Dine 909 tag:www.insidesocal.com,2008-09-24:/dine909//439 2012-02-11T12:42:08Z :9 Movable Type 4.25 Valentine's Day treats in the Inland Empire tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222740 2012-02-11T17:04:27Z 2012-02-11T12:42:08Z Who allowed Valentine's Day to fall during the week?Doesn't that just mess with everyone's plans?Inland Empire restaurants nonetheless are offering up indulgent treats (and specially-priced deals) for lovebirds.Follow the jump to see a sampling.... John Plessel
Doesn't that just mess with everyone's plans?

Inland Empire restaurants nonetheless are offering up indulgent treats (and specially-priced deals) for lovebirds.

Follow the jump to see a sampling.
]]> Splurge a little

  • Ra Pour: The upscale Victoria Gardens restaurant and lounge will have two Valentine's events. Tonight (Febtuary 11) beginning at 9 p.m., singles can send $5 cocktail candy grams with sweet - or sexy - messages to the cutie across the way, enjoy small bites and appetizers, and party into the night with KGGI's DJ ODM. The restaurant will offer a special four-course meal on Valentine's Day, with either black cod with creamed leeks and potatoes or sliced beef tenderloin with a truffled celery root purée as an entrée. Cost is $49 per person.
  • Yard House: The restaurant bar is has unveiled its annual Aphrodisiac Menu featuring a selection of seductive appetizers, entrées and desserts priced from $7.95 to $26.95. The special menu will be available through Valentine's Day at all locations, including Rancho Cucamonga and Chino Hills.
  • Palm Springs Tramway: The tram's Peaks Restaurant will serve a special menu through Valentine's Day. Dinner includes an amuse-bouche, soup or salad, a choice of entrée and a shared dessert. Cost of dinner is $45 per person. Tram admission, gratuity and tax are not included. Reservations are recommended by calling 760-325-4537.
  • Roy's Restaurant: Through Valentine's Day, guests can send a uniquely designed e-card to as many friends, family and loved ones as desired by visiting the restaurant's website or Facebook page. Recipients will receive one of three gifts: Complimentary Lobster Potstickers, a Chocolate Soufflé (each with purchase of entrée) or a $50 gift certificate. The 10 guests who share the most love by sending Roy's e-cards will receive $100 off their next visit. This weekend (February 11 and 12), Roy's will offer a "Couples Menu" for a $89 which includes petite filet mignon and half lobster served with fingerling potatoes and Thai basil béarnaise for the entrée. Couples who dine on Valentine's Day will receive a $20 bonus card, valid from February 15 through March 31. The sole Inland Empire Roy's is at 71959 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage.
On a budget

  • BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse: Through Valentine's Day, select two specialty entrées for $29.95, plus half-off all bottles of wine.
  • Bob's Big Boy: Through Tuesday, two can dine for $20. Dinner includes two endless soup, salad and fruit buffets, two entrées from a select menu, and a hot fudge cake to share. Bob's can be found in Moreno Valley, Calimesa and Norco.
  • Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar: Through Valentine's Day, Boston's (11260 Fourth St., Rancho Cucamonga) is baking heart-shaped pizzas. $1 from each pizza purchased goes to a local charity.
Penny pinchers

  • Qdoba Mexican Grill: On Valentine's Day, purchase an entrée at a participating Qdoba restaurant and then share a kiss with a significant other, friend, family member or understanding stranger at the cash register and receive a second entrée of equal or lesser value for free. I.E. locations in Redlands, Upland, Ontario and Moreno Valley.
  • The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: It's a BOGO on VD at CBTL! On Valentine's Day, buy one beverage at participating locations, get another of equal or lesser value for free.
]]> Threepeat for My Delight Cupcakery tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222879 2012-02-09T04:06:13Z 2012-02-09T04:10:41Z Congratulations go out to Ontario's My Delight Cupcakery, which captured the top spot for an amazing third consecutive year at Saturday's (February 4) L.A. Cupcake Challenge.My Delight introduced a new breakfast cupcake at the challenge: Western Breakfast Cupcake.How's this sound?... John Plessel My Delight Cupcakery, which captured the top spot for an amazing third consecutive year at Saturday's (February 4) L.A. Cupcake Challenge.

