Pizza D’Oro, a small restaurant with locations in Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and Huntington Beach, is definitely the place to go if you’re craving classic Abruzzi-Italian cuisine.
This little kitchen seems to be hidden amongst other restaurants and shops in its area, but once found, it’s an uncovered treasure. Don’t let the plain exterior fool you – the inside is classically decorated, from brick walls and grape vines to old paintings and plaid tablecloths. This interior design adds charm and authenticity to the dining experience.
When I went to Pizza D’Oro for the first time, it was in a group of seven people, and with groups of that size or larger, the price and waiting time for the entire meal usually increase. But not at Pizza D’Oro! The service there is quick and reliable, and rather than having to order separate plates for each person in your group, they offer a family special for about twenty dollars, which comes with enough bread, salad, spaghetti, and pizza to feed a table of up to fifteen people.
The garlic bread, which was brought (as tradition) before the rest of the meal, came as a whole loaf with melted cheese sprinkled on top. It was tasty but also a bit crunchy, although the texture may suit those who enjoy crunchier bread. The following salad was fresh and was served in a large bowl with chilled salad plates. Aside from the family special, our group ordered a plate of fried mozzarella. The appetizer consists of a large deep-fried ball of mozzarella cheese topped with tomato sauce – very unhealthy, but absolutely delicious.
Before we could even finish our two introductory dishes, the spaghetti arrived, steaming and covered in a thin marinara sauce. Although the noodles were cooked to perfection, the sauce hardly had any flavor, making the pasta taste plain and incomplete. So if you’re picky with spaghetti but you want the family special, an extra two dollars will get you a large plate of lasagna, which will also feed your whole group.
Lastly comes the pizza. This Italian pie finally settles the thin-crust versus thick-crust debate, as its edge is right in between the two. Pepperoni was our one free topping of choice, and it added to the pizza’s tomato-and-cheese flavor. The whole meal left us satisfied and with multiple boxes of leftovers, which tasted just as delicious for lunch the next day.
With its great group prices, authentic flavor, and adorable interior, Pizza D’Oro is definitely one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve been to. Individual dishes are averagely priced, which makes the little restaurant ideal for date nights as well. Buon appetito!
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