Postino Park Place -Food CA (Near Irvine)

5 /5 Andrew W: Postino at Park Place is the kind of spot you walk into for a quick bite and end up staying far longer than planned. The atmosphere is upbeat but relaxed, with a stylish indoor bar and plenty of space to settle in with a glass of wine. It feels like the perfect neighborhood hangout—come for the signature bruschetta boards that Postino is known for. We ordered the bruschetta board, and every slice was a standout. The apple + brie combo was crisp and refreshing, the tomato bruschetta was bright and perfectly seasoned, the mozzarella and tomato was a classic done right, and the date + pistachio topping was rich and addictive. It’s the perfect shareable plate and surprisingly satisfying. The vibe is social and lively, but you can still hear the person across from you—always a plus. Postino is an easy place to return to again and again. It’s simply a great spot to unwind, snack, sip, and stay awhile.

3 /5 CritDicks: All of the reviews I had read are correct, just most of those reviews fail to accurately portray the experience of this very busy trendy eatery. So why the 3 stars. Because the experience was really not all that. Carbs and more carbs as everything was served atop bread or bread was included for dipping on each plate. I swear there must be one persons job in the kitchen to ensure all of the bread is grilled to perfection. It was perfect in every application. Yes, a persons Keto diet can eat everything else besides the toast, but the meal would be rather empty since the menu profile supports every method of serving grill-toasted bread. It seems rather obvious that sharing is the way to enjoy Postino, and be sure to take advantage of the everyday/all-day specials of the happy hour beers menu. I think ours was a $7 picture (32oz) of craft beer. Excellent for sharing during lunch. So we started off at 4 stars, but the noise level is high and it just got worse. As the crowd inside (neat decore BTW) got fuller, so did the outside patio area that faces the parking lot that sits below the takeoff and approach to, I think, John Wayne airport. We had helicopters, jets, small commercial and private planes overhead about every minute. So each time an aircraft would fly over, the now gathered lunch hour crowd would start talking louder. I think the music level was fine because all of the yelling made it barely audible. UNTIL, the Sysco restaurant refrigerated delivery truck parked in the lot directly behind my head (maybe not directly), about 40 feet away. One of the guests sitting with us was telling a story and when the truck showed up and parked with the refrigerator running, our story teller began yelling their story. We had mentioned to our server about the loud noise from the truck. His excuse was that the deliveries are supposed to be before the restaurant opening hours for the area, but “sometimes we just have to put up with the it”. The truck was there making our restaurant experience “very uncomfortable”, I told the server. Maybe these types of ‘trendy’ restaurants like the Shabu thing are just not to my likening. Too much self/customer involvement with the dining experience. Why do we tip so much? Dicks

5 /5 Katherine Hernandez: I had such a fun time at this vibey little wine bar that knows how to balance classy and cool. It’s the kind of spot where you feel a little fancy, but not in a “pinkies up” way—more like sip your drink, laugh too loud, and still fit right in kind of fancy. Let’s start with the star of the show: the bruschetta boards. Oh. My. Goodness. These weren’t your average bread-with-toppings situations—these were mini works of art. You get to choose four out of twelve different creations (yes, twelve). I went with the smoked salmon + pesto, warm artichoke spread, classic tomato-mozzarella-basil, and the sweet & spicy pepper jam with goat cheese. Each bite was a perfect little flavor explosion—familiar but upgraded, comforting yet exciting. Honestly, it felt less like eating and more like a tasting adventure. Now, I’ll admit—I’m not a wine girlie. But this place clearly takes its vino seriously. The selection was deep enough to impress a sommelier, while I stuck with a cocktail: a margarita with a black salt rim that was equal parts dramatic and delicious. The vibe itself sealed the deal for me. The decor leaned retro-cool with a wall covered in old radios, stereos, and boomboxes—like a hip time capsule with great lighting. Add in the mix of indoor, outdoor, and bar seating, plus the crowd (lots of young, energetic people, but not in an overwhelming way), and the whole place felt buzzy and alive. One note: this isn’t the place to come for giant entrées, but honestly? That bruschetta board was plenty filling, especially if you’re into the idea of grazing, chatting, and sipping instead of tackling a steak the size of your head. All in all, I’m so glad my friend dragged me here post-breakup—it turned out to be exactly the kind of night I needed: fun, delicious, and a little bit glamorous with just the right edge. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a spot that’s part wine bar, part hangout, and 100% good vibes.

5 /5 Jones Gabriella “Gabe”: Great food, ordered the prosciutto & brie pannini. Also ordered the meatball appetizers, hummus board & cauliflower, took most of it home. Food is delicious. Service: exceptional Atmosphere: Casual, modern but upscale

5 /5 Brad: We had such a wonderful evening at Prostino Park Place! We ordered the bruschetta, charcuterie, and meatballs, paired with a great glass of wine. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the charcuterie board was massive—definitely a showstopper. The service was outstanding, with three different staff members checking on us, all incredibly friendly and attentive. The outdoor seating made the experience even better. I’d go back in a heartbeat and highly recommend this spot!