Located in the visually appealing Lido Shipyard this restaurant will not disappoint.  We’ve been going here for a few years now and I’m finally getting around to writing a review on them.

Lido Shipyard

Lido Shipyard, Boats

Before I do so I will advise you that they are a little difficult to find.  If you pass Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant and you see a small guard shack on the right you are going the right way.  Simply advise the security guard that you are dining at Sabatino’s and he will point you in the right direction.  Making reservations is helpful but do not expect them to seat you at your designated time.  Oftentimes they have an “in the ballpark” attitude in regards to time.

Sabatino’s, Exterior

The ambiance is fairly casual yet very appealing with a nice outdoor patio seating area.  The heaters are appreciated at night by most patrons as this restaurant is located just off the water.  Given we are in Newport Beach there is a strong aroma of old money emanating from many of the patrons.

Sabatino’s, Patio

We open with the grilled “World Famous Italian Sausage Platter”.  This low-fat Italian sausage (don’t cry “bloody murder” yet, it is very tasty) stuffed with provolone cheese arrives on a sizzling plate in a bed of sautéed onions and peppers.  You can choose mild, spicy or a combination of the two.

Sizzling Sausage Platter

Sizzling Sausage Platter

On Saturday nights your meal includes a bowl of stracchiatella (a.k.a. Italian wedding soup).  It consists of a chicken broth with meatballs and mozzarella cheese.  This isn’t the best I’ve had (it is light on spinach and meatballs) but it is a fairly decent version.

Stracchiatella Soup

My entrée is the “grilled calamari steak exotic greens”.  It is a pretty healthy yet incredibly tasty salad.  The calamari is very tender with no rubbery texture present here.

Grilled Calamari Steak Exotic Greens

Grilled Calamari Steak Exotic Greens

Bella went with the “capellini scampi al pesto Genovese” which has jumbo prawn sautéed in garlic and white wine with a creamy homemade pesto sauce, topped with sundried tomatoes and roasted pine nuts over a bed of angel hair pasta.  Of course any real Italian prefers a traditional oil-based pesto sauce but excluding that this is a delicious dish.

Capellini Scampi al Pesto Genovese

Sabatino’s Patio, Night

Date of Visit: 4/16/2011; Restaurant:  Sabatino’s Sausage Company; Address: 251 Shipyard Way, Cabin D, Newport Beach, CA  92663; Phone: 949-723-0645 or 949-723-0621; Website: sabatinoschicagosausage.com; Key: (5 star maximum per category); Ambiance: *** ½; Service: *** ½; Food/Drink: ****; Grade: A-.