October 2010 Archives

Wow...that was quick!

Barely over a month since Zendejas closed, workers have already been seen in the building and today I noticed there's a sign up.

Don Martin will be opening soon at 1970 Ostrems Way.

I know it's probably supposed to be pronounced Dohn Mar-TEEN, but I can't help imagining Mad Magazine cartoons.

Am I the only one?

Shtoink!

If you're one of those who likes to take their laptop to Starbucks and spend hours working on projects, this will be very good news.

Starbucks is now offering free Wi-Fi for all its customers.

That means you no longer have to have a Starbucks card to log on. You no longer have to make a purchase to be granted access. You are no longer limited by time.

The unlimited, free, AT&T-provided connection is available at all of Starbucks' company-owned stores in the U.S.

In addition, participating Starbucks are partnering with Yahoo! to bring you the Starbucks Digital Network, with exclusive access to digital perks such as unlimited access to Zagat ratings; free access to subscription editions of USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times; and exclusive free downloads from Starbucks Entertainment and the iTunes music store.

Follow the jump to see a video promoting the new partnership.

If you're craving a Togo's sandwich and head over to the north San Bernardino store that was next to the Starbucks on University Parkway, you'll be in for a little surprise.

That's because that location has, um, relocated just south of the old one, from 4275 University Parkway to 4077 University Parkway.

Togo's is now open in the former home of Noble Roman's/Tuscano's, near the Chevron station.

Baskin-Robbins is making the move, too, but they're not quite ready. They'll be open November 3, according to a sign posted at the new site.

I know this is months-old news for some of you, but in writing my post on the recently-closed Rancho Cucamonga Mels' Drive-in, I thought of the Honeybaked Cafe at Ontario Mills.

(Actually, I think it was officially dubbed the "Honeybaked and Cafe," which kind of bugged me.)

I'd been there a handful of times and had good meals, but hadn't gone there in a long while and got to wondering if it was still in business.

Turns out it's not.

It closed late May/early June of this year, if the comments on Yelp are any indication.

A drive-by this week confirmed the closure -- in fact, crews were inside prepping the location for its next incarnation.

Caution: Puns a-plenty ahead!

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant at The Shoppes at Chino Hills is hosting a Red Carpet RA-ck Star party beginning at 9 p.m. tonight (October 28). The party lasts until 1 a.m.

Guests are invited to channel their inner rock star as they dress to walk the red carpet and get "inked" up by temporary tattoo artist.

Food specials include the aptly-named Hotel California Roll ($5), RA-ck Star Roll ($5) and Pour Some Tempura Scallops on Me ($5). Themed drinks include Bad to the Bone Beer Specials ($3), the Tastes Like Teen Spirit cocktail ($5) and Welcome to the Jungle Juice ($6).

DJ Digi will be spinning a mix of rock and Top 40 all night all night long.

Those who enter the RA-ck Star Air Guitar Contest will have a chance to win a RA gift basket filled with goodies.

The Chino Hills RA Sushi Bar Restaurant is at 13925 City Center Drive. RA has another Inlane Empire location in Corona.

St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church will host their Second Annual Chili Cook-off, children's costume contest, craft fair and bake sale (whew!) beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday (October 30).

St. Clare of Assisi is at 6563 East Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga.

Roberto Argentina, executive chef at Redlands' Farm Artisan Foods, will prepare a gourmet brunch and give cooking demonstrations as a highlight of a special event held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday (October 30) at the Asistencia, 26930 Barton Road, in Redlands.

"Harvest Tastes at the Asistencia" is presented by the San Bernardino County Museum and the Museum Association, and portions of the program proceeds will benefit exhibit restoration at the historic site.

Reservations are necessary and tickets are on sale now at $75 per person.

Harvest Tastes will offer guests an opportunity to learn cooking techniques at demonstrations by Chef Argentina assisted by the museum's director, Robert McKernan. Guests can also peek into the kitchen and watch brunch being prepared by Argentina and his staff.

After the meal, Michele Nielsen, the museum's curator of history, will offer informal tours of the historic site.

To make reservations and purchase tickets, visit the museum's web site or call 909-307-2669 ext. 225.

Update: Michel Nolan has written an article on the event for Friday's paper. You can read it online here.

This year, Chipotle Mexican Grill is continuing its tradition of offering a deal to those who dress up for Halloween.

However, instead of inviting customers to dress as menu items, the theme this year is "The Horrors of Processed Food."

