There’s a new restaurant in Irvine—and it’s not here to blend in. Located at the just-debuted Eighteen Main dining collective, Monaco Italian Kitchen is the fourth concept from seasoned OC restaurateur Tony Monaco. And while the name nods to his Italian roots, this place is anything but expected. With Executive Chef Karl Pfleider behind the menu and a design that leans more Riviera chic than red-checkered cliché, Monaco is bringing a modern Italian edge to the heart of Orange County.

At its core, Monaco is a love letter to traditional Italian cuisine—just written in a sleeker, more contemporary hand. After an intensive culinary training in Naples, Monaco’s team returned stateside with a deep respect for Neapolitan techniques, translating that into scratch-made doughs, wood-fired pizzas and elevated takes on old-world street food.