By Brooklynn Wong
The Source OC, Buena Park’s development on Beach and Orangethorpe, is gaining some traction. The Korean eateries, tea houses and dessert shops that laid the foundation are now being diversified with the addition of chains with name recognition, and some novelties, like dim sum restaurant Fifty One Chinese Kitchen—until recently known as OOAK—, La Huasteca—a slightly upscale Mexican restaurant, and now, Il Palco, a restaurant for fine Italian dining.
Buena Park, which has a large Korean community, has no shortage of Korean restaurants, but Il Palco increases the Italian options, which to this point had been slim.
Il Palco, meaning “the stage” in Italian, sets out to put on a culinary show.
A visit to the new eatery, still in its early days, did not disappoint.
Perfect for a date night, Il Palco is on one of the upper levels of The Source, with a large open balcony above the main floor, overlooking the white-twinkle-light-illuminated mall and the people below, but high up and removed enough that people can converse and feel separated from the masses.
The interior is sleek and sophisticated, and the outdoor balcony was comfortable even on a chilly night, thanks to heat lamps.
Its sleek features like modern art on the walls and a marbled floor create a very chic look and feel.
The service was good, the beverage selection generous, and the food delicious. The meal starts, as any quality Italian one should, with bread, and lots of it.
As for the main course, I can personally attest to the merits of the Di Mare Pomodoro—a delicious pasta topped with mussels, shrimp, clams, scallops, calamari and a tomato sauce.
If you’re looking for more of a straightforward spaghetti-and-meatballs-dish, try the Polpetta.
The menu also boasts a selection of salads and appetizers, several pastas, pizza, straight up meat or fish, and desserts.
The food is not cheap, especially if you prefer steak, fish or one of the pasta dishes with even more seafood, but certainly not outrageous. It is just above what you could expect to pay at an Olive Garden, and the quality and experience are better.
Il Palco is open from 11 a.m. to midnight every day, at 6980 Beach Blvd. Ste H-304.