Show up after 6 p.m. on Halloween to any Chipotle dressed as a horrifying processed food product (Cheese Whiz, anyone?) and get a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for only $2.

Your purchase will benefit Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, a non-profit campaign with the goal of educating people about the importance of eating unprocessed food made with simple, fresh ingredients.

Chipotle will donate up to $1,000,000 to the campaign.

As a bonus, you can enter their online costume contest, where you could win $2,500, $1,000 or a burrito party for 20.

To enter, take a picture of yourself in your processed food costume inside or in front of a Chipotle restaurant on Halloween and submit it online to www.chipotle.com/boorito on or before November 8.

I'll give you a suggestion, but you gotta split the money with me if you win: The Blackjack Taco. Now that's something scary indeed.

Update: Chipotle will be donating $1,000,000 to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, according to this tweet.

For the umpteenth year, Easter Seals and Baker's Drive-Thru are teaming up for a Halloween fundraiser that won't rot your teeth.

You can purchase "Safe Halloween" coupon books at your local Baker's until midnight on Halloween. Proceeds will be used to support local children and adults living with disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Each $1 book includes 37 free and discounted offers valued at over $340.

Inside, you'll find discounts and free products and services from Southern California eateries, amusement parks, sports and entertainment centers, including Baker's, Fiesta Village, Scandia Amusement Park, Perris Auto Speedway and Cal State University San Bernardino athletics.

A full 100% of proceeds from book sales will benefit Easter Seals Disability Services.

Over the years, Baker's Drive-Thru has raised more than $2 million for Easter Seals in Southern California.

Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.

The Rancho Cucamonga Mel's Drive-In (11550 Fourth St.) shut down yesterday.

I received a tip (via email to dine909@inlandnewspapers.com) from a reader who had gone there with her husband for a late lunch and were informed by the employees that they had been told that it was their last day.

Sure enough, I went by today and saw a pair of notes on the door that read:

"MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2010

CLOSED

The Signature Center and Mel's Drive-In announce that Mel's Drive-In will be closing its Rancho Cucamonga location on October 25, 2010. Mel's has made a decision to focus on expanding its flagship locations. Mel's values its customers and welcomes its Rancho Cucamonga customers at all of its other locations. The Signature Center is actively working with a tenant to operate in the Mel's building and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

Please watch for announcements."

"To Our guests:

As of Sunday Oct. 24th Mel's Drive-In Rancho Cucamonga Will be closing its doors for business.

Thank you for your patronage and we will miss you.

The staff and management"

Apparently people who were showing up for cruise night had no idea that it would be the Rancho Cucamonga Mel's last.

Today (October 25) is World Pasta Day, which was designated by the (U.S.) National Pasta Association, the Union des Associations des Fabricants de Pâtes Alimentaires de la Communauté Économique Européenne (Union of Organizations of Manufacturers of Pasta Products in the European Economic Community), or Un.A.F.P.A. for short, and the associations of Venezuela and Turkey.

Nothing like tooting your own horn, huh?

The goals of World Pasta Day, according to the Un.A.F.P.A., is as follows:

• On 25th October of each year, the world over, World Pasta Day is celebrated in the form of events and promotional initiatives in different countries of the world.
• The objective of World Pasta Day is to draw the attention of the media and consumers to pasta. Communication should underline the fact that pasta is a global food, consumed in all five continents, having unquestionable merits, appropriate for a dynamic and healthy life style capable of meeting both primary food requirements and those of high-level gastronomy.
• Every country celebrates World Pasta Day in absolute autonomy, while respecting a global strategy, and making use of the official logo of the event;
• The key messages, recurring in the various communication initiatives, emphasize the economic feasibility, gastronomic versatility and nutritional value of pasta.

Great. But how does this affect you?

Don't feel like cooking tonight? Then read on...

The Women's Club of San Bernardino Supper Club is having a taco dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. tonight (October 23) at their clubhouse at 503 W. 31st. (at E Street) in San Bernardino.

A taco dinner (with beans and rice) will set you back $10. The proceeds will help fund the club's various service projects.

For more info call 909-883-4029.

Oh, how I hate giving away my secrets.

But some secrets are too good not to share.

Matano's Little Italy, a tiny Italian deli in old town Yucaipa, is one such secret.

A co-worker had told me about them, and my initial attempt to try Matano's ended in failure when I got to the shop and saw a note that they were on vacation...for a month.

