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    Monaco Italian Kitchen

    4.1 (119 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Monaco Italian Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Monaco Italian Kitchen Photos

    MONACO ITALIAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Romantic
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

    More like Monaco Italian Kitchen

    Recommended Reviews - Monaco Italian Kitchen

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hugo Spritz and Cannoli Old Fashioned
    Megan O.

    Wow Monaco is top tier! The inside is such a cool vibe. Beautiful, clean, and not loud. They also validate parking! Our waiter, Levi, was amazingggg. He was so sweet and helpful :) He answered all of our questions, made sure to continuously check-in with us, and made us feel so welcomed. I would absolutely come back based on the service alone! The food and drinks were so delicious. We ordered pizza, pasta, and drinks and were not disappointed. The food also came out quickly which was also very nice :) The only thing was that I ordered the cannoli old fashioned and it didn't taste any different than a regular old fashioned. But even then, the drinks were great and beautiful :)

    Lisa K.

    What a great happy hour! Monaco Italian Kitchen took part of the space that used to be McCormick and Schmitt's. Their happy is available through the restaurant until 6pm on pizzas, salads, small plates, house wines, beers, well drinks and signature cocktails. Their cocktail menu is seasonal so sounded like it would be changing soon. I got a tequila drink that had a hint of fig in it and it was delicious. For my second drink I got this restaurant's version of a vesper with a hit of peach at the end and it was very booze forward but tasty. The bartender had great mixing skills too which I appreciate. They also validate parking for 120 min.

    Willie L.

    Stopped by for lunch, since it was nearby the office. The restaurant was clean with simple decor. We have ordered several items to try out. The staff was attentive constantly checking if we needed anything. Beef tartare was tasty. Nicely spiced to spread over the bread. There was a hint of spiciness in the tartare. Chicken Cacio e Pepe had grilled chicken that wasn't too dry, but the over all noodles were a bit drier than I'd preferred. And Lamb Bolognese sauce was flavorful, but a few bites of the pasta was undercooked. Overall the flavor was good for a lunch service.

    Half Caesar Salad
    Howie C.

    Has potential but there were some puzzling misses here. Monaco has a great location with wall that opens up to become a dining patio facing the street. The problem on the night I went was that it was fully open on a December evening without heaters on in the restaurant. At 56 degrees outside and everyone inside with their puffy jackets on, that is not a preferable dining experience. Half Caesar Salad - I was appreciative that there was an option to get half Caesar for $9 instead of the full for $16 since it was only me dining. The romaine lettuce was fresh, the croutons light and airy. The dressing lacked zest and bite (more like a ranch with a touch of caesar flavor) and the diced pancetta chunks didn't work. The preserved ham was chunky and hard, like having cut beef jerky in your salad. It would have worked better without the pancetta or with thin sliced, grilled prosciutto pieces instead. Diavola Pizza - This was tasty as the san marzano tomato sauce, spicy calabrese and black olives worked well. The crust was okay. It was like a cross between NY and Neapolitan pizza, but the crust wasn't bubbly enough on the edges to be a fully neapolitan. This brought out with a pizza stand on a metal pizza pan... But I never received a plate. So I started on my first slice eating over the bar top counter hoping a plate would be brought out but that never happened. Then I tried eating it over the flat pizza pan, but it being on the stand made it too high to comfortably eat. I figured out a solution... After the pizza pan cooled, I took it off the rack and just had that as my plate flat on the table vs. suspended on the rack. The food here is okay, but given the issues mentioned above, it all makes for an awkward dining experience. This is the first time I've had pizza at a restaurant without a plate. Even providing a paper plate like at local pizza joints that T-ballers mob would have been acceptable. There was no one really around to ask for a plate, by the time I could've asked, the pizza would have been fully cold. My server and the seating host were both nice, no issues there, but overall Monaco needs to tighten up some operational things to make this an at least average experience for diners. They do validate for parking for two hours if you dine here.

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    Destinee M.

    Monaco in Irvine was such a solid dinner spot. We ordered a little bit of everything and every dish hit. The prosciutto pizza with honey was the standout for me. The sweet and savory combo worked perfectly and the crust was done just right. The pepperoni pizza had a slight kick to it which made it more interesting than your usual classic slice. We also started with the grilled octopus appetizer and it was tender and flavorful, not chewy at all. For an entrée, the chicken Alfredo came with thick noodles and a rich, creamy sauce that felt really comforting and filling. To finish off the meal we shared the tiramisu and it was light, balanced, and a great way to end the night. Overall, everything we tried was well executed and satisfying. Monaco is a great option if you're looking for Italian food in Irvine that feels elevated but still approachable. I'd definitely come back

    Christian G.

