Chef Alessandro Pirozzi opened his first restaurant in Orange County, California almost a decade ago. Combining his charming personality and time-honored family recipes Pirozzi created an authentic taste of Italy locally on Pacific Coast Highway.
Born in Naples, Italy, Pirozzi was the youngest of four children and the only boy. Growing up in a house full of girls was a constant challenge but fortunately for him, whenever the girls were teasing him, his grandmother, Nonna Ida, would rescue him and take him into the safety of her kitchen to help prepare dinner.
The kitchen became his sanctuary. He fell in love with the different aromas, flavors and learning the traditional techniques of preparing fresh homemade pasta. It was there that he learned the many secret family recipes and began his journey to become a Certified Italian Chef.
Nonna Ida taught him how to grow every herb and vegetable he needed for cooking in his own backyard. She also taught him the methods for preparing focaccia dough and exactly what it takes to make the bread rise and not deflate into worthless putty.
His family believed that fresh herbs were key to making the best possible foods. Alessandro maintained the herb garden and eventually began growing different types of tomatoes and squash, all of which would inevitably become part of his recipe for success in America. Today you will find an herb garden growing at each location.
Pirozzi’s passion for food and his quest to become certified became his way of life and prompted him to learn the cuisine from every region in Italy. He discovered regional secrets to impeccable pizza; mastered meat preparation, including the perfect veal saltimbocca and became versed in many different sauces.
Following the great success of the California Coastal City restaurants Pirozzi opened Mare Culinary Lounge in May 2012. Mare Culinary Lounge, the 2014 Golden Foodie award-winner for Best Italian in Orange County (OC Register), offers traditional Italian cuisine with Pirozzi’s unique flair. Mare serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and features a late night happy hour.
In Spring 2014 Pirozzi opened the newest culinary addition to his award-winning collection of Orange County restaurants.
Pirozzi Corona Del Mar features a wood burning oven meticulously handcrafted by artisans in Naples, Italy and imported especially for Alessandro.
The Corona Del Mar location, which is the only restaurant in Newport Beach certified authentic by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, features some of Alessandro’s handcrafted favorites as well as an extensive wine list, a prosciutto & mozzarella bar, 900° baked prime beef, handcrafted pasta and gelato made in-house daily. Pirozzi Corona Del Mar is open 7 days a week.
The culinary journey that began in southern Italy brought Alessandro to southern California where today he shares his family recipes to great acclaim. The Chef of the Year (Riviera Magazine) invites you to visit Mare Culinary Lounge, Alessa Laguna Beach and Pirozzi Corona Del Mar, for dining, drinks and great memories.
Place Categories: Bar Dining, Cuisine, Features, Italian Restaurants, Outside Dining and Personal Wines Welcome