We were in a group of 7. We made reservations a few hours prior and were ecstatic they were able to accommodate our large group. Restaurant was very cozy and romantic. Entrance/host lobby area is a little snug. We were sat at a large round table. They had kids menus for my girls. We ordered Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Table bread and a delicious pesto butter was given to the table. I'm not a pesto gal, but boy, I'll tell ya. That butter was delectable. We ordered a caprese salad and a beef carpaccio to start. The caprese was really nice and refreshing. Served with arugula on top. They also added I think fried crispy capers on top omg. So good. The carpaccio was. DELICIOUS! Thinly sliced beef, fresh parmigiana, topped with arugula and capers. Probably one of the best I've had. For entrees, my girls both ordered the hello kitty pasta with bolognese sauce, husband ordered fettuccini bolognese, brothers ordered porcini risotto, linguini vongole, and mamas lasagna. I ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. They brought out the giant cheese block for my brother's risotto!! My pasta with vodka sauce was very good. I could've sworn on the description that it was served table side, but it wasn't =0(. Dessert was something else. We shared the cheesecake and tiramisu. Top notch. Service was immaculate. Our server was present without being too overbearing. Our waters were filled and wine glasses stayed full. Very accommodating to our children. Definitely recommend for any occasion. read more

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I made a reservation at Antonello to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I am in awe of the hospitality and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an event space. I made the reservation a couple weeks out, I mentioned we had an infant with us and they recommended booking one of the rooms they had. The catalog they provided showed really great room options and we chose one that was private with beautiful paintings around us. We ordered the lamb chops, the special cheese block pasta, calamari, etc. Honestly, everything was so good there wasn't anything I wouldn't recommend. I would suggest adding a protein to the famous cheese block though. We also ordered one of every dessert and were very happy with everything. The food came out timely, the room was cozy and great photo op opportunity, and the servers were so attendant. Overall, would come back again for an event. read more

I am paralyzed a wheelchair and I recently dealt with having pneumonia in the hospital for 90 days and flatlining for 11 minutes. My favorite dish RAVIOLI DI MAGRO with butter and sage instead of the red sauce. Basically, I like ravioli, stuffed cheese, and spinach with butter and sage. The chef was really kind and accommodating my request and I don't think they had sage at the moment or they ran out, still accommodated the request. I live far from the restaurant my mom will pick it up and bring it by when she sees me but why I am getting from there? The staff is incredible Charles and Mary wonderful! The chef is incredibly talented! Everything is delicious! read more

This restaurant is fine dining at its best. From the moment you arrive until you leave they treat you like an A-list celebrity. I've been here a few times over the years including some private parties and it never fails to impress. Even on a crowded Friday night they encourage you to relax and never rush you. I also appreciate how spread out tables are so you're not crammed next to other customers even if it's just two of you. Fernando was excellent the entire night and we pretty much followed all his recommendations. They have a rotating specials menu with unique items so we stuck with that. We started with the decadent fried burrata sitting in the most delicious pesto I have ever tasted. Eaten with their complimentary bread was a heavenly starter. For our entree Fernando recommended the John Dory fish special. This was seriously one of the best seafood dishes I've eaten. This is the first time I have tried John Dory and I am amazed that more restaurants do not serve it. The sauce reminded me of a piccata sauce and was served with garlic spinach, potatoes, and tomatoes. Was a large entree and left me stuffed. My wife ordered the same thing and equally enjoyed it. Fernando paired a red and white Italian wine with my courses and my wife stuck with cocktails. We should have stopped but we finished with a chocolate dessert topped with vanilla gelato that Fernando said was the best dessert on the menu. Once again his recommendation was spot on and it was worth the calories. Now that Eddie V's closed I think I start coming here more often for fine dining. Places of this caliber are getting harder to find. TIP: make sure you let them know if your card is a debit card and they'll waive the credit card processing fee. read more