My Delight introduced a new breakfast cupcake at the challenge: Western Breakfast Cupcake.

How's this sound? Cornbread cake with bacon, sweet corn and a sprinkling of black pepper, honey butter frosting with bacon, a drizzle of honey and a pinch of black pepper on top.

Savory-sweet breakfast not your thing? The bakery also brought Red Velvet Raspberry Cheesecake cupcakes to the competition.

To celebrate, the cupcakery will give away mini cupcakes of either variety to the first 50 customers beginning at 1 p.m tomorrow (February 9).

My Delight Cupcakery is at 1520 N. Mountain Ave., Suite B-108.]]> Live the Chocolate Fantasy Saturday in Redlands tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222709 2012-02-09T03:40:21Z 2012-02-09T03:52:52Z John Plessel Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands' major fundraiser is Saturday night: Chocolate Fantasy.

In addition to chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate, the event will include samplings from Two Guys Pasta & Pizza, ABTsolutely Gourmet Catering, Tess' Place, Michelle's, Mill Creek Cattle Company, Bon Appétit, Jose's, State Street Winery, Joe Greensleeves and Farm Artisan Foods.

The event will be held at the Mitten Building, 345A N. Fifth St. Doors open at 6:30.

Tickets are $75 and available at the Boys & Girls Clubs office, 1251 Clay St., Redlands.

For more information, click here to read Michel Nolan's article from the pages of the Redlands Daily Facts.]]> Candy creator dead in Illinois tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222874 2012-02-09T02:38:50Z 2012-02-09T02:44:30Z You might not recognize the name Nello Ferrara.However, candy lovers might recognize the name of the family business he took over from his father: Ferrara Pan.You can thank Nello Ferrara for the creation of Lemonheads and Atomic FireBalls.No word on... John Plessel
However, candy lovers might recognize the name of the family business he took over from his father: Ferrara Pan.

You can thank Nello Ferrara for the creation of Lemonheads and Atomic FireBalls.

No word on whether he was buried in a cardboard box.

You can read the Associated Press obituary here.]]> Palm Springs Food Truck Festival a big success, more to follow tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222867 2012-02-09T00:45:25Z 2012-02-09T01:41:25Z Congratulations to Cliff Young!News accounts estimated the crowds at Saturday's (February 4) inaugural Palm Springs Food Truck Festival, curated by the KVCR-TV Out to Eat host, at nearly 10,000.The event helped raise money for the Palm Springs High School music... John Plessel
News accounts estimated the crowds at Saturday's (February 4) inaugural Palm Springs Food Truck Festival, curated by the KVCR-TV Out to Eat host, at nearly 10,000.

The event helped raise money for the Palm Springs High School music program and marching band, victims of a burglary last month.

The band played (beautifully) for attendees and students staffed the beverage stations.

The weather was plentiful and most folks seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I don't expect this to be a one-off event. Cliff is hoping to make this a semi-annual event, and is thinking of incorporating food trucks into other events he organizes.

We had a great time chatting with Inland Empire food truck operators, including Yucaipa-based Stella Pierre's Gourmet Grub (offering a caramel-Sriracha sauce with chocolate-covered bacon is sheer genius), Apple Valley's Where's the Fire? Gourmet Pizza (regulars at Redlands Market Night and the High Desert Farmers Market) and Suite 106 Cupcakery (which had yet another sell-out).

