Cavallino Italian Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

chuper

Joined 7 years ago

Bad all around. The food is just not very good, but the service was good. It looks like a nice place but the chef needs to start cooking agin! I would rather eat a chain next time

Recommends

hockeymom4

Joined 6 years ago

One of the best OC Italian restaurants. We have been coming here regularly and have never been let down by the food or service. Warning to those expecting the Olive Garden or other chain restaurant menu. Yes, they do have a nice plate of fettucine alfredo, but the majority of the menu is fine Italian dining. During the season, they will offer white truffle (freshly shaved) over a bed of rissotto, excellent fresh fish, and sauces other than your generic marinara, meat, etc. The appetizers are different and unusual. Kevin (our regular waiter) is always able to suggest what is good that night. Let's not forget the wine list - this place has connections to get those high end Italian reds. While some may flinch at $100-$125 bottle, the mark-up is low, and the selection outstanding. If there is a "down" side it is the price - don't take small or picky young eaters here. Be prepared to be surprised and satisfied. Definitely a restaurant to take out-of-town clients to.

Recommends

kurtm326

Joined 6 years ago

A new and wonderful Italian restaurant. The decor is trendy, more like the ?in? places on Melrose or Sunset in LA, but there is a quiet, restrained sense of intimacy. We were greeted by Kevin who seated us and explained the day's specials in detail. They sounded intriguing, but we opted to order from the menu. Cavallino?s wine list is very extensive (and expensive) ranging from small California wineries to the best Italian wines. However, we ordered the very reasonably priced house cabernet ($26) and were pleased that it was complex and nicely finished.

For our entrees, my wife ordered the "Bombolotti Quattro Formaggi" tube pasta with a delicious, light and subtle sauce, but not overpowering like some 4-cheese sauces we have had. My father-in-law had the "Scallopine di Vitello Saltinbocca" garnished with proscuitto and served with roasted yellow peppers and potatoes. The veal was very tender and flavorful and the white wine with mushroom sauce was a delight. I had the "Spaghetti Puttanesca," robust but not overly spicy, complex but not pretentious, and simply wonderful. The pasta was cooked just right and the sauce had a palate pleasing texture.

For dessert we chose the chef?s creation consisting of strawberries in a light, baked, layered meringue with a few airy wafers providing structural support. It was marvelous and melted on the tongue.

The service was attentive, but not obtrusive and Kevin stopped by shortly after our main course was served to see if we were satisfied. Overall, we were very pleased with the entire dining experience. The food was first rate, with subtle nuances expected in fine French cuisine but rarely achieved (or expected) in Italian cooking. Chef, and owner, Antonio Orlando was well known during his many years in LA. Based on our experience at his latest venture in Huntington Beach, his standing as a master chef is well deserved and Cavallino will only add to his reputation. We spent $35-40 per person plus gratuity and found our visit a total delight.

Doesn't Recommend

travelyn

Joined 6 years ago

What a Disappointment!. We celebrated by daughter's birthday here on February 10. We were very excited about it since it is within walking distance of her home and we are Italian food fans.



My mother's and my soup came cold. It took awhile to get the attention of the waiter, but he finally came and we told him the problem. It was at est 15 minutes later before he came back to replace the soup. Meanwhile, my daughter and son-in-law had eaten their appetizers. By the way, I have had much better minestrone soup.



I have had saltinbucco many times before. This was advertised as a veal loin. It was so tough I had hard time cutting it with a knife. The pasta accompanying it was tasteless. My daughter got lobster ravioli, which she was assured was very full of lobster; she said it was good but not as advertised. My mother got a duck appetizer which again came cold. My son-in-law's lamb was just OK.



At no time did a waiter come by after the food was served to ask if everything was all right. If he had, we would have had the duck taken back, and asked for parmesan cheese (this is an Italian restaurant, isn't it?)

By the way, our reservations (which were not needed) were at 5:30, so we were not in the middle of rush hour, even for a Saturday.



Also, there is no ambience to speak of. It is a former sushi restaurant and still looks like it.



The prices here are those of fine dining. There are so many other places to go at a similar or lesser price that are so much better. (Villa Nova just a few miles away in Newport Beach . . .).



Can't imagine going there again.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Offers special multi-course wine dinners; traditional and contemporary live jazz music; full bar and late night menu.