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If you're looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in Orange County, Antonello Ristorante absolutely delivers. I can see why the Black Mamba himself was a regular here. From the moment we sat down, everything felt elevated but the real standout was our waiter. I don't remember his first name but I believe his last name is Navarrete. The service wasn't just good, it was immaculate. He was attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being pushy, and had this calm, confident presence genuinely incredible aura. His recommendations were on point and customized my gfs order so she could try two options that were both really good. You could tell he takes real pride in what he does, and it elevated the entire night. As for the food..every dish hit. The spaghetti with mixed seafood was rich and perfectly balanced, the short ribs were insanely tender, and the prosciutto with burrata was fresh and indulgent in the best way. Even the drinks (shoutout to the pear martini) were crafted with care. My favorite of the night was the burrata!!! Great combination of flavored and textures. It's rare to find a place where both the food and service are operating at such a high level, but this spot nails it. Whether it's a date night or a special occasion, this is one of those places that makes the evening feel like an experience, not just dinner. My dad who's a big Italian food aficionado was very impressed and is eager to return. Easy 5 stars. But honestly it was the service and care that put this in the 5 range as opposed to 4. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Food was good but the service and ambiance was exceptional. Loved the atmosphere and how friendly everybody was! We also had the chocolate soufflé which was delicious. read more

Antonello Ristorante - Gnocchi and risotto - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

We celebrated my nephew's 20th birthday at Antonello, a perfect place for a special occasion! The elegant yet welcoming atmosphere suits family celebrations. I had a lemon drop martini, which was delicious. We love all the staff here, especially Mary -- she's the best! The spicy vodka sauce pasta was cooked perfectly with just the right spice and rich, creamy flavor. From attentive service to great food and drinks, it was a memorable evening. We left happy, full, and eager to return. Highly recommended for exceptional Italian dining! read more

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The food here was good overall, but I was a huge fan of the ravioli! Especially with red pepper flakes on top. I would say that the tiramisu is ok to miss, but I'd highly recommend the ravioli! read more

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Amazing night at Antonello's! My husband had the filet and spaghetti cacio e pepe and it was so delicious! I ordered the rotelle and it was heavenly! The flavors were wonderful. We also ordered the chocolate soufflé and that sent us over the edge! It was perfect! I also highly recommend the pear martini,cheers The service was impeccable, highly recommend! read more

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We attended a birthday dinner here. I had high hopes, but it was just OK. We were seated next to a semi-private area where I assume people were having a birthday party. For some reason they had a microphone and were giving speech after speech after speech, they were loud and obnoxious. A woman who worked there even apologized for them and said "I don't know why they are doing this." Service was slow and inattentive. Our wine menu was taken away numerous times and we had to keep asking for it back. We waited forever for refills on drinks, I am sure we would have ordered more alcohol if the waiter had been around to take orders. The food was good, but not mind blowing. The bread with pesto butter they bring out was delicious. Of the three appetizers we ordered (Focaccia, Beef Carpaccio, and Prosciutto with Burrata) the only one I enjoyed was the Focaccia, it was the best thing I ate all night. Absolutely loved the thin bread layered with loads of gooey cheese! Honestly the carpaccio and prosciutto tasted the same, none of us could tell the difference between them. One of our friends had the lamb and said it was awesome. Another friend had the branzino, said it was way better last time he dined here. The rest of us had pasta dishes, they were all very large and we all took half home. Husband had the lasagna and loved it, I personally don't care for lasagna, so it was just fine to me. My Orecchiette with sausage and broccolini was good, but a very heavy dish, I expected something lighter. I had a lot of pasta that was undercooked and stuck together. A couple desserts were ordered, and they brought one tiny piece of cheesecake out (not even a full slice) for the two people celebrating birthdays. Nobody was impressed with the desserts. Dinner was about $600 for 6 of us, not terrible. We all walked out underwhelmed, not sure any of us would come back. read more

