My girlfriends took me here to celebrate my engagement tonight as this was where my fiancee and I had our first date. So cute and they brought me flowers and a bottle of champagne to celebrate. The server congratulated me for the special occasion but never brought a dessert or anything celebratory for the special occasion. Everything was wonderful and delicious, but missing out on taking the opportunity to celebrate this special moment where my friends brought me to celebrate this special occasion where we came for our first date was such a missed moment by your establishment. What a disappointment. read more

We were gifted a gift card to this restaurant that we had never been to before. Decided to give it a try and invite a few friends. The service was great but the food was even better!! Everything we ordered from appetizers to desserts, tasted amazing! I don't eat pasta, but they offered a veggie option instead of pasta, which I appreciated. I ordered the veal chop, it was the best I have ever had! We all decided we wanted to come back! Such a fun and delicious Italian restaurant! read more

The food and service are still good at Modo Mio and Enrique is still our favorite server. Dining outside is nice since the weather is close to perfect in Crystal Cove. Try not to fill up on the bread (and great martinis!) before your meal arrives. read more

Went in for a family dinner. This is my dad's favorite place for a parmigiana, both the chicken and veal. Most of the table got a parmigiana, with veggies or pasta. Veggies were cooked perfectly. Pasta sauce is so good. Mom got raviolis and the sauce was delicious. I got the ossobuco special and it was just ok. The sauce itself was very salty and the risotto it was served with, was hard. But everyone else loved their meals. The tiramisu is to die for! Same with the lemon cheesecake! Oh and the chocolate tart! The place was packed, not a single empty table in sight, yet we got seated right away. It was VERY LOUD. Impossible to carry a conversation even with the person in front of you, let alone someone a seat down. read more

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An absolutely spectacular evening on the patio, enjoying amazing rustic Italian cuisine. The complementary bread and mushrooms are such a classy start. We enjoyed three delicious pasta dishes as well as a wonderful roasted salmon. Our server Blake was knowledgeable and very attentive. He had some really delicious recommendations and totally took care of us for a birthday celebration. We can't wait to return. read more

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Great location and ambience inside & outside was good. Very friendly staff, didn't rush the orders and made good recommendations. Food was delicious, high quality and nice presentation. read more

We went here for a special birthday celebration. It is recommended to make reservations ahead of time. We last minute called and were able to get a reservation for 5. It is a nice candlelight ambiance. Food was delicious. We had ordered the osso, branzino fish with plate, and the steak. It was all delicious. When we sat down, it came with complimentary bread and marinated mushrooms. One thing I didn't like were the veggies. This the first restaurant that I ever had with celery as part of their veggies. read more

Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen - Osso - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I finally got to try this restaurant and it did not disappoint! First of all, I love that they give you both complementary bread ANDmarinated mushrooms! The mushrooms were fantastic and I could eat a whole plate of them by myself. ;) The chicken piccata was lemony and bright and so yummy. My dad had a massive square of lasagna and thoroughly enjoyed it. The service was great and we had a very knowledgeable server, and he suggested some good wines. They have an impressive wine list. And their tiramisu was delicious, light and fluffy, and enough to share among the four of us. The ambience was busy, sophisticated and hip! read more

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The outdoor space is amazing with gorgeous views, and the vibes are fantastic. Our server was super nice as well. Food is mediocre at best. Was excited to try the pignoli, but unfortunately it did not deliver. Just a mix of random flavors all in one dish that didn't really taste good. Prices are reasonable, but I wish food tasted more authentic. Might be back for a drink and views read more

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Modo Mio was a lively, fun restaurant that had delicious pasta! We ate during the sunset which was delightful. I ordered the bolognese which had perfectly cooked pasta. The restaurant was dimly light. The service was very helpful and patient. Loved Modo Mio! Definitely recommend!!! read more

Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

One star only because zero isn't an option. This was not my first time at Modo Mio, but it will absolutely be my last. The food is classic Italian and perfectly fine, but in Southern California, good Italian food is not difficult to find. What makes a restaurant stand out is hospitality, how you treat your guests, and how you make people feel. Unfortunately, this restaurant has now given me more than one experience that makes me question how their front of house staff is trained to speak to customers. I requested outdoor seating in advance and specifically included it in my reservation notes. This was a weekday, not a particularly busy time, and when we arrived it was clear that outdoor seating was available. Rather than simply explaining the situation or trying to accommodate us, the woman handling the phone and welcoming guests was unbelievably rude and dismissive. While I was driving there and my friends were already at the restaurant, I called to understand what was happening. She continuously spoke over me and would not even allow me to finish a sentence. My friend experienced the same dismissive attitude in person. The only response repeated over and over was, "We're doing the best we can," without actually listening or attempting to help. The outdoor table itself is honestly not even the reason for this review. We could have sat inside and still enjoyed our evening. It was the way we were spoken to. After multiple experiences here, I have no interest in returning. There are far too many wonderful restaurants in Newport Beach that understand both good food and basic kindness toward their guests. read more