More food truck events are on the horizon, including three later this month. Click the jump to see a list.]]>
  • Wheel Food Fest: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (February 11), Diamond Bar High School, 21400 Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar (just beyond the Inland Empire). $2 for adults, $1 for students with ID, and free for kids five and under. Don Chow Tacos, the Slummin' Gourmet, Sweet E's Bake Shop, Rebel Bite, Jogasaki Burrito, Nom Nom Truck and Slammin' Sliders. @DBHSFoodFest
  • Upland Highland Regiment Boosters Food Truck Frenzy: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 18, Cable Airport, 1749 W. 13th St., Upland. $5. Flier advertises 19 trucks, including My Delight Cupcakery. Dale Bros. Brewery beer garden. Flier, boosters' website.
  • Inland Empire Brewing Company Third Anniversary: Noon to 6 p.m. February 25, 1710 Palmyrita Ave. Suite #11, Riverside. $30. 15 breweries, plus Stella Pierre's Gourmet Grub, Suite 106 Cupcakery, Gourmet Genie and Short Rib BBQ. Website, tickets.
  • Corona Chamber of Commerce Primetime Mixer: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. February 29, UFC Gym, 470 N. McKinley St., Corona. Bacon MANia, the Lime Truck, Dos Chinos, the Slummin' Gourmet, Pogi Boy and Crepe'n Around. Flier.
  • The Yum Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 25, Ontario Mills Mall. Website. 40-plus trucks lined up.
  • I.E. Food Truck Fest: Noon to 6 p.m., May 6, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario. $10, $8 in advance, children age 6 and under are free. Early entry tickets are an additional $5. Website, tickets.
  • Riverside Food Truck Fest: Noon to 6:30 p.m., June 10, Third and Main streets, Riverside. Beer garden. Website.
    • ]]>     The bacon shake does exist tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222860 2012-02-08T21:54:56Z 2012-02-09T05:10:51Z Business reporter Andrew Edwards has a few minutes out from his busy day to review Jack in the Box's bacon shake for us here at Dine 909.He declares it "better than I expected," which I guess is as good of... John Plessel Jack in the Box's bacon shake for us here at Dine 909.

    He declares it "better than I expected," which I guess is as good of an endorsement as any.

    The bacon shake is available for a limited time at participating locations.

    Follow the jump to watch the video review.]]>

    Update: Andrew has augmented his video review with the following written review.

    The new bacon milkshake at Jack in the Box is a half-truth with too much salt, but it's funny enough to try once.

    At the very least, drinking a bacon milkshake entitles the consumer to tell friends that one has indeed consumed a bacon milkshake, then attaining all rights, privileges and mockery involved with the commission of such an act.

    First of all, it needs to be established that Jack in the Box's own nutritional guide reveals the milkshake derives its flavor not from actual bacon, but "bacon flavored syrup." Whatever this is tastes like salt and maple syrup, and the flavor is close enough to the actual flavor of bacon to pass initial scrutiny. The sweetness of the milkshake's vanilla ice cream added to the bacon syrup makes the drink taste something like maple syrup poured over bacon.

    Upon further examination, however, the maple flavor diminishes and the taste of salt becomes much more prominent and the flavor is less like bacon and more like sweet salt.

    A regular size serving of 16 ounces contains 319 milligrams of sodium, which is roughly one-seventh of the recommended maximum daily intake. Adding a Jumbo Jack with cheese and small fries to the order would result in consuming a day's worth of sodium in a single meal.

    Jack in the Box says its bacon milkshake is only available for a limited time, and that's for the best. I have to admit that I thought it tasted good enough at first, but after finishing one I realized I would never need to drink another of its kind. The bacon milkshake is really more of a joke than an actual food product.
    Thanks Andrew!
    ]]>     Yogurtland giving free frozen yogurt for National Frozen Yogurt Day Monday tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222056 2012-02-04T04:22:01Z 2012-02-04T04:49:50Z Another ersatz holiday brings another food giveaway.Monday (February 6) is National Frozen Yogurt Day and Yogurtland will be celebrating by giving away free frozen yogurt and toppings at more than 160 stores across the U.S., including Inland Empire locations in... John Plessel FroYoDay.pngAnother ersatz holiday brings another food giveaway.

    Monday (February 6) is National Frozen Yogurt Day and Yogurtland will be celebrating by giving away free frozen yogurt and toppings at more than 160 stores across the U.S., including Inland Empire locations in Claremont, Chino Hills, Riverside and Corona.

    The giveaway will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. while supplies last.

    Yogurtland will even have special commemorative cups and spoons for the event.

