What a great experience!! I'm from Newport and was looking for something a bit different for my girlfriend's birthday. Tired of A's, Ocean 48, and the rest of the same o'l restaurants, don't get me wrong they are good places, but wanted something different and boy were we surprised. Domenico the owner runs a very intimate setting and is also a great entertainer, he sings and has two band members playing Sax and the other on the piano, think frank Sinatra, dean Martin, etc. engages the crowd and just a great time. We came in at 7 and shut the place down, it's that entertaining!! Now the food is spectacular, great pasta all made in house, the starters were exceptional: arancini stuffed with braised short rib, carpaccio like you've not had before, we had a 25oz ribeye that was cooked perfectly, what can I say, it was a 10/10 for our party of 5 celebrating an amazing birthday. read more

Hidden and word of mouth! We happened upon this restaurant after a bay cruise. Domenico who owns the place really enjoys and puts his heart into the restaurant. He performs and sings, greets all guest and ensures his food and service quality is top notch!! We had the Spaghetti Vongole and it was amazing. The arancini was delicious. I won't even start on the humongous soufflé!! It was soooo delicious!! We are definitely coming back!! Spread the word!! read more

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All the positive reviews about Domenico is what brought us to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary at the Red Room this past weekend, and it did not disappoint. From the moment we were greeted warmly by the maître d' to the bartenders and servers welcoming us with their radiant smiles and gestures, to Domenico personally tending to our needs throughout the evening, we could not have asked for a better way to celebrate. Domenico was particularly welcoming, genuinely engaged in conversation with us and not just superficial small talk...but fully engaged in a heartfelt conversation about family, life, and food. We did not feel like we were at a restaurant, but at Domenico's house where we were welcomed as his guests to partake in an intimate gather. He checked on us throughout the meal and made sure we were taken care. And yes, the food was OUTSTANDING! It's an extensive menu and so much to choose from. We got the short ribs, pollo al funghi, and octopus/potato salad. All were amazing, with Domenico providing background on how each dish was derived and prepared. Don't hesitate to visit. It's a positively unique experience you shouldn't miss out on. Domenico and his family will take care of you! read more

We came here for a birthday dinner with friends after finding The Red Room online, and it ended up being one of the best dining experiences we've had in a long time. None of us had been before, and we've honestly been talking about it ever since. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is awesome. The hostess was welcoming, our server was fantastic, and the whole place has a fun, energetic vibe without feeling over the top. We ordered three appetizers to share, and every one of them was excellent. The burrata was incredibly fresh, the warm bread with olive oil and vinegar was the perfect way to start the meal, and the saffron meatballs were the standout. The short rib stuffed meatballs were absolutely incredible. For our entrees, we ordered five different dishes so everyone could try a little of everything. The lasagna was my favorite, followed closely by the carbonara and the gnocchi. Everything tasted fresh, homemade, and cooked perfectly. Since it was our birthday celebration, we couldn't skip dessert. The giant affogato with hazelnut and pistachios was unbelievable and the perfect way to end the meal. What really made the night special, though, was Domenico. He recommended both food and drinks, personally brought each dish to our table, remembered our names, and made us feel like guests in his home instead of customers in a restaurant. The chef even came out to say hello, which was another great touch. It's rare to find a restaurant where the food is this good and the hospitality is even better. This was a true 10/10 experience from start to finish. We'll absolutely be back, and The Red Room has officially earned a spot on our regular restaurant rotation. Highly recommend. read more

The Red Room - Dessert! Birthday tiramisu, chocolate soufflé, and crème brûlée. - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The Red Room in Costa Mesa has such a cool, intimate vibe with live jazz music that really sets the mood. We ordered the rib eye special, lasagna, Cacio e Pepe, and finished with the soufflé for dessert. All were excellent. The atmosphere feels unique and inviting, the drinks are great, and the whole place has a fun energy without feeling overwh elming. Domineco, the owner, is very personable. Definitely a memorable spot for a night out! read more

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The ambiance was great, very silky, smooth kind of vibe. We ordered the lasagne which did not disappoint one bit and the short ribs were as tender and flavorful as you would hope it would be. We also had the Caesar and the soufflé and both were so good! Would definitely come back, the live music was perfect. read more

