We don't just eat, we love to eat! And here in Southern California and our own "IE," dining out is always an opportunity for great fun and new experiences. Here is an offering of local and regional restaurants selected from a rotating list in ongoing development. Before going, we suggest you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting errors. We invite your feedback on great experiences and instances when establishments fail to meet expectations.
Abbreviations & Pricing Rs, reservations suggested. (While some restaurants suggest reservations on certain nights, others request them only for parties of five or more.) FB, full bar. $ mostly under $15, $$ mostly under $20, $$$ mostly under $50, $$$$ above $50
CLAREMONT BUA THAI CUISINE
450 W. First St.; 909-626-6666
Find Pad Thai noodles, sate and a variety of dishes along with Thai art pieces and semi-industrial decor in this intimate setting near the Packing House in Claremont Village West. Lunch and dinner daily. $
BUCA DI BEPPO
Adjacent to the DoubleTree Inn, 505 W. Foothill Blvd.; 909-399-3287, www.bucadibeppo.com
Family-style servings of pastas, stuffed shells, ravioli chicken cannelloni along with pizzas, stuffed mushrooms, fettuccine and parmigianas. Lunch and dinner daily. FB $$
HEROES & LEGENDS
131 Yale Ave.; 909-621-6712
Step inside this informal dining and drinking spot to find colorful decor, wonderful sandwiches, barbecue ribs and appetizers as well as 46 beers on tap. Eat a few peanuts, toss the shells on the floor and take in the array of photos and memorabilia covering every square inch of wall space. Lunch and dinner daily. FB $$
INKA TRAILS
1077 W. Foothill Blvd.; 909-626-4426, www.inkatrailsrestaurant.com
Peruvian style cuisine with menu items including ceviche, empanadas and Aji De Gallina (a shredded chicken in a walnut gravy sauce) and Tallarin Verde Con Bistek Apando (a breaded top sirloin served with linguini with spinach basil sauce). Lunch, dinner Tu-Su. $
LA PICCOLETTA
114 N. Indian Hill, #P. (between First and Second streets); 909-624-1373, www.lapiccoletta.com
With seating for just 36, reservations are strongly recommended for this boutique dining spot that serves a limited mix-and-match menu of pasta and sauces that changes weekly. Dinner Tu-Sa. RS, $$-$$$
THE PRESS RESTAURANT
129 Harvard Ave.; 909-625-4808, www.thepressrestaurant.com
A hip, eclectic place where late diners can frequently linger to enjoy live music later in the evening. Blackened salmon, Thai ginger chicken and delicious attention to vegetables and vegetarian offerings comprise menu of distinctive fare. Lunch and dinner Tu-Sa; Su dinner only; M bar and cantina menu only. FB $$
TTUTTI MANGIA ITALIAN GRILLE
102 Harvard Ave; 909-624-500, www.tuttimangia.com
Comfortable, warm and inviting, this downtown Claremont trattoria features the cuisine of award-winning Chef Hugo Molina which focuses on grilled meats, fresh seafood and enticing deserts. Lunch M-F, dinner daily. Martini and wine bar. $$$
WALTERS RESTAURANT
310 Yale Ave.; 909-624-4914, www.waltersrestaurant.biz
Fusion cuisine with Afghan overtones mark this longtime Claremont favorite as a wonderful spot to spend an evening. Dining areas tumble through several buildings including across a patio and through an old home. The menu includes kabobs, curries, spicy pastas and original pizzas featuring lamb, feta and eggplant toppings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
ONTARIO
BENIHANA
3760 E. Inland Empire Blvd.; 909-483-0937, www.benihana.com
Dinner and a show, with chefs grilling chicken, seafood, steak and vegetables in front of your table. Sushi bar, plus more than a dozen specialty drinks including several alcohol-free selections are available. Lunch and dinner daily. RS, FB, $$$
DAVE & BUSTER'S
4821 Mills Circle; 909-987-1557, www.daveandbusters.com
Burgers, sandwiches, chicken, pasta, seafood and steaks, plus interactive electronic games, billiards. Eat & Play combo includes entree and $10 gamecard for $15.99. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
MARKET BROILER
4333 E. Mills Circle; 909-581-0866, www.marketbroiler.com
More than a dozen varieties of fresh fish, chicken, steak, pasta, wood-fired oven pizza and more. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
