Maggiano's Little Italy

Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant Review:

Chicago restaurateur Rich Melman turns restaurant ideas into money, and this handsome South Coast Plaza spot, which is patterned after a New York City place called Guido’s, is definitely one of his most lucrative ventures. The bustling, upscale, retro East Coast ambience appeals to everyone from families to business types. The setting showcases high ceilings, mahogany columns and a grand old vintage bar that was imported from Europe. It gets busy in the evening, so Maggiano’s installed an inside take-out window, complete with a special menu and curbside pickup. Huge portions of Southern Italian-inspired dishes are meant to please the masses. A few, like chicken piccata and veal Marsala, make satisfying one-person entrées. Many others, particularly the pastas, are tasty and substantial crowd-pleasers best suited to family-style dining. In fact, there’s a nightly five-course family-style menu offered, in which the whole table shares. The wine list is decent and mainly geared toward California labels, although a few international selections are included. Old-school cocktails such as Bellinis are available for those looking to indulge in an adult concoction. On weekends, guests can indulge in a brunchtime meatball eggs Benedict. Service is part of the charm, with a staff of professional waiters who are eager to accommodate.