The Red Room - Lasagne - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We enjoyed a wonderful Friday evening at the Red Room for a birthday celebration Domenico (the owner) is a fabulous host and singer. He sang a birthday song to my girl and dedicated a song for us to dance to. The food was fantastic, probably the best Lasagne Bolognese I've ever had ...'melt in your mouth' good. The service staff was also impeccable and attentive. We loved the ambience and decor, especially the lighted red carpet entrance...reminded us of a Vegas and/or Miami nightclub. We highly recommend The Red Room for a fun and delicious evening! read more

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My first visit to Red Room was in early December with my colleague, Big Mike Mac. I had been meaning to check it out for months after coming across it on Yelp while searching for "jazz" or "live jazz" ..something along those lines. I also noticed it had consistently outstanding reviews. This place is special. You simply don't find service like this in Southern California very often anymore. It's rare to experience this level of attention, hospitality, and genuine warmth. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Domenico, the lead bartender, Lorenzo, and several other members of the staff. It was great getting to know them, chatting for a while, and even getting a brief tour of the venue. On my second visit, I experienced just about the full Red Room experience..the whole shebang you could even say. The dinner was fantastic, the ambiance was spot on, and the live music really hit the mark. I saw Lorenzo, the woman who assists behind the bar and also helps run food, along with a few new faces. This has quickly become one of my favorite spots in Orange County. I can't wait to come back, work my way through the rest of the menu, and say Ciao to these fine professionals once again. SALUTI! read more

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We made a reservation for 9pm and did not even get seated. The drinks were good, but it was disappointing as we really wanted to try their food. read more

Wow okay yessss The Red Room is amazing! My spouse and I came here tonight for our 10 year wedding anniversary and had an amazing time. We started off with bread with oil and vinegar that was warm fresh out of the oven. For an appetizer, we ordered the arancini. It was soooooooo good! For dinner, we ordered the shrimp ravioli and pesto gnocchi. Both were fantastic! Presentation of the food was beautiful too. We got the soufflé for dessert with both sauces on the side. For drinks, we got the lychee martini, a manhattan, and the newport smash. All were amazingggg. The bar tender is fantastic! Service was an 100/10. Eva was our waitress and she was amazing. She was so sweet, helpful with recommendations, and always made sure we had everything we needed. The bar tender was fantastic. He was so personable and even came over to our table to talk with us about our drinks. He even shared a bit about Italy. The owner also was so personable and sweet. He came over, knew me by name, and made sure to wish us a happy anniversary. He came by multiple times to chat and make sure we were doing well. The inside was soooo cool. Such a fun jazzy speak easy vibe. Very classy and yet a fun time. The live music was the cherry on top. Overall a 1000000/10 experience. Incredible authentic food, amazing service all around, and fun vibe. We can't wait to go back :) read more

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We discovered this place looking for a romantic place to celebrate our anniversary and potential place to celebrate my brother's 25th wedding anniversary. This is a beautiful place! The ambiance, the service, the food, everything is just perfect. The hubby and I love coming for special occasions. We've brought friends, brought my brother and sister-in-law and they loved it as well. It feels really special. It's a great to place to dress up, impress your significant other, have an intimate dinner with live music in the background, so romantic. Every time we've come Domenico, the owner, makes it a point to come say hello and welcome you. He and his staff are very attentive which adds to the awesome atmosphere. We've always had a wonderful time. We love it! read more

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The Red Room is an interesting restaurant. It's in a huge space with lots and lots of parking in a huge parking structure. The restaurant is very red with a large bar. The hosts are very welcoming and there is live music while you eat dinner. The food is delicious here. They have very good Italian dishes. We had a really good time here for dinner. Happy Yelping! read more

Honestly i AM SOOO IMPRESSED! There's beautiful live music and our service was impressive!! We definitely have to come back and try out the food. read more

The Red Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food: 5/5 Ambience: 10/5 Service: 100/5 This place is phenomenal. If I could rate it above 5 stars I absolutely would without hesitation. I took my girlfriend here for her birthday. Food, ambience, service.... it's all there. From the moment we entered we were taken care of. Music was a vibe, food was fantastic (I got the short rib and my girlfriend got chicken pesto gnocchi which were both FANTASTIC), but it's the hospitality of the staff that will make us repeating customers. It was especially special meet the owner, Domenico, who was kind enough to show us around the space. Props to him for also allowing me to sing! We will absolutely be back. Everyone was so kind! read more

