Restaurant:
Bruno’s Italian Kitchen
210 W Birch St.
Brea, CA 92821

Hello and Welcome to another edition of Restaurant Reviews!
Today, we’re taking a look at an award winning Italian restaurant that can very well be considered the best Italian Restaurant in all of Southern California.

ABOUT THE RESTAURANT

Bruno’s Italian Kitchen is an Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown Brea. They specialize in traditional Italian dishes including home-made meatballs, pastas, seafood and steaks and also have a various selection of wines and cocktails. The interior is intimate and trendy and is a great spot to eat out with the family or take your significant other on a romantic date. In 2015, Bruno’s was awarded ‘The Best Italian Restaurant in Orange County’ by the Orange County Register and has since been a hotspot for the city of Brea.

We were a bit lucky that we happened to come in during ‘Dine OC’ which is a once-a-year week long event where high end restaurants throughout Orange County offer special discounts and course meals to incentivize customers to come and try their restaurant. Bruno’s consistently has one of the best deals during this week event offering a 3 Course Meal with a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert all for $30.

As all good Italian restaurants do, they started out the meal with some fantastic bread with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

_{*Disclaimer: This restaurant was extremely dark and and my phone had some trouble focusing so I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos.}

THE DRINKS

1. Fragola

Description:

Cocktail made with Vodka, Fresh Strawberries, Balsamic Syrup, and Lemon

Review:

Although cocktails weren’t part of the dine OC course, it was date night for us so I thought we would start with some drinks. My girlfriend and I both prefer drinks on the sweeter side (when it comes to cocktails) so we typically look for drinks with an interesting concoction of fruits and this fragola caught our eye.

The cocktail had a lovely red hue and after taking the first sip, there was a pleasant sweetness from the fresh strawberries and balsamic syrup. Although I didn’t really notice any distinct, unique taste from the use of balsamic syrup, the strawberry flavor and level of sweetness was perfectly balanced. The cocktail had a very refreshing aspect and the alcohol taste wasn’t overbearing. Unless you absolutely despise strawberries, I don’t see anyone really disliking this cocktail.

Result:

Refreshing and pleasantly sweet. 10/10.

2. Lambosco Martini

Description:

A martini cocktail made with Blackberries, Fragoli Liqueur, Lime, Lambrusco, and Vodka

Review:

Because the first cocktail was so great, we were sure this one would be too. Unfortunately, this drink was a bit…different. The cocktail had a frothy layer on top which was actually pleasant, and despite having three different types of liquors, the alcohol taste wasn’t overbearing. However, there was hardly any sweetness and the martini had a very strange aroma that I can only really describe as something like a freshly cleaned sink. I know that’s a strange description for a cocktail, but that is the first thing that came to mind when I first tried this drink.

Result:

May not be as bad as I made it sound, but definitely not my favorite. 3/10.

APPETIZERS

1. Polpette (Italian Meatballs)

Description:

Italian meatballs with a homemade Tomato Sauce, Fresh Basil, and Riccota Salata.

Review:

I honestly wasn’t expecting too much because of how simple this dish sounded, but the more I ate it, the more it blew me away how such a simple plate of meatballs could be so flavorful and addicting. The meatballs were cooked perfectly and had a bit of a char on the outside that gave it that crispy meaty exterior. The freshness of the tomatoes kept the sauce perfectly light and balanced while the basil and riccota cheese brought the whole dish together adding that herby and salty goodness.

Result:

One of the best meatballs I have ever tasted. 9.5/10

2. PEI Mussels

Description:

Steamed Mussels in a prosecco wine broth with garlic, preserved lemons, fresh herbs, and a touch of chili flakes

Review:

Ever since the first time I tried this dish at Bruno’s a few years back, it made me obsessed with steamed mussels and now I feel obligated to order it whenever a restaurant has it on their menu. Although I’ve tried a few places that had some pretty solid mussels, none of them seem to really compare to the one they serve here. The garlicky and lemony prosecco broth pairs really nicely with the fresh mussels and the fresh herbs used (which is what makes the broth green) adds that extra layer of depth in flavor that makes this dish so addicting.

Result:

Make sure to dip some bread in the broth. I guarantee you won’t be able to stop. 9.5/10.

ENTREES

1. Seafood Linguine

Description:

Homemade linguine Pasta with Shrimp, Clams, Mussels, and Squid in a Tomato and Herb Broth

Review:

I usually get a little disappointed when it comes to seafood linguines because they always seem to be too light and a bit lacking in the flavor department. This was the first time this wasn’t the case because I truly believe Bruno’s has THE BEST seafood linguine. The broth is still pleasantly light but has a punchy seafood flavor that is seasoned very well with the tomatoes and herbs. All the seafood is extremely fresh and the pasta noodles are perfectly al dente. An A+ dish for sure.

Result:

Perfect 10/10.

2. Prime Flat Iron Steak

Description:

Grilled flat iron steak served with roasted Yukon gold potatoes, garlicy spinach, and balsamic marinated cipollino onions.

Review:

The steak was an extra $5 from the regular course meal price, but it was absolutely worth it. The steak was perfectly medium rare and was very tender throughout. I will say that the steak doesn’t quite have that strong beef flavor you get in dry aged steaks, but when paired with the balsamic cipollino onions, there is a nice punchy, vinegary flavor that actually complements the steak quite nicely. This is overall a simple but very well executed dish.

Result:

Great steak and even better with the balsamic cipollino onions. 9/10.

DESSERTS

1. Raspberry Brown Butter Torte

Description:

Brown Butter Shortbread Tart with Limoncello Pastry Cream topped with fresh raspberries and salted caramel

Review:

Homemade Limoncello (Italian Lemon Liqueur) seems to be their thing because there were multiple desserts and cocktails on the menu that used this homemade limoncello. I can see why because their limoncello pastry cream was actually pretty darn good. The pastry cream was bright and tart and had a smooth and silky consistency. I’m usually not a big fan of tarts because they tend to be a bit dry but this one actually worked very well with the limoncello pastry cream. The raspberries were sweet and ripe and along with the salted caramel, added the perfect sweet balance to the tart of the limoncello.

Result:

Highly Recommend 9/10.

2. Pistachio Gelato

Description:

Pistachio Gelato with almond cookie

Review:

We actually wanted to try some of their other desserts, but because they ran out of a lot of them on this particular night, we decided to go with some classic pistachio gelato (you know I love ice cream...). I’m not sure if they left it on the counter for a while but the ice cream was a bit melted when we received it (although looking at the picture now, it’s kind of oddly satisfying). The gelato was pretty standard and I’m not sure if they make this in house or not, but the almond cookie that comes with the ice cream was definitely a nice touch.

Result:

Just standard, but it's what just what you would expect from a normal gelato. 7/10.

OVERALL RATING

I've been to a good number of Italian Restaurants in Southern California and none of them seem to quite compare to the quality and ambience that Bruno's Italian Kitchen offers. The food is consistent, their service is great, and the atmosphere is romantically intimate (although maybe a little too darn dark in the corner we were placed for taking pictures...). I've had the pleasure of meeting the owner on my first visit and he is also extremely welcoming and kind. If you're in the area and looking for some authentic Italian food, I highly recommend this restaurant (especially during Dine OC Week).

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