    The giveaway will take place at the following I.E. locations:

    • Claremont: 101 N. Indiana Hill Blvd.
    • Chino Hills: 4505 Chino Hills Parkway
    • Riverside: 1242 University Ave.
    • Corona: 135 E. Ontario Ave.
    ]]>     Steak dinners and karaoke return to the Rancho Cucamonga VFW tomorrow tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222613 2012-02-04T03:14:25Z 2012-02-04T03:39:28Z Tomorrow (February 4) marks the return of steak dinners and karaoke to VFW Post 8680, 8751 Industrial Lane, Rancho Cucamonga.Steak dinners include a 10-ounce choice sirloin, salad, baked potato, veggie, roll and butter.Diners choose their own steaks and seasonings, then... John Plessel VFW Post 8680, 8751 Industrial Lane, Rancho Cucamonga.

    Steak dinners include a 10-ounce choice sirloin, salad, baked potato, veggie, roll and butter.

    Diners choose their own steaks and seasonings, then the steak is grilled to order.

    The dinners are served from 6 to 8 p.m. A $10 donation is requested.

    Karaoke is free and begins at 7:30 p.m.]]>     Hangar 24's Vinaceous released tomorrow tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222612 2012-02-04T03:04:51Z 2012-02-04T03:06:40Z Hangar 24 Craft Brewery will release the first beer of its "Local Fields" series at 11 a.m. tomorrow (February 4).The brew, Vinaceous, was created to combine the best characteristics of wine and beer. It was made by adding crushed Mourvedre... John Plessel Hangar 24 Craft Brewery will release the first beer of its "Local Fields" series at 11 a.m. tomorrow (February 4).

    The brew, Vinaceous, was created to combine the best characteristics of wine and beer. It was made by adding crushed Mourvedre grapes sourced from Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula.

    For more information, click here.

    Hangar 24 is at 1710 Sessums Drive in Redlands.]]>     Toby Keith's I ♥ This Bar & Grill update tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222610 2012-02-04T02:45:33Z 2012-02-04T02:49:04Z John Plessel Toby Keith's I ♥ This Bar & Grill.

    Her story details some of the reasons for the delays in the restaurant/bar's opening, originally scheduled for January 2011, now pegged for mid-March.

    The story will appear in tomorrow's Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

    You can read it now by clicking here.]]>     Palm Springs Food Truck Festival is tomorrow tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222608 2012-02-04T01:51:36Z 2012-02-04T01:55:33Z This is just a reminder that the Palm Springs Food Truck Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (February 4) at the Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Road.The festival is being curated by Cliff Young,... John Plessel psfoodtruckfest.pngThis is just a reminder that the Palm Springs Food Truck Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (February 4) at the Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Road.

    The festival is being curated by Cliff Young, host of KVCR-TV's Out To Eat show, who has lined up 58 trucks for the event.

    Tickets are $10 for general admission and $40 for V.I.P. Kids six and under are admitted free.

    V.I.P. ticketholders get early admission (10 a.m.), free water and soda, participation in a meet-and-greet with some of the truck operators and entry into drawings for a Las Vegas weekend.

    Tickets are available online or at the door.

    A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Palm Springs High School music program and marching band, victims of a burglary last month.

    Some of the heavy-hitters lined up for the event include the Ludo Truck, the Border Grill Truck, Calbi and Grill 'Em All.

    Also scheduled to participate are I.E.-based Stella Pierre's Gourmet Grub, Where's The Fire? Gourmet Pizza and Suite 106 Cupcakery.

    This is going to be a big event...hope to see you there!

    Head over the jump for a full truck lineup.]]> ]]>     Pay once, eat twice at Sonic tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222603 2012-02-04T00:35:38Z 2012-02-04T00:37:28Z The Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville and Apple Valley Sonic Drive-Ins are participating in a Super Bowl Double Play this Sunday (February 5).The concept is simple. Just place an order at any of the above locations on Sunday and hang on to... John Plessel SonicSuperBowl.pngThe Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville and Apple Valley Sonic Drive-Ins are participating in a Super Bowl Double Play this Sunday (February 5).

    The concept is simple. Just place an order at any of the above locations on Sunday and hang on to your receipt. (The receipts will be pink).

