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We came here on a Monday evening on Labor Day for my friend's birthday. My friend and I were really excited because this was a restaurant she has been meaning to try for the longest time. Our server Mia was nice. We ordered the vodka rigatoni, Caesar salad, chicken parm, aperol spritz, and a mojito. The food and drinks were really good, except our appetite was pretty much ruined by our interaction with one of the employees (Keira). We had been needing a few things, including crushed red pepper, and after waiting for a while, we flagged down an employee who was passing by. We asked her for crushed pepper and could tell right off the bat that she seemed annoyed. She tried to ignore us the first time, which honestly wasn't even the issue because I get it..you're busy and you're not our server. What bothered us was when she came back with the crushed pepper, slammed it down on our table, and walked away without saying a word. It came across as extremely passive aggressive, and my friend and I were honestly just left looking at each other completely baffled. The male manager was the only person who smiled at us and was attentive, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, aside from him, no one really came to check on us, even when we wanted to order more drinks. After the interaction with the other employee, the whole mood of the dinner changed and it really ruined our appetite. It was disappointing because we genuinely enjoyed the food and were excited to finally try this place, especially for my friend's birthday, but the service made the experience pretty unpleasant. I understand restaurants get busy, especially on a holiday, and we weren't expecting anyone to go above and beyond, but basic courtesy goes a long way. Unfortunately, the interaction left such a bad impression that it overshadowed what otherwise could have been a really good birthday dinner.
Such a cool, semi/hidden gem. I feel like ospi has only been around a couple years at most and it is definitely a spot to add to your dinner out list. Whether it's date night, business dinner, or night out with friends, this is the spot. Great food and great service. Such cool decor as well. The one thing that's a MUST order is the chicken parm. Get it for yourself or for the table. It's a must order
We enjoy ordering a lot of items from the menu because we really want to try different dishes and give our truest, most honest review if it was worth it or it wasn't. We genuinely love to eat and explore different restaurants, so ordering a lot is just part of the experience for us. Backstory: There was a table on our left that was already seated. Then to our right side seated after us. Both side kept staring us up and down and just being very judgmental. - I did glance back at both parties to see what was going on. I honestly, understand people watching, but that was such an intense experience that I didn't enjoy at all. We were seated at a small two-top table sandwiched between two parties of four. One of the tables was seated just a couple of minutes after us, and from the moment they sat down, one guest kept looking me up and down, including at my bag. They would constantly glance over whenever I was talking to my honey or whenever we were deciding what to order. As the meal went on, it felt like both neighboring tables were watching pretty much everything we did. The table to our left would literally turn their entire bodies just to watch us eat. I made an uncomfortable face expression, and I know they saw...Every time another dish came out, they would look over, make expressions, or visibly react to how much food we were ordering. It was obvious that I started feeling extremely uncomfortable and self-conscious. When our server asked if we wanted dessert, I was hesitant since we already ordered so much and the table next to us was being judgmental, I just wanted to pay and leave as quick as possible. And my honey said yes to the dessert and ordered the cannoli dessert. The table on the right was shocked and widen their eyes and looked at each other. Once both tables left, I could literally feel the tension lift. The atmosphere suddenly felt so much lighter, and by the time we were paying, I honestly felt a huge sense of relief. On to the food & service: Our server was great! She checked in on us throughout the meal and reassured us that everything would be coming out at a comfortable pace. The FOH manager also came by to speak with us about pacing since we had initially asked if we could be seated at a larger table. They explained that they weren't able to accommodate the request because they had incoming guests, which was completely understandable. We really appreciated how kindly and professionally they communicated everything with us. Despite the awkward seating situation, the staff made us feel welcomed and taken care of. Apps: Ricotta | 8/10 |presentation was cute and very generous with the ricotta. It comes on a toasted bread. I enjoyed this dish dipped in the vodka sauce from the crispy provolone dish. Crispy provolone | 8.7/10 | looks so delicious and piled with cheese. Cheese on top of cheese haha! The vodka sauce elevated the dish for me even more. Neapolitan meatballs | 7.5/10 | I enjoyed how tender the meatball was. It came with the same bread as the ricotta app we got. This was a sweeter meatball. t was my first time trying meatballs with pine nuts, it gives it a nice texture/crunch. Crispy Rhode Island Calamari | 2/10 | We eat calamari often when we go out, and unfortunately, this was a miss for us. This was actually the first time we've ever asked for a dish to be removed because we simply couldn't eat it. Although it's a fried dish, all I tasted was oil, with very little flavor or salt. The crispy provolone was also fried but didn't have the same overly oily taste. My honey also noticed that the calamari seemed to have been left under the heat lamp longer than it should have been, which may have affected the texture and freshness. Kale salad | 8.7/10 | I enjoyed this salad a lot, it tasted refreshing. To bump up the rating to a 9, I would have enjoyed it more with a bit more dressing, as kale already lacks water content of soft salad greens. But other than that I like it. Raschiatelli | 8/10 | Pretty good, very interesting pasta shape, I liked the texture of it. Chicken parm | 9/10 | it's all in the sauce. The sauce was flavorful. I enjoyed the chicken and the vodka sauce. However, the pasta texture was not to my liking. It's thin and much chewier. not the best description, I know, but it's one of those things you really have to taste to understand what I mean. Cannoli | 8/10 | my first ever cannoli, it was not what I was expecting, but it was delicious! One thing I highly recommend getting is their vodka sauce. I think I would have enjoyed their spicy rigatoni! Thank you very much to our server.
