Orange County Register

By Mystery Diner (not Brian)

I’ve always enjoyed Italian cuisine, thanks to its rich sauces and lots of garlic.

A recent trip to the newest location of Peppino’s Italian Restaurant in the Woodbury Town Center was delightful. Peppino’s is known for its fine authentic Italian cuisine that it has served in Orange County since 1984.

I grabbed a friend and off we went to the already popular establishment in this busy center. It was packed for lunch, but we waited patiently, and before we knew it we were seated. Peppino’s has a full bar, complemented by dark woods and flat screen TVs in addition to a large patio for al fresco dining or private parties.

The menu is also large, with anything and everything Italian that you might want. I’m talking from appetizers such as fried calamari to main meals including homemade pastas, traditional entrées such as lasagna, manicotti, eggplant parmigiana, as well as chicken, veal and specialty dishes such as Fettuccini Superiore (diced jumbo shrimp and garlic sautéed in a red or white Marsala cream sauce.) Peppino’s extensive menu also offers hot and cold sandwiches and pizzas.

This time around, I decided to try the chicken parmigiana – fried breast of chicken layered and baked with meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. It is served with spaghetti with meat sauce.

My dining partner chose the Linguini Imperial entrée with diced shrimp and baby clams sautéed in her choice of red cream sauce.

There’s also some lovely soups such as the fresh made-daily minestrone or delicious salads like the antipasto with its mixed greens, salami, Capicolla, ham, Mortadella, Provolone cheese, red onions, black olives, tomatoes, pepperoncinis and roasted peppers – a true work of art.

When our meals arrived, we looked at each other thinking we could have shared an entrée. In any event, we picked up or forks and began. I am a true chicken parmigiana lover and this was awesome with so much cheese I loved it. The chicken was breaded lightly and the tomato sauce terrific.

My friend’s meal was also beautifully served and after one taste of the smooth red sauce, I decided that I would order this dish during my next visit.

Be prepared to take a portion of your meal home with you, which is great warmed up the next day.

Fare: Italian: pastas, salads, chicken, steaks, seafood, veal, pizzas

Prices: Appetizers from $4.95; Pasta dishes from $9.95; Chicken dishes from $15.95

Address: 6460 Irvine Blvd.

Phone: 949-468-3660

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