Peppino's Brings Amore to South O.C.

The Garlic and Olive Oil sauce - just looking at it is
enough to say mamma mia!
(image via Peppino's Facebook page)

If you live in South Orange County, Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant is one of those places that you see advertised everywhere – in fact, I would easily argue that it’s fast becoming (if it hasn’t already) a local legend. Anybody who’s anybody has heard of Peppino’s or visited one of their locations (Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Aliso Viejo) at least once.

I’ve actually been to the one in Mission Viejo, in the shopping plaza located right on Lake Mission Viejo. I was treating a co-worker visiting from Sweden to a nice dinner and a friend suggested this Peppino’s. How could she not, a nice Italian meal with some wine, with a view of the lake is a great idea for entertaining out of town visitors.

Peppino’s has a vast selection that includes the Italian standards and some with a Peppino-esque flair, such as the Scampi Alla Peppino. Their website describes it as jumbo shrimp baked in a white wine sauce with fresh garlic and capers. It comes with a side of spaghetti and marinara sauce.

The Peppino's in Mission Viejo is right on the Mission Viejo
Lake - beautiful view, beautiful food!
(image via Peppino's Facebook Page)

I don’t remember what I ordered when I was there last, but looking at their menu now, I’m instantly drawn to their sauces: the Alla Pesco, which is fresh basil, ground pine nuts, garlic and olive oil with cream and Romano cheese sounds ridiculously good.  The other was the Garlic and Olive Oil, which is fresh garlic, basil, and olive oil tossed with fresh chopped tomatoes and Romano cheese. You can mix and match Peppino’s sauces and pastas, which run the gamut from spaghetti to rigatoni.

Checking out the Yelp reviews on the place, the restaurant fared okay, scoring 3.5 out of 5 stars (out of a total of 20 reviews). In 2009 they won first place for best Italian food, so it sounds like they have some faithful followers. I’m going to have re-visit the place one of these days, and enjoy one of the last afternoons in the summer reacquainting myself with the food and the spectacular view.

Peppino’s

27782 Vista Del Lago
Mission Viejo, CA 92692

(949) 859-9556