Cucina Alessa

Great place. I’m not a big fan of Italian food as I find it a bit bland but this place is great. My noodles with shrimp, asparagus and lobster sauce was great. I only ate half as portion is big. My husband loves carbonara which is not in the menu. But waiter happily said he can make it for my husband. It was delicious (we both agreed on this). Place is quiet and you can really relax there. Wanted to try some desserts as I’m more of a sweet tooth but was so full I had to pass on it. Overall very good experience. Recommended.

Had the seafood ravioli in the lobster cream sauce and it was unbelievably good! My wife got the Tortellini di Carne and it was divine, her words. Bottom line: if you are looking for That restaurant where you won’t be disappointed, then this is your restaurant. Our waiter was Alfonso and he really took care of us! Perfect Valentines Day dinner!

We decided to come here for a nice dinner on a Saturday night. Made reservations and was seated right away. We were seated upstairs which I thought was very nice and cozy. I love the atmosphere and the ambiance of this restaurant. It’s very cute and romantic, perfect for a dinner date! I’m disappointed to give this place a 3 star because my expectations were pretty high. Food and wine was really good, everything was amazing but their service was really really slow. It was so disappointing because it took 15 minutes to get our menu and nearly an hour for our entrees to come out. We looked around and all the tables around us have already been settled half way through their meal. So they weren’t really that busy. We had to ask multiple times for bread. The servers seem to be forgetful. Towards the end it took us a while to get our check because our server was no where to be found. I would come back and give this place another try because food is really good. It’s just their service that is lacking a lot

Just dropped by for dinner tonight and got in with very minimal wait. The service was impeccable and food was delicious! We had linguine seafood and tortellini with meat. Both were delicious ending with wonderful chocolate cake. Been here before and each time very consistent service and quality. My go to favorite place!

We are visiting from Seattle and were highly impressed with the food! The Chilean Sea Bass special was amazing! Very generous portions and cooked perfectly. This meal is what we had hoped our anniversary dinner was like back home. The soufflé dessert was decadent and delicious. What a great experience!

Ordered the salmon pasta. Pasta had a reddish orange color from the sun dried tomatoes. Which was a nice feature ;-) Setting was quaint. A bit noisy at first. Service was ok. We thought the waiter was a bit aloof but he came around in the end. All and all just another pretty good Italian joint. Don’t know what else to say. Don’t imagine it really matters anyway.

Great menu with a great atmosphere. I appreciate the local fine dining feel. Cesar served and was very professional, friendly, and gracious. The butternut ravioli in brown butter and sage is a must appetizer. My dish was a simple pmodoro with a side of meatballs. Perfect yum!

Amazing, authentic Italian food. Top notch service and the best spumoni I have ever had. Will be back for sure.

Great Italian good. Loved the cheese risotto, lasagna is amazing and the tiramisu is great too. Always a good sign when they tell you even if something is not on the menu they will make it for you anyway. Always great food here.
Great service and always accommodating us when we bring the baby too.

Very Good!!! the food is yummy and the service was excellent! We have been here three different times and they were all great experiences!
I would recommend the fresh mozzarella appetizer and to dip it into the green sauce that comes with the bread because it is soooo good!

I’m leaving my review here after reaching out to Cucina Alessa three times and receiving no response.
Went to Cucina Alessa last week to celebrate my birthday with a dear friend. I consider Cucina Alessa to offer the best Italian dining around and speak highly of it to all my friends. As usual, the service was welcoming and warm. Just a touch of awkwardness at the start of the evening – the waiter spots our half-​folded Travelzoo voucher and states it doesn’t include his tip.
But at the end of the evening, the shock comes when we’re charged $ 26.75 for a $ 14.75 fettuccini alfredo. (photo here
) As our waiter did not return, we pointed out to another waiter that the shrimp/​chicken surcharge was in print as $ 3 on the menu… and were told Cucina Alessa charges *per shrimp*. Really, Cucina Alessa? Please note we were never asked how many to add.
We had no option but to pay in full – for their unfortunate choice. Mistakes happen. The problem is that Cucina Alessa refuses to acknowledge one.

