CUCINA enoteca - Newport Beach

Review summary

1. G

   Gary VIP

   Orange County69 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Food was superb. Service was incredibly slow took forever. Ordered gluten free pasta, brought it out and asked server again about it being gluten free and he said yes. Then manager comes running over after I ate some to apologize and say it was not gluten free. TG it was an order of choice. Had a server who they left alone her first day, and as much as she tried, things came out wrong, drinks were super slow, people at our table of 9 got missed for ordering. All in all the service/ slow kitchen , and order mishaps drags down our rating. Used to be a consistent go to, not so much going forward. Good business would have offered us some bill reduction, free desert, etc. You get it!
   

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2. T

   Tina VIP

   Orange County41 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Honestly one of my favorite restaurants aesthetically. It's just so fun and pleasing to the eye. I love the little retail/wine shop that you enter into. We have been to this restaurant and the one at the Spectrum several times. We were able to enjoy the OC Restaurant Week menu last night. It was a very nice selection and menu. To start, I got the pear salad. It was a generous portion and maybe a bit too salty. I then got the chicken main and it was perfect. I really enjoyed it. The chocolate budino was fun with the crunchy cocoa nibs and it was the right size. One thing I would say is it was a bit too sweet. I am glad American finally got the memo about less sugar in desserts. That gives you the opportunity to enjoy the other nuances (like spices, chocolate, etc). And, this budino could have been a little less sweet. Not being critical, just sharing my thoughts. We really enjoyed our evening. Thank you! PS I loved the Lavender 75 cocktail.
   

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3. S

   Sandro VIP

   Toronto6 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on March 7, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Seemed like different diners got a different experiences and options. After I ordered my meal I heard the same server tell another table about a prix fixe menu and then another server tell other diners about specials. I was given no such offers.
   

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4. N

   Nina

   San Francisco1 review

   2.0

   Dined on March 6, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   I’ve been to this restaurant several times, and chose it specifically for my boyfriend’s birthday because I felt confident we’d have a good time, and was super disappointed. We got there a couple minutes after our reservation time, but then waited almost 20 to be seated. When we sat down, we were next to an open door with a cold draft (it was raining outside) and it was like asking if we could possibly move ended any friendliess between us and our waiter. Tables around us were seated and finished eating before we received our main courses. Our waiter ignored us, was cold, and asked us if we wanted dessert before we received our main courses as well, which to us felt like he just had no interest in how we were doing or what was happening. We ended up asking for the check from another waitress who was lovely and so sweet, Alana, and we chatted with her for a few minutes. It was maybe 10 minutes total between asking her and us leaving, while our waiter was seated at another table chatting with other patrons the entire time. We were really bummed that what started out as a fun birthday evening ended with a rude waiter, and spending almost 2 hours at a restaurant mostly waiting for food. We have both worked in food service, understand being short staffed, the grind, etc, we get it, and we tried to give the benefit of the doubt, but this was just super disappointing and soured what should have been a lovely, fun celebration.
   

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5. DA

   DAKMANNEWPORT VIP

   Orange County14 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 3, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent service and delicious food. We love Cucina Enoteca.
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Miami1 review

   3.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Bad food, poor menu, not as description detailed about plates
   

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7. L

   Lauren

   Orange County23 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful restaurant and the food is always so delicious. The Italian chopped and bucatini with egg are my go to favorites.
   

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8. A

   A

   Orange County1 review

   3.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Either a bad night or the server has no clue what she is doing. No grasp of the menu. Constant attempts to upsell the menu. Also, absolutely no knowledge of wine menu. Horrible meal timing. First course came before drinks. Coffee drinks finally arrived in the middle of desert. Christ sake, train your staff properly!!!!!
   

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9. D

   Duke

   Los Angeles23 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It always a treat to be able to dine at this location. The food and service is 5 stars. Highly recommend to all.
   

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10. a

    aaron VIP

    Orange County4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Sat at the bar and had the best service ever! Food was great but service is what will be brining us back!!
    

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