NEW YORK GRILL
950 Ontario Mills Drive; 909-987-1928, http://newyorkgrill.com
Chicken, duck, salmon, Australian lobster tail, rack of lamb, ribs and, of course, a variety of quality steaks. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. RS, FB, $$$
PANDA INN
3223 Centre Lake Drive; 909-390-2888, www.pandainn.com
Mandarin- and Szechwan-inspired entrees, plus soups, salads, and seven varieties of noodles and rice. Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch buffet. FB, $
ROSA'S
425 N. Vineyard Ave.; 909-937-1220, www.rosasitalian.com
Fine Italian cuisine served in elegant, intimate surroundings. Menu includes several pasta dishes, seafood and steaks. Piano player Thursday through Saturday. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. RS, FB, $$$
TOKYO TOKYO
990 Ontario Mills Drive, Suite H; 909-987-7999 www.tokyotokyosushi.com
Japanese cuisine, seafood and a full-service sushi bar. Dining areas include traditional Tatami rooms and a tropical garden setting. There's a 4,000-gallon underground koi pond visible through a glass floor. Beer, wine and saki are served. Lunch Tu-F, dinner Tu-Su. RS, $$
POMONA
LOCUST LOUNGE RESTAURANT
205 E. Second St.; 909-629-7777, www.locustlounge.net
Chicken, steak and three fish selections: ahi tuna, halibut, salmon. Nightclub features a dance floor, two patios and a mezzanine lounge. Dinner Tu-Sa. FB, $
McKINLEY'S GRILLE
At the Sheraton Suites Fairplex, 601 W. McKinley Ave.; 909-868-5915, www.starwoodhotels.com
Traditional breakfast fare, plus pasta, steak, seafood and more for lunch and dinner. Land and sea dinner specials available nightly. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. FB, $$$
SAKURA ICHI
101 W. Mission Blvd.; 909-865-2059, http://sakuraichi.com
Medium-sized restaurant in the City Hall redevelopment area. Dinner combos come with salad, miso soup, steamed rice and dessert. Domestic and Japanese beers, wine and cocktails are served. Lunch Tu-F, dinner T-Su. FB, $$$
RANCHO CUCAMONGA
AFGHAN PALACE
8685 Baseline Road; 909-466-3723, www.afghanpalacecuisine.com
Traditional Afghan cuisine, including seven kabob varieties and pita bread sandwiches. Kabob dinners include Basmati rice, hummus, pita bread, grilled vegetables and a choice of homemade gravy. Belly dancing 7 p.m. Thursdays. Lunch and dinner daily. $
ANTONINO'S
8045 Vineyard Ave.; 909-941-0047, www.antoninosrestaurant.net
Northern and Southern Italian cuisine served in a dining room with large Romanesque classic paintings, etched glass and comfy seating. Chicken, filet mignon, lamb, veal and pasta dishes are among the entrees. Lunch and dinner daily. RS, FB, $
BJ'S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE
11520 Fourth St.; 909-581-6750, www.bjsrestaurants.com
Deep-dish pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pastas, steaks, baby back ribs and more. Lunch and dinner daily. RS, FB, $
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
Victoria Gardens, 12379 N. Mainstreet; 909-463-3011, www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Steaks, chops, seafood, pizza, sandwiches and, of course, more than 30 varieties of cheesecake. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. FB, $$
FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR
Victoria Gardens, 7905 Monet Ave. 909-463-0416, www.flemingssteakhouse.com
Upscale steakhouse serving prime beef cuts including filet mignon, New York strip and prime rib. Salmon, scallops, crab legs and lobster also featured. Dinner nightly. RS, FB, $$$$
GALLI'S RESTAURANT & PIANO BAR
6620 Carnelian St.; 909-941-1100, www.gallis.net
Casual dining with pasta, sandwiches and specialty pizzas for two among the most popular selections. Live entertainment nightly. Lunch and dinner daily. RS, FB, $
GREEN MANGO THAI BISTRO
11226 Fourth St.; 909-987-8885, www.greenmangothaibistro.com
Authentic Thai selections without the Chinese influences found at many other Thai restaurants. Beer and wine are served. Lunch and dinner daily. $
HAANDI INDIAN CUISINE
7890 Haven Ave.; 909-581-1951, www.haandiindiancuisine.com
Selections from Northern India, with some adjustments made for American taste buds, cooked in a tandoor clay oven. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $$
HARRY'S PACIFIC GRILL
