Alza Italian Kitchen

Excellent customer service, premier food quality, delightful vibes! Sadie is my favorite server - she make us feel like we are VIP every time! Sunday brunch with Sadie, Alza and music love it.

11/10 went out to a local bar that didn’t have food and got hungry with a friend. Michael our server explained the menu and wine list so well. I couldn’t decide what to order and asked Michael what was his favorite. Was not disappointed. Alza just got 2 new regulars.

Perfect date night ! Live music which really set the mood and continued to create a good atmosphere with great costumer service , great food , and overall great experience. Wife and I loved it . Will we be going again ? Yes, highly recommend if in the mood for some good eats.

What a find! We wanted to try a new place and we hit the jackpot. Our Strawberry Salad, Tuscan flatbread and personal pizza were all delicious. The service was great. On the weekends they have live music and our trio did a fine job. Fun and relaxing. My only complaint is their iced tea, which was full of tannins. They need to fix that but otherwise, the wine list was decent and they have my Dr. Pepper. Friendly staff and they had no problem keeping our water glasses full. Go have some fun and eat up because the prices are very reasonable.

As a long time regular of Alza for the last three years the improvements have been phenomenal. Chef Scott, former corporate chef of Salt Creek and Great Maple, has done the most delightful job of renovating classic recipes to be flavorful treats. Highly recommend trying the new meatballs and the marinara! Monica, is an amazing bartender whose customer service is absolutely unparalleled. Edgar, bar manager, has reinvented the cocktail menu to create masterpiece Mocktails. The artwork that has been installed by a local artist has been one of the best finishing touches that truly gives you a feel that you can dine here in large a large group. Whether you are hosting a holiday corporate luncheon, a pta event, or just simply dining by yourself; you feel welcome. Keep up the amazing job!

Food was amazing! Deals were great, TV options for Thursday football GREAT! Will be back for wine Wednesday (50% off bottles) for sure! Our server Monica was a rockstar!

What an awesome experience! Food was amazing, especially the bacon risotto - an absolute must! The service was exceptional! The patio was a great spot to enjoy live music, have a drink and enjoy a delicious dinner. If you haven't been, you're missing out.

Love this place! The patio is a great place to hang out and watch some really good live music. My favorite are the meatballs and the pizza

Family-owned feel, yet the menu has a refined edge; we appreciated the vegan options and thought the price was fair.

The cocktails were inventive and the wine list impressive- the full dining experience really elevated our night out.

The chefs clearly pay attention to detail - our stuffed mushrooms and burrata salad were beautifully crafted and delicious.

The cozy patio with live music and inviting ambiance made our dinner feel special- plus the pizza and pasta were outstanding.

What a wonderful evening and dining experience at Alza Italian Kitchen in RSM. We were greeted by the lovely hostesses and seated at a nice high top inside. The outdoor patio was hopping and the musician was fantastic. We started with margaritas and the stuffed mushrooms which were excellent. Reigna was our amazing server and so nice, professional and kind. We ordered our entrees with my wife selecting the linguine with shrimp and I had the creamy arriabata with sausage. The food was nicely prepared and presented as well as delicious. We also met Ryan the GM who was very personable and quite professional. Scott the chef also came out and was so kind and spoke of his 48 years of experience in the kitchen and his creations are definitely worth the visit as we highly recommend this fine establishment. Tamara was a sweetheart and quite professional while delivering our bread and entrees. Vidal ensured that our table was clean and orderly. The TVs inside give a wide array of choices and Go Dodgers, yes both playoff games were on. We finished with coffee and their in-house made cheesecake which was fantastic. I highly recommend this amazing place and they serve breakfast on the weekend and have awesome happy hour specials weekly and live entertainment. I will be back and hope to see all my Yelpers there as well. Previous review Had a nice lunch today at Alza in RSM to take a break from shopping. We sat at the bar, and Bryce was our server-bartender extraordinare. The ambiance was positive and uplifting, and Bryce provided stellar service. We both had Don Julio Blanco with club soda and three limes muddled and mint, which were made to perfection. We ordered lunch, and my wife had the grilled chicken panini with a house salad, and I had the eggplant parmesean with a house salad. Both dishes were prepared and presented well and tasted very good. Talking with Bryce, he noted that they also have entertainment, and we will definitely be back. Highly recommended

Alza is one of my favorite places in RSM - the best pet-friendly pario with cozy couches & fire tables , and the most amazing food & service ! GM Ryan & team ensure an incredible experience every time - The Chef Scott visits the tables too ! The cauliflower pizza and dirty martini are must haves . Monica , Emily, Mike, Edgar and all team at Alza - Cheers to you !!