Great venue for hosting a large party!
I scheduled a work dinner event this past week at Cucina Alessa and was very pleased with the outcome. They placed us on the second floor… almost felt private despite having some guest around us. Server was fantastic and the food was very tasty (I ordered a pasta dish with Chicken, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Mushrooms). I will definitely go back again!

1^st time here, came as a recommendation from one of the staff members at the Hilton water fronts!
By far one of the best customer service I’ve ever experienced, Jose the restaurant manager was so helpful and informative and made us feel right at home, our server rich was very knowledgeable of the menu and very quick on his feet!
As far as food quality:
One of the best places I’ve ever ate. Highly recommend this place if you’re in Huntington.

Cucina Alessa is legit Italian cuisine!
We came here for an early dinner and were seated promptly. We were seated upstairs right next to the windows. The ambience was on point; very elegant at the same time super relaxing!
The food is very very good.
The bread is soft and comes out piping hot as it should; it goes perfectly with the light pesto olive oil. So flavorful on its own.
As for my main dish, I went for the Conchiglie Gamberi E Asparagi upon recommendation. I’m soo glad I did because it was some of the best pasta I’ve had! The dish itself was rich — it comes with shell pasta, shrimp, and a red sauce which I could have literally drank a cup of on its own. It was that good. I was only able to finish a little less than half of my food and got the rest for takeaway because I didn’t want to feel overly stuffed. The leftovers were amazing as well! I’d also like to give a shoutout to the parmesan our waiter topped our food off with — it was so fresh and had much flavor.
If you don’t mind shrimp and a creamy sauce along with shell pasta — definitely get the Conchiglie Gamberi E Asparagi!
The staff was pretty attentive and filled our waters constantly. Upstairs, the level of noise was on the low side since there were only a few guests dining. Downstairs, it was a bit louder. I prefer upstairs because I enjoyed people watching and gazing out from time to time.
We were able to find parking in the neighborhood nearby easily.
Prices are a little on the higher side — without drinks, you should expect to pay around $ 25 including tip for the main dishes. You could probably even share a main dish and still be satisfied. I might do that next time.
Overall, delish Italian food and definitely will be back here!

Ich hatte richtig Lust auf Italienisches Essen. Der Laden von außen wirkt total süß und romantisch. Die Bedienung war sehr freundlich. Ich habe Ravioli mit Ricotta und Spinat probiert, dazu Tomaten Soße. Sehr lecker. Den Minuspunkt gibt es für den schrecklichen Fischgeruch.

I adore this place!!! It’s the perfect little romantic date spot. My fiancé and I have come here for our anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and my birthday. If you can request to be seated upstairs with Pepe as your waiter that will ensure a great experience; we have been lucky enough to get seated in his section every time and he is such a gentleman and professional.
For an appetizer we always get the di zucca ravioli it’s their butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce … To die for!!!
Also this place is a martini bar so I usually get a dirty martini :)
Bottom line it’s a great date spot and I will be back many many times
Cheers!!!