Victoria Gardens, 8009 Day Creek Blvd., 909-463-1400, www.harryspacificgrill.com
A fusion of Chinese, Thai, Latin, Island and American specialties, including chicken, halibut, salmon, shrimp, steaks and wok dishes. FB, $$
ISLAMORADA FISH COMPANY
At the Bass Pro Shop, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, 909-922-5400, www.fishcompany.com
Blackened tilapia topped with grilled shrimp, flame-broiled catfish, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna are a taste of what's served at this Bass Pro Shop signature restaurant. FB $$
JOE'S CRAB SHACK
12327 Foothill Blvd.; 909-463-6599, www.joescrabshack.com
Shrimp – popcorn, crispy, jalapeno, platters and pasta – along with a hearty assortment of seafood, steaks and sandwiches star at this beach-oriented spot. FB, $$
KABUKI
Victoria Gardens, 12595 N. Mainstreet; 909-646-8555, www.kabukirestaurants.com
Curry shrimp; seared tuna tataki; miso-marinated black cod; sushi; chicken, beef and salmon teriyaki and other Japanese selections. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
MAGIC LAMP INN
8189 Foothill Blvd.; 909-981-8659, www.themagiclampinn.com
This is a Route 66 landmark since the mid-1950s, when it was known as Lucy and John's Cafe. Today, Magic Lamp specialties include prime rib, rack of lamb, salmon fillet and a chateaubriand dinner for two. Lunch Tu-F, dinner Tu-Su. FB, $$$
THE MELTING POT
12469 Foothill Blvd.; 909-899-1922, www.meltingpot.com
Signature four-course fondue dinners mean a unique dining experience. Dinner nightly. $$
OMAHA JACK'S GRILLHOUSE & BREWERY
11837 Foothill Blvd.; 909-477-4377, www.omahajacks.com
Pasta, seafood, steaks, burgers, barbecue and other American fare that pairs nicely with award-winning microbrews. RS, FB, $$
RICHIE'S REAL AMERICAN DINER
Victoria Gardens, 8039 Monet Ave.; 909-899-8101, www.richiesdiner.com
Homestyle cooking with egg dishes, pancakes and more to start the day, plus burgers, chicken, steaks and desserts. Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily. $
SYCAMORE INN
8318 Foothill Blvd.; 909-982-1104, www.thesycamoreinn.com
Hospitality has long been the hallmark of the Sycamore Inn, which dates to the mid-1800s when William Rubottom opened an inn and tavern. Dinner nightly. RS, FB, $$$$
ROSEMEAD
BAHOOKA FAMILY RESTAURANT
4501 N. Rosemead Blvd., 626-285-1241, www.geocities.com/bahookarestaurant/
The Bahooka is an escape from the outside world with tikis, more than 100 fish tanks and semi-private booths. Seafood, steaks and speciality Polynesian ribs. FB, $$
UPLAND BISTRO ROTI RESTAURANT & BAR
1041-F E. 16th St.; 909-946-0927, www.bistroroti.com
A wood-burning rotisserie takes center stage in the dining room at Bistro Roti, where menu offerings range from casual to high-end French fare. Filet de pork, roasted pork with an apple-onion compote, is a menu standout. Wine and beer bar; M-Sa, 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. $$-$$$
CAFE ALLEGRO
186 N. Second Ave.; 909-949-0805
Rustic Italian dining in downtown Upland; wonderful breads and a full range of classic dishes and a chicken marsala which tops the popularity list. Sidewalk cafe-style tables in addition to interior seating. Wine and beer bar; lunch and dinner M-Sa; Su, 4-9 p.m. $$
KISHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
320 W. Foothill Blvd., 909-981-1770, kishirestaurant.com
Sushi bar, teppan grill and dining room. Diners will find ahi steak, ginger pork and Sukiyaki beef on the teppan menu. Also tempura, specialty rolls, sashimi combinations and a wide range of sushi including sweet shrimp, sea eel, yellowtail and flounder. Lunch and dinner M-F, Sa-Su dinner. RR $$
SPAGGI'S
1651 W. Foothill Blvd., H-1, 909-579-0497, www.spaggis.com
Chef Henry Gonzalez offers a menu of Italian classics as well as his own distinctive dishes including a South African sea bass served with scalloped potatoes, a fan of avocado and a garlic-tomato-basil sauce, garnished with snap peas and roasted Chino corn. Lunch M-F; dinner daily. FB $$-$$$
TANGO BAIRES CAFE
870 E. Foothill Blvd., 909-758-0970, www.tangobiarescafe.com
A taste of Argentina at modest prices. Empanadas, beef roll with red peppers, entrana grilled-skirt steak and Italian-influenced pastas and pizzas with an Argentine twist. Daily from 8:30 a.m. $
where to eat