Super friendly staff very cozy atmosphere, and the food was delicious.

Cute little italian restaurant in the heart of Rancho Santa Margarita. The staff were all super nice and friendly. Our food was very delicious and came quickly. Be sure to check out their happy hour menu and special deals for each day.

Went for my birthday and we had Emily as our server and she was amazing. She had great recommendations and service was great. She was so nice and was great with our son, totally interacted with him and treated him like part of the table and not just a kid who is tagging along. Will definitely be going back and definitely will be asking for Emily again.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first time dining in at this restaurant!! The food was delicious, the servers were accommodating, and the vibes were immaculate. Definitely would recommend to people looking to eat Italian food in SoCal; Ramon is the best!!

We had lunch there with our family at work, 11 of us. All of us loved the food!! We had stuffed mushrooms, garlic bread, calamari, spaghetti marinara, Alfredo pasta, ravioli, etc. Our server, Mr. Edgar from the very beginning was very welcoming and accommodating. He made a huge difference in making everything so smooth, he was very polite, attentive and explained to us in details with everyone’s dietary preferences. Best part for me being vegetarian, the noodles come from Italy and has no eggs in it. A lot of Vegetarian options!! And deserts are made in house!! A big thanks!!! And highly recommended!!

Wow! This was amazing! The restaurant Is spacious with booths and table tops. You can eat outside under heat lamps if you choose. Our server was kind, and knowledgeable on the food which was excellent as everything on the menu sounded great so guidance was helpful. Tonight I decided to try the chipotle shrimp flatbread with a Cesar salad! Mm mmm mm flavor galore! My daughter went with the spaghetti, mother-in-law went with the piccata and partner went with chicken Parm everyone is extremely pleased! We will be coming back.

I was not planning on dining here today but I heard the music and decided to change plans! The burrata board was new on the menu and I decided to try it. It was exactly as described. The sparkling wine from new Mexico was great. Pierce was a very professional server. I appreciate it that the hostess didn't mind finding room for ONE and made me feel very welcome. Kudos to all!

Teresa McKenna

Alza is one of my favorite places in RSM - the best pet-friendly pario with cozy couches & fire tables , and the most amazing food & service ! GM Ryan & team ensure an incredible experience every time - The Chef Scott visits the tables too ! The cauliflower pizza and dirty martini are must haves . Monica , Emily, Mike, Edgar and all team at Alza - Cheers to you !!

Casey Palacios

Went for my birthday and we had Emily as our server and she was amazing. She had great recommendations and service was great. She was so nice and was great with our son, totally interacted with him and treated him like part of the table and not just a kid who is tagging along. Will definitely be going back and definitely will be asking for Emily again.

George U.

What a wonderful evening and dining experience at Alza Italian Kitchen in RSM. We were greeted by the lovely hostesses and seated at a nice high top inside. The outdoor patio was hopping and the musician was fantastic. We started with margaritas and the stuffed mushrooms which were excellent. Reigna was our amazing server and so nice, professional and kind. We ordered our entrees with my wife selecting the linguine with shrimp and I had the creamy arriabata with sausage. The food was nicely prepared and presented as well as delicious. We also met Ryan the GM who was very personable and quite professional. Scott the chef also came out and was so kind and spoke of his 48 years of experience in the kitchen and his creations are definitely worth the visit as we highly recommend this fine establishment. Tamara was a sweetheart and quite professional while delivering our bread and entrees. Vidal ensured that our table was clean and orderly. The TVs inside give a wide array of choices and Go Dodgers, yes both playoff games were on. We finished with coffee and their in-house made cheesecake which was fantastic. I highly recommend this amazing place and they serve breakfast on the weekend and have awesome happy hour specials weekly and live entertainment. I will be back and hope to see all my Yelpers there as well. Previous review Had a nice lunch today at Alza in RSM to take a break from shopping. We sat at the bar, and Bryce was our server-bartender extraordinare. The ambiance was positive and uplifting, and Bryce provided stellar service. We both had Don Julio Blanco with club soda and three limes muddled and mint, which were made to perfection. We ordered lunch, and my wife had the grilled chicken panini with a house salad, and I had the eggplant parmesean with a house salad. Both dishes were prepared and presented well and tasted very good. Talking with Bryce, he noted that they also have entertainment, and we will definitely be back. Highly recommended

Naomi R

Super friendly staff very cozy atmosphere, and the food was delicious.