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I HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone thinking about stopping by. Everyone from the owner, waiters/waitress, live musicians are all extremely welcoming, warm, and respectful. They make you feel like family. The vibes and ambiance are phenomenal as well, you have to experience it. The dinner/dessert is fantastic too, 10/10. They put a lot of effort into the food and everything tastes fresh and homemade. They make sure everything is perfect by the time it comes to your table, and I was pleasantly surprised by everything. It's very rare nowadays to find somewhere that has amazing food, amazing employees/owner, and amazing ambiance. I will 100% be coming back! read more

Such an amazing night. It started off bad with a mixup on our reservation but when the owner heard us talking he stepped right in and turned it into such a great experience! Great music, and how lucky did we get that they have a member of Gypsy King there that night that they called up to perform. Great ambiance, great date night, fantastic food, service was incredible, the owner was true italian host! Dress up for fun! read more

The Red Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

everything about this place was fantastic. we were greeted by Domenico, who just made us feel so welcome the whole time. Our server and the bartender were equally attentive, fun & kind. To top off the fantastic guest experience, the food was perfect. I'm very selective about italian food and this truly was delicious. The arancini was my favorite, and the soufflé is as authentic as you can get. Highly recommend and I cannot wait to be back! read more

The Red Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place was absolutely incredible. By far the best date night spot in OC. The ambiance makes you feel like you are in a New York Italian Jazz Bar. By far the best Italian food we've had and the service is unmatched. Our only complaint is that we wish we found this place sooner because WOW. Thank you Domenico for creating a restaurant that goes above and beyond in every aspect. read more

The Red Room - Homemade Veal Cannelloni - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We celebrated our 16th year wedding anniversary at The Red Room. Service was amazing from start to finish. The owner reached out to confirm our reservations and when we arrived, the awesome service continued! I'm not a big fan of pasta so I was a little worried about what to expect when we got there but everything we ordered was amazing! I'm def coming back to try their other items. Live music, good food, great ambiance... totally recommend! read more

The Red Room - Salmon - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Fantastic venue you're familiar with the Newport Beach area Costa Mesa if you remember, Carmelo's is the same owner. Fabulous service from complete staff never had an empty drink laughed joked interact, including The chef personally came out to say hello. Good drinks music. Really wish there was more venues like this in the Los Angeles area. But while work to drive because you will not get this kind of service elsewhere. thanks Domenico looking forward to my next visit. read more

The Red Room - Me and Tony. Great drink. I believe it's called a orange crush - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I took my friend for his birthday and this place is rocking. The ambiance is old school and transport you in a movie scene. I made reservations and when I walked in they know my name. I know I'm underdressed but, they still made me feel welcomed. We ordered burritos, lasagna and beef ribs. Everything was split table side so the 3 of us had equal share of our selected dishes. I appreciate the level of service. Food was delicious, bread was warm and our lychee martini was yummy. Domenico is just a people person, he is so warm and welcoming. Our water glass is always full. The live music was such a treat. And my friend felt special on his birthday, they gave him a complementary dessert and the band sang Happy birthday. This is not just a restaurant, it's a memorable experience. Thank you for making us feel special. read more

The Red Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My first time here, it was an outstanding experience. The owner, Domenico, along with the entire staff truly treated my girlfriend and I like family. Some of the best hospitality I've experienced. The food tastes incredible, and the ambience transports you to another world. Thank you Domenico, for such a memorable evening. I hope to treat you with the same hospitality at my restaurant one day. read more

Outstanding, excellent, authentic, different, memorable, personable. One visit and we felt like regulars, highly recommend. One of the best restaurant experiences we've had in years. Beautiful place of course but hidden so it has a special vibe. Service is 100% spot on and the best part the interaction with the staff is genuine and authentic. Food was top notch and presented well. The restaurant and bar is adjacent to a banquet room that is unique and immaculate. We were lucky to have been there and met the owner which was an experience in itself. read more

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I went here for my birthday and absolutely loved it! The ambiance can't be beat! There is a gorgeous red carpet and string lights outside and a romantic dark light red vibe inside. Food and service were delicious and incredible singers performing for you throughout your evening. I can't wait to be back! read more

The Red Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We went there on Sat and made a reservation, when arrived it's a beautiful entrance with lights , flowers. Hostess could not find my reservation and told us to hang the bar and was bit unbothered. We waited for almost 25 min and the mean time the owner who was greeting other guests came over and introduced himself and was a very pleasant and friendly gesture, he got us a booth table, they had live music and environment was lovely. Food was good, fresh and on point, definitely coming back. read more