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Some of the best Italian food in Southern California, with fantastic service, and an authentic Tuscan ambiance. It's truly a hidden gem, tucked away on the other side of the South Coast plaza. Apparently the Late Kobe Bryant's favorite dish is the pappardelle pasta with short rib. I can see how The Bryants would eat here as it's very intimate and cozy. Service was too notch from the moment we entered until we left. All of the staff was attentive and nice. Of the two bottles of wine we ordered, the Montepulciano Chianti was better than the Super Tuscan, although once the Tuscan opened it tasted pretty good. The focaccia appetizer and polpetta were great choices for starters. Would definitely get again. Seafood pasta (spaghetti pescatore) was flavorful and plentiful, with tons of various seafoods. I had to bring half of it home because it was so much, but I was also probably full from the delicious complimentary breads and basil butter. Gnocchi was also very good and a normal portion. Chicken parm and spaghetti was great. Fettuccine Alfredo with shaved black truffle is good. The cacio e pepe was just okay, but I haven't had any good cacio e pepe outside of Rome. It was a fun to watch it served out of the cheese wheel, though. The tiramisu was phenomenal. Best I've had outside of Italy. Overall, very authentic Italian flavors and atmosphere and I'll definitely be coming back here again. read more

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Delicious food, with great service, and attentive staff. Enjoyed an espresso martini before dinner at the bar and spacious restaurant. Ordered ravioli with white sauce while my friends ordered cheese barrel pasta prepared in front of us and was delicious! Nice hot bread served before dinner and we enjoyed a birthday dessert. Food, drinks, and dessert were delicious and a nice restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. read more

Antonello Ristorante - White cream ravioli - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Our first visit to Antonello for our anniversary was truly delightful. We came right at 5 and there was already a line of people waiting to check in. We chatted with a few couples in line who we found out were regulars. The service stood out right away--our servers were attentive, friendly, and always made sure our water glasses were full. We got a table of bread and butter. The pesto butter I think was yummy and sour dough bread was warm and slightly crisp. We ordered the truffle fries, seafood vongole, and lobster ravioli, and every dish exceeded our expectations. Each bite was flavorful and beautifully prepared. I liked how the ravioli was seasoned. It was light and tasted fresh. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience, and we're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

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We had our early Valentine's dinner here and absolute love the vibe and the food. Quiet and cozy, the server were so attentive and friendly to us and we had such a good time enjoying our meal that I forgot to take photo for the Pork chop and Antonello salad. Clam linguine is a must try in my opinion (if you love clam and want something with light, clean taste). Risotto is also good for sharing, unless you love cheese a lot!! read more

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We came for our anniversary and we're so happy we went here! The restaurant is dimly lit and the ambience is so romantic and intimate. We ordered the prosciutto/burrata, pappardelle, beef ravioli, and the flambé vodka pasta with shrimp. Everything was amazing and fresh! Everybody was so kind and accommodating and we're definitely coming back. read more

The staff here goes above and beyond in order for you to have the best experience possible! My sister graduated college (woohoo!) and we celebrated her accomplishments with a nice family dinner. We chose Antonello Ristorante and we are so happy we did! They set up the table in the outside area. Which was perfect so we had our own space! They brought a portable speaker out and gave us the option of playing our own music. The restaurant special ordered napkins to match my sisters school colors! I thought that was so awesome. Now getting into the food... everyone loved their meal! I ordered the Ravioli Di Magro. It was sooooo delicious. You can truly see how they source great and authentic ingredients and prepare the everything in house! I shared a tiramisu. It was one of the best I've ever had (it had the perfect ratios). I can't wait to go back and experience the true diner's experience. Would totally recommend for a special occasion or a nice dinner! read more

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My friend took me here for my birthday last night! The food, service, and ambiance were perfect. They start you off with bread and the pesto spread that came out with it was delicious. We ordered the octopus carpaccio, vodka penne pasta, and chocolate soufflé. Our waiter was attentive and funny! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants now:) read more