Megan

Cute little italian restaurant in the heart of Rancho Santa Margarita. The staff were all super nice and friendly. Our food was very delicious and came quickly. Be sure to check out their happy hour menu and special deals for each day.

Carlos Co

I thoroughly enjoyed my first time dining in at this restaurant!! The food was delicious, the servers were accommodating, and the vibes were immaculate. Definitely would recommend to people looking to eat Italian food in SoCal; Ramon is the best!!

Yumi Padhiyar

We had lunch there with our family at work, 11 of us. All of us loved the food!! We had stuffed mushrooms, garlic bread, calamari, spaghetti marinara, Alfredo pasta, ravioli, etc. Our server, Mr. Edgar from the very beginning was very welcoming and accommodating. He made a huge difference in making everything so smooth, he was very polite, attentive and explained to us in details with everyone’s dietary preferences. Best part for me being vegetarian, the noodles come from Italy and has no eggs in it. A lot of Vegetarian options!! And deserts are made in house!! A big thanks!!! And highly recommended!!

Allison Brooks

Wow! This was amazing! The restaurant Is spacious with booths and table tops. You can eat outside under heat lamps if you choose. Our server was kind, and knowledgeable on the food which was excellent as everything on the menu sounded great so guidance was helpful. Tonight I decided to try the chipotle shrimp flatbread with a Cesar salad! Mm mmm mm flavor galore! My daughter went with the spaghetti, mother-in-law went with the piccata and partner went with chicken Parm everyone is extremely pleased! We will be coming back.

Carla L

I was not planning on dining here today but I heard the music and decided to change plans! The burrata board was new on the menu and I decided to try it. It was exactly as described. The sparkling wine from new Mexico was great. Pierce was a very professional server. I appreciate it that the hostess didn't mind finding room for ONE and made me feel very welcome. Kudos to all!

Just recently stopped in for brunch as I was in the area again. Ben did an absolutely amazing job today. Quick and timely, great attitude. I have been twice now over the last several months as I live out of state and highly recommend. You will not be disappointed in service or food. Thanks a bunch for great attitude and atmosphere. I hope to visit again soon!" Thanks again Ben, you were awesome!

We are from out of town and wanted to try a new pizza place. After reading reviews, I chose Alta RSM . The man who was working the counter was so friendly and helpful, I can’t say enough! The pizza was very good, the crust/dough delicious plus I got minestrone soup and it was some of the best I have ever received thru any takeout- EVER. Thank you Alza!

Came here for brunch and left very satisfied. The atmosphere was great as well as the service. I ordered their classic Benedict and was not disappointed. Everything was very flavorful and perfectly cooked. Even though I didn't have a drink, they have a great list and selection of alcohol drinks.

Chris Cracraft

Just recently stopped in for brunch as I was in the area again. Ben did an absolutely amazing job today. Quick and timely, great attitude. I have been twice now over the last several months as I live out of state and highly recommend. You will not be disappointed in service or food. Thanks a bunch for great attitude and atmosphere. I hope to visit again soon!" Thanks again Ben, you were awesome!

Rose Kurutz

We are from out of town and wanted to try a new pizza place. After reading reviews, I chose Alta RSM . The man who was working the counter was so friendly and helpful, I can’t say enough! The pizza was very good, the crust/dough delicious plus I got minestrone soup and it was some of the best I have ever received thru any takeout- EVER. Thank you Alza!

Matt Ricketts

Came here for brunch and left very satisfied. The atmosphere was great as well as the service. I ordered their classic Benedict and was not disappointed. Everything was very flavorful and perfectly cooked. Even though I didn't have a drink, they have a great list and selection of alcohol drinks.