Great Italian spot, and definitely recommend the chefs bar area.... Came here for a last minute girl's night, and due to the wait, we ended up sitting at the chef's bar top area, which ended up being awesome. You can see all the staff making your food right in front of you, and kudos to them, since it was a really humid night. We got dirty martinis to start, which ended up being more like 2 each, since the shaker was still decently full after the bar side shake service. Blue cheese stuffed olives were on point. We split the kale salad with yellowtail to start, and it was AMAZING! Nicely dressed, crudo was fresh, so great way to start. We then also split the pepperoni cacio Pepe pizza, the short rib pasta and the chefs special pasta, which was seafood based. I love a thin pizza; and it was definitely that. Pepperoni was flavorful too. The short rib pasta was spectacular. Would definitely order again because there was so much meat and a nice crunch due to the bread crumb. The chefs special was also full of seafood and the pasta was fresh, it was just a tad sweet for my liking. Overall, great experience, and I will be back.
Really great, probably one of the best pastas around. They make their pastas in house and it has an incredible al dente bite to it, it's crazy. Just like the other great places to eat, this is located on 17th street. I would definitely make a reservation because this place does get busy, especially on the weekends. It's probably a better vibe to come here after sunset. The outdoor lighting and vibes are wonderful. We opted for the calamari and crispy provolone for our apps and these were crazy good. The calamari were crispy and I loved the sauces that came with it. The provolone was very unique and the vodka sauce was what made it super delicious. For the main, we just ordered the chef's special pasta which was wonderful, but they also brought the black truffle one on the house for us! Everything was super delicious. I would 100% come back here for the pasta alone. Don't forget to order the tableside tiramisu as well. The service was immaculate, even on a busy night. I loved the open kitchen concept as well. My only issue was that it was super hot inside, as if the AC was not working. We were definitely sweating as we were enjoying our food. However, I'm sure the weather will cool down soon.
We visited Ospi for the first time and absolutely loved it! The service was prompt, the food was delicious, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. There was also plenty of parking, which was a nice bonus. We can't wait to go back!
This restaurant is really busy, so I'd recommend making a reservation if you can. We ordered the crispy provolone, spicy rigatoni alla vodka, and the cavatelli, and everything was delicious. Would def order them again. The only downside was the parking. We circled the parking lot for a while trying to find a spot before giving up and going to valet. Once we got to the front they told us it was full. My husband ended up dropping me and the kids off at the front while he searched the neighborhood for street parking. Just plan to give yourself some extra time if you're driving.
I went to Ospi for a friends dinner. When we first arrived everyone was very nice and polite. The place itself is very nice, the outdoor seating is nice but the inside was much prettier. We weren't lucky enough to get indoor seating as it was busier but nonetheless it was still great outside. We started with the kale salad since one of my friends had previously ordered it and it was amazing. It is honestly one of the best kale salads I have had. Definitely the star of the show in my opinion, we ended up ordering a second salad because we all enjoyed it so much. I also ordered the cool as a cucumber mocktail with my food and it was very refreshing. A little sour but not too bad I enjoyed it. We also shared the capellini pasta and the hapa pizza which I forgot to take a picture of unfortunately. Both were great and tasted delicious. I will say the pizza was on a very thin crust which I usually am a fan of but it was droopy. It is more of a personal preference to have a crispier thin crust so I didn't mind too much. Overall great place and the experience here was enjoyable. I'd certainly recommend this restaurant to friends and family.
This was my second time at Ospi. Ordered some drinks, a vodka pizza, a kale salad, a couple pastas, and the brownie gelato dessert. We were celebrating a birthday and surprisingly did not get an experience to make it feel like a celebration. The best bite of the night was the kale salad. Something about the pastas didn't really hit - maybe a slight lack of salt or cheese? And the pizza was thin, which I liked, but kind of dry because of the amount of sauce on it. I have been to their sister restaurant Jame many times and although it's owned by the same people, they are not the same. Food at Ospi is good but at Jame, it is wayyy better. Food, service, and ambiance at Jame exceeds Ospi's. Jame also gives you a great (and free) slice of dessert if you celebrate with them, so if you're ever deciding to visit Jame vs Ospi...pick Jame.
We had a RESERVATION and were seated immediately inside. We ate everything family style. Starting with the iconic CRISPY PROVOLONE which was crispy and gooey in all the right ways. I don't love tomatoe sauces but their VODKA dipping sauce was delicious and worth putting on almost every bite. MEATBALLS were a nice boost of protein and very flavorful and tender. A great contrast to the carb overload ahead of us. The CHEESE BREAD was also buttery and crispy but a bit over priced. The SPICY VODKA pasta truly had perfectly cooked doughy pasta that made me appreciate the freshness paired with that incredible sauce, definitely a must try. The BOLOGNESE was good with very fresh pasta but not my favorite dish as I found it dryer and a bit underwhelming in flavor. The pizza was tasty with a super thin crust I'd say it's lighter than expected. The CANOLI for dessert was surprisingly delicious with a light creamy whipped interior and a crispy shell. As a non canoli lover it definitely changed my perspective. Found free PARKING in the backlot which was a nice surprise. Pro tip add in a sparkling water around the time of the entree to boost that good old digestive system. Good authentic popular local spot, just a bit pricey for smaller portions.
