Escape the Convention Center Bubble
The SpringHill Suites puts you right next to the Orange County Convention Center, which is exactly what you need for the conference. But when the sessions end and you need dinner, the convention bubble can feel suffocating. The hotel restaurant, the nearby chains, the same faces from the expo hall. You need a change of scenery and a real meal.
Ciao Italia Ristorante is a short drive from the Convention Center area, and it is everything convention dining is not. Family-owned since 1991 by the Navarra family, it serves authentic Italian food made entirely from scratch. Handmade pasta, fresh sauces, seafood, veal, lamb, and chicken prepared by people who have been doing this for over 35 years. More than 3,000 reviews, 9 awards, and a Zagat rating. This is real dining.
Take the Client Here, Not to the Hotel Bar
Convention week dinners are where deals happen, relationships deepen, and impressions are made. Taking a client to Olive Garden or Delmonico's on I-Drive says one thing. Taking them to a Zagat-rated, family-owned Italian restaurant with 9 awards says something entirely different. Ciao Italia has the atmosphere, food quality, and service standards that make business dinners successful without feeling forced.
The dining room is refined but comfortable. The noise level allows conversation. The wine list is solid. The staff knows how to handle groups, timing courses correctly, and keeping the evening flowing. Private dining is available for larger parties with advance notice.
Team Dinners That People Actually Enjoy
If you are organizing dinner for your team after a long convention day, Ciao Italia is the right call. Nobody wants another overpriced buffet or a crowded chain. A family-style Italian dinner with handmade pasta and shared appetizers brings the group together in a way that a hotel restaurant simply cannot. Call ahead and the staff will set up everything before you arrive.