Antonello Ristorante - Voka penne pasta - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Cute and cozy inside. Only place I think that the entrees are better than the appetizers. Parking is easy. Portion sizes are massive - great for everyone to get a taste of everything. read more

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Food was okay. Didn't feel any dish stood out like it was a must have. The short rib pasta would be a better if the plating was better? It definitely tastes better than it looked. The veal was dry. read more

Antonello Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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The food was phenomenal. So fresh and tasty. Service, exceptional! The setting in the mood of the place felt like I was in Italy. Can't wait to go back there again. read more

Came here back in May 2025 for Mother's Day. Not a good experience. We felt rushed - back story here is that my mother has dementia, so it does take her a bit of time to eat her food safely. We felt like they kept coming out asking if she's done with her food, even though tbh we were there for not even 1.5h. Food: the foccacia di recco was good, def recommend. Both my and husband's pasta dishes were a bit salty. Desserts were okay. We won't come back. Overall the meal itself wasn't bad. Just the insensitivity they showed to the infirm that left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

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IAm Tony from Tony's Remodeling and consulting I was over there with my guys and I recommended to everyone. We love the service and the taste and we will continue to go over there by the way the variation is great and price is good. read more

Having been next door to the Indian restaurant, I decided to try this Italian restaurant and see if it was any good. I'm very glad I decided to try it since I had a great experience! From the decor, ambiance, service and food, everything was fantastic! While the calamari is not their strongest dish, it certainly wasn't the worst. I do have to mention that, if you're like me and happen to love Veal Milanese, then this restaurant has it. It is not on the menu but if you ask for it, they will make it for you....which I LOVE THEM FOR! It also very big, as are most of the dishes, so come hungry! I also want to recommend their ravioli which was phenomenal! I will DEFINITELY return so I can try more of their menu. The food here is far better than the pictures you'll see BTW read more

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Antonello has been a long standing staple and never disappoints! Very family friendly, while still very cozy/romantic. We were treated beautifully. Sonia one of their lead managers is loving/terrific and our server Alfred was top notch. Don't get caught up with those trendy places. Antonello is all about service and high quality. Go and enjoy read more

it's rare that i am back at a place within a month, but this place is just that good! everything we tried so far was all very yummy - my favorite might be the spaghetti alla pescartora! wish the bread could be fresher though (they said it's made fresh every afternoon), but the garlic butter was great. reasonably priced, great services. can't wait to go back again! read more

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The food was divine, and the drinks as well. Came here a long time ago for a date and it was the perfect setting for a romantic night. Good service as well. read more

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We chose Antonello Ristorante to celebrate a special birthday dinner, and it turned out to be such a warm and memorable evening. The hostess greeted us so warmly and cheerfully, and we were seated at a lovely, quiet table -- just perfect for a cozy dinner for two. I feel a little bad that I don't remember the name of the gentleman who served our table. He was polite, but at times a bit inattentive. I ordered a bottle of red wine for us -- the Levendi "Mystique" Merlot. He poured us a taste and then served the wine, but after that he didn't seem to notice when both our glasses were empty. Even our water glasses stayed empty for quite a while without being refilled. (It wasn't a big issue, but we did notice.) We ordered: Carpaccio di Polipo, Prosciutto e Burrata, Lobster Ravioli, and Lamb Chops. All the dishes were wonderful. We asked to have everything brought out together along with empty plates so we could share them family-style, which made the experience even nicer. Both appetizers were excellent -- especially the Prosciutto e Burrata, which was simply amazing. The Lamb Chops were also cooked perfectly -- tender, flavorful, and without the strong gamy taste you sometimes find elsewhere. The only dish that wasn't quite to our taste was the Lobster Ravioli -- it was a little too rich and creamy for us, even though we usually enjoy cheese. We truly appreciated the thoughtful touch of a complimentary birthday dessert with a candle -- it was such a warm way to end the evening and made the birthday celebration feel even more special. Overall, it was a wonderful evening with delicious food, warm service, and a cozy atmosphere -- we'll definitely be back. Thank you to the team at Antonello for helping make this birthday dinner so special -- we truly appreciated the thoughtful touch. read more

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We had the gnocchi and risotto. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Can't wait to go back.