The Red Room - Live music - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've visited The Red Room twice, and it's quickly become my favorite spots in Orange County. The food is fantastic, and reasonably priced. Everything Ive tasted has been a hit. The pictures I took do not capture the essence of the experience, next time I'll make sure to capture better pictures because it truly deserves to be showcased. What really sets this place apart is the customer service. From the moment you walk in, the hostess, the staff, and even the owner make you feel right at home. Their warmth and attentiveness enhance the experience, ensuring that you'll want to come back, even if just for the service alone. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, making it a perfect setting for a nice dinner. It's clean and has a wholesome vibe that's hard to beat. And to top it off, there's live music that adds to the overall experience, making your visit feel special. If you're looking for a great dinner spot, I highly recommend The Red Room. It's a place where flavors and service come together beautifully! read more

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Wow what an experience. This is such a nice place to have a special dinner. Domenico the manager of the place is really down to earth! Love his attitude and the way he was so welcoming. I felt like I was family. Every plate was exquisite. The clam pasta was amazing. Bruschetta was unforgettable. I think I can go on and on. Layout was nice. Definitely will come back! read more

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This was OUSTANDING!! They had to guide us in personally as directions once you are at the building are sketch online! However Domenico was a savior! OUSTANDING service, great food, wonderful guitar music and an ambiance that is both charming and romantic!!! I would give this spot 6 stars out of 5! read more

We had an absolutely amazing night! The place was stunning as always. Domenico took significant steps in accommodating our group of 12... he even gave a song tribute to Arnulfo with a surprise dessert. The food was amazing and shared with the whole family. Attendants and servers throughout the night took time to attend to everyone's needs the best way they can. It was a busy night but they made everything they can to make it memorable! We even witnessed a proposal! This is a place for memories... Thank you! read more

The Red Room - Familia - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I went to the red room on a Wednesday night and it was pretty empty, save for a family of 10 in the middle celebrating a birthday and a live mariachi band. I was really surprised to see the band playing and it was a bit loud but I thought it was a fun addition. I ordered the cacio e pepe spaghetti, the meatballs (appetizer), lychee martini, and espresso martini. Cacio e pepe spaghetti: one of my favorite bites this year! Normally I don't order pasta outside because I can make it at home but not this recipe! The owner greeted us and told us that his chef is from Italy so the food is authentic. And you could tell from the texture of the spaghetti and the rich flavor of the pasta sauce. Genuinely it was the creamiest and tastiest pasta I've had in a while! 10/10 Meatballs: another amazing item on the menu! The beef meatballs were so tender, they practically melted in your mouth. The marinara was also delicious and definitely took time to prepare. 10/10 Lychee martini: this is for everyone who wants to drink but hates the taste of alcohol (perfect for me!). I couldn't taste the alcohol in here whatsoever (but I could feel it). It was so refreshing and sweet and tasted exactly like biting into a lychee. 10/10 Espresso martini: this is for the people who love strong drinks because wow the alcohol is there! The espresso flavor was bold and it wasn't too sweet. Service: one thing about the red room that distinguishes it from the rest is the service and hospitality of the staff. The owner came to greet us and make conversation and our waiter gave us amazing recs and served our food for us in individual plates. We didn't have to lift a single finger. It was luxurious for sure! read more

The Red Room - lychee martini - Speakeasies Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Such a fun date night! Ambiance was so great with the live music. We loved sitting up front. Service was amazing. Food so Delicious . Picky with my dirty martinis and bartender nailed it. Will be back ! read more

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Appetizers and drinks were delicious, service was impeccable and very attentive. Ambiance was romantic. Will be back!

Found this randomly on OpenTable and I'm so glad I did! My husband and I are always looking for nice dinner places with live music for a fancy date out. This definitely fit the bill. I suppose the place can be difficult to find so the owner Domenico, actually sent me a text message with clear map & directions and that helped us find the location easily! We got seated at a table right next to the stage. We were worried about the sound level given we were right in front of one of the giant speakers but the musicians were so thoughtful about checking in with us on volume when they first started their set. It actually turned out fine because we were both able to enjoy the music and have dinner conversation. Loved that there were multiple vegetarian & vegan options. They start you off with some house focaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic. I got a house martini (cucumber) and it was really refreshing and smooth. We ordered the caponata (vegan) which was a really delicious blend of different roasted veggies with very thinly sliced crostini. I also got the pesto gnocchi which was nice and creamy without being overly rich or heavy. Will definitely come back to try more as there was a vegetarian truffle mushroom spaghetti special and even a vegan tofu ravioli! Service here is really above and beyond and that just made our dinner date extra special! read more