    Came here for Happy Hour Drinks and the whole restaurant was empty. There's plenty of seating like restaurant seating, bar seating, and outdoor patio seating. We opted for the patio and the booths were big and comfortable. Our bartender/waitress was nice and helpful. Only downside was I asked her for well drinks and she told me to choose which, we did but a lot of them were charged as specialty drinks, wish she would have told me they were specialty and not well drinks before I ordered.

    Napoleon pizza w Caesar Salad
    Tricia S.

    Enjoyed happy hour with a coworker on a Thursday afternoon. Espresso martini was fantastic to start the evening - sweet and flavorful! I didn't expect the napoleon pizza (can't remember the name but it had prosciutto, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, olives, and arugula) ... it came out looking like a sandwich, tasting like a pizza! I enjoyed the salty flavor of the prosciutto and all the fresh veggies. The Honey Cesar salad was a perfect pair with the "pizza". Great atmosphere where the outdoor seating was connected to the indoor, perfect evening! They validate parking up to 2 hours and there was lots of restaurant parking in the garage.

    Prosciutto Pizza
    Serapina C.

    Discovered that there was a new Italian spot in OC so I had to check it out and try their menu! First off, the inside is very nice, clean, and modern chic, and the entrance is right next to the parking lot and Goldfinch/Izakaya Osen. My friend and I got the prosciutto pizza and the canestri all-amatricana, which was like a tomato sauce pasta with bits of pork/pancetta (?). The pizza dough was nice and fluffy, and I like the prosciutto x honey x arugula combo - imo I think the pizza could use more honey as it wasn't as prominent and the prosciutto was overpowering the flavors because it was so salty. Similarly, the pasta itself was decent but was on the saltier side from the pork and I personally think it could greatly benefit from incorporating other seasonings/herbs to enhance the sauce as it is a simple tomato base, but that's more so my opinion as someone who's not a chef. Overall, I genuinely think adding less salt dishes can definitely improve them as otherwise it was a good meal and the service was super nice as well. Would love to check out their other pizzas/pastas though + their brunch menu as I'm sure there are other hidden gems to try out!

    Arancini
    Anh D.

    Love this place already. I came at the tail end of happy hour and got Arancini and Meatballs from the Antipasti menu. Both were superb, so flavorful and so juicy (the meatballs!). We also got Cacio e Pepe with a side of prawns (came on a nice bed of greens). I really appreciate how our server kept our waters full, staff such as busser and manager checking in, and being so detailed (eg. when serving dessert, the server put down a napkin folded in a triangular shape to show off the name of the restaurant). The restaurant itself is gorgeous and they have some TVs and complimentary valet parking (depending on hours) and/or validated parking.

    Spaghetti alle vongole x2 and Cacio e Pepe with chicken
    Stephanie S.

    This place needs to be more popular! I've been here 3x in one month LOL it's a fairly new restaurant in Irvine and I love the vibe. The restaurant is cozy and intimate . I've been here for happy hour and dinner, the drinks and food are so delicious. Drinks: Espresso martini White lotus Hugo spritz Il Dulce All their cocktails are absolutely amazing, but i would have to say the Hugo spritz is my favorite. It's refreshing and I love how they add yuzu to it. Food: Prosciutto pizza Focaccia Spaghetti alle vongole I would order everything again! The focaccia is baked to perfection, the rosemary and the garlic butter compliments the bread very well. The prosciutto pizza is my favorite. The honey drizzle on the pizza adds the perfect touch. I love the clam pasta - generous portions of clams and flavorful. If you're looking for a happy hour spot or dinner date, you have to try Monaco. They validate parking for 2 hours and service is very friendly. I can't wait to go back!

    Jessica W.

    女人如花,每個季節都有不同的美,你就是最好的自己,無論歲月如何變遷,都該散發著只屬於妳的獨特光芒~ 上個月跟朋友到爾灣來吃了一家西餐廳,上個月覺得不便宜,但最近六月份到處吃吃喝喝之後突然間發現也沒那麼貴了,因為東西好像又更貴了的感覺,一樣要吃飯,就是要找環境看起來優雅,東西好吃,一起吃飯的人也總要能說的上話,看得下去,對吧,三道菜,章魚腳,魚片,義大利麵都很棒,可以來這邊吃個商業午餐,也適合朋友們小聚,就在名店 Izakaya Osen, 同一個plaza, 吃膩日料的話, 可以換換義大利口味歐!

    Caesar Salad
    Mary Ann P.