Enjoyable experience at the restaurant - friendly staff and a pleasant atmosphere. While the food was good, it fell short of excellence. Still, a positive overall impression.

A favorite for my daughter and her family. I wasn't sure how the chicken piccata would be in a restaurant that's not exactly fine dining. I was pleasantly surprised both by the quantity, three thin chicken breasts, the pasta with it, the capers, the sauce but also by the flavor. One of my granddaughters had a nice small pizza and it was delicious. Everyone else seemed happy too. I would certainly return!

Outdoor and indoor dining. I chose the outdoors and it was perfect. Great ambiance and great service. Live outdoor entertainment/music. Good wine and beer options.

+6

Food is below average, service is OK, but vibes are 10/10. If they can increase the food quality and attentiveness of the service, this spot could be stellar!

The pizza was outstanding. Meatballs were very good. The cannaloni was just ok, would not get that again. The waiter was very personable but lacking on details like plates, twice. There was live music, which was good, but overall the place was very loud. Kid friendly for sure. Was cold inside that day so not overly comfortable. I am thinking order for pick up. Note, we ordered a Prosciutto, tomato and burrata pizza, the wife said it was the best pizza she ever had, the crust was outstanding.

Sharing as I came in on a night where it was not a normal night (winter formal for the local high school). This restaurant has pretty decent food although there were some flaws with regard to service and overall ambiance. At the corner of the restaurant was an employee catch-all table that was littered with jackets, water bottles and random items. Walking by this really had me in question. Also, booths seem tiny and confined. I would recommend sitting either at the bar or high top table when visiting. I did not try the pizza but was told it has a nice crust.

T R Ross

The pizza was outstanding. Meatballs were very good. The cannaloni was just ok, would not get that again. The waiter was very personable but lacking on details like plates, twice. There was live music, which was good, but overall the place was very loud. Kid friendly for sure. Was cold inside that day so not overly comfortable. I am thinking order for pick up. Note, we ordered a Prosciutto, tomato and burrata pizza, the wife said it was the best pizza she ever had, the crust was outstanding.

Michelle Lupinetti

Sharing as I came in on a night where it was not a normal night (winter formal for the local high school). This restaurant has pretty decent food although there were some flaws with regard to service and overall ambiance. At the corner of the restaurant was an employee catch-all table that was littered with jackets, water bottles and random items. Walking by this really had me in question. Also, booths seem tiny and confined. I would recommend sitting either at the bar or high top table when visiting. I did not try the pizza but was told it has a nice crust.

I write this review with mixed feelings. The restaurant scored on a number of things and yet failed on others. The food was very good, which was the bright spot. The misses were that they were under staffed for a busy night and there were kids racing around everywhere in front and inside the restaurant throughout the night. The hostess was very nice and tried her hardest, but was hyperventilating as she tried to get everyone seated and cared for. The waiter was so busy that It was very difficult to even get water poured. The kids from who knows where took over, throwing footballs and riding scooters at high speed in front of the restaurant...so bad that patrons had to dodge out of the way on occasion. Th kids then came into the restaurant in shorts and t-shirts, all sweaty and wandered around the tables. Also, there is no soundproofing on the ceiling, so it is extremely noisy and you had to yell to your date to be heard. But, the food was good.

Mark T

I write this review with mixed feelings. The restaurant scored on a number of things and yet failed on others. The food was very good, which was the bright spot. The misses were that they were under staffed for a busy night and there were kids racing around everywhere in front and inside the restaurant throughout the night. The hostess was very nice and tried her hardest, but was hyperventilating as she tried to get everyone seated and cared for. The waiter was so busy that It was very difficult to even get water poured. The kids from who knows where took over, throwing footballs and riding scooters at high speed in front of the restaurant...so bad that patrons had to dodge out of the way on occasion. Th kids then came into the restaurant in shorts and t-shirts, all sweaty and wandered around the tables. Also, there is no soundproofing on the ceiling, so it is extremely noisy and you had to yell to your date to be heard. But, the food was good.

Bbq chicken pizza was really dried out, and we sent back the second pizza because it was just bad. $27 for each pizza just not worth it.

