Monaco Italian Kitchen, the fourth concept from local restaurateur Tony Monaco, is officially opening Friday, April 25, at Eighteen Main in Irvine. Located at 2000 Main St., Suite 300, Monaco’s newest spot blends his Italian heritage with a modern approach to Italian cooking—serving lunch and dinner daily in a beautifully designed indoor-outdoor space.
The menu focuses on traditional Italian flavors with a fresh twist, including housemade doughs, specialty pastas, and sauces from scratch. Expect Neapolitan-style pizzas like the Bianca, Margherita and Diavola, all crafted after the team completed intensive training in Naples, Italy. They’re also serving Panuozzo Napoletano—pizza dough sandwiches filled with premium ingredients like pistachio pesto, bufala mozzarella, and ’nduja.
Pasta fans will love the selection of dishes like housemade Cappelletti en Brodo, Saffron Risotto, Cacio e Pepe, and Lamb Bolognese. The menu also features standout entrées like filet mignon, branzino, and braised lamb shank, along with fresh starters including arancini, beef tartare, grilled prawns, and a classic Caesar.
Drinks are just as thoughtful, with a cocktail list curated by Jason Friedman. Highlights include a fresh-pulled Espresso Martini, a bold Blue Cheese Martini with housemade olives and brine, and the Il Decision—a pear lemon drop. A full lineup of martinis, spritzes, aperitifs, and zero-proof options round out the bar program.
Monaco Italian Kitchen’s 4,500-square-foot space draws inspiration from Italian trattorias and Milan cafés—with warm wood details, a wraparound bar, and a stylish black-and-white tile floor that nods to classic Italian design.
Open daily for lunch and dinner: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Happy hour is launching soon.
Located at 2000 Main St., Suite 300, in Irvine.
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