The best date nights are not just with the right person, but it is also when he takes care of everything from beginning to end.
It started raining when we had left for Huntington Beach so he called to push back reservations he made because of some light traffic and they were very accommodating. So that was a definite +1 star.
This was obviously my first time at Cucina Alessa but the hunny has been here several times. We were greeted nicely once we entered and seated right away.
So along side Brooke (our server) the head server and manager came to our table welcoming us. They were all so polite and we received our drinks in minutes.
Their bread was light and paired well with the olive oil pesto. And Chel washed it all down with some Stolichnaya on the rocks.
We started with calamari — light and crunchy. Yum
Secondly, we shared their Fragole– organic greens with sliced strawberries and walnuts, accompanied with roasted yellow beets drizzled with strawberry red wine vinaigrette. This was pleasantly very delish knowingly i am not a beets fan. And I even had seconds.
I decided to order their Pappardelle Al Sugo D’agnello– They make their Pappardelle in house and their seven hour slow cooked braised lamb shoulder was so tender and moist, and the dish was dressed with shaved ricotta salata. Very thick sauce so it wasn’t watery so yey! This was one of the most delicious meal I’ve had in a long time. Loved it!
He ordered their Ravioli D’aragosta which is stuffed ravioli with chunks of lobster in vodka cream sauce. Soooo amazingly delicious too!
Portions were very generous so we were able to share our plates.
«Room for dessert? «Brooke asked. Uh yeah! If only she knew who I was– you know, the one who can’t say NO to dessert!!!
Ricotta cheesecake with raspberries was his favorite– delish! The raspberry fused mango sauce on the side complimented the ricotta cheesecake well. And I ordered their Crème brûlée… ofcourse! Rich in texture and yummy on the palate, just like how a crème brûlée is suppose to taste like.
Albeit I wished the level of noise was a little bit more tone down, attentive staff and the amazing food more than made up for it. I was happy and stuffed!
Street parking. Courteous staff. Delicious Italian flavor. Full bar. Hell yea I’m coming back!

Today’s menu is not a newbie on the block, this Italian restaurant has been a mainstay in beach cities for a hot minute; however it’s taken me years to finally commit to dining at the cucina. Voted Best Italian Restaurant in Orange County, Alessá features homemade pastas, pizzas, and a pretty popular happy hour that locals rave about. While I admit, Italian is probably my LEAST favorite type of cuisine (you can thank the high calorie count for that) I do loves me a heavy carb sesh once in a blue moon. Couple that with bottomless bruschetta and you’ve got yourself a date honey!
Bruschetta Al Pomodoro with roma tomatoes, basil, and garlic served with focaccetta. Thin and chewy, with all the makings of a great appetizer when loaded with parmesan and fragrant herbed tomatoes. Their house focaccia is pretty bomb as well so between the two, you’d have bread for days.
Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes. So delish! Easily my favorite dish we ordered that evening I dunno if that’s saying a lot or a little. The tomatoes were beautifully sliced, paper thin with a generous glazing of balsamic drizzled throughout. I fill up my bruschetta and sandwich pieces of burrata/​tomatoes/​arugula like a wrap. Who needs pizza when you’ve got this party pocket?
Pizza Di Parma with buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, parma, prosciutto, and arugula. Apparently le bf does, lol. He’s a pizza connoisseur, what can I say? I’m sorry but this pie PALED in comparison to their bruschetta and house bread. The hand tossed crust was not crunchy/​crusty in the least, kinda flimsy actually, and the toppings seemed sad just wilting away beneath the tower of arugula. Total PASS!
Conchiglie Gamberi E Asparagi: Seashell pasta with shrimp and asparagus tossed in light lobster cream sauce. I’m allergic to lobster so I didn’t get to taste test my gf’s dish but she said it was «really good.» Sorry, that’s all I’ve got for this one, lol.
Pappardelle Al Sugo D’agnello with ribbon-​shaped pasta, slow-​cooked braised lamb shoulder, shaved ricotta salata. I swear I scan all menus for keywords like «slow-​cooked» (YES!), «braised» (YESS!), and «charred» (2 outta 3 ain’t bad!), so I knew this was the winner for me. Just a warning: Alessá’s pastas are made SUPER duper al dente. Almost on the tip of slightly undercooked if you ask me. Although the flavors were rich and well seasoned, and the protein generously rationed at a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ ratio to the pasta, I couldn’t take more than 3 bites it was so filling. I realized at this point that I like my pasta cooked just a tad bit longer, favoring the chew over the bite
Homemade meat ravioli with Bolognese sauce topped with pecorino cheese. This was le bf’s dish and while I had the same issues of doneness with my pappardelle, I have to admit, these suckers reheat like a dream! After having boxed both our dishes togo, I microwaved these for lunch the next day and they were BOMB​.COM! The pastas were chewy just the way I like them. They tasted more homemade at home than they did when dining out. True indication that Cucina Alessá is a better take-​out option than dine-​in spot. Just sayin’.
House Special Pork Chop: The best dish on tonight’s menu. Look at that thing! Juicy and tender, smoked and charred in all the right places. Although the sauce was a tad bit on the sweet side, the fresh greens and side potatoes soaked it up just beautifully.
*Insider’s tip: Cucina Alessá is located on the north end of Main Street in Huntington Beach. You can walk another 5 minutes towards the pier for after dinner drinks at the dozens of bars scattered up and down the strip. Wine, they know. Cocktails, a complete miss. I couldn’t even get them to make me a decent tequila/​soda mixed drink. How hard is that? So I’d stay for dinner and migrate for drinks.
While the cuisine at Alessá features traditional Tuscan flavors and style of cooking, I’d much rather prefer Cucina Enoteca’s modern approach to Italian classics. Plus Enoteca’s ambience is much more suitable for a socializing hotspot whereas Alessá is more «dinner after a long workday» kinda meal. Ya know what I mean? Cozy and comforting, I imagine that’s the draw for locals. But I hear their Newport Beach scene is livelier than HB’s so the verdict is out until I can complete a side-​by-​side taste test. Stay tuned.*
Bön Appétit mes amis!

