Dine 909′s adventures in (un)reality television

Posted on October 13, 2011 by John Plessel

Surreal.

That’s the best word I can use to describe it.

To be sitting in a smallish restaurant in a nondescript strip mall in La Verne.

And having camera crews roaming the restaurant, and Chef Gordon Ramsay running in and out of the kitchen and through the dining area.

Yes — the Chef Gordon Ramsay — the notoriously short-tempered British culinary and television star.

The dinner took place at Charlie’s Italian Cafe on the final day of filming for Ramsay’s Fox reality show, Kitchen Nightmares.
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Cici’s Pizza finally coming to Corona

Posted on September 21, 2011 by John Plessel

Last month, I wrote about the opening of the Corona Cici’s Pizza getting a last-minute delay.

Well, delay no more! The Corona Cici’s will open at 11 a.m. on Monday (September 26).

The first 100 customers to purchase an adult buffet will receive a free buffet every month for a year.

Also, the company is distributing hundreds of wallets around town that contain coupons for a free buffet, a $5.49 value.

The new Cici’s Pizza is at 591 McKinley St., Suite 103, formerly home to a Pizza Factory.

And to think at one time I was bemoaning the fact that, despite heavily advertising in the area, there were no locations locally, and now we’ll have three.

Cici’s
Pizza currently has locations in Chino Hills (4200 Chino Hills Parkway,
Suite 890) and Murrieta (29910 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Suite S).

How the Gourmet Pizza Shoppe got its Groupon

Posted on September 19, 2011 by John Plessel

Dine 909 favorite the Gourmet Pizza Shoppe is offering a fantastic deal via Groupon.

Two can dine on a three-course meal for only $14, which is usually up to a $35.27 value.

Here’s what you get for your $14:

Any 12-inch pizza (up to a $22.49 value)
Any salad for two (up to a $9.29 value)
One small appetizer, excluding the sampler plate, buffalo wings, or cheese bread (up to a $3.49 value)

Seriously, this is a great deal. However, it was posted several days ago and there is a “limited time remaining.” So, in other words, it could disappear at any time.

The deal is good at either the Redlands and Yucaipa locations. You’ll select which one at the time of purchase. Once you buy, you’ve got until March 19, 2012, to redeem.

Click here to get in on the deal.

Update: I warned you the deal was fleeting. It’s dead, Jim!

Third I.E. Cici’s Pizza to land in Corona…at some point

Posted on August 19, 2011 by John Plessel

Well, I was all set to write about the grand opening next week of the Corona Cici’s Pizza and that the first 100 customers to purchase an adult buffet would receive a free buffet every month for a year, but…

I received an email this afternoon letting us know that the grand opening date was to be determined.

When it does open, Cici’s Pizza will be at 591 McKinley St., Suite 103, formerly home to a Pizza Factory.

Cici’s Pizza currently has locations in Chino Hills (4200 Chino Hills Parkway, Suite 890) and Murrieta (29910 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Suite S).

AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza wins again

Posted on April 21, 2011 by John Plessel

AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza has done it again!

The Yucaipa restaurant has taken first place in the Western U.S. at last month’s International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

This is the second year in a row they’ve taken home the prize.

The winning “traditional” pizza entry this year was Paulie’s Pesto.

Dine 909 congratulates AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza and Chef Paul Duran!

AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza is at 32693 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa.

62 years? That’s a lot of pizzas!

Posted on January 14, 2011 by John Plessel

John Weeks’ column of a few days ago told of Tony Trozera’s talk at the January meeting of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society.

Trozera, along with his mother and brother, founded The Mug in San Bernardino way back 1948. It’s still in business today.

It’s an interesting glimpse into the history of one of San Bernardino’s landmark restaurants.

Click here to read John’s column.

The Mug is (still) at 1588 W. Highland Ave.

Two Guys helps out

Posted on January 9, 2011 by John Plessel

And yes, that is proper English.

Since Monday, the Italian restaurant has been raising funds for the victims of the recent Highland flooding.

You’ve still got today (January 9) and tomorrow (January 10) to do your part.

There are several ways you can help:

Pay $10 for a food certificate worth $20. Half of your $10 will be donated.
Give any size donation and receive a $5 off coupon.
Dine there on Monday, when 10% of all sales will be donated.

Two Guys Pizza and Pasta is at 2566 E. Highland Ave., Highland.

Gourmet Pizza Shoppes: New year, new day

Posted on December 13, 2010 by John Plessel

Come 2011, there’ll be more to love at the Gourmet Pizza Shoppes in