Went to Ospi for a late lunch with friends and I was not disappointed. We arrived just before the happy hour (which started at 3pm) so there wasn't too many people. If possible and if the weather is nice, I'd recommend sitting at their outside tables. We shared 3 items: the vodka pizza, the tagliatelle (bolognese) and the meatballs. Was not the biggest fan of the bolognese. The flavor was falling flat so I tried to add more parmesan but it made no difference for me. Really loved the meatballs! The texture was perfect and it was not dry. The pizza was the best out of the 3. Enjoyed the thin crust and the flavor of it! It does have a kick but i added more red peppers to make it a bit spicier. Overall, I would recommend it for a nice little lunch with friends/family. Will have to come back and try the dinner menu :)
Solid everyday happy hour (including Sat/Sun) in Costa Mesa! Arrived around 4:30pm and asked the host for an outside table but was told reservations would be needed to sit outside. We have been multiple times and have never had to have a reservation to sit outside. The host was not friendly. So we Instead sat at the bar, there is some confusion sitting at the bar as no one introduced themselves to take our order, instead we attempted to make eye contact with several employees to ask who our server would be. Guess there was a change of bartenders so when Randy started, he got us everything we needed and was fun, friendly and efficient. Randy deserves 5 stars for his service and drinks but the rest of the experience was lack luster. As we sat and after we left, we also noticed that there were open tables outside. Would only return based on Randy's customer service
Gorgeous restaurant, perfect date night or a girls night out. Inside and outside seating are both a vibe. Service is always good! Parking can either be valet or street parking is free. Spicy vodka rigatoni 5/5 I always order this whenever I come to Ospi! Love the flavors, it's rich and not overly spicy. The dish is always consistent when I come Crispy provolone 5/5 deliciousssss. The sauce that comes with the dish makes it even better. Order this dish too!! Truffle Cavatelli 1/5 nonexistent truffle flavor and it is more on the saltier side. One thing to note is, I've been to Ospi many times and i personally think the only pasta worth ordering is the Spicy Vodka Rigatoni. I've tried most of them and they are eh. I would keep coming back to Ospi just to order the same items I like eating! Side not I haven't tried the pizza yet.. maybe I'll explore that next time I visit
9 days ago
12 days ago
The vodka pizza was probably the best thing of the night. The right amount of vodka sauce paired with the relatively thin crust made it really flavorful. The spicy rigatoni was good too, but nothing crazy. I got it with the crispy chicken, but there was barely any chicken in the dish despite the extra $10, which was a letdown. The employees were kind and the ambiance of the restaurant was nice. Plenty of parking outside the restaurant but make sure to book reservations in advance. read more
We came here on a Monday evening on Labor Day for my friend's birthday. My friend and I were really excited because this was a restaurant she has been meaning to try for the longest time. Our server Mia was nice. We ordered the vodka rigatoni, Caesar salad, chicken parm, aperol spritz, and a mojito. The food and drinks were really good, except our appetite was pretty much ruined by our interaction with one of the employees (Keira). We had been needing a few things, including crushed red pepper, and after waiting for a while, we flagged down an employee who was passing by. We asked her for crushed pepper and could tell right off the bat that she seemed annoyed. She tried to ignore us the first time, which honestly wasn't even the issue because I get it..you're busy and you're not our server. What bothered us was when she came back with the crushed pepper, slammed it down on our table, and walked away without saying a word. It came across as extremely passive aggressive, and my friend and I were honestly just left looking at each other completely baffled. The male manager was the only person who smiled at us and was attentive, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, aside from him, no one really came to check on us, even when we wanted to order more drinks. After the interaction with the other employee, the whole mood of the dinner changed and it really ruined our appetite. It was disappointing because we genuinely enjoyed the food and were excited to finally try this place, especially for my friend's birthday, but the service made the experience pretty unpleasant. I understand restaurants get busy, especially on a holiday, and we weren't expecting anyone to go above and beyond, but basic courtesy goes a long way. Unfortunately, the interaction left such a bad impression that it overshadowed what otherwise could have been a really good birthday dinner. read more
Such a cool, semi/hidden gem. I feel like ospi has only been around a couple years at most and it is definitely a spot to add to your dinner out list. Whether it's date night, business dinner, or night out with friends, this is the spot. Great food and great service. Such cool decor as well. The one thing that's a MUST order is the chicken parm. Get it for yourself or for the table. It's a must order read more
Business owner information
Maya M.
Hey Trevor! Wow, thanks for the amazing review! We're so glad you…
1 month ago
We enjoy ordering a lot of items from the menu because we really want to try different dishes and give our truest, most honest review if it was worth it or it wasn't. We genuinely love to eat and explore different restaurants, so ordering a lot is just part of the experience for us. Backstory: There was a table on our left that was already seated. Then to our right side seated after us. Both side kept staring us up and down and just being very judgmental. - I did glance back at both parties to see what was going on. I honestly, understand people watching, but that was such an intense experience that I didn't enjoy at all. We were seated at a small two-top table sandwiched between two parties of four. One of the tables was seated just a couple of minutes after us, and from the moment they sat down, one guest kept looking me up and down, including at my bag. They would constantly glance over whenever I was talking to my honey or whenever we were deciding what to order. As the meal went on, it felt like both neighboring tables were watching pretty much everything we did. The table to our left would literally turn their entire bodies just to watch us eat. I made an uncomfortable face expression, and I know they saw...Every time another dish came out, they would look over, make expressions, or visibly react to how much food we were ordering. It was obvious that I started feeling extremely uncomfortable and self-conscious. When our server asked if we wanted dessert, I was hesitant since we already ordered so much and the table next to us was being judgmental, I just wanted to pay and leave as quick as possible. And my honey said yes to the dessert and ordered the cannoli dessert. The table on the right was shocked and widen their eyes and looked at each other. Once both tables left, I could