There’s a fresh new face in Irvine’s culinary scene, and it’s serving up more than just pasta and pizza—it’s dishing out a full-on experience. A few weeks ago, my husband and I had the chance to check out Monaco Italian Kitchen + Bar, the newest hotspot at the stylish Eighteen Main dining complex, and let me just say—wow.
From the moment we walked in, the vibe was undeniable. Think: modern Italian elegance meets effortlessly cool. The space is fresh and stylish with warm wood tones, black-and-white tiled accents, and an inviting indoor-outdoor flow that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. It felt like a slice of the Italian Riviera, right in the heart of Irvine.
The restaurant is the fourth concept by local restaurateur Tony Monaco, and you can feel the passion and craftsmanship behind every detail, from the design to the food. Monaco Italian Kitchen quietly opened its doors on April 15 ahead of its big Grand Opening celebration on April 25, and it’s already setting the bar high for Italian dining in OC.
Let’s talk about the food and cocktails! The Espresso Martini was a standout—bold, smooth, and made with a real shot of espresso, which made all the difference. There’s also a Blue Cheese Martini on the menu (yes, really), and we found it to be very good. I recommend you ask them to make it as dirty as possible.
We started with the Arancini, which were perfectly crisp on the outside and rich and creamy inside—little golden bites of heaven. There is also a beef tartare on the menu that was a 10/10: hand-cut ribeye medallions, egg yolk, fried capers, crispy garlic, red onion, marcona almonds, evoo, dijonaise sauce.
Then we moved on to the charred Octopus. This is one of those dishes that can be overcooked, but it came out great and we were impressed. Next was the burrata. WOW! It was so creamy and it comes with a side of tomato jam, crispy prosciutto, balsamic, basil, and crispy ciabatta.
As for Pastas, Monaco offers a variety of curated selections of housemade pastas that blend traditional Italian flavors with modern culinary techniques. The pasta dishes available include:
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Cappelletti en Brodo: Delicate, hand-folded pasta served in a savory broth.
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Cacio e Pepe: A Roman classic featuring pasta tossed with Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
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Saffron Risotto: Creamy risotto infused with aromatic saffron, offering a rich and luxurious flavor profile.
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Lamb Bolognese: A hearty meat sauce made with tender lamb, served over pasta for a comforting dish.
- Chicken Pesto: orchietto, creamy pesto, chicken breast, pecorino romano, lemon zest
For our mains, we tried the Margherita Pizza. The crust? Absolute perfection—airy, chewy, and clearly crafted with serious skill. We also sampled the Lamb Bolognese, which was hearty, comforting, and beautifully balanced. You can really tell the culinary team put in work—literally traveling to Naples to train with world-class pizzaiolos before designing the menu. To mix up the flavors, we also tried the Branzino served with crispy potatoes, Swiss chard, confit tomatoes, Italian salsa verde.
I will say we tried the Chicken Picatta and were a little taken aback by the texture as it is fried with panko crumbs, and I think I was expecting it to be baked or sauteed.
For dessert, we wrapped things up with some velvety smooth and sweet cannoli’s which paired great with their Cannoli old-fashioned.
The service was spot-on throughout—attentive without being overbearing. You could tell the staff was genuinely excited to be part of something special.
Monaco’s menu is rooted in traditional Italian flavors but brings a creative, modern twist—handmade pastas, seasonally inspired pizzas, and even unique sandwiches like the Panuozzo Napoletano, made with fresh pizza dough and premium ingredients. It’s refined, but still totally approachable.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner spot, a girls’ night out, or just a killer pizza and cocktail combo, Monaco Italian Kitchen delivers. We’re already planning our next visit—and this time, we’re bringing friends.
If you’re in or around Irvine, add this to your must-try list. They are located at 2000 Main St. Ste 300 Irvine CA, 92614
