Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen

Modoooo mutha effinnn mioooo.Haven't been in a couple months so naturally I've been jones'in for some rustic Italian. But don't worry, I've been here a ton at least a bakers dozen times.Food is delectable and location is crystal cove so you can't really beat that. Used to go with Kobe back in the day to practice my Italian. RIP mamba. This place is essentially a 4 or 4.5 overall but what puts them over the edge is that Jake Pappas used to work there and added a certain degree of credibility and rizz to the establishment that has since persisted. cibo eccellente!entrami nella pancia!!!

Ridiculously noisy and over-crowded with tables crammed into walkways, paired with poor service. Food was good but not good enough to offset the ambiance (or lack thereof). 20 minutes after our order was taken our waiter stopped by to apologize for the wait, but it was another 20 minutes before the food actually arrived. Our table was aggressively cleared by an unfriendly busboy who literally tossed our to-go bag back on the table.When I made our reservation I was asked if it was a special occasion, and I noted it was in fact my wife's birthday, but our server made no mention of it. When I finally asked about it as we were paying our bill, our server first said "No one told me anything about it." After checking, he then said, "It was actually right there in your reservation, I just missed it. My bad, I'll get you next time," Don't sweat it, Blake, there won't be a next time.

We'll start with the good: the pasta was good as was the burrateNow the not so good:The place is packed too packed...like there was less than 10 inches between our table and the one next to us-so much so that my bad was knocked off my chair.The noise level ridiculous-not because people were noisy just too many people. It felt like being in a busy market.The service was poor. We waited 45 minutes between ordering and arrival of pasta. My spouse made the reservation telling them it was my birthday-the waiter had no idea until my husband asked if he got that information as part of the reservation.They have a team of runners who deliver all the food and take your plates away. The runner cleared our plates so efficiently it made me feel like I overstayed my welcome.I cannot recommend this place. It could be great but their attentiveness to the customer and that its a meal not a transaction need serious attention and improvement.

Always the best in every way! Service and Delicious Italian offerings. From the cocktails salads pastas and entrees. We've never had a bad meal here. Lots of locals prove it

I usually get the Vongole, a delightful white pasta dish served with all open clams!! I love ordering this because I certainly can't make it at home. The sauce is juicy and buttery. I pair it with the Grigio making this an affordable and delectable night out! Also big points for free bread and the house pickled sliced mushroom appetizer.. it really is the icing on top

I really enjoyed my experience at this restaurant! Would definitely come back. This restaurant is located in a small shopping center (other stores include Banana Republic, Williams Sonoma, and Fetneh Blake Concept, as well as many other eateries). It is within walking distance of Crystal Cove State Park. There is a pretty big parking lot but parking can be tough to find in the evening. My party of two arrived around 6:30 PM on a Saturday and we were immediately seated. You can also make a reservation if you want to be safe.The ambiance is fancy but not too fancy, which I thought was perfect. Service was good. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and provided great recommendations. Food was served very quickly. We were started off with complimentary bread and mushrooms. Before we were able to finish that, our dishes started to come out.For an appetizer, we got an apple and candied walnut salad (I don't know the name because it was recommended by our waiter). The kitchen was able to serve the salad on two plates so that my friend and I could share the salad. The kitchen was very, very generous with the candied walnuts. Perhaps a little too generous as the walnuts made up almost half of the salad, but I appreciate that they didn't skimp on it. The capellini checa, which was also recommended by our waiter, was sooo good and well-flavored. I highly recommend it! We added shrimp for $9 and were given six good-sized shrimps. Portion size was goods I ended up bringing home about a third of my plate.In short, I would definitely come back here.

A shopping center full of restaurants and shopping, we seems like lots of parking that fills up fast, and it you bring you'll pass right by this wonderful Italian Restaurant.Luckily, we joined some friends here for dinner and it was a fantastic experience. The restaurant is open with lots of light (made it kinda warm inside and almost needed to wear sunglasses) coming in. Service was quick, friendly, and we were checked on frequently. I really enjoyed my food. Chicken Parm that filled with plate. Perfectly cooked and moisture chicken smothered in marinara sauce with potatoes and veggies. Very satisfying!

Had a great dinner here the other night with my girlfriend. Great food and outdoor ambiance with perfect summer weather. Love their outdoor patio. Started with their mushroom and bread app which is different than just bread and butter. I like mushrooms so this was a cool change. Had a tart taste to it. Started with the Shrimp Scampi app. Delicious and very fresh and hot shrimp. I got the Bolognese Pasta which is considered their best dish. And it was. Very delicious and flavorful. One of the best Bolognese pastas I've ever had. GF got the Pesto Chicken with Penne and pine nuts. It was so so. Not our favorite. Not pesto or creamy enough. Kind of bland and dry. If it wasn't for the sun dried tomatoes it would have been totally flavorless. Don't recommend this one. The Tiramisu was bomb. One of the best we've had. And we eat Tiramisu every time we go eat Italian. Highly recommend this dessert! Service was excellent. The bussers, runners and our server were very attentive to all the tables of the patio. Dine on the patio of the weather is nice. Very relaxing and chill atmosphere. Their wine list is very good. Plenty of good selection of cocktails and drinks. I had a glass of Chianti. Simple and light.

Part of the Crystal Cove Promenade Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen has gained popularity amongst locals for health-conscious Northern Italian cuisine made without the use of Butter or Cream, owner Gian Franco Bertolino having unfortunately failed the same concept in Pacific Palisades.Attended for a post-engagement dinner with fifteen guests, a lingering party delaying entry for several minutes, it was at a long table in the window that the party was seated to complimentary Bread and Mushrooms presented by an affable staff.Crowded but inviting, the sort of place it seems Real Housewives might dine at lunch, Appetizers and Entrees tread fairly basic terrain though prices seem quite fair for things like jumbo Shrimp Scampi or Lasagna featuring Housemade Pasta and convincing Bolognese Sauce.Less impressed by Short Rib Ragout, a lack of complexity despite tender Beef and the reported us of Burgundy Wine, better bites come from Penne with Chicken and Broccoli in Tomato-tinged Pesto plus Saturday-only Osso Bucco over creamy Risotto.Not offered a Dessert menu, the attendees of honor instead given three sweets on a platter that was passed around, none were particularly impressive though the Ricotta Cheesecake did match well to the remaining sips of a modernized Bees Knees.

My wife and I had dinner here and all the food was great, great tasting, hot, and the service friendly. The portion size generous and we were able take home the rest of our meals. I will caution you to get to the is restaurant on time or if you think you will be late call to let them know you will be late otherwise, your reservation will be canceled automatically. It is a very busy restaurant but worth the money. Thank you.