literally feel the tension lift. The atmosphere suddenly felt so much lighter, and by the time we were paying, I honestly felt a huge sense of relief. On to the food & service: Our server was great! She checked in on us throughout the meal and reassured us that everything would be coming out at a comfortable pace. The FOH manager also came by to speak with us about pacing since we had initially asked if we could be seated at a larger table. They explained that they weren't able to accommodate the request because they had incoming guests, which was completely understandable. We really appreciated how kindly and professionally they communicated everything with us. Despite the awkward seating situation, the staff made us feel welcomed and taken care of. Apps: Ricotta | 8/10 |presentation was cute and very generous with the ricotta. It comes on a toasted bread. I enjoyed this dish dipped in the vodka sauce from the crispy provolone dish. Crispy provolone | 8.7/10 | looks so delicious and piled with cheese. Cheese on top of cheese haha! The vodka sauce elevated the dish for me even more. Neapolitan meatballs | 7.5/10 | I enjoyed how tender the meatball was. It came with the same bread as the ricotta app we got. This was a sweeter meatball. t was my first time trying meatballs with pine nuts, it gives it a nice texture/crunch. Crispy Rhode Island Calamari | 2/10 | We eat calamari often when we go out, and unfortunately, this was a miss for us. This was actually the first time we've ever asked for a dish to be removed because we simply couldn't eat it. Although it's a fried dish, all I tasted was oil, with very little flavor or salt. The crispy provolone was also fried but didn't have the same overly oily taste. My honey also noticed that the calamari seemed to have been left under the heat lamp longer than it should have been, which may have affected the texture and freshness. Kale salad | 8.7/10 | I enjoyed this salad a lot, it tasted refreshing. To bump up the rating to a 9, I would have enjoyed it more with a bit more dressing, as kale already lacks water content of soft salad greens. But other than that I like it. Raschiatelli | 8/10 | Pretty good, very interesting pasta shape, I liked the texture of it. Chicken parm | 9/10 | it's all in the sauce. The sauce was flavorful. I enjoyed the chicken and the vodka sauce. However, the pasta texture was not to my liking. It's thin and much chewier. not the best description, I know, but it's one of those things you really have to taste to understand what I mean. Cannoli | 8/10 | my first ever cannoli, it was not what I was expecting, but it was delicious! One thing I highly recommend getting is their vodka sauce. I think I would have enjoyed their spicy rigatoni! Thank you very much to our server. read more
1 month ago
Great Italian spot, and definitely recommend the chefs bar area.... Came here for a last minute girl's night, and due to the wait, we ended up sitting at the chef's bar top area, which ended up being awesome. You can see all the staff making your food right in front of you, and kudos to them, since it was a really humid night. We got dirty martinis to start, which ended up being more like 2 each, since the shaker was still decently full after the bar side shake service. Blue cheese stuffed olives were on point. We split the kale salad with yellowtail to start, and it was AMAZING! Nicely dressed, crudo was fresh, so great way to start. We then also split the pepperoni cacio Pepe pizza, the short rib pasta and the chefs special pasta, which was seafood based. I love a thin pizza; and it was definitely that. Pepperoni was flavorful too. The short rib pasta was spectacular. Would definitely order again because there was so much meat and a nice crunch due to the bread crumb. The chefs special was also full of seafood and the pasta was fresh, it was just a tad sweet for my liking. Overall, great experience, and I will be back. read more
Really great, probably one of the best pastas around. They make their pastas in house and it has an incredible al dente bite to it, it's crazy. Just like the other great places to eat, this is located on 17th street. I would definitely make a reservation because this place does get busy, especially on the weekends. It's probably a better vibe to come here after sunset. The outdoor lighting and vibes are wonderful. We opted for the calamari and crispy provolone for our apps and these were crazy good. The calamari were crispy and I loved the sauces that came with it. The provolone was very unique and the vodka sauce was what made it super delicious. For the main, we just ordered the chef's special pasta which was wonderful, but they also brought the black truffle one on the house for us! Everything was super delicious. I would 100% come back here for the pasta alone. Don't forget to order the tableside tiramisu as well. The service was immaculate, even on a busy night. I loved the open kitchen concept as well. My only issue was that it was super hot inside, as if the AC was not working. We were definitely sweating as we were enjoying our food. However, I'm sure the weather will cool down soon. read more
We visited Ospi for the first time and absolutely loved it! The service was prompt, the food was delicious, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. There was also plenty of parking, which was a nice bonus. We can't wait to go back! read more
This restaurant is really busy, so I'd recommend making a reservation if you can. We ordered the crispy provolone, spicy rigatoni alla vodka, and the cavatelli, and everything was delicious. Would def order them again. The only downside was the parking. We circled the parking lot for a while trying to find a spot before giving up and going to valet. Once we got to the front they told us it was full. My husband ended up dropping me and the kids off at the front while he searched the neighborhood for street parking. Just plan to give yourself some extra time if you're driving. read more
Business owner information
Maya M.
Hi Steph, thanks for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear…
2 months ago
I went to Ospi for a friends dinner. When we first arrived everyone was very nice and polite. The place itself is very nice, the outdoor seating is nice but the inside was much prettier. We weren't lucky enough to get indoor seating as it was busier but nonetheless it was still great outside. We started with the kale salad since one of my friends had previously ordered it and it was amazing. It is honestly one of the best kale salads I have had. Definitely the star of the show in my opinion, we ended up ordering a second salad because we all enjoyed it so much. I also ordered the cool as a cucumber mocktail with my food and it was very refreshing. A little sour but not too bad I enjoyed it. We also shared the capellini pasta and the hapa pizza which I forgot to take a picture of unfortunately. Both were great and tasted delicious. I will say the pizza was on a very thin crust which I usually am a fan of but it was droopy. It is more of a personal preference to have a crispier thin crust so I didn't mind too much. Overall great place and the experience here was enjoyable. I'd certainly recommend this restaurant to friends and family. read more
26 days ago
Business owner information
Maya M.