The red room is a hidden gem that I feel like everybody needs to be aware of ! It's located in a fairly large shopping center and there's also a parking structure where you can park, so finding parking won't be an issue ! The ambiance is a speakeasy type vibe. And there is some jaw dropping decorations outside were you can take some amazing photos ! The service is on point ! My girlfriend and I went and there was a comedy show happening which we weren't aware of but the waiters were still super attentive which is much appreciated! To top it off the owner came to greet my girlfriend and I and was so friendly ! The food to be honest fell a little bit short it was over seasoned but it wasn't a spoiler! The desert was super tastey and the owner said that everything is made to order . The price point is mid to high but it's so worth it ! Overall if you're around the area check them out fam! read more

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Absolutely amazing from start to finish. The ambiance, the service, the food, the cocktails, the music, Domenico singing... ALL amazing. They made my wife and I's 10 year anniversary enjoyable and memorable. read more

Excellent in all phases!!!! The food was amazing, the service was outstanding, and the evening was a complete success!!

Glorious! I went here on a whim only knowing it was new, near my place, and seemingly bougie. These are usually NOT reasons that motivate me to put on pants, but here we are. The Yelp reviews do not disappoint. The Red Room may be a bit hard to find--beyond my directionally-disoriented self--but it is well worth the journey. Yes, DO pull up in front of 1901 Newport Blvd...and embrace the HUGE complex that requires you to walk downstairs to find this gem of a place. Just follow the twinkle-lights. Extra love for professionalism and knowledge; I truly appreciate the vegan server who provided me insightful recommendations (and was referred to me by their awesome bartenders). Whether you're starting or ending your evening, The Red Room is the best spot to paint the town red. read more

Get a room!" Grandpa yells. "Oh wait, you did. Right over my head last night..." "Grandpa!" several people say at once. "Well nobody refilled my coffee. I'm not responsible for the things I say -- Sarina Bowen, Speakeasy I'm hungry right now so who knows what I will write ;-) But this speakeasy/restaurant is a solid and fun Friday/Saturday night visit! Live music, fun ambiance, excellent service, nice food and an outstanding soufflé. It's huge by the way but tasty! Corkage was reasonable, I think $20 or $25. The wine list is decent but I like to bring my own wine. The braised short ribs are excellent. I just wish they also had a steak on the menu. Will visit this place again! Highly recommended! read more

With all the great ratings we came to Red Room with high expectations. It is our 25th anniversary and we brought our two girls. The night started off OK but after we got our drinks and ordered our entrees it was an hour before we got our food. In the meantime we were sharing our water because no one was refilling it and hoping to get more bread. The crowd was full of 50-60ish year old men with 25-35 year old women. Not a mark against the restaurant but interesting. The decor was classy until you noticed the Godfather photo and the Pacino as Scarface behind the center of the stage. The singer (owner?) was Vegas-like. 60ish with a fancy shirt, gold necklaces, somewhat unbuttoned shirt with a lot of panache. Unfortunately his voice was mediocre but still no mark against the restaurant. The real downfall was the slow service and the unbelievably bland food. I always ask my family for a 1-10 rating on their meal and got back a 1, 3, 3 and 4 ratings. The clam dish had about 6 clams and no flavor, the salmon ("lightly pan fried") was overcooked and the spagetti was a Chef Boyardee clone. The souffle was analogous to the whole restaurant- all hat and no cattle. It was showy but to eggy and tasteless with chocolate that was very light brown and boring. I have never seen all of my family not finish a dessert. Before we finished eating they had already brought a biil (very classless) and no mention was made of our anniversary. My wife was apologising all the way home for picking Red Room. It wasn't her fault but that of the 5 star reviewers that must have been blinded by the adoration of their young women. This resaturant would not last a week in Italy. read more

Love this restaurant. It's located inside of "Celebration" venue. The room has limited light and of course, everything is red. They have live music which is amazing. Very cozy, intimate atmosphere. Service was impeccable and very personable. Good-wow. One of my favorite Italian restaurant. All the dishes were phenomenal. My friend got their duck ragu while I opted for the lasagna. We also ordered this truffle appetizer and their special dessert...all was done with detailed and quality-nothing to complain. Definitely a great spot for special occasion, debriefing end of the day and just a nice intimate catching up...this is definitely a gem. Side note-they do not open for lunch, though Yelp indicates so...however, they welcome private parties so you can book lunch as a private event. read more

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