Quattro Caffe

Quattro Caffe Restaurant Review:

Quattro Caffè may be the best of OC restaurateur Antonio Cagnolo’s three South Coast Plaza eateries (the others are Antonello Ristorante and Antonello Espresso Bar). First off, the sophisticated bistro atmosphere attracts South Coast Plaza’s business folk, fashionistas and food-loving shoppers. Next, in-the-know foodies understand this place serves rustic, simple Italian dishes. Appetizers are big enough for the table to share, so start out with something light and refreshing, like the chilled calamari, shrimp and scallops tossed in a lemon dressing. We like the fresh salads and thin-crust pizzas, while house-made pastas yield satisfying meals, as do the simple steak and seafood dishes like filet mignon, breaded chicken breast or grilled salmon. Non-meat eaters will appreciate the solid list of vegetarian options, such as the gnocchi al pesto and the panino with oven-roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, grilled eggplant and mozzarella. The wine list offers good by-the-glass choices and an entire section of half-bottle Champagnes. The restaurant's solid lineup of martinis provides shoppers with a nice respite after a day of traipsing about the center's luxurious environs.