    Bring your pink receipt back to the location before the end of February and receive your order again...for free!

    Restrictions: You have to have your original pink receipt. The offer is valid at participating Sonic Drive-Ins only. You have to redeem your entire receipt in full. Gift card purchases are excluded. The offer expires February 29, 2012.]]>     La Verne's Charlie's Italian Cafe gets Kitchen Nightmares airdate tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222511 2012-02-03T01:26:41Z 2012-02-03T02:11:46Z Followers of this blog might remember back in October of last year when La Verne restaurant Charlie's Italian Cafe was overhauled as part of the Chef Gordon Ramsay's Fox reality show, Kitchen Nightmares.Ramsay and his crew worked with restaurant staff... John Plessel back in October of last year when La Verne restaurant Charlie's Italian Cafe was overhauled as part of the Chef Gordon Ramsay's Fox reality show, Kitchen Nightmares.

    Ramsay and his crew worked with restaurant staff for a week (and beyond) to root out any problems in the restaurant's operations in an attempt to revive it.

    The intensive week culminated in a dinner service featuring a trimmed-down menu and a remodeled dining area. Dine 909 was invited to be a part of this special dinner.

    The transformation process was captured on tape for airing at a later date.

    We now have that date: 8 p.m., February 17 on Fox.

    The restaurant will be closed that day so that the staff can enjoy the premiere with a private event.

    Explains Charlie's owner Tatiana Leiva, "I'm excited for the episode to air and to finally relive the experience I went through. I want people to see the passion I have for my restaurant and understand why I have been able to fall in love with the food and ambiance all over again. It was a necessary journey I will never regret and I hope I can make Chef Ramsay proud!"

    If you want to prepare for the episode, you can experience Charlie's for yourself.

    The restaurant, 2445 Foothill Blvd., is open from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly except Mondays. Call the restaurant at 909-392-3734 for reservations.

    You can watch previous episodes of Fox's Kitchen Nightmares by clicking here.]]>     Sonic's winter deals extended through February tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222501 2012-02-02T23:55:11Z 2012-02-03T00:02:07Z It seems like just a week or so ago we were bemoaning the end of Sonic Drive-In's daily winter deals, which we found out about a week before they were to expire.Well, today we spotted this tweet that changes everything:Extending... John Plessel just a week or so ago we were bemoaning the end of Sonic Drive-In's daily winter deals, which we found out about a week before they were to expire.

    Well, today we spotted this tweet that changes everything:


    The deals are fairly substantial. The Sonic burger, which is on special for 99¢ on Tuesdays, is normally $2.99.

    Follow the jump to see the rest of the deals, which are now good until February 29.
    ]]>
  • Sunday: $2.99 Sonic burger and regular shake
  • Monday: 99¢ six-inch premium hot dogs
  • Tuesday: 99¢ Sonic burger
  • Wednesday: $1.49 grilled or crispy chicken sandwich
  • Thursday: $1.49 three-piece chicken strips
  • Friday: $1.49 breakfast burrito (breakfast is served all day at Sonic, just like that other place)
  • Saturday: $2.99 foot-long, quarter-pound Coney and medium tots
    • The offers are good at participating greater Los Angeles and Palm Springs area locations, including the Inland Empire locations in Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Apple Valley, Yucca Valley, Cathedral City, Hemet and Murrieta.]]>     Free onion rings at Burger King this weekend tag:www.insidesocal.com,2012:/dine909//439.222476 2012-02-02T23:23:35Z 2012-02-02T23:25:23Z After revamping its French fries, Burger King turned to its other popular side, onion rings.As it did with its fries, the chain will give away orders of rings as a promotion.The giveaway will happen both Saturday (February 4) and Sunday... John Plessel Burger King turned to its other popular side, onion rings.

    As it did with its fries, the chain will give away orders of rings as a promotion.

    The giveaway will happen both Saturday (February 4) and Sunday (February 5) at participating restaurants.

    Detalils? Customers will receive a value sized order of rings while supplies last. One free order per customer. Not valid during breakfast hours.

    For more information, click here or here for the Facebook event page.

    Burger King restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.]]>