Irvine Restaurants

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It is vital to have this little write-up on Ray's, a So Cal pizzeria that serves it up NY style-thin, with just enough cheese, sauce and not too doughy nor crisp. Everytime i show my face in the joint I get a quality slice. Steps away from Trader Joe's at the University center, The pizzeria is a no-frills pizza joint that the kind of place especially the money-strapped UCI students like to go to eat. A common deal here is 2 slices and a fountain drink for $6. Slices are as low as $2.50. There is almost always a cheese, meat and veggie slice available to serve within minutes.

As for atmosphere, the parlor is tiny with just a few tables inside but the courtyard at University center has enough tables for outdoor seating. There is some enterainment inside, such as a video game and TV, usually showing a sports game, especially soccer. The cashier and pizza makers here are very down-to-earth and friendly.

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California Pizza Kitchen features hearth-baked pizzas, creative pastas, delicious desserts and much more! If you have a very hungry teenager who just loves pizza, then this is the place for you. Yet, they don't just serve pizza. I had some really delicious taco's too.

Hours of Operation
Mon - Thurs11:00 AM-10:00 PMFri - Sat11:00 AM-11:00 PMSun11:00 AM-10:00 PM

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Specializing in gourmet homemade seafood, pasta dishes, and Mediterranean kebabs. Food was delicious, dining was elegant and hospitality was outstanding.

Favorite Dish: For the appetizer, we had the Fried Calamari (fried squid served with a spicy tomato sauce and creamy tartar sauce). For dinner, LJ had Tilapia with a champagne cream sauce, vegetables and pasta while I had Filet Mignon with pesto sauce, vegetables and saffron risotto. To finish the meal, we shared Tiramisu.

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Tuscany Mediterranee Grill is a fine dining Italian and Mediterranean restaurant located in Irvine, California. Specializing in gourmet homemade seafood, pasta dishes, and Mediterranean kebabs, our layout is great for large parties and groups, as well as private engagements. We’re perfect for both lunch and dinner, whether you’re entertaining distinguished business professionals, or if you’re out for a quiet, intimate dining experience. Afterward, take a stroll in the nearby romantic ambient park-like grounds.

Our patrons’ reviews speak for themselves—please come visit us and discover first-hand why Tuscany Mediterranee Grill is one of the top five fine restaurants in Irvine. We provide secure, multilevel parking, and we’re just off the 405 freeway, exit MacArthur Blvd. You’ll find us less than a mile from John Wayne Airport, right next to Embassy Suites, Crown Plaza of Irvine, and many other major hotels.

Please come visit us soon for an exquisite dining event made possible by our gourmet chefs and dining staff.

they are located at:

2010 Main St.
Irvine, CA 92614
949-250-1838
http://www.tuscanymediterraneegrill.com

Favorite Dish: Wed like to encourage anyone looking for an excellent dining experience to give the Tuscany Mediterranee Grill in Irvine a try. Its a little challenging to find because it is located amid a complex of office buildings very near the Embassy Suites and McCormick & Schmicks at Gillette and Main, but its certainly worth the effort. We dined there first with a large group and were impressed with the quality of food and the service delivered under the stress of our large crowd. We came back for a really lovely dinner for two to confirm our impression. The food is exceptionally good, the service outstanding and their house wines superb. Matthew, the owner, is charming and gracious very attentive to his guests.
We liked it so well we held a dinner party for 40 there last month and came away with nothing but rave reviews from our guests, most of whom are experienced and discriminating diners.
You owe it to yourselves to spend a wonderful evening at Tuscany Mediterranee Grill

We went for lunch (Dim Sum) on Sunday around noon and had to wait 45 minutes because they don't take reservations, but it was well worth the wait.

Favorite Dish: We tried:

Steamed BBQ Pork Buns
Baked BBQ Pork Buns
Shrimp Har Gow
Shrimp Rice Noodles
Steamed Spare Ribs with garlic
Deep Fried Seafood Seaweed Rolls
Pan Fried Shrimp & Chive Cakes
Pan Seared Spicy Green Beans with Hoisin sauce

The best way to describe the food is that it's simply delicious!!!

Favorite Dish: For dinner, LJ selected the Grilled Chicken & Avocado Club Sandwich (grilled chicken breast with avocado, bacon, tomato, melted Swiss & and herb mayonnaise served with french fries) while I had the Grilled Shrimp & Bacon Club Sandwich (charbroiled shrimp, bacon, lettuce & tomato with their special dressing served with french fries). And for dessert, we had the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake (two layers of their original cheesecake & two layers of their creamy chocolate cudge cake filled with chocolate cream & finished with crunchy pearls of chocolate). But who's counting calories anyway...lol!!!

Known for fine food and a very diverse menu, this would be a cut above your normal chain restaurant. Very efficient service and pleasant atmosphere. A greek salad and shrimp cocktail (along with two alcoholic beverages) set me back $40. I'm glad I'm not paying for this myself! What? I've exceeded my expense account?

Well, if you've got the money, this place can hook you up with some tasty vittles.

Claim Jumper is a chain of restaurants that has pretty good food, and very large portions! It's great to come here with family and/or friends, because you can order a bunch of things and share, or have leftovers. The ambiance at this particular Claim Jumper is alright... I wouldn't call it a "date" restaurant. The one in South Coast Plaza is actually much nicer; has a more upscale feel than the one in Irvine, oddly enough.
I went with my friend and we split a sandwich and a salad.
We had the Frisco Burger with: Grill-Toasted Parmesan Sourdough, Swiss Cheese, Pickles, 1000 Island, Tomato & Butterleaf Lettuce, and the Mediterranean Ahi Salad- Seared Ahi Blackened and Served with Avocado, Onion, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Calamata Olives, Chevre Cheese, Fresh Beets and Tossed with a Mustard Herb Vinaigrette.
Obviously this was a ton of food for two people so we had leftovers. The salad was huge and it was really tasty. For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Chip Calzone, which was realllly sweet and fabulous! Freshly baked, it was filled with melted milk and white chocolate, chocolate chips, and came with whipped cream and ice cream. Again, a huge portion, but my friend swears by it. I'd definitely order that dessert again because it is fun to share with the group.

Favorite Dish: The chocolate chip calzone was great! I'd go back just to order that with some tea or coffee. The salad was pretty good as well. The Frisco Burger was a little greasier than I had expected, but we ordered it with turkey, so that helped.

Great great sub type sandwiches, or may i say baguette sandwiches. The prices are good and the sandwiches are even better. I've never has sandwiches like this with cordon bleu or garlic chicken. They don't put too much other stuff so more sauce and meat which is my kind of sandwich.

From all the steak sandwhich places I've eaten Charley's is probably one of my favorites. I first tried it at the Block in Orange and was so pleased to find one near my school.....well when I went there.