This was my first Italian restaurant in the New Port area and it set the bar high! Everything we got, (the bolognese, chicken parm, eggplant parm, salmon, and chicken siciliana) was so delicious and enjoyable. Our server, Anne, was super helping in choosing various dishes and desserts. We luckily got a seat by the window and got to watch a beautiful sunset. Our party got a reservation which was a good idea because there seemed to be a bit of a wait. Overall, this place definitely is an authentic Italian restaurant and one I will return to!! read more

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At first glance, a warm and cozy restaurant with an inviting ambiance. Lots of tables with great conversations and staff smiling and setting the tone for an amazing evening. Marinated mushrooms as a light palate opener with bread served immediately is a great touch. Shrimp Scampi needs re-work. Pignoli pasta was zesty with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and pine nuts. Tiramisu was a success! A lovely evening with an amazing sunset and a full moon. Win-Win! read more

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Outstanding service delicious food great atmosphere indoor or outdoor highly recommended

Overhyped the food is so mid and they act like it's this distinguished dining restaurant. The only thing distinguishing is the salty meat and oily pasta. read more

Simply Incredible! I decided to take the hour drive on a Sunday from LA to Newport just to try this spot, and OMG IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Just wow, started off with the lamb chops as an appetizer, squeeze the lemon and trust the process! Some of the best food I've had in SoCal! Shout out to the owner for making my experience so amazing! read more

When a restaurant is this crowded, it must be for a reason. We found this to be true of Modo Mio. Clearly a locals spot, and almost always busy. Great food, good drink, large outdoor dining option. A touch pricey but not out of line for Newport Beach! Will repeat read more

Food, service and ambiance is always consistent! The parking is difficult. They start your meal with delicious sliced mushrooms in virgin olive oil and bread. The wine list is very good. The atmosphere is festive. read more

I've been a customer for many years; even going back to previous ownership. It was so convenient, as well as pleasing to enjoy weekday lunches here with close, old friends ...and with two or three days a week with zero corkage fee. How nice it was... Bring back the weekday lunch hours and offerings Paul and Linda. It's over due. The Pandemic is Dust in the Wind. TIA read more

Cozy lighting and seating. Great food & dessert. Nice staff. That mushroom served with bread was something new to me which I like very much. read more

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Wow! If there's such a thing as a perfect meal my mom, wife and I had it here. We started off with cocktails. My wife and I split a Wall Oh-F (an Old-fashioned) and my mom had a Lavender Limondrop. Both cocktails were outstanding and generous. For an appetizer, we split a burrata with sliced tomatoes, arugula, red onions, and balsamic glaze. All the ingredients were first-rate, fresh and the burrata was creamy and rich. For the entrees, my mom ordered the Cartoccio, spaghetti pasta, large wild shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, in a tomato broth. The ingredients were as fresh as can be and meshed together perfectly. It was also a really large portion. My wife ordered the orto, arborio rice simmered with lemon, carrots, zucchini, celery and asparagus. It was an amazing risotto dish with great ingredients and a perfect mixing of flavors. Also a big portion. I ordered the capellaci, "little hats", folded pasta sheets with ricotta and spinach and baked in a tomato cream sauce. Delicious! And a great size portion too. For dessert, we got tiramisu and cheesecake. Both were excellent. Our waitress was phenomenal: friendly, helpful, high energy. The restaurant decor was stylish and sedate in use of color and paintings. The ambiance was buzzy and electric: the way you would expect a great restaurant to make diners enthusiastic about their meals. Every table was full. Not a surprise given how great this restaurant is. read more

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Modoooo mutha effinnn mioooo. Haven't been in a couple months so naturally I've been jones'in for some rustic Italian. But don't worry, I've been here a ton at least a bakers dozen times. Food is delectable and location is crystal cove so you can't really beat that. Used to go with Kobe back in the day to practice my Italian. RIP mamba. This place is essentially a 4 or 4.5 overall but what puts them over the edge is that Jake Pappas used to work there and added a certain degree of credibility and rizz to the establishment that has since persisted. cibo eccellente! entrami nella pancia!!! read more