Hi Shauntina! Wow, thank you for such a fantastic review! We're glad…
3 months ago
This was my second time at Ospi. Ordered some drinks, a vodka pizza, a kale salad, a couple pastas, and the brownie gelato dessert. We were celebrating a birthday and surprisingly did not get an experience to make it feel like a celebration. The best bite of the night was the kale salad. Something about the pastas didn't really hit - maybe a slight lack of salt or cheese? And the pizza was thin, which I liked, but kind of dry because of the amount of sauce on it. I have been to their sister restaurant Jame many times and although it's owned by the same people, they are not the same. Food at Ospi is good but at Jame, it is wayyy better. Food, service, and ambiance at Jame exceeds Ospi's. Jame also gives you a great (and free) slice of dessert if you celebrate with them, so if you're ever deciding to visit Jame vs Ospi...pick Jame. read more
We had a RESERVATION and were seated immediately inside. We ate everything family style. Starting with the iconic CRISPY PROVOLONE which was crispy and gooey in all the right ways. I don't love tomatoe sauces but their VODKA dipping sauce was delicious and worth putting on almost every bite. MEATBALLS were a nice boost of protein and very flavorful and tender. A great contrast to the carb overload ahead of us. The CHEESE BREAD was also buttery and crispy but a bit over priced. The SPICY VODKA pasta truly had perfectly cooked doughy pasta that made me appreciate the freshness paired with that incredible sauce, definitely a must try. The BOLOGNESE was good with very fresh pasta but not my favorite dish as I found it dryer and a bit underwhelming in flavor. The pizza was tasty with a super thin crust I'd say it's lighter than expected. The CANOLI for dessert was surprisingly delicious with a light creamy whipped interior and a crispy shell. As a non canoli lover it definitely changed my perspective. Found free PARKING in the backlot which was a nice surprise. Pro tip add in a sparkling water around the time of the entree to boost that good old digestive system. Good authentic popular local spot, just a bit pricey for smaller portions. read more
Went to Ospi for a late lunch with friends and I was not disappointed. We arrived just before the happy hour (which started at 3pm) so there wasn't too many people. If possible and if the weather is nice, I'd recommend sitting at their outside tables. We shared 3 items: the vodka pizza, the tagliatelle (bolognese) and the meatballs. Was not the biggest fan of the bolognese. The flavor was falling flat so I tried to add more parmesan but it made no difference for me. Really loved the meatballs! The texture was perfect and it was not dry. The pizza was the best out of the 3. Enjoyed the thin crust and the flavor of it! It does have a kick but i added more red peppers to make it a bit spicier. Overall, I would recommend it for a nice little lunch with friends/family. Will have to come back and try the dinner menu :) read more
Solid everyday happy hour (including Sat/Sun) in Costa Mesa! Arrived around 4:30pm and asked the host for an outside table but was told reservations would be needed to sit outside. We have been multiple times and have never had to have a reservation to sit outside. The host was not friendly. So we Instead sat at the bar, there is some confusion sitting at the bar as no one introduced themselves to take our order, instead we attempted to make eye contact with several employees to ask who our server would be. Guess there was a change of bartenders so when Randy started, he got us everything we needed and was fun, friendly and efficient. Randy deserves 5 stars for his service and drinks but the rest of the experience was lack luster. As we sat and after we left, we also noticed that there were open tables outside. Would only return based on Randy's customer service read more
4 months ago
Gorgeous restaurant, perfect date night or a girls night out. Inside and outside seating are both a vibe. Service is always good! Parking can either be valet or street parking is free. Spicy vodka rigatoni 5/5 I always order this whenever I come to Ospi! Love the flavors, it's rich and not overly spicy. The dish is always consistent when I come Crispy provolone 5/5 deliciousssss. The sauce that comes with the dish makes it even better. Order this dish too!! Truffle Cavatelli 1/5 nonexistent truffle flavor and it is more on the saltier side. One thing to note is, I've been to Ospi many times and i personally think the only pasta worth ordering is the Spicy Vodka Rigatoni. I've tried most of them and they are eh. I would keep coming back to Ospi just to order the same items I like eating! Side not I haven't tried the pizza yet.. maybe I'll explore that next time I visit read more
Made a reservation for a Friday night dinner at 7pm and the restaurant was packed so I would recommend making a reservation if possible. There's a parking lot next to the restaurant but it wasn't that big and we ended up parking on the street nearby. Service was quick and super friendly. Overall food was good and I'd be interested in coming back to try different items Beef tartare: 3/5 the bread was super warm which was nice. Overall just ok though Spicy vodka pasta: 4/5 perfectly al dente pasta and I liked the sauce a lot. It came out kinda warm to lukewarm though and not hot like I would have preferred. Serving was also a little small Pepe-roni pizza: 3/5 not necessarily bad but just not my preference. Lots of pepperoni and black pepper. Also my first time trying trying romana style pizza which has a super thin and crispy crust. I think they did it well but it just wouldn't be my first choice They also checked if we had any allergies before giving us a cannoli with a candle for my boyfriend's birthday which I thought was super nice read more
7 days ago
Second time coming here and the food has not failed me! My first time was for a friend's bday and we both enjoyed the food and the service! Mia was incredible and helped make our first time at Ospi and birthday occasion so memorable!! Have tried the crispy provolone, the Japanese eggplant, the Caesar salad, and the spicy rigatoni and all were excellent!! I'm ordering extra Caesar dressing next time though! Ahh and the cucumber crush cocktail was so refreshingly delicious!! As for the mango sorbet, very disappointing, but the tiramisu experience and taste makes up for it :) read more
2 months ago
Business owner information
Maya M.