Undaunted, I returned a few weeks later and am I ever glad I was persistent.

I had the best sandwich I've had in a very long time.

Spurred on by a "Grand Opening" ad (although I think they've been open a while) in The Sun, I wanted to check out Phoenicia, which has two locations in Redlands.

So, after going to hear Dustin Lance Black speak at the University of Redlands, a friend and I went over to the Orange Street location (near Trader Joe's).

Phoenicia bills itself as having Greek and Lebanese cuisine. The ad mentioned a falafel sandwich combo ($5.95), which is what I ordered.

My friend ordered one of the specials, the lamb plate ($8.95).

The Orange Streeet location is a decently-sized restaurant, and a fairly well-appointed for a place where you order at a counter and the food is brought to your table.

A while back, I had a chance to finally try Redlands' Noodle 21 Asian Grill, which opened in late July.

A friend and I went a little after the lunchtime rush and the restaurant was still packed.

The restaurant has a very clean and modern design. It very much belies its strip-mall location.

For my first meal there, I ordered the Com Tom Ga Nuong, which is a charbroiled shrimp skewer with chicken ($7.95).

Leave it to me to order a noodle-free dish in a place called Noodle 21.

My friend ordered the a large (and I mean large) bowl of the Pho Dac Biet ($6.95), one of their Vietnamese soups.

We also ordered the fresh spring rolls ($4.95) to split.

I'm hearing word that the Inland Empire's only Golden Corral opened a while back and that the lines are still out the door.

The new location is at 12845 Main St. in Hesperia, in the Super Target center.

This is Golden Corral's second foray into the I.E. since their restaurants in Riverside, Temecula and, apparently Hesperia as well, closed up decades ago.

Have you been to the new Hesperia location? Feel free to comment below.

The previously mentioned Boy Scouts of America, Grayback District 28's "Scouting for Food" drive that took place earlier this month brought in 16,053 pounds of food.

Over 250 scouts and over 150 Scouters/parents participated in the annual drive, which took place October 9 at 14 grocery stores in Highland, Redlands, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Beaumont and Banning.

The food was donated to four local assistance agencies: Family Service Association of Redlands, the Redlands Salvation Army, Yucaipa Family Assistance and H.E.L.P, Inc.

Thanks to the Grayback District scouts and thanks to all of you who donated!

Follow the jump to see pictures from the event.

I happened to spot this post in Wes Wood's Claremont Now blog regarding the upcoming California Beer Festival on Saturday (October 16) in Claremont.

For $40, you can have unlimited samples of local and no-so-local brews and listen to the music of live bands.

If you're the designated driver, a $25 ticket gets you a meal and non-alcoholic drink in addition to the entertainment.

Among the breweries participating: Redlands' Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Upland's Dale Bros. Brewery, Riverside's Inland Empire Brewing Company, Rancho Cucamonga's Omaha Jack's Grillhouse & Brewery, Riverside's Packinghouse Brewing Company and Riverside's Big Cheese Pizza Company Brewery.

With the price of gas these days, you could easily spend $40 just driving around to each of those breweries...not to mention the cost of the beer once you get there.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center. The money raised will go to help children battling Dyslexia and ADHD.

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and beer sampling begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 4:45 p.m. The event ends promptly at 5 p.m. The festival is at 502 W. First St.

Tickets are available online, in Claremont at Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue Lounge, Wine Merchants and Rhino Records at Eureka!Burger in Redlands. If the event does not sell out, tickets will be available at the door.

And if you don't have a designated driver, think Metrolink.

In the Dine 909 inbox today, we received a notice that there were still spots available for tomorrow night's (October 13) Taste of Mexico fundraiser for the Vanir Foundation.

The email was received about six hours ago, so time is of the essence.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at (not surprisingly) the Vanir Tower, 290 N. D St. in San Bernardino.

Your $35 donation gets you dinner and tequila sampling.

The Vanir Foundation is dedicated to supporting and fostering language, math, science, financial literacy, parent participation and health-related programs for children in at-risk communities, through the adoption of schools and other programs, according to the invitation.

To purchase tickets, please contact Eddie Martinez at 909-884-9477 or via email to edward.martinez@vanir.com.

No, this doesn't have anything to do with older women chasing younger men.

It's a fundraiser for the Rancho Cucamonga High School girls basketball team.

The Lady Cougars BoostHER Club (see what they did there?) is hosting the event from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow night (October 12) at the McDonald's at 11198 Foothill Blvd. (just west of Milliken Avenue) in Rancho Cucamonga.