    Nice little bistro with super friendly staff. Our waiter Joseph was very knowledgeable and made some good suggestions. We were able to take advantage of the daily happy hour from 3 to 6 PM and it has lots of great options. We started with the Caesar salad which was really fresh and delicious. The second course was the octopus appetizer and it was seasoned well and very tender. We had the prosciutto pizza nicely charred and topped with mushrooms and artichokes. Very Tasty We really enjoyed the aperol spritz and Hugo spritz. They are both on the Happy Hour list Large patio area as well as indoor dining

    Octopus $21
    Arshad H.

    Monaco Italian Kitchen is an Italian restaurant with pretty basic décor, akin to a modern fast food restaurant. Seating seemed a bit limited given the space, although they do have some patio seating. I split an octopus appetizer with my brother and settled on the lamb Bolognese. Octopus ($21) - This consisted of charred octopus with a romesco sauce, broccolini, arugula, almonds and a grilled lemon. The octopus was firm, but lacked any char and the romesco sauce had a very strong tangy flavor to it that overpowered this dish. Still it wasn't bad. Lamb Bolognese ($31) - This consisted of slow cooked lamb ragu with pappardelle pasta, pecorino Romano cheese and basil. It has a slightly gamey taste which I prefer. I definitely felt this dish was over priced even though it wasn't bad taste wise. Overall I thought the food was enjoyable. The ambiance has room for improvement, and the pricing is on the higher side considering the quality of the dishes. I did feel like lunch service was extremely rushed as our server was in a hurry to get us in and out of there quickly for some reason.

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    1 month ago

    The food was delicious. The service was so good. Ellie was amazing. It's such a chill vibe there. I'll definitely be back.

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    Thank you for the great review! Look forward to seeing you again soon!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Monaco Italian Kitchen

    Do they have happy hour?

    Yes they do!!

    Do they have fries or roasted potatoes?

    They have crispy potatoes, not sure about fries. I didn't see any on the menu.

    What's the parking situation?

    They validate parking at the parking garage attached to the restaurant.

    Do u have private room for 30 guest?

    I did not see a private room inside, although there is an outside area that can accommodate quite a number of people

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Cozy Pine - Ruby's First Expedition

    Cozy Pine

    3.9(306 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    Cozy Pine feels like a hidden gem I almost don't want to share. But after the evening we had, I…read morecan't help but spill every delicious detail. The moment you walk in, you're wrapped in warm, cozy pine--wood-paneled walls, soft amber lighting, and that unmistakable speakeasy charm. Its very small and cozy, resembling a night out camping. And then there's Angelina. From the moment we sat down, she made the experience absolutely unforgettable. She knew the menu inside and out, recommended a smoked old-fashioned that came with a toasted marshmallow. You can tell she genuinely loves what she does--and it shows. She's the secret ingredient that turns a good night into a great one!

    Okay this is officially the only kind of camping I'm willing to do…read more Tucked inside Bacchus Wine Bar is the cutest little camping-themed speakeasy, and it completely exceeded expectations. From the moment you walk in, it's giving cozy campsite vibes but elevated -- like if camping had good lighting, great cocktails, and zero bugs. We had such a fun night here. The ambiance alone makes it feel like a whole experience, not just drinks. We tried a few of their specialty cocktails, all super well done, but the real highlight was our server John. He was amazing -- attentive, fun, and clearly knows his drinks. At one point he made us an off-menu cocktail that was STRONG (in the best way) and honestly one of my favorites of the night. And the attention to detail?? He even let me borrow his hat for photos so I could fully commit to the camping aesthetic 10/10 for the vibes. Overall: such a cute, unique spot for a night out. Perfect for something a little different, a little playful, and definitely memorable. Would absolutely come back -- as long as it's this kind of camping.

    Photos
    Cozy Pine - Inside speakeasy

    Inside speakeasy

    Cozy Pine - Speakeasy interior

    Speakeasy interior

    Cozy Pine - S'mores Desert

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    S'mores Desert

    YNK - Inside

    YNK

    4.4(189 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Very cute little speakeasy inside the Marriott hotel, the staff was very friendly and accommodating…read moreupon arrival. The drink menu had a lot of unique cocktails on it which I thought was pretty cool. I went for this cocktail called the purple pancake and it ended up being delicious. My boyfriend ordered a pickled margarita which he liked. I was very happy with the lobster roll I ordered it was divine. Overall I would come back, I enjoyed my time here. Cocktails are about $20 each.