Hi Emileen! We’re over the moon to hear how much you enjoyed your…
Ospi is a nice restaurant in a beautiful setting. The host was warm and welcoming and promptly escorted us to our table. Unfortunately, I wasn't pleased with where we were seated. Our table was located in a busy hallway area where guests and servers were constantly passing by, and food was being transported back and forth. With all the activity, it didn't provide the comfortable dining experience I was hoping for. The food was good, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I ordered the spicy rigatoni, which was surprisingly a very small portion. I also tried the Margherita pizza, which was decent but not particularly memorable. Overall, I enjoyed some aspects of the experience and would consider returning. However, next time I would definitely request a different table to fully enjoy the restaurant's atmosphere. read more
4 months ago
What a fantastic neighborhood spot! I was in Costa Mesa visiting friends, and they took us for dinner here. We sat outside at a lovely table on the patio, and enjoyed some tasty cocktails. We ordered a selection of dishes that we shared family style, and everything was so delicious. The service was impeccable, and our waiter offered suggestions on his favorite dishes. If I lived in Costa Mesa, this would be one of my regular spots. read more
Had the best dinner ever!!! Cassie is amazing make sure to ask for her next time you go! She really made the night special and kept taking care of us! She's so fun and had the best energy!! The food was amazing! Everything was so good and the tiramisu was to die for!!!! read more
1 month ago
Happened upon this place in search of a good place to eat and typically don't eat Italian unless they make their own noodles. This place did not disappoint as far as the pasta dishes were concerned. My personal order was the cacio pepe and was delicious. The spicy rigatoni was more of a built-in heat, and not just the tip of your tongue which was inviting and delicious as well The calamari was way overcooked, hence the four stars, but would still highly recommend this place if you're in the neighborhood. The scratch made tiramisu, tableside, was an excellent choice and suggest that you pair it with some of their hazelnut gelato. Parking is always a big deal in California, but look for the lot behind the restaurant. read more
1 month ago
Came for lunch with a resy and was seated immediately. It was my first time but my friend had been here a few times so we had an idea of what to order. Eggplant appetizer - 0/5 (so salty!) Salad Crudo - 4/5 (very light and flavorful) Spicy vodka rigatoni - 3.75/5 (just slightly shy of al dente & the sauce was decent) Ciopinoe pizza - 3/5 (thin, soggy, and full of greasy) The overall ambiance was alright; it wasn't busy at all and our waitress was attentive and friendly. However, it randomly got so hot inside, it was hard to enjoy our meal. Definitely overhyped! read more
Everything was very good, the cheesy bread and cacio e Pepe with the fried chicken! The table side tiramisu is a fun dessert i liked alot. I did really enjoy their cocktails as well. Overall, I just think I've had better Italian. Our server was great, super friendly and quick service! read more
Business owner information
Maya M.
Hi Cara, thanks a bunch for sharing your thoughts! We're delighted to…
If you're looking for the perfect way to nourish your appetite after some shopping around The Post in Montecito or after a leisurely day on the trials or at the beach, then Ospi is the answer. My bf and I came for an early dinner and were pleasantly surprised to experience their aperitivo happy hour. The space is airy and sun-drenched with areas of shade, that quintessential California vibe. We grabbed a table on the patio and enjoyed some aperol spritz to begin. Happy hour prices made ordering a second round an easy decision. Side note- their espresso martinis are pre-batched and on the sweeter side, so not for me. The food is where Ospi really shines. The house-made pastas are exceptional, especially the RASCHIATELLI, with the spare rib sugo and beautifully shaped pasta. We both dream of this dish alone. Daily 3-5p happy hour. For happy hour food menu selections the portions are smaller than the regular menu portions but perfectly sized for 2 to share. We had the STRACCIATELLA FETT'UNTA and MEATBALL "PARM" FETT'UNTA. Both delicious. Service was warm, attentive without hovering, and knowledgeable on the menu. Cannot wait to go back to experience more of the dinner menu and even check out their brunch sometime! read more
4 days ago
5 months ago
Ospi hand-delivers an elevated coastal Italian experience that redefines traditional cooking techniques. I am drawn to Ospi's Michelin twists where bold flavors are made possible with the least amount of ingredients. Every bite counts. The kale salad to start was the best decision. The finely chopped kale leaves paired beautifully with the well-thought-out dressing and cheese. The crispy provolone was crunchy and had a balanced taste of cheesiness. The copione pizza was paper-thin yet contained a robust flavor profile which I did not expect. The highlight of the already amazing meal was the mandilla pesto pasta. The electric green color of the almond-pine nut pesto sauce was extremely powerful, and it was the best-tasting pesto pasta I've ever had. The Italian meal felt complete, but I didn't feel overwhelmed with the amount of carbs. I love the friendly staff and patio seating! read more
One of my new favorite Italian restaurants in OC. It's a smart casual vibe where you can dress up (not too much) or down. Parking is convenient, they have a large lot behind the restaurant. I went for lunch on a Saturday with no issues finding a spot. Service is fast and they are super friendly. Our waitress Jackie was on top of everything and clearly knew the restaurant's menu, history, etc. extremely well. She was so attentive, anticipated our every need, and was super personable. Food is delicious. Kale salad is their best, but the Persian cucumber salad is also so delicious. Pasta is addicting. I loved the spicy rigatoni with their famous vodka sauce - it's perfectly balanced between being comforting and light. Passed on dessert since I was so full, but boy did the menu sound yummy - will try the fudge brownie with gelato next time. I hear they have a business partnership with Paradiso and get their gelatos from them. Will be back to try more! Next time I'll order the pizza, it looked phenomenal. read more
What I've noticed about Costa Mesa and Newport Beach is that after 9pm, your dining-in options go downhill fast, especially at a proper sit-down restaurant. After a wine tasting ended at nearby (barely a block away) Hi-Time Wine Cellars, some new friends I met there invited me to join them. Once I realized where it's located I laughed because I've driven past many times and noticed how busy they are, and how hard a time I've had finding parking for trips to Shirley's Bagels across the street. Anyhow, the lots were wide open around 9pm, and we were quickly sat outside on the patio. The menu looked good and we decided to share a number of things, after drinks. One of my favorite cocktails is called the Paper Airplane, one part each of Bourbon, lemon juice, Campari, and Amaro Nonino. My friends got an Espresso Martini and glass of Super Tuscan wine, more on that in a moment. The drinks came first, as they're supposed to, and I was happy with the portion and perfection of the bar's output. The Persian Cucumber Salad with veggies and Burrata arrived first, then the Japanese Eggplant, and finally, the pizza. That's where we had an issue. Not with the food, but the second table wasn't level and the pizza almost rolled off the edge, along with one girl's Martini. She saved the glass and our combined effort saved the pizza, but her drink launched all over the floor. After a short time she decided to get that Super Tuscan Wine as a replacement. I was happy to see the restaurant acknowledging the table wasn't up to the task. The wine is a 'second wine' from a producer called Montepeloso, and coincidentally, we had tasted the 'first wine' at Hi-Time barely an hour prior. For desert we shared Cannoli. Note, I liked the pizza, it's crispy thin crust is sufficient to hold the contents. The Japanese Eggplant was also very enjoyable, spicy, but light. Unfortunately, they ran out of the Tiramisu, but I thought the Cannolis were excellent! Fresh, sweet and beautifully crafted. A fine restaurant for modern Italian food and casual dining. A good date spot, too I imagine. Prices seem commiserate with the quality, and I'd like to try more cocktails in the future. read more
Business owner information
Tara K.