Proceeds will help the team with transportation costs, tournament fees and equipment purchases.

How much do you love Marie Callender's pies?

How much more will you love them if you can save from $3.50 to $8.50 per pie?

That's right, until October 31, you can get a whole pie to go (excluding cheesecakes and seasonal fresh fruit pies) for only $6.99, plus tin.

Sale pies include apple, banana cream, berry, blueberry, cherry, coconut cream, French apple, lemon merengue, peach and pumpkin.

Perhaps one day someone can explain to me how apple, banana cream, berry, blueberry and cherry pies are not considered seasonal fresh fruit pies.

Until then, you'll find Marie Callender's throughout the Inland Empire (but not in San Bernardino).

For more information, click here. Click here for a list of those non-seasonal fresh fruit pies.

The Johnny Rockets in The Shoppes at Chino Hills (13865 City Center Drive, #3093) has gone to the dogs, quite literally.

They've entered into a partnership with Three Dog Bakery and come up with a new menu for man's best friend that can be enjoyed on their dog-friendly patio.

While you dine on burgers and fries, your canine companion can eat a doggie burger, ice cream, pupcakes or carob ruffles.

In addition, they're sponsoring two monthly events:

• Bark Busters lecture series: On the first Saturday of the month, trainer Wendy Blanch of Bark Busters will offer dog training tips and will lecture on topics such as dog safety, bringing home a new dog and adjusting your dog to new children in the home. Due to limited space, owners only should attend the lectures.
• Dog adoptions with Priceless Pets: On the first Thursday of the month, Priceless Pets Rescue will hold dog adoptions on the patio.

So, stop by the Chino Hills Johnny Rockets for a...um...dog-gone good time!

For more information, call the restaurant at 909-627-3366.

The fifth Old Fashioned Family Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday (October 16) on Foothill Boulevard, east of Haven (across from Terra Vista Town Center) in Rancho Cucamonga. (The exact address may be 10861 Foothill Blvd. -- look for the American flag)

It'll only cost you $1 if you're over the age of 5, and 50¢ if you're under the age of 5.

And if you're 5 or younger and reading this, congratulations!

Rancho Cucamonga seniors will be served free.

The event is a fundraiser for the Rancho Cucamonga-based GAP Food Bank.

Canned food donations will also be accepted during the breakfast.

That's because Saint Peter Saint Paul school in Rancho Cucamonga is having a fresh & easy Shopping Night fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow night (October 7).

Shop at the fresh & easy at 8956 Foothill Blvd. (at Vineyard Avenue) in Rancho Cucamonga during that time and 5% of your purchase will go to the school.

Certainly an easy way to help out.

Perhaps Jensen's is onto something, like the first person who ever put peanut butter together with jelly.

In a seemingly odd pairing of events, Saturday marks not only a 5k fun walk, but also an Oktoberfest celebration.

The inaugural Jensen's Community Breast Cancer Walk and Oktoberfest will kick off at 9 a.m. at Rim of the World High School. After the walk, as part of their registration fee, participants can enjoy a traditional Oktoberfest meal of German sausage, German potato salad and sauerkraut at Jensen's Blue Jay market, 27264 Highway 189.

Both events are open to all.

Registration for the fun walk is $25 (or $30 the day of the event) for the walk for adults and $10 (or $15 the day of the event) for kids 8 to 13. Registration includes the full Oktoberfest lunch, a commemorative t-shirt and bracelet, and a "goody bag" which will include lots of free treats.

Proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to help fight breast cancer.

In addition, during the month of October, all Jensen's mountain locations will be raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation with in-store $1 and $5 donation slips.

Joining Jensen's in their fundraising efforts are groups such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Mountains Community Hospital, the Soroptomist Club, Fischle Instant Printing and Rim High wrestling, cheer and Interact Club.

The Oktoberfest celebration, at which beer and a loaded potato soup will also be available, will continue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to a press release, the Jensen's Community Breast Cancer Walk and Oktoberfest is the brain child of Jensen's buyer Kim Grotewold and former Jensen's deli manager Chris Navratil, a breast cancer survivor, as a way to promote mountain community involvement, raise awareness and thank Jensen's customers for their loyalty and trust over the past 70 years.

The annual Wrightwood Chili Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (October 9) at the Wrightwood Community Center, 1275 State Route 2.