Antonello Ristorante was the pick for a nice Saturday dinner. However, it did not turn out as we expected. We stopped by at around 8 PM and found it was very difficult to find parking. I was able to get a spot after someone left. For seating, we did a walk-in, but it was very busy. We were given the option to stay at the bar temporarily and wait for a stop, or stay at the bar for dining. We decided to stay at the bar area. Right away, we needed to flag down someone to take our orders. The server ended up being the bartender. We grab our orders and asked for some waters. But our water did not come out right away. The party right next to us got their water and bread appetizer before us. It was only until I reminded him of the water did he give it to us. At this point, we were already annoyed, but I was hanging on expectation for the food. Our Calamri Fritti came out first. It smelled good. However, it wasn't crispy at all. It was very soft and the pieces were falling apart. But flavor wise, it was decent. In terms of the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe and pork chop were both items that came out late. Again, the table next to us gets there later, but got everything before us, so we checked in with the staff. It seemed they forgot our orders. Keep in mind we were already there for an hour. The Cacio e Pepe lacked flavor. The pork chop was decent, but tasted dry on pieces. Ultimately, I did not have a good experience and will not be returning. Note: American Express is accepted. read more

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I really like this place. Came here I think on a Wednesday, no Tuesday night? And we came early so there wasn't a lot of people. The staff were very attentive and polite and the dish I had was fantastic. Don't remember what it was right now, but it was fantastic and my buddy said his food was great too. Apps were fantastic. Bread was very good. Definitely going to come back, and I hope my second visit is just as good as my first. IDK about how authentic it is or any of that stuff all I know is that it tasted really good and it made me wanna come back. read more

Of We came to Antonello Italian for a date night and were really impressed by the food and atmosphere. I had the pappardelle and my wife had the branzino, which was prepared tableside--a great touch. We finished with the soufflé for dessert, and everything was absolutely perfect. The decor and ambiance made for a beautiful setting. That said, the service didn't quite match the level of the food or the experience. Our reservation was at 8:00 PM, and with the restaurant closing at 9:30, we felt noticeably rushed throughout the meal. To make matters worse, our server accidentally spilled ice cream on my wife's purse. While they did apologize and comped a tiramisu, the service felt a bit off for a place of this caliber. Next time, we'll plan to come earlier so we can fully enjoy the evening without feeling rushed--because the food and setting truly are worth it. read more

Antonello Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Date of visit: 07/20/2024 One of the best Italian I've ever had! We were 3 people at the time and every dish that we ordered was superb. Everything was flavorful and cooked to perfection. I mean, ALMOST everything... What I ordered: - lobster ravioli - calamari frittata - cacio pepe, customized with added porcinni & chicken: this was the only thing that I felt was A BIT subpar compared to the rest of our order. Chicken was bland and made us regret why we even ordered this and not something else. - Lemon Sole - chocolate soufflé (dessert) Warning: unless you want to pay 3% more for your meal, I suggest you bring enough cash to settle the bill. Still can't believe that a restaurant this caliber pass the merchant fee to its customers.... read more

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Unexpectedly came across this restaurant and couldn't be more pleased that we did. Classy ambiance, wonderfully attentive polite service. The food was exceptional. Authentic. So delicious. A bit costly but so worth it. Large free parking lot. read more