Hey Paul! Thanks for the awesome review and for joining us after your…
7 months ago
Craving some Italian food with some nice vibes, and this place delivered! Caesar Salad 8.5/10 - ya this was pretty good, I love the crunchies they added on top to provide that crispy texture and the dressing was throughly spread out throughout the lettuce, this bowl was pretty big so I shared this with my friend Spicy Rigatoni + Crispy Chicken 9/10 - when they say spicy sauce, the sauce def had a kick to it! Usually some places say they have spicy pasta but it sometimes is mild, but this place did a good job with making it spicy! My fav part about this dish was actually the crispy chicken, it was sliced so thinly and the breading on the chicken was crispy and coated so evenly! I would love to try any of their other pastas with this specific protein!! they have a bar here too and happy hour, so next time I would like to check those out. read more
Business owner information
Tara K.
Hi Natalie, thanks for the awesome review! We're so glad you enjoyed…
15 days ago
Great food, great service. Sat out doors and was able to watch the beautiful sunset. Pizza is great if you like a thin crust. read more
Celebrating is always a joyous moment and with great food + company it can top the cake; or in this case tiramisu. Definitely came for the food but stayed seated for the table side tiramisu! We did a little of everything for a family style meal. Spicy Rigatoni was a must, as well as the fried provolone. We got some salad and calamari as well. Main spot goes to our margarita pizza; definitely a nice mix for a shared meal. Rigatoni was my favorite by far, spicy and the pasta was cooked to perfection. The salad was incredibly memorable, the crisp of lettuce plus the lovely ratio of dressing to toppings. Tiramisu stole the show and added a nice entertainment to end the night. Flavors on point and I enjoyed the twist of sponge cake vs your traditional lady fingers. Outside patio gave a nice glamorous and cozy feel. Heaters are warm to keep everyone content even with a little night chill. Our server, was generous and super helpful throughout the evening, making this a wonderful girls night. Perfect spot for your gatherings, date nights, or just a lovely place to dine in! read more
Business owner information
Tara K.
Hi Nimani, we're so glad you chose to celebrate with us! It sounds…
It's my go to place anytime I'm in OC. Always great service. My advice is to make a reservation, especially for the weekend because they get really full. My favorite there is Truffle pizza , there is not way I'm eating in Ospi and I don't order it. I have tried all their pizzas and they are all just delicious. What I love the most is the very thin crust and it's not burnt. If we talk pastas , carbonara and bolognese are my top. Also, something you can go wrong with. I always prefer to sit outside, they have 2 nice patios - super cozy vibe. Highly recommend!!! read more
Business owner information
Tara K.
