Renata's Cafe Italiano
227 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA
714-771-4740

This cozy bistro just off the Orange Circle attracts a loyal following of local diners.The owner is always bustling about, whipping up personalized Northern Italian fare. The focus is on homemade pastas and veal, chicken, seafood and eggplant specialties turned out as lovingly prepared versions of favorites like piccata, marsala, parmigiana and carbonara. The menu is ambitious for such a tiny place, and everything is made from scratch. Don't worry about getting enough to eat; you will. Entrees come with spaghetti and vegetables.

Hours: Mon.-Thu., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.;Fri., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 4-10 p.m.