Cuisine:

• Italian

Il Barone Ristorante Description:
Located near the John Wayne Airport is a generic-looking industrial complex, Il Barone Ristorante is well worth the trip to this less frequented pocket of Newport Beach. Don't be bothered by the stark exterior, as you are quickly led by your hostess Donatella Barone into a sophisticated yet simple main dining room. Among the dark woods and modern artwork, business types, lunching ladies, couples and groups nosh on chef Franco Barone's Italian favorites. The longtime chef at South Coast Plaza's Antonello Ristorante, Barone has bloomed in his own place. While gourmet panini and pizzas do show up on the lunch menu, opt for homemade pastas like the lasagna parma e tartugo with truffle-infused béchamel sauce. For a crowd, don't miss starting with the paper-thin Sicilian facci ri veccia pizza, which is filled with creamy crescenza cheese, topped with thin prosciutto di Parma and drizzled with truffle-infused oil. The grilled octopus salad is another good palate-opening course, with its crunchy celery, red onions, bitter arugula and lemon vinaigrette. The main secondi courses of Italian comfort food include dishes from tripe stew to Milanese-style boneless chicken breast to a classic veal dish with sautéed mushrooms in a Marsala wine reduction. For dessert, order the light tiramisu al limoncello with vanilla mascarpone and white chocolate shavings. Both the lunch and dinner menus can accommodate discerning vegetarians and no-carb diets.


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