North Italia, Sam Fox’s growing Italian restaurant concept opened its first location in Orange County today in Irvine, Calif. on the busy corner of Jamboree Road and Michelson Drive at Park Place. The Italian eatery is devoted to perfecting handmade pizza, pasta and fresh flavors from the garden, farm and sea, North will bring the traditions of Italia to life for the residents of Irvine and its surrounding cities.
Fox, a nationally recognized restaurateur, is continuing to expand his footprint in California, as this is only the second North Italia to open in the Golden State. The restaurant – a 6,094-square-foot space features an expo kitchen that overlooks a dining room with a variety of seating, a spacious 1,800-square-foot patio with operable windows for open-air dining, and an expansive private dining room that can fit up to 30. Here, guests will enjoy twists on classic Italian cocktails, an extensive wine and local beer list, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
“We are thrilled to introduce North to Orange County,” said Fox. “We are really proud of this restaurant and look forward to providing the community with house made Italian food and an energetic neighborhood spot.”
A sampling of the menu includes a variety of starters, such as Zucca Chips and Grilled Cauliflower with baby asparagus, toasted breadcrumb, pancetta cream, topped with fried egg. Salads like the Seasonal Vegetable complete with kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, farro, pecorino, pistachio, tossed with white balsamic vinaigrette. Signature pastas like the Strozzapreti made with chicken, roasted mushroom, spinach, toasted pine nut and parmesan cream and Squid Ink Mafaldine with white shrimp, calamari, acqua pazza, mint, fennel pollen and calabrian chili. Pizzas, like the classic Margherita or the Bacon & Egg with roasted potato, garlic confit and basil. Entrees like the Grilled Branzino with cipollini onion, fennel, broccolini, farro, lemon and butter and Roasted Chicken with simple vegetables and rosemary lemon butter.
This restaurant will be the second Fox restaurant concept to open in California, joining the wildly successful health conscious eatery, True Food Kitchen that has several nearby locations including one in Fashion Island.
For more information including location address, full hours of operation and menus visit www.northitaliarestaurant.com.
