You’ll Want to Overdose on Pasta at Spaghetti Bender

For a leisurely Italian dinner, there are many places to go in Orange County, but few as delightful and friendly as Lorenzo’s Spaghetti Bender in Newport Beach.

The atmosphere is casual and tables are adorned simply, with red-and-white tablecloths and flickering candles. Servers are always attentive, whether waiting on couples at intimate booths or tending to parties at larger tables.

The Spaghetti Bender’s menu includes pasta, of course, lotsa pasta. There’s spaghetti with meatballs or Italian sausage, plus linguine with clams, fettuccine Alfredo, ravioli, rigatoni, lasagna, manicotti, tortellini . . . and the list goes on. There are also such entrees as chicken piccata, veal and peppers, and calamari steak.

Menu items run from $4.50 to $11 a la carte, and for an additional $4.25 they come with a peppery minestrone, salad and a hefty supply of garlic bread. You’d better be hungry if you want to finish a complete dinner, the servings are generous.

Appetizers include fried mozzarella or sauteed mushrooms for $4.50, and meatballs for $2.75.

For dinner, combination plates are an excellent option for those who can’t make up their minds. Papa’s Combination includes lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs and veal and peppers ($7.50). Mama’s Combination consists of eggplant parmigiana, spaghetti with marinara, and fettuccine ($7.50).

For dessert, there’s spumoni ($2) and cheesecake ($3.50), as well as nightly specials. And to wash things down there’s cappuccino, espresso, domestic and imported beers and a good selection of wines.

Lorenzo’s Spaghetti Bender, 6204 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (714) 645-0651. Open Sunday through Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday till 11 p.m.