Cortinas

By Melissa Hernandez & Paige Anderson

Cortina’s in Orange, CA opened in 2012 to the excitement of the many fans of the original Anaheim Deli. They are located right smack in the middle of a cluster of industrial business parks in Orange and it shows in their architecture and décor. The building is very industrial with rusted colors, and a marriage of metal and wood throughout the exterior and interior.

On the exterior of Cortina’s there are actual rusted metal sheets decorating the lower part of the building, and the wood beams that support the patio and decorate the building mimic the color of the rusted metal. They have drought resistant plants wrapping around the front patio area along with koi pond. The greenery outside compliments the black and rusted colors on the actual building itself, and the pond is a relaxing touch for the patrons who choose to eat al fresco, although it seems to attract more flies and can get a bit annoying.

 Their patio furniture consists of black aluminum tables, silver aluminum BFM chairs, and black table umbrellas that have been there since they opened two years ago. Nothing looks faded or really worn at all, although there are scratches on the paint of the aluminum tables, it adds the rustic ambiance of the place. Even the silver aluminum chairs have retained their shine and look as if they were bought yesterday, so this is definitely a great spec! All of the outdoor furniture gets wiped down every day and gets hosed down at the end of every week so everything is easy enough to clean.

            The marriage of metal and wood carries into the interior as well. They have wood tile floor in a natural beige color and that seems to have held up well against the constant wear and tear of patrons coming in and out. Although the wood tile is durable the texture on the tile seems to make it difficult to completely clean since dirt gets caught in the grooves, so they employees have to go over the floor a couple of times to make sure it gets a good cleaning. At the register the countertop is a granite slab that seems to have etched and chipped in various areas so that may not have been the greatest choice. A quartz might have held up a bit better against so much wear. Then there are the wooden tables which have a finish that is easy to scratch off so it looks like the wood itself is all etched which does not do it justice. Also, the faux leather booths seem to be tearing and ripping in certain areas which can be uncomfortable and not very aesthetically pleasing. I believe it may be a vinyl that mimics leather, but it just seems like such a thin material which would obviously make it susceptible to tear. Most of the walls are covered in reclaimed wood that has not been sealed which does not make it easy to clean and dust since the natural texture is still rough and exposed.

            The décor inside is very rustic with the industrial touches. They have one wall that is entirely concrete with red barn doors decorating the walls giving it a pop of color and warmth. Then there are ropes hanging from the second story metal railing, and they have funky framed artwork decorating the walls along with old farm tools as well which pay homage to the history of the city of Orange.

            Cortina’s is a perfect blend of the industrial style with rustic touches. Many of the products installed have held up well with just a few exceptions, but it still feels very current even though it was opened three years ago. The ambiance is comforting and welcoming even with the industrial feel of the place, oh, and the Italian food and sandwiches that they are known for are more than enough to keep anyone coming back!