At Peppino’s, whether you’re relaxing at “all day” happy hour or feasting upon luscious lasagna, you’re bound to run into someone you know. This family-friendly establishment draws crowds—for good reason. Founder Joe Moscatiello’s passion for cooking and pride in using only fresh, fine ingredients have gained Peppino’s a loyal following, allowing this familyrun restaurant to expand from the original Lake Forest location to three other cities. Since 1989, the Mission Viejo restaurant, with stunning lake views from the rear terrace, has been the go-to spot to meet friends and enjoy homestyle Italian food.
Peppino’s extensive menu items range from traditional to unique. You can’t go wrong ordering any of the pastas; even simple Spaghetti with Meatballs, drenched in “Mamma’s” original sauce, remains a fan favorite. The generously portioned meat entrees include Chicken Marco Polo, sautéed with mushrooms, eggplant, and prosciutto; Lamb Chop Classico, sautéed with jumbo mushroom caps, artichoke hearts, asparagus, and Roma tomatoes; and Rib Eye Florentine, topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, and bleu cheese. For seafood, don’t miss the Pescatore, a menagerie of fresh clams, mussels, halibut, jumbo shrimp, calamari, and crab smothered in garlic wine sauce and served over linguini. Among the hand-tossed gourmet pizzas, try Carlo’s Special, a thin-crust sensation that showcases “Papà’s” Neapolitan roots. Impressive dishes like these explain why Peppino’s wins OC Register “Best of Orange County” People’s Choice Awards.
Treating his customers like friends, Moscatiello actively supports numerous causes in the community while hoping “to continually feed families, generation to generation.”
Peppino’s (Mission Viejo):
27782 Vista Del Lago # 26,
www.peppinosonline.com, 949-859-9556.
Open 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays;
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays;
11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sundays
