were especially good, cooked to bring out the flavor but not mushy and accented with garlic and basil), a delicious lentil soup and Caprese salad, and two of the pasta dishes from their special menu highlighting the regional specialties of Puglia. The dessert tray was vast and tempting. We ordered the apple bread pudding and the spumoni gelato--both a satisfying ending to an excellent meal. I might also mention that there is an extensive wine list, a few of which were also featured wines from Puglia.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGeezzze - - - - - - - - - - - - -The only minus, was that they didn't bother to notify you that we were there, and on time. So, we received an inquiry from you as to why we did't attend. What good is this program? I have no idea why you exist.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Wine CellarHad a very nice time. We've reserved the wine cellar before, and knew what to expect. It was like having a private chef serve us at home...but without the kids. Their wine cellar room is quite nice. Who wouldn't love the privacy of a single table in a wine cellar? The table actually fits up to six guests, but we love the coziness of dinner for two.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMNot up to the same standardsNot up to the same standards of other Il Fornaio's, but still a good quality meal in an attractive environment.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the creme brûlée / chocolateLoved the creme brûlée / chocolate mousse combo!! Inspired.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThe location is out of theThe location is out of the main travel route, but it is worth the drive to locate. The exterior grounds were very well keep.they have outdoor eating areas for summer nights. Interior very open,but seating is done so the room is very quiet for normal conversation.the have a excellent wine list. Food selection was very well done there was something for every taste. Waiters are very informative. Service was excellent. We will definitely return again4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect place for a largePerfect place for a large group. We were a party of 10 and never once felt rushed to order or eat or leave. We were able to talk and enjoy ourselves the entire time we were there which was 3 hours! Highly recommend!!!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is our secnd time hereThis is our secnd time here in as many weeks and found that overall the experience was great. This is a new regular spot for us to dine at.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe took friends so there wereWe took friends so there were 8 of us and we all really enjoyed the restaurant and food. They were able to accommodate my no-salt requirement and everybody said they had a great time. We hope to try all the desserts (one at a time) as we continue to enjoy the restaurant.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways an Outstanding Dining VisitConsistantly outstanding, and authentic. Especially fond of the monthly Regionale menus, which are always unique and exciting. Staff friendliness and recognition are over the top.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time at Il Fornaio,First time at Il Fornaio, the food was good, the service a bit slow even though it wasn't busy that night. Overall we had good experience and wont mind going back, although we prefer Canaletto in Newport (operated by Il Fornaio) as it has a better ambiance.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMI go here often for work meetings.I go here often for work meetings. Great food and atmosphere. Comfortable for day time meetings where you are limited with time and need to discuss business deals in a timely fashion.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to this restaurantWe have been to this restaurant many times over several years and find it consistantly good in both service and food.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMbest restaurant ever.the peoplebest restaurant ever.the people really care about your experience and the food is exceptional. you can have your food made any way you want unlike most restaurants.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's been a few years sinceIt's been a few years since I have dined there. It is now on our top five list to enjoy a very good meal.
All though t much is not good, but the bread they serve is crazy good.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMMy oldest wanted pasta withMy oldest wanted pasta with meatballs. It's not on the menu but the chef made it for him and he ate every single bite! Love that kind of "do anything for the customer" attitude!! Big thanks to the Chef! Everything was delicious. Pizza was great...dessert and cappuccino to die for!!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMIl Fornaio helped make ourIl Fornaio helped make our night very special, the food and service were great and we plan on coming back.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMHave not been to this placeHave not been to this place in years. The service was OK .. general ambiance was fine .. I ordered short ribs and it was very mediocre at best. Disappointed with the food.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent braised wild boarWe were there for the Passaporto Party and planned to have the Taste of Toscana aferwards. We were so full from the party, we ended up taking most of our food home. It was nicely packaged and excellent the next day for lunch. Thy even put some of that yummy bread in the bag. The braised wild boar was especially tasty. I order it every time I go to Tuscany. And the one from Il Fornaio did not disappoint.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe go for all the HolidaysWe go for all the Holidays or big celebrations in out family! Good food, great wine list, excellet atmosphere.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is one of our favoriteThis is one of our favorite restaurants. The food and service are great.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful meal!We always try to make it here when we are in town. Dinner this time was amazing. Service was outstanding along with the delicious food and wine. It was a birthday celebration and they made sure it was very special! Definitely recommend!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMDespite it's difficult toDespite it's difficult to find location Il Fronaio was worth the hunt. Located off of Von Karman, The cannot increase their visibility because if restrictions for their development (we asked!) Even with a map we had to circ le back. With complementary parking and great food, we were grateful for the wonderful meal that we had.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent regional cuisine.Excellent regional cuisine. Good choices for prix fixe. Excellent service.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was great. The serviceThe food was great. The service would have been better had the waiter been around his area. He was no where to be found on several occasions. However, they were very nice to acknowledge my friends birthday with a dessert and a candle.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOur server was knowledgeableOur server was knowledgeable in all areas. He had great wine suggestions, appetizers and entree. All the food was delicious! This was a special occasion so it was a bit of a splurge. But I would definitely go back again if it were in my budget.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a treat to dine here!There are many reasons to go to Il Fornaio besides the great food and service.
The Happy Hour prices and choices and the monthly regional tasting menu are my top reasons. I even love that there is a bocce diamond outside!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWent on a Sunday evening withWent on a Sunday evening with reservations held. Seated promptly, and had the friendliest, most enthusiastic server. Food was great (party of 6 ordered everything from pasta to beef to seafood) and it was all good. We tried 4 desserts and they were all outstanding!3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMfirst time - very happy -first time - very happy - will return. Can't believe restaurant here for 21 years. Glad finally found it. Usually don't frequent chains (e.g. Olive Garden), but this is definitely an exception. Loved the food and service.
First time using Open Table. Great service. Thanks.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMNot sure what was going on,Not sure what was going on, but on Sunday eve, we had a female waitserver. We noticed other people come in & order after we did (with a different waitperson) who were served several minutes before we received our salads. We had a simple order of salads & pasta, for 2 people; no drinks, appetizers or desserts. Our busboy couldn't have been sweeter, so that helped make up for things a bit.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently Over-DeliversIncredibly authentic and creative menu for a Calabrian themed monthly special menu. Many ingredients were directly shipped from Calabria to the restaurant for this 2-week-long focused regional menu. The general manager, executive chef and the staff are always professional, friendly, excellent at their tasks, and attentive, and the food never disappoints, constantly over-delivers. We love Il Fornaio Irvine, and give it our highest recommendation. Always a pleasure to dine there.3/4/2013 12:00:00 AM