Maggiano’s is located in the parking lot of South Coast Plaza right outside of Sears. They used to split the building with Corner Bakery, but Corner Bakery is now gone and Maggiano’s has expanded. It was a much needed expansion so they could seat more hungry people. I always recommend having a reservation for this restaurant, but if you don’t, it’s still worth the wait! They serve their dishes family style, meaning each portion could easily feed 2-3 people. The restaurant itself has a nice dim, romantic ambiance. It has the feel that you’re in an expensive restaurant, minus the expensive! The pasta dishes are offered in half portions and full portions. Half portions meaning you don’t want to share your plate of deliciousness. Full portions meaning you also don’t want to share and you want leftovers to enjoy the next day. I find it to be worth it to pay the extra $3-4 for the full portion so I have left overs for the next day.
My recommended appetizers are the Calamari Fritte or Crispy Zucchini Fritte. If you want both, might as well spring for the Bombalina Platter, which is a sampler platter with a little of everything. You really can’t go wrong with any of their salads. All of them are nice and light, also can be served family style.
Now lets move on to the star of the show, the pastas. I would have to say Maggiano’s is one of my favorite Italian restaurants because of one dish and one dish only, the Rigatoni D. It is a rigatoni pasta with chicken, sauteed onions, button mushrooms with a marsala cream sauce. Every bite you take, it’s like you’re in heaven. Some other good dishes is the Shrimp and Angel Hair Arrabbiata, Baked Ziti with Sausage, and the two dishes you can never go wrong with, Spaghetti with Meatballs and the Chicken Alfredo.
Any of these dishes will leave you full and satisfied. You’ll thank me that you got the full portion so that you can enjoy the bowl of deliciousness again the next day.
To see what other Italian restaurants Costa Mesa has to offer, visit www.TravelCostaMesa.com.
