From Antipasti to Semifreddo

This week, a look at some Italian restaurants:

* Enzo Selvaggi, who sang romantic ballads in four languages at several Orange County restaurants, is back after eight years in Italy. He and his trio will perform soft dinner music at Ciao Bella Restaurant and Bar in Los Caballeros Sports Village, 17272 Newhope St., Fountain Valley, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 to 9 p.m., and music for dancing from 9 to 11:30. To celebrate Selvaggi’s return, Ciao Bella owner Jay Mastoianni has designed a special four-course dinner with a choice of appetizers, salads and entrees, and semifreddo (vanilla ice cream, espresso and whipped cream) for dessert. Prices are $16 and $18, depending on the entree. (714) 546-7426.

* For light diners, Il Ristorante Bagatta at 3012 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach has introduced “a Mediterranean Experience,” antipasto with a selection of pasta dishes, Mondays through Thursdays, from 6 to 7:30 for $13. Sundays at Bagatta, “A Taste of Milano” offers a sampling of foods from the Lombardy region of Italy: risotta alla Milanese, vitello tonnato, pasta e fasoi and many other northwestern favorites. You get to choose between three appetizers, first courses and entrees; the price range is $16 to $24. Or, you may order from the regular menu. (714) 675-4020.

* The newly refurbished patio at Carmelo’s, 3520 E. Pacific Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, has opened in time for our Mediterranean-type weather. Between 2 and 5 p.m., you can relax under a red umbrella in the midst of bright flowers and enjoy cappuccino, espresso, cocktails or desserts. Then, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, you can order a light, informal supper from the “Intermezzo” menu. Antipasti range from roasted bell pepper salad with capers to fennel salad. There’s soup, three pizzas, a dozen pastas, from pennette with eggplant to gnocchi with pesto, homemade desserts--and everything’s under $10. Look for expanded al fresco service soon. (714) 675-1922.

* Meanwhile, back at the old Nieuport 17 location, 1615 E. 17th St. in Santa Ana, owner Bill Bettis and operator Jeff Altman open That Other Place Ristorante this week. The restaurant, which has a new front entrance, accents continental cuisine with a central-northern Italian flair. The chef is Ali Dundar, formerly of Chez Dante in Newport Beach and Lawry’s Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. And yes, there’s still a piano bar. It’s open Mondays through Fridays for lunch and Mondays through Saturdays for dinner, with full dinner prices in the $20-22 ballpark. (714) 541-9511.

Table Talk: Could La Vie en Rose, at 240 S. State College Blvd. in Brea, be Orange County’s answer to Schwab’s drug store in L.A., where at least one film star is said to have been discovered? Mike Riley was a waiter at La Vie until ABC-TV found him and snatched him away to host Merv Griffin’s new Saturday night game show, “Monopoly.” The network filmed Mike’s last night at the restaurant several weeks ago. . . .