First impressions matter. Place is clean and plenty of nice decor. Ambient feels like a sports bar not a fine dining spot. Appetizers came after our meals. Not impressed with their mix drinks. Food was blend and cold. Waiter offered bread but forgot to provide it. They have plenty of competition around. Step up your game. I will update if things change. Enjoy!

I was happy to see a new restaurant in RSM and decided to meet a friend there for dinner. When I first walked up, I waited quite some time for a hostess. When no one showed up, I went inside to speak with the gentleman behind the cash register. He seemed bothered that I was asking about getting seated. There were only 2 tables with customers and a few folks at the bar so I wasn't sure why he seemed annoyed. I asked to be seated outside and he said sit anywhere I want and he'll get menus. We sat at a table which we had to clean ourselves. When my friend and I ordered, it took about 20 minutes to get our meal. I wanted clams but was told later they didn't have enough clams to fulfill my order. The only saving grace to the evening was the food was delicious. I love supporting local businesses, especially now, and I hope they can train their staff on good customer service. During this challenging time, I would hope there would be more appreciation for customers who chose to give them business. Especially a new restaurant.

H DLT

First impressions matter. Place is clean and plenty of nice decor. Ambient feels like a sports bar not a fine dining spot. Appetizers came after our meals. Not impressed with their mix drinks. Food was blend and cold. Waiter offered bread but forgot to provide it. They have plenty of competition around. Step up your game. I will update if things change. Enjoy!

Anne

I was happy to see a new restaurant in RSM and decided to meet a friend there for dinner. When I first walked up, I waited quite some time for a hostess. When no one showed up, I went inside to speak with the gentleman behind the cash register. He seemed bothered that I was asking about getting seated. There were only 2 tables with customers and a few folks at the bar so I wasn't sure why he seemed annoyed. I asked to be seated outside and he said sit anywhere I want and he'll get menus. We sat at a table which we had to clean ourselves. When my friend and I ordered, it took about 20 minutes to get our meal. I wanted clams but was told later they didn't have enough clams to fulfill my order. The only saving grace to the evening was the food was delicious. I love supporting local businesses, especially now, and I hope they can train their staff on good customer service. During this challenging time, I would hope there would be more appreciation for customers who chose to give them business. Especially a new restaurant.

I used to enjoy this place until they had a special event, had my reservation down but not for the event just as a regular attendee and wouldn't seat us for the event. I called within two minutes if an email to make the reservation, made it, told the 4 children we were going only for the restaurant to have made a mistake. I'm ok with mistakes if the management would have cared in the least but they didn't. I told them they were awful and haven't been back since. Kindness was totally lacking from management and it's amazing how awful the customer service was.

Not worth it! My wife wanted to try Alza Italian last night. Sat inside and we were literally one of three customers in the place. Took the waiter 15 mins just to get our drink order. Ordered fried mozzarella, and its the kind you get in the frozen section of the grocery store. Asked the waiter which meat dish the waiter would recommend, and of course it was the most expensive dish on the special menu. The filet mignon he recommended was the smallest peice of meat I have seen beside when I order burnt meat tips as an appetizer. Besides the tiny meat, they filled the plate with potatoes au-gratin and a forest of broccoli. Forget getting a second drink because the wait staff was too focused on talking to others. So I had to get up and go to the bar for that. If you want to have a lackluster overpriced meal with self service, this is your place!

Jennifer Russell

I used to enjoy this place until they had a special event, had my reservation down but not for the event just as a regular attendee and wouldn't seat us for the event. I called within two minutes if an email to make the reservation, made it, told the 4 children we were going only for the restaurant to have made a mistake. I'm ok with mistakes if the management would have cared in the least but they didn't. I told them they were awful and haven't been back since. Kindness was totally lacking from management and it's amazing how awful the customer service was.

Tom Pleickhardt

Not worth it! My wife wanted to try Alza Italian last night. Sat inside and we were literally one of three customers in the place. Took the waiter 15 mins just to get our drink order. Ordered fried mozzarella, and its the kind you get in the frozen section of the grocery store. Asked the waiter which meat dish the waiter would recommend, and of course it was the most expensive dish on the special menu. The filet mignon he recommended was the smallest peice of meat I have seen beside when I order burnt meat tips as an appetizer. Besides the tiny meat, they filled the plate with potatoes au-gratin and a forest of broccoli. Forget getting a second drink because the wait staff was too focused on talking to others. So I had to get up and go to the bar for that. If you want to have a lackluster overpriced meal with self service, this is your place!