Went to this restraunt last summer on spring break on a whim and loved it!
I just spend 20 mins searching for it to make sure when im back in cali in may ill go for sure (:
Fettuccini with fresh pasta is to die for!

I’ve been to their original location in Newport Beach years and years ago. I remember that location being delicious. I’m not sure if over the years the popularity has increased and the food quality has decreased (like so many other places)? Or possibly this location just isn’t as good as the original? Or perhaps, now that I’m older, my tastebuds are just more sophisticated?
At first, we were off to a great start. They have an outside patio with heaters where they allow dogs. With a flick of the switch, the heaters were on and a dog bowl of fresh water came out along with our drinks. We placed our appetizer order for the butternut squash ravioli. Soon after, fresh bread and a pesto dipping sauce came out. Yum.
All was good… Until we realized we had finished our ravioli (delicious, by the way) and our server was nowhere in sight and we still had not placed our order. He meandered on over maybe 10 minutes after we finished our appetizer? Because there was such a lag time from when we ordered our appetizer and when we ordered our entrees, we probably had to wait another 30+ minutes for our entrees to come out. A food runner dropped off our lasagna and sausage pizza and we were disappointed with the quality, taste and temperature. Our server did not stop by our table to ask how we liked the food.
The pizza came out lukewarm, if that. The crust was a bit soggy and the toppings didn’t look or taste like what a gourmet price tag usually promises you. Whoever cut the pizza was also in quite a rush. Some slices were big and fat and others were the size you’d give a 3 year old. Poor presentation, taste, temperature and value.
The lasagna came out extremely hot — too hot to eat. The pasta sheets were overcooked and too soft. Once you tried to cut it into edible pieces, the whole thing just fell apart. It tasted like a frozen lasagna. This portion size was small for the price tag.
By this point, we were starving and our server never came around to refill our drinks or check on us/​our experience. I walked in expecting way better food and service than what we received. I would think that after years of establishing a reputation in Orange County, Cucina Alessa would have only gotten better over time. I was sadly mistaken and am truly disappointed.
Metered street parking only.

Came here for a birthday party of 15 people. We made reservations and got seated right away. Ambience and décor was very nice.
I ordered the Linguine Pescatore and it was exemplary! The sauce was delicious and complimented the clams and mussels perfectly! Portions were decent. Everything that was brought out to the table looked good as well! I would come again just to try the other options that they offer here.
Service was good. The waiter was definitely knowledgeable and explained to us every dish in detail.