The event includes chili, cornbread and salsa competitions for trophies and cash prizes. Chili entries are made from scratch and prepared on site. The chili competition will take place in the center's parking lot, between Park Drive and Pine Street.

Categories include: Best Beanless, Anything Goes, Best Vegetarian, People's Choice and Best Corn Bread Accompaniment. Submissions will be judged on flavor, consistency, heat and appearance.

Salsa entries are made off-site and brought in on event day.

Public tasting of salsa entries will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tasting tickets are $2. Judging for the salsa contest begins at noon.

Tasting for the chili entries begins at 2 p.m. Tasting tickets are $3. Judging for the chili and cornbread contests begins at 3 p.m.

Results for all contests will be announced at 4 p.m. Prizes for will be awarded to the winner of each category including People's Choice.

The Chili Fest is open to all competitors. There's no entry deadline, but on the day of the event, the entry fee goes from $10 to $15 for the chili competition and from $5 to $10 for the salsa competition.

Proceeds go to the Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce.

Also that day will be the Eighth Annual Willys and Jeep event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Park Street.

Click here for more information, including entry forms.

The Boy Scouts of America, who are celebrating their centennial this year, are encouraging their scouts to do a "Good Turn for America".

The members of the Boy Scouts of America, Grayback District, have chosen to collect food donations for distribution to local assistance agencies within their district.

They will be staffing collection barrels for non-perishable food and other items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (October 9) at Stater Bros., Vons, Gerrards, and Albertsons markets in the East Valley.

The donations collected will be distributed to the Family Service Association of Redlands, Yucaipa Family Assistance in the Yucaipa and Calimesa area, the Redlands Salvation Army, and H.E.L.P., Inc., in the San Gorgonio Pass area.

The scouts are undertaking this project due to the negative impact the current economy has had on the ability for these United Way agencies to serve the needy. The scouts are asking local shoppers to help them make up the shortfall as we move into the holiday season.

So if you see the scouts at your local market, please spend a couple of extra bucks in the store and get some non-perishable goods to drop in their containers.

Dine 909 thanks you in advance.

Follow the jump to find the donation locations.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson will be making a pair of appearances in the Inland Empire this week.

So what does this have to do with Dine 909?

Johnson is also part owner of Piedmont Distillers, a North Carolina-based craft spirits distillery.

In other words, he's a moonshiner.

He's meeting with fans in celebration of both the introduction of his legal moonshine here in California and this weekend's final Pepsi Max 400 at the Auto Club Speedway.

He'll be autographing bottles of Junior Johnson's Midnight Moon and the limited-edition Midnight Moon Hall of Fame Collector's Series at Stater Bros. markets in Fontana and Temecula.

From 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow (October 5), Johnson will be at the Stater Bros. in the Sierra Crossroads, 11225 Sierra Ave. in Fontana. From 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday (October 6), he'll be at the Stater Bros. at 31813 Temecula Parkway in Temecula.

For those of you unfamiliar with moonshine, "Midnight Moon is made from American corn, 80 proof and triple-distilled to deliver an ultra-smooth, clean tasting spirit that is often preferred over the world's best vodkas," according to a press release.

The Midnight Moon Hall of Fame Collector's Series was created to commemorate Johnson's induction into the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame earlier this year. Each of the six unique bottle designs features a collage of historic photos that document his racing career.

Drinking and driving don't mix, but Johnson is proof you can have a successful career in both.

The Cheese Cave, which opened this summer in the Claremont Village, is featured in the October issue of Los Angeles Magazine. But you'll find a longer article here, which is in today's Daily Bulletin.

This cheese shop features 125 varieties of cheese and other food items that go with cheese (Dale Bros. beer, nicoise olives, fig crackers, etc.) Their sandwich menu changes everyday and can be viewed on their Facebook page. Want some caffeine with that cheese? They serve cold brew, which is Mexican coca-cola with coffee ice cubes.

Hit them up for some samples at 325 Yale Ave. They're across from Walter's. 

San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino's food and beverage team has created a new signature drink to be served at the casino, at your Halloween gathering or while watching the Mad Monster Party DVD.

It's been dubbed the San Manuel Black Magic, and what gives the drink its spooky vibe is the addition of Blavod black vodka.

Here's the recipe:

San Manuel Black Magic

• 2 ounces Blavod black vodka
• ½ ounce grenadine
• Sierra Mist (or any lemon-lime soda)
• Maraschino cherry for garnish