I don’t post much about restaurants!! BUT, I ate at Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita tonight! The Bartender was amazing, friendly, and helpful, as for the food it was disgusting and I mean disgusting!! The Arancini was over fried, dry and tasteless!!They offered to comp it, wonderful!! So I thought I’d try my favorite, eggplant Parmesan BIG mistake again, disgusting, over breaded eggplant, cheese burned over the top of a large bed of overcooked pasta. So disappointed 😟 $40.00 later I’m going home hungry😢😢 can’t find decent Italian food in RSM😢😢

I took my daughter here for her birthday service was slow and food had no flavor. My drink had no liquor in it like it was watered down. I guess that's why it was empty on a Saturday night

Absolutely disgusting experience. We waited nearly an hour for our food, and when it finally arrived, there was a curly hair in the dish—which disturbingly looked like a pubic hair. I immediately called over the manager, who completely brushed it off. His response? “We’ll comp you a plate.” That’s it. No apology, no concern, no acknowledgment of how gross and unacceptable that is. To make things worse, he insisted we didn’t wait that long—claiming it wasn’t an hour and 20 minutes. Bold-faced lie. We were there, we know how long we waited. And not once did he address the actual issue: the hair in the food. I declined the free plate and dessert because that wasn’t the point. The issue is a complete lack of professionalism and basic hygiene standards, and a manager who clearly shouldn’t be in that position. If the owner of this place cares at all about their business, they need to take a serious look at who they’re putting in charge. Terrible service, unacceptable food hygiene, and absolutely no accountability. Never coming back.

My friend Giovani recommend this place so we had dinner there last night, anticipating a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, we were very disappoint for the following reasons. 1. I was the first to arrive, for a party of two. I was dressed casual smart. I requested to sit at a particular section. Mind you I had reservations. The "maitre'd" I.e. the person in charge of seating the customers refused, saying that there is a party. As the evening wore on, I noticed that She seated other better dressed couples at the section which I requested. Noticing this, i felt that she had treated my request unfairly. By the way, the party was in a completely different section. Hence her excuse to me held no substance. 2. The food was rather bland, and was only so so. However they try to elevate their food to a higher level by claiming that the the ingredients come from different regions of Italy. I frankly could not discern any difference, that justifies their exorbitant prices. Hahaha. It is a pure marketing gimmick. 3. The table that they seated us was ...hmmm beneath the level of a 2 star restaurant. A table totally without charm...a complete opposite of those tables inside their restaurant...which the matte d refused to sit us either. Our table felt like eating at a Diner. Except that it is multiple times more expensive at this restaurant. 4. We requested for forks for our desserts. Our waiter has the audacity to tell us that "you cannot eat this with a fork". Just bring it. It is not her place to tell us what we do. We are the paying customers. And yes, one can eat tiramisu with a fork. Try it sometime. All in all, it was a very disappointing experience. We will never go back again to this hoity-toity restaurant. Totally charmless. Slight contempt, very expensive. the manager came over and wasn't interested in fixing the situation. I could go on and on but I am definitely done with this place. Bye..

The food is bad, really bad. The portion is super small. The tortellini tastes and looks exactly like the one we got from the grocery store. The beef tastes overly salty. It’s a total waste of time and money. Save yourself $100 and go elsewhere. 2nd edition: it was the first time we tried this restaurant and apparently it’s going to be the last time. The owner’s response to customer’s feedback tells it all-making up stories to insult the customer after you give them a bad review? This is hilarious but also pathetic. I don’t need to say anything else.

F

The food is bad, really bad. The portion is super small. The tortellini tastes and looks exactly like the one we got from the grocery store. The beef tastes overly salty. It’s a total waste of time and money. Save yourself $100 and go elsewhere. 2nd edition: it was the first time we tried this restaurant and apparently it’s going to be the last time. The owner’s response to customer’s feedback tells it all-making up stories to insult the customer after you give them a bad review? This is hilarious but also pathetic. I don’t need to say anything else.