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    Buona Forchetta

    4.2 (260 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Buona Forchetta Photos

    BUONA FORCHETTA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Buona Forchetta

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    Fettuccine, scallop mushrooms
    Jennifer S.

    Five stars for the service! I came in by myself, and everyone made me feel so welcome. A big thank you to my waiter and to Jay for taking such great care of me. The caramel espresso martini was absolutely perfect--delicious, perfectly sweet, and exactly what I was hoping for. It definitely hit the spot. For dinner, I tried the chef's special: the fettuccine with scallops and mushrooms. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing for me because it was very bland. I ended up adding salt just to bring out some flavor. The scallops themselves were seasoned well and tasted great, and both the scallops and the pasta were cooked perfectly. The sauce had a wonderful, creamy texture--it just lacked flavor. I think it could have benefited from something cheesy, tangy, peppery, or simply a little more seasoning. Even with that, I'm still giving this place five stars because the service was outstanding. They genuinely listened to my feedback about the meal and went above and beyond to make things right, which says a lot about how much they care about their customers. This was my first visit, and I definitely plan on coming back to try one of their signature dishes. I highly recommend this restaurant overall. I just wouldn't recommend the scallop fettuccine based on my experience. Thank you all for making my solo dinner such a pleasant one!

    Build your own pasta, vegan pesto pasta
    Rose H.

    What a hidden gem!!! Has the cutest patio dining and the place feels so intimate inside as well. Very clean and when we went, the hostess let us sit wherever we wanted since it was empty on a weekday. The food was absolutely delicious. Lots of vegan and gluten free options that make this spot incredibly inclusive. I did the build your own pasta and my friend did the vegan pasta. Absolutely amazing! The service was also phenomenal. Everyone took care of us rather than just one server and everyone was super attentive. I can't wait to come back. P.s. the outdoor area is so cute after dinner you can sit by the fire and hang with your friends!!!

    Jenna A.

    Came into Buona Forchetta late on a Thursday night and left with a satisfied tummy and even leftovers to re-live it tomorrow. The pasta was so fresh and flavorful, as was the pizza! This place was perfect for a late dinner with friends! Service staff was so kind and friendly and made sure everything was perfect!

    Anh T.

    Not my fav restaurant for pasta. The carbonara was quite runny in term of the sauce and not quite well seasoned. Great customer service and friendly staff, would be a great spot for a date night or catching up with friends

    Amazing service and DELICIOUS food!! My friends and I had a late night birthday reservation, but the staff were so accommodating and kind. They even gave us 2 beautiful birthday panna cottas which we were so surprised by! I can't wait to come back for another girls night

    Special: scallops pasta

    Great to find another authentic Italian restaurant owned by real Italians. Food was amazing, I believe noodles were made in house, if not, they tasted freshly made. Our server was nice. You can park in the underground parking lot, they validate 1.5 hour .

    juna pizza
    Wendy C.

    This spot has both indoor and outdoor patio seating. The patio seating has a heater so it was nice. I got to try the beet salad, mixed mushrooms, calamari, gluten free pasta bolognese, seafood cioppino, Nicola, and Juna pizza. I enjoyed the Nicola and Juna pizza the most. Nicola pizza had a strong truffle and mushroom flavor. Juna pizza had pepperoni and sausage with hot honey sauce. The appetizers and the seafood cippino was ok, nothing really stuck out to me. The pasta was bland, it didn't have enough seasoning or sauce. Service was a bit slow, servers took awhile to come. The food here is ok, I would recommend trying out the pizza here!

    Buona Forchetta w Parpadelle
    Katarina O.

    Valentines dinner was very sweet here!! I don't remember our servers name but she was so amazing- (she wore a "may the forch be with you" shirt and I believe had pigtails!!). She truly went ABOVE and beyond to perfect everything for us and consistently provided amazing service- thank you!! These prices are NOT BAD either!! The focaccia was a great, large starter. Calamari was very good & I am usually not a fan! The mushrooms were top tier and perfectly paired with EVERYTHING. Especially the buona forchetta pasta- that was soooo delicious and creamy. The drinks were good! High quality wine options!! The pizza was not a favorite unfortunately, unexpectedly a lot of flavors, weirdly overwhelming- and quite spicy! and I thought I had a decent tolerance lol! Good crust though Delicious gelato- but not my absolute favorite- Overall, great price for good food! Great service, had many people check in with us and everyone was so kind!!! Also AMAZINGG location by the water & a beautiful patio!!

    From "Specials" menu: scallops with kale and almonds. Dairy-free, pescavegan, delightful.
    Korbi K.

    Even though its San Clemente location left an impeccable impression, Buona Forchetta in Newport proves just as wow-worthy. Order the focaccia! It's stupidly delicious, and conveniently vegan. Add garlic for extra heaven. Focaccia leftovers store well, so don't be afraid to place an extra order--or two...or three... I love their separate vegan menu, which provides much-needed options for those with dietary restrictions/preferences. Their vegan ravioli, and spaghetti puttanesca, are dangerously delightful. I haven't indulged in their vegan pizza yet, which a friend recently recommended and is now next on my To-Order list. Pescavegan options are also abundant. I dared order off their Specials Menu, and had no regrets: scallops with kale and almonds are exceptionally exquisite. Fire flavor, generous portions, and quality ingredients. Bonus points for sweet service, and a cozy atmosphere. Buona Forchetta is an essential addition to your restaurant routine, no matter the location.