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We had an incredible experience at Antonellos. When we first arrived we were greeted by two of the nicest people, very caring and kind and made us feel at home right away. My wife is pregnant and they sat us in the back where it was quiet which was very nice. Once seated both my wife and I were excited to get back up and walk around to take in the restaurant it was really stunning! The food was delicious we ordered the branzino, a veal dish, and the gnocchi dish. To start the bread was very good with a strong pesto butter. The branzino was good, not a full branzino fish but tasted very nice, probably wouldn't order again. The veal dish was good but did not have a wow facto, probably wouldn't order again. The pasta dish was incredible the gnocchis were fluffy and the sauce was killer. From what we ate we think this place is a pasta place, we are eagerly waiting the next time we can celebrate and go back. Will for sure order all pasta dishes! read more

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We had a most excellent experience here. Cacio de Pepe prepared table side, branzino prepared table side. I had the seasonal pumpkin ravioli with sage and brown butter and my other table companion had the gnocchi. The service was on point and with a smile. After the day we had we really needed to be taken care of so this place definitely exceeded our expectations. This would be a great place for a date, quiet and romantic with the right person. They also have a nice bar area. I hope I get a chance to go back. read more

Antonello is an outstanding and long standing authentic Italian restaurant. Truly one the finest for delicious food, impeccable service and ambience. Dinning at Antonello is an experience in fine Italian dinning. Date night or dinner with friends or family. Perfect for every occasion. read more

Booked a private party here awhile back and the service and cuisine was top notch across the board. Parking was ample and environs were warm and inviting. Staff was friendly and helpful, as well. We booked a private room that seated our party of 8 perfectly. The room was located up a flight of stairs at the entrance. We were able to play our own music and enjoyed a fantastic meal from start to finish. I really can't complain about anything I tried. The appetizers were terrific and the entrees were stellar. If you enjoy authentic rustic Italian cuisine, this place is for you. The meatballs were mouthwatering, the beef carpaccio was exquisite, and the pasta was fresh & delicious! The drinks were also fantastic! Overall, I had a wonderful time here. Whether it's a night out with friends or a quiet romantic dinner for two, you definitely won't be disappointed! Happy Eats! read more

Antonello Ristorante - Carpaccio - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Found out about this place through social media, lived in Costa Mesa for 6 years and the lot this place is located in always looked packed to the brim, easy place to find but I thought for the longest it was connected to Draya? (Next door). The staging, lighting, and vibe is absolutely amazing. The staff was friendly and knowledgable and super supportive. I was pretty surprised how fast the food came? Honestly one of the fastest restaurant I've experienced. I don't know if it was a slow day although it seemed busy with parties and we had a dinner reservation booked for 8:30pm. I would like to go during the day or earlier considering they close at 9:30pm. The food was amazing I ordered the salmon, Brussels sprouts, and a pasta. The bread also is delicious I didn't finish it but the green side that was also brought with the bread was an amazing touch as well. No drinks due to a sober stride at the moment but the menu was more than I would have imagined as far as variety. Will be coming back in the future. Only con? (If it is) I sat at a chair for the table not a booth, while adjusting at times I felt the chair would be slippery against the floor didn't notice anything spilled, was completely dry sorta summed it up to the way they coated the floor but I tried not to move too much while sitting. Other than that 5/5 10/10 beautiful restaurant and staff through and through read more

The people were very welcoming and attentive. The vibe was fine -- gave elevated casual fine dining. Definitely could find and/or make better Italian food somewhere else especially for the price point. read more

My husband and I were in the area to support a friend at a show so we decided to come early and make a date night out of it. We had a taste for Italian and trusted YELP reviews and ended up here. Service was excellent! From the host to the wait staff. Everyone was pleasant and made sure we were good the entire time, especially Miguel and Fernando. We had the focaccia which was huge and definitely more than enough for two people (we took it home), Italian margaritas, the mule the chicken parm and the pasta dish w the scallops. The portions are generous, the food is flavorful and fairly priced. I really enjoyed my time here and we will definitely be back! read more

Antonello Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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