Orange County Restaurants

Al Forno Caffe is an authentic chef-driven local Italian trattoria. This is also reflected in their cuisine: robust food served without fuss. The menu offers classic dishes as well as modern interpretations and daily specials. Over seventy Italian wines from all major Italian wine regions including Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto are offered.

Al Forno Caffe's 2,400 square foot space is located in the heart of Costa Mesa, within the Mesa Verde Plaza, minutes away from Costa Mesa Golf Course. The open kitchen overlooks a fifty-seat dining room and twenty-seat bar. The space is outfitted with reclaimed wood tables, custom banquettes, and a wood-paneled bar; the dining area is accented with custom wall art, a brick mural, and vintage Italian posters.

Chef/ owner Ali Kihanmahd has 25 years of restaurant experience, and has worked for 15 years in the top-ranked Italian restaurants in New York City including Fiorello's Roman Cafe, Cesca, Trattoria di Vino and Pappardella. He owned and managed Apropos Cafe in Brooklyn - an Italian wine bar and cafe. He hopes to bring a little bit of NYC to Orange County through Al Forno Caffe, his first West Coast venture. "Al Forno Caffe was born out of my desire to offer an alternative to the mass-market chain restaurants dominating the OC food scene," says Ali. "My vision is to serve good food and excellent Italian wine in a convivial atmosphere."