Hi Yana, we’re so glad to hear Ospi is your go-to! Thanks a bunch for…
Parking can get tough 'cause the lot is small. But there are plenty of street parking. Our waitress, Jacque, was amazing. She gave us great suggestions, as it was our first time here. We ordered the Cheese bread (off-menu item) and Ricotta appetizers. For main entrees, we got Salsiccia pizza and Spicy Rigatoni. The appetizers were amazing and delicious. The Garlic bread was cheesy and soft. The Ricotta was delicious with drizzled honey on the ricotta and bread. The Salsiccia pizza was thin and super good, but also a bit spicy. The Spicy Rigatoni was spicy, but flavorful and creamy. Everything was delicious and amazing. The portions were decent size, and if you get pizza and pasta to share, it's perfect, especially with appetizers. Recommendation(s): - Cheese bread (off-menu item) - Ricotta - Salsiccia Pizza (spicy) - Spicy Rigatoni (spicy) Service: 5+/5 -- amazing service from Jacque Tip(s): - The parking lot is small, but there is street parking - Make reservations ahead of time read more
We love a good redemption story! Finally had a chance to come back after my last visit, and was very happy I returned. I got to sit in the dining room this time which was SO much better, I definitely recommend requesting this area or the outdoor seating when you make a reservation. Service was also excellent today, the staff were so friendly and attentive, and it never felt like I had to chase them down for anything. On the food front, I ordered the Japanese Eggplant, Cesar Salad, Spicy Rigatoni, Mandilli, and Hapa Pizza. Everything but the Mandilli was great. I was especially surprised by the pizza because I wasn't sold on the crust (thought it'd be too thin), but it definitely surpassed my expectations and would totally recommend trying it (or any of their pizzas for that matter). The Mandilli had good flavor, but the pasta was a bit too mushy for my taste, I'd skip that in the future. Regardless, this was a wonderful meal that felt like a completely different experience from last time, and I hope to come back again soon. I think they've worked out their kinks and would recommend checking it out! read more
If you're looking for a great lunch spot or even dinner, Ospi has some refined Italian dishes made for a group or a lovely date for two. First off, must tries are the eggplant dish, and spicy rigatoni. We absolutely devoured ours. Service was attentive and spot on, and the flavors of each dish were great! My only gripe would be the parking, if you can't find street parking, you may have to valet. read more
Ospi Happy Hour changed since it first opened, still decent nonetheless. My boyfriend and I shared the mini martini flight, crispy provolone, and ciopone pizza. The provolone was evenly battered and fried. Definitely eat this first before the cheese solidifies. The mini flight is a good option for first timers or new drinkers. The cocktails were stiff and tasty. If you're not a fan of Negronis and martinis, then just order the espresso martini by itself. I will definitely return to try the pasta and entrees. read more
Well... you can cross this one off your list. Just don't do it. And definitely do not come here on Valentine's Day, a special occasion, or any busy night. I rarely give 1-star reviews, but this experience earned it. My boyfriend and I had a 9:30 PM reservation. We arrived a bit early and were seated right around our reservation time. We ordered the whipped ricotta bread, and I ordered two pastas: the brown butter sage pasta and the rigatoni (not spicy) with a side of grilled chicken. My boyfriend ordered the chicken parm. Before anything else, I want to note this clearly: when I ordered the side of chicken, the waitress asked if I wanted it crispy. I said no, and specifically asked for it grilled. She said yes. The whipped ricotta bread came out first--and it was good. That is genuinely the only positive part of the night. Everything went downhill from there. The "brown butter sage pasta" arrived, and I was immediately confused. What I was served was essentially plain butter pasta, with a drizzle of brown butter on top. The sage? Tiny flakes the size of chili flakes--maybe five total. I actually looked around my plate trying to find it. This was not brown butter sage pasta by any normal definition. I called the waitress over and asked if there was any brown butter or sage in the dish because I couldn't taste either. She said it should be in the sauce. I asked if the sauce was emulsified--she said she could add more. I agreed, and she took the plate. When she brought it back, it had more brown butter drizzled on top. She then explained that the pasta is not tossed or emulsified with brown butter at all--it's regular butter pasta, finished with a little brown butter and sage on top. At that point I immediately declined the dish. Why even have this on the menu? Important note: I had ordered two pastas, and during all of this, the second pasta still had not arrived. My boyfriend received his chicken parm well before I received anything. We ordered all three pastas at the same time. The second pasta took over 16 minutes to arrive--no exaggeration. My boyfriend waited so we could eat together, and by the time anything happened, his food was cold. Meanwhile, our drinks were empty, and the waitress never once asked if we wanted another round. Then it gets better. They were out of rigatoni noodles. I had overheard a table seated much later than us being told this, so I assumed ours was already in progress. Nope. The waitress came back laughing and said they were out of rigatoni--and actually out of all other types of pasta for the night. At this point I just said, "Whatever noodles are fine," and asked for a glass of wine. The wine and pasta took another 10 minutes to arrive. The pasta was spicy, despite ordering it not spicy, the portion was small, and again--my boyfriend's food was now completely cold. When the food runner delivered it, there was no protein. I said I had ordered a side of grilled chicken. He told me they don't have grilled chicken--only broiled or rotisserie-style chicken. That is not what I was told when ordering. What came out looked like canned chicken. I was genuinely confused. The waitress came by and asked if everything was okay. I told her no--the pasta was spicy, the chicken wasn't grilled, and the wait was excessive. She was unapologetic and asked what I wanted her to do, instead of offering solutions. It felt awkward and dismissive. My boyfriend asked for another glass of wine. She asked if she could get me something else but didn't offer a menu. It was now past 10 PM. She left, and when she returned--smirking--she informed us the kitchen was closed. We were shocked. Why take 9:30 reservations if the kitchen closes at 10? There was no warning that the kitchen was closing, despite delays that were entirely on the restaurant. She removed my food from the check "because she felt bad" and charged us for the wine. We boxed my boyfriend's cold food and left. On the way out, we passed the kitchen and several tables. I saw a large salad with a clearly grilled, blackened chicken breast on it. I asked my boyfriend if that looked grilled--he said yes. Near the entrance, I asked three staff members if they had grilled chicken. They said yes. I said "Interesting," and left. This was one of the weirdest, most unprofessional dining experiences I've ever had. The food was extremely subpar, the service lacked awareness and accountability, and the drinks were wildly overpriced--there's no reason a cosmo should cost that much. To the kitchen manager: over-prep is better than under-prep. On a fully booked reservation night, it's unacceptable to run out of every single pasta and still seat guests without disclosure. If the menu isn't accurate, fix it. Don't sell something that simply is not what it claims to be. I would not return, and I would not recommend this place to anyone--especially not for a special occasion. read more
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More info about Ospi Costa Mesa
234 E 17th St
Ste 100
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
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(949) 990-4331
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https://www.ospi.com
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Ask the Community - Ospi Costa Mesa
Corkage fee?? Any nights with a wine special?
Corkage is $30/bottle, I think. I didn't notice any wine specials when we visited in May.
Do they take walk-ins?
I didn't have a reservation and they took me in but I waited 1.5 hours for a table for 3 people.
I notice that happy hour is daily from 3-5:30pm. Does that include Saturday and Sunday?
Yes it does! Our happy hour is everyday.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
31 reviews that are not currently recommended
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