Bello

stars), Bello in Newport Beach was the guide’s highest ranked Italian restaurant. I described it as being “two restaurants in one, working out of the same kitchen, sharing the same bar and staff.” The core idea behind Bello, run by chef/owner Sandro

. The Chef’s Table (technically the kitchen counter) at Bello in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) The restaurant’s secondary concept is the Chef’s Table at Bello, an intimate six-seat dining counter overlooking that

: Grubhub, Postmates, Doordash or Uber Eats. 8573 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949-536-5200, angelinaspizzeria.com Spicy salame pizza at Angelina’s in Irvine (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Bello The classic Margherita and marinara

, bellobysandronardone.com Dolce diavola pizza at Bello in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Brick The wood-fired pizzas here contain distant strands of Neapolitan DNA. The carne pizza is particularly good, topped with housemade Italian

2145    Al's New York Cafe    Angelina's    Bello    Brick    Centro Pizzeria    Ciao Pasta    Filomena's    Folks    Il Dolce    Il Palco    North Italia    Parallel Pizzeria    Pirozzi    Pitfire    Pizzeria Sapori    Rance's    Sal's    Terra    TJ's Woodfire Pizza   

accelerating. “This poached lobster is incredible,” I catch myself saying on yet another visit to Bello in Newport Beach. Sandro Nardone, chef/owner of Bello, is intent on redefining Italian food, or at least our perception of it. And he has me obsessing over

anything poached. Nardone previously opened Angelina’s Pizzeria in Dana Point and Irvine, where he served some of the most authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in Orange County. He’s moved on. At Bello, he doesn’t make bolognese. He won’t serve lasagna

oxidized wine and milk powder at The Chef’s Table at Bello (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Mussels at The Chef’s Table at Bello In case you haven’t heard, chef Sandro Nardone’s modern Italian restaurant Bello recently launched The

Register/SCNG) 2. Bello Chefs Sandro Nardone and Frank DeLoach make a powerhouse team, fearlessly pushing boundaries while never losing sight of Italy’s history of slow food and head-to-tail cooking. That translates into house-cured bresaola finished in

branzino in spicy lemon broth, at Bello in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 3. Pizzeria Mozza After nearly 10 years in Newport Beach (and even longer in L.A.) Nancy Silverton’s Pizzeria Mozza still feels remarkably fresh

Oliver's Osteria    Bello    Pizzeria Mozza    Ciao Pasta    Filomena's   

current guidelines Dining at the bar: Yes, despite current guidelines Tables sanitized: More or less Chairs sanitized:No Seating properly distanced: No Touchless menus: No Note: Arc does not appear to embrace any COVID-19 safety protocols. Bello, Newport

: Yes Inside dining: No Dining at the bar: No Tables sanitized: Yes Chairs sanitized: No Seating properly distanced: Yes Touchless menus: Yes Note: An addendum to the menu explains that Bello’s service style has been modified to reduce contact between

in Tustin (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 18. Acqua Pazza at Bello Chef Sandro Nardone’s branzino in brodo is simply spectacular. The fish is gently poached in a lemony broth with cherry tomatoes, garlic and chilies. 1200 Bison

Ave., Newport Beach, 949-520-7191, bellobysandronardone.com Poached branzino in brodo with tomatoes, lemon and chili at Bello in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 17. Tacos al vapor at Tito’s La Especial In case you

., Newport Beach, (949) 877-0190, arcbutcherbaker.com/mothersday-menu Bello Chef Sandro Nardone is offering a $150 brunch menu designed to feed four. Highlights include lemon ricotta pancakes, cinnamon rolls and a spring vegetable frittata. Orders by phone or

combinations like grape tomato, goat cheese, Kalamata olives, pesto and lamb sausage. Pickup or delivery. 5176 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 937-2823,apolloniaspizzeria.com Bello by Sandro Nardone Sandro Nardone, whose first Orange County venture was

A few weeks ago, Dave broke the news that Maestro at the Mitsuwa Marketplace foodcourt was shuttering. This week our friend Joe Bello has the scoop on what replaced it. He writes that the new place is called “Mashta” and on the printed menu, it says