    Margherita pizza

    The Margherita pizza was very delicious and I would recommend it. By the way, they do have Alfredo sauce although it is not on the menu. My friend ordered the pesto pasta and found the pesto a little on the oily side. Overall the restaurant was good!

    Quyen H.

    This is the first Italian restaurant I've tried that I really enjoyed! My party ordered drinks and the calamari fritti to share.. calamari was super fresh with a light breading paired with the perfect amount of acidity in the marina sauce. I could tell that their marina sauce was super fresh and balanced well. Service was excellent with a very cute ambiance for date night or friends night out! Our server was super friendly and attentive, as well as the manager who came by to check in on us.. will be back to try the other things offered on their menu!

    Menu as of 11/2/25
    Patricia B.

    One of new fave Italian restaurants in OC! It gives you the real Italy feels from asking if you want sparkling or still water to all the amazing options on the menu. We got the Amatriciana pasta and Carbonara pasta. Both were super delicious and the guanicale was tasty. We also got focaccia with garlic and we couldn't stop eating it - would definitely get again. The pricing is decent and the seating area outside is great, especially at nice. Also love the overall location. Parking is easy; there's a lot underneath and they validate it at the restaurant.

    Cacio y Pepe with shrimp & pepperoni pizza. & Aglio Olio E Peperoncino with spicy sausage.

    We had a reservation for four at 5:30 p.m. and arrived a little early. When we went to check in, the two staff members at the front were having a conversation and didn't acknowledge us for several minutes. It was a bit awkward and made for a poor first impression. Fortunately, things improved quickly after that. We were seated right away, and our waiter was excellent. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was very nice. He took our drink and food orders promptly, and everything arrived quickly. The food was absolutely delicious, and our waiter was attentive throughout the meal. Despite the rough start, we had a great dining experience and would definitely return.

    Bucatini with Buona Forchetta sauce and Italian sausage

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    24 days ago

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    5 days ago

    Super classy place to enjoy your glass of wine and perhaps a freshy fired pizza. Kind people will treat you well.

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    5 months ago

    Really good italian. Pizza was perfect and the carbonara was amazing. Very well done. Would absolutely come back again.

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    Buona Forchetta Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Buona Forchetta

    Is it kid friendly?

    Yes. There were a number of tables with families and the staff was great with them!

    Are dogs allowed outside in dining area?

    Yes the patio seat is pet friendly, just confirm with the server.

    How is parking for to go orders?

    Buona Forchetta Newport offers free parking for 1.5 hours. You can park in the parking structure underground right by the restaurant and bring the parking ticket with you when you pick up your order.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Bello by Sandro Nardone

    Bello by Sandro Nardone

    4.3
    (799 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$$

    I had Bello on my list to try for a while and I finally had a chance during a business dinner…read more We ordered the calamari and porchettina to start. The calamari was tender and the breading light and crispy. The porchettina was delicious. The pork was well seasoned and the crunchy skin provided a delightful texture change. The relish topping really balanced the richness of the pork with its tangy and sweet flavor. I ordered the norcia for my entree and it was also well done. The pasta was al dente which is critical for any pasta dish. The sauce was well seasoned, rich, and creamy. Overall, the food was delicious and the service was attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely come back to try their pizzas which also looked great.

    Really disappointing experience tonight. We waited about an hour after our appetizer before our…read moreentrees finally arrived, and the food was cold. We were never offered bread, and no one asked if I wanted another glass of wine, so I ended up eating my entire meal without anything to drink. My partner's beer was also flat. We ordered a super simple pomodoro and the sauce tasted like spaghetti-oh's, although, the pasta was cooked well. I do want to give credit to our server, Camryn. She was lovely, very apologetic, and clearly doing the best she could under the circumstances. She explained that they were very short-staffed tonight. The hostess was also incredibly sweet and welcoming. I completely understand that staffing issues happen, and I don't blame Camryn at all, but waiting an hour for cold food and having drinks and basic service overlooked made for a pretty disappointing dinner. Hopefully tonight was just an off night because the staff we interacted with were genuinely lovely. The patio was nice, and they allow dogs outside. Unfortunately, we're stopping for food on the way home.

    Photos
    Potatoes
    Potatoes
    SURF AND SAND PANINO- Octopus, Pork Belly, Piquillo Peppers
    SURF AND SAND PANINO- Octopus, Pork Belly, Piquillo Peppers
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    CUCINA Enoteca-Newport Beach

    CUCINA Enoteca-Newport Beach

    3.9
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$

    Tonight we went to Cucina Enoteca to celebrate a very special birthday with dear friends, and…read moreeverything was simply wonderful. From the beautiful welcome we received from the hostess to the food, wine, atmosphere, and service, everything was perfect. We decided to sit outside because I had my dog with me, and I didn't realize that happy hour was only available at the bar. Of course, that completely made sense. But when I explained the situation to our waitress, Halle, she kindly spoke with Luke, the Assistant General Manager/Sommelier, and he generously made an exception and allowed us to enjoy happy hour at our table because we had our dog with us. That small gesture meant so much. Not every restaurant would go out of its way to do something like that. I made sure to personally thank Luke for his kindness, and he even came by later to check on us and make sure everything was going well. That says a lot. And Halle was wonderful throughout the evening--so kind, attentive, and professional. And one more little detail that made me smile: thank you for bringing back the wish in the women's restroom! It's such a small, special touch, but I had missed it the last time we were there, so seeing it again tonight made me happy. There are so many wonderful places to choose from, especially here in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar, and I truly appreciate when a restaurant stands out not only for its food, but for its professionalism, kindness, and genuine hospitality. Cucina Enoteca, you were a WOW tonight. The food, the wine, the atmosphere, and especially the people who took care of us made our celebration even more special. We can't wait to come back. Thank you for a beautiful evening! Cheers!

    Came here at a Thursday at 3 pm. The atmosphere was nice, cool on a hot day, and not too…read moreparticularly busy. I got the Rigatoni with the poached egg. Pretty decent, but not mind blowingly good. One of my friends was told because they were transitioning to dinner, that the kitchen said they couldn't make their order. I wish from the start we were given the dinner menu then, there were so many options I wanted to try that weren't on the lunch menu.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Brandt beef brasato mafaldine (left); Braided short rib (right)
    Brandt beef brasato mafaldine (left); Braided short rib (right)
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    Romano Cucina

    Romano Cucina

    4.9
    (71 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    I am late to write this review but we have been coming to romano since it opened on the peninsula…read more They have die hard staff who have stayed since they opened and I love that when we dine here, we recognize the staff. Here are some of the dishes that we just can't get enough of. Our usual go to's are: sauteed mushrooms appetizer, pesto fettucine with shrimp and the chicken parmesan with rosa sauce. Please do not skip dessert. Their cheesecake is one of the best I've ever had (including NYC cheesecake). Each month they have a different flavor cheesecake and literally every flavor we have tried has been phenomenal. We even ordered a full pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving ($90) and it was the star of the dinner. Our entire dinner party LOVED the cheesecake. Once we tell our daughter we are going to Romano for dinner, she will immediately say "If I eat my dinner, can I have cheesecake?" Romano is incredible italian food on the peninsula (psssst, it's 1000% better than Mama D's!)

    Was in the area with my friend and chose to have an early dinner here. Definitely wasn't…read moredisappointed! The place has a very cozy and homey vibe with many pictures showcasing its beautiful Italian history. I ordered the chicken alfredo, and it was splendid. Pasta was al dente, the sauce was rich and creamy, there was nothing to complain about. We were also given complimentary bread and butter plus a salad. Our waitress was so nice, checking up on us if we needed anything throughout our time there. I'm so glad we stumbled upon this restaurant!

    Photos
    Romano Cucina
    Romano Cucina
    Romano Cucina

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    Il Farro

    Il Farro

    4.2
    (970 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    30 years in business
    Family-owned & operated

    i celebrated my birthday here and it was such a sweet time!…read more came on a weekday evening and had a reservation but the place was pretty empty. parking is free at the pier after 6 too! the staff were all so nice and kind! i really felt welcomed and appreciated there. it feels cozy with mom&pop vibes. i really am rooting for their success besides the friendly service, the food was amazing! i got the fusilli which had a pink sauce + chicken and mushrooms. it was so good - i ate everything! the clams and mussels appetizer was also the best ive had. i rarely like mussels but these tasted delish. all my family members enjoyed their dishes! we've found a new favorite italian spot :)

    I have always been a big fan of Il Farro. I wrote them a glowing review on DoorDash. When they…read moreclosed for a revamp recently, initially I was worried they had closed. When they reopened, I couldn't wait to order. Things have changed, though. It reminds me of when Gordon Ramsey comes into a restaurant and slims down the menu... tells the owner they need to change some things. Yes, I order through DoorDash, but the menu is the same. Looking back on my past orders, my daughter used to get spaghetti with marinara, and I would get the pappardelle boscaiola. I was thrilled to find a place that serves boscaiola, as I used to get the dish in Colorado, and I missed it. And then the bread! A whole loaf of bread with olive oil/balsamic to dip in. I freaked out the first time I got that loaf! The menu has been streamlined... I guess that's the right word. Neither of these dishes exist anymore, and we received slices of bread in a bag with no olive oil. And the bread doesn't seem as rustic, but maybe it was just because it was sliced thin. I had to settle for pappardelle ragu, which is them essentially using the base of their bolognese. (Which has ground beef.) Since my daughter isn't a fan of bolognese, she opted for lasagna. Don't get me wrong. The pasta is still homemade (thus 3 stars) but the portions are smaller. I'm on the hunt for my boscaiola now, and I'm sad Il Farro won't likely be my go-to anymore.

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    Grigliata di Pesce, Italian seafood dish. Join il Farro Italian Restaurant in Newport Beach, Orange County for dinner tonight. 949-723-5711
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