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Great selection from menu, no corkage fee Monday thru Wednesday- attentive server Nicole- nice comp dessert & coffee for our 64 th Anniversary- highly recommended and the ac felt great inside! read more

Made a reservation here to celebrate a birthday and was seated quickly. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating with a cute patio space. We ordered the cappellacci and the siciliana with a bottle of red wine. Food was very good. They also give bread and a mushroom appetizer. When you make a reservation they ask if you are celebrating anything but didn't do anything for the birthday. Why bother asking if you aren't going to acknowledge the reservation notes? Keep that in mind if you're having a celebration here but for just a normal dinner it was good. read more

Another great experience. Predictable to perfection! The mushrooms and bread, great cocktail and starter, fab service and great dinner! Great value as well! Keep doing what you are doing Modo Mio! We love the restsurant! read more

Last night at Modo Mio with friends was another amazing experience at one of my favorite local Italian restaurants. As always, the food was excellent and the service even better. It all started with the hostess, Amber, who was so welcoming and came by our table more than once to make sure we were taken care of. And then there's my favorite server, Aldo, who always exceeds our expectations. He is kind, knowledgeable, and truly takes his time to care not just for us, but for every table around him. So professional and so genuine. You can feel how everyone works together as a team. So many smiling faces bringing food to our table, all moving in beautiful harmony. It was also my friends' first time at Modo Mio, and they were so happy and impressed with everything--from the food to the service and the warm atmosphere. Thank you to the owners, Phil and Brett, for always making sure we have the very best experience. There are so many restaurants to choose from, but we always come back to places where it's not just about great food, but the entire experience. Cheers and merry, merry!! read more

The food is very good! Make sure you make reservation or you will not be able to get in and get a table. The place is very small and the outside tables are first come first serve. read more

Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen - Side salad - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Fantastic food, service and ambiance. We enjoyed everything we had as they were of the highest quality and excellent flavors. Would definitely recommend and return as a regular. The restaurant is busy and noisy nights and weekends but worth it so recommendations are a must. read more

2nd visit, ate here last year. Arrived at 6:30pm for our reservation at that time. Seated about 6:35. Ordered wine to enjoy with the bread and mushrooms they provide to the table. Ordered entrees about 6:50. People next to us and behind us who ordered at the same time or later got their food reasonably quickly. Then we waited and waited and waited some more. Eventually the waiter came over and said the kitchen was slammed. We had ordered seafood risotto and spaghetti with seafood and tomato broth. Nothing fancy to need preparation from scratch. One of the ladies at the table next to us, who had already completed her meal actually got up on her own and told the manager to get our food out. Got our entrees about 7:45. We had another engagement so had to rush to eat what we could and get the balance boxed up. The house did comp half of the bill but it ruined what we wanted to be a relaxing dinner. Obviously we didn't have time for coffee or deserts. The seafood risotto was light on everything but calamari and all the seafood was cut up into small pieces rather than full size shrimp and scallops mixed in. My spaghetti with seafood was actually quite good and was very hot once it was served. Overall not the experience we were looking for. read more

A shopping center full of restaurants and shopping, we seems like lots of parking that fills up fast, and it you bring you'll pass right by this wonderful Italian Restaurant. Luckily, we joined some friends here for dinner and it was a fantastic experience. The restaurant is open with lots of light (made it kinda warm inside and almost needed to wear sunglasses) coming in. Service was quick, friendly, and we were checked on frequently. I really enjoyed my food. Chicken Parm that filled with plate. Perfectly cooked and moisture chicken smothered in marinara sauce with potatoes and veggies. Very satisfying! read more

Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen - Chicken Parm - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

A nice spot right by the beach. Good for celebrations or when you are wanting a nicer meal. Pasta was great and so was the service!