    Stopped by for a quick nightcap and ended up having a great time…read more Food: When you're at YNK, you can order off the Floe Lounge menu for food which is nice. My friend and I both got the autumn salad: mine with a crab cake, hers with steak. Another friend ordered the steak and fries. My salad was fantastic, and the crab cake (both as a topping and as a starter) was a hit across the table. Everyone was happy with their food. Cocktails: The current theme is classic cocktails, and the space definitely leans into that old school martini bar vibe, very classy. Drinks were solid. I ordered the mango cocktail (can't remember the name) and it was a little on the sweet side, but not overly so. Still enjoyable. Service: This is really why I'm writing the update. Erica was our server and she was AWESOME. She noticed my friend's steak was overcooked and immediately replaced it even though he said he'd eat it because he was starving. That kind of attention and care is rare. Someone please give her a raise. Parking: They validate if you park in the Marriott lot Vibe: For a Thursday night, it was surprisingly busy in the lounge, in a good way. Tons of people out and about adding to that chill, lively Thursday evening energy. I loved the blue glow from the outdoor fire pits. Next time, I'm definitely taking my YNK drink outside for a few sips.

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    YNK
    YNK - New Prohibition Menu

    New Prohibition Menu

    YNK - (yuzu mojito?) goof

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    (yuzu mojito?) goof

    Solstice

    Solstice

    4.4(815 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Came here for brunch. The place has an upscale vibe and the staff is very nice. There is a lot to…read morepark in and the restaurant validates. We got the cranberry sage mimosa and pear ginger mimosa to drink. For a starter, we got the house made biscuits. Our entrees were the pblt, crab cake benedict, and lobster roll. Cranberry Sage Mimosa- This is sweet and fruity, carried by the cranberry sage syrup. A touch of lime gives it an extra burst of citrus. Pear Ginger Mimosa- This is a sweet and spicy drink with a strong pear flavor and a little zing of ginger. Quite refreshing! House Made Biscuits- The biscuits are hot and fluffy with a nice crusty top. Served with thyme butter and sweet honey spread. PBLT- This sandwich has a pork belly base that is savory and meaty. A bit of tomato jam gives it a nice contrast and honey bacon aioli adds a little sweetness. Crab Cake Benedict- The crab cake is fresh and poached eggs add extra bulk with each bite. The hollandaise sauce ties the flavors together. Served with a side of green salad. Lobster Roll- Fresh lobster pieces tossed in a cold mayo dressing. Served on a buttery bun with a side of crispy fries. Tasty! Great experience overall!

    Showed up at opening on Mothers Day and apparently if you don't have a reservation u can't be…read moreaccommodated. There were maybe 3 tables taken up and they said to my face they don't have a waitlist. Walk away, gave them a call and they said they have a waitlist... crazy work lying to my face. Pretty sure u can accommodate a small party that's literally right there when u have open seats and ur reservations aren't even showing up. Food has been great in the past but respectfully, front staff handled that poorly. Good riddance

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    Solstice - Strawberry Yuzu Butter Cake

    Strawberry Yuzu Butter Cake

    Solstice
    Solstice

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    Hive and Honey Rooftop Bar - Fries, sliders $50

    Hive and Honey Rooftop Bar

    3.3(919 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    This place gets a 10/10 on everything for me! Food was…read moregreat, service was good, atmosphere and view were beautiful, and it was such a good place to have drinks and apps with friends! The sweet potato fries were thin and crispy, (my absolute favorite) topped with honey, and served with an aioli sauce. The fries were so good I ordered another order just to go home with and truthfully, I'm SO picky with fries. We will be back!

    This was my second time visiting this restaurant -- my first visit was years ago -- and I came back…read moreto celebrate a friend's birthday. Overall, the food, drinks, and atmosphere were great, but unfortunately the hostess experience kept it from being a full 5-star night. I had a 7:30 reservation and arrived at 7:35, but waited nearly 10 minutes before being acknowledged. The hostess was quite rude and told me we had lost our table because we were "late," even though I had been standing there waiting to be helped. She eventually seated us at a dirty table and the overall interaction felt unprofessional and unwelcoming. Thankfully, our server Omar completely turned the night around -- he was kind, attentive, and very helpful. The manager Dave was also amazing and made sure we were taken care of. The food and drinks were excellent. The cocktails were delicious, the hummus with warm pita was fantastic (definitely ask for extra bread!), and the melted cheese with toasted bread was a highlight. The fries were uniquely cut and perfectly cooked, and the calamari was top-notch. The view and ambiance make this a great place to relax with friends over tapas and drinks. I would come back again for the quality of the food, the beautiful setting, and the wonderful service from Omar -- but I do hope management addresses the front-host experience, as it really sets the tone for the evening.

    Photos
    Hive and Honey Rooftop Bar - Dinning area

    Dinning area

    Hive and Honey Rooftop Bar - Appetizers and drinks

    Appetizers and drinks

    Hive and Honey Rooftop Bar - Fire pit table

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    Fire pit table

    Monaco Italian Kitchen - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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