We've been to Modo Mio and have always enjoyed the food and service. That was one of the reasons my wife chose it to celebrate her birthday. But on this occasion, everything was truly amazing. I wish I got the name of the server as he was particularly great, but all of the staff was extraordinary. Thank you for making her birthday extra special. We can't wait to come back. read more

I really enjoyed my experience at this restaurant! Would definitely come back. This restaurant is located in a small shopping center (other stores include Banana Republic, Williams Sonoma, and Fetneh Blake Concept, as well as many other eateries). It is within walking distance of Crystal Cove State Park. There is a pretty big parking lot but parking can be tough to find in the evening. My party of two arrived around 6:30 PM on a Saturday and we were immediately seated. You can also make a reservation if you want to be safe. The ambiance is fancy but not too fancy, which I thought was perfect. Service was good. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and provided great recommendations. Food was served very quickly. We were started off with complimentary bread and mushrooms. Before we were able to finish that, our dishes started to come out. For an appetizer, we got an apple and candied walnut salad (I don't know the name because it was recommended by our waiter). The kitchen was able to serve the salad on two plates so that my friend and I could share the salad. The kitchen was very, very generous with the candied walnuts. Perhaps a little too generous as the walnuts made up almost half of the salad, but I appreciate that they didn't skimp on it. The capellini checa, which was also recommended by our waiter, was sooo good and well-flavored. I highly recommend it! We added shrimp for $9 and were given six good-sized shrimps. Portion size was goods I ended up bringing home about a third of my plate. In short, I would definitely come back here. read more

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Great service, great food!! Never have had a disappointment! Love the ice cream deserts! Look forward to returning!! read more

Excellent spot with a great outside seating area. Great martinis and service. Food was fantastic.

Thought this would be a cute little place to get some good Italian food. The food was just ok...but definitely not worth the price. The steak was not cooked as we requested and they did not have any accompaniments to enhance the steak either. Ordered 2 steaks with different temperatures but the server didn't know which was which. Also, we had to ask the serv for everything at least 2 times. I hate going to dinner and having to chase my server for basics like water. I would pass on this place unless you like being ignored. read more

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I'm obsessed. Our waiter was awesome. Sometimes my family can be a little picky and inattentive but he was so patient. And that's the BIGGEST skill in the service industry. Shoot I totally forgot his name. He seemed to be in his 40s and wears sunglasses hanging from his shirt. I came Monday night 11/17. Find him with my clues and give him a raise. We sat at the table on the right side of the restaurant as you walk in. At a 6 top table. side note: my brother and I wanted to start off with a ceaser salad and split it and they gave it to us on two separate plates. Little things like that make the dining experience extra special!! read more

Had a great dinner here the other night with my girlfriend. Great food and outdoor ambiance with perfect summer weather. Love their outdoor patio. Started with their mushroom and bread app which is different than just bread and butter. I like mushrooms so this was a cool change. Had a tart taste to it. Started with the Shrimp Scampi app. Delicious and very fresh and hot shrimp. I got the Bolognese Pasta which is considered their best dish. And it was. Very delicious and flavorful. One of the best Bolognese pastas I've ever had. GF got the Pesto Chicken with Penne and pine nuts. It was so so. Not our favorite. Not pesto or creamy enough. Kind of bland and dry. If it wasn't for the sun dried tomatoes it would have been totally flavorless. Don't recommend this one. The Tiramisu was bomb. One of the best we've had. And we eat Tiramisu every time we go eat Italian. Highly recommend this dessert! Service was excellent. The bussers, runners and our server were very attentive to all the tables of the patio. Dine on the patio of the weather is nice. Very relaxing and chill atmosphere. Their wine list is very good. Plenty of good selection of cocktails and drinks. I had a glass of Chianti. Simple and light. read more

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I came here for my first anniversary dinner with my partner, and it was lovely! My partner and I ordered the Modo Mio salad, capellini checca, cartoccio, and two glasses of wine recommended by the sommelier (Chianti and Barbera). They also offered a complimentary bread basket and mushrooms. Some people have complained about service in other reviews; I felt the service was perfect, not too fast or slow. Everything was delicious, and I appreciated the numerous clearly labeled options available for me as a vegetarian. We went on a Friday night so it was pretty loud inside, but they had spots available outside, and it was perfect. They have many heaters so it was very comfortable even without a jacket on. All in all, a successful anniversary dinner and I will happily come back for a future date night to try out more of the menu! read more

Another very rare Italian restaurant that I absolutely LOVE in OC! Obviously the location is hard to beat with the beautiful views off of Newport Coast (bonus points for sitting outside). But the food is also incredible! I've loved every pasta dish and their complimentary mushroom starter is just so refreshing and great (and this is coming from a former mushroom hater/current mushroom tolerant). It's good enough for me to willingly as for more! The staff are so cool, and the wine selection is great too, I love stopping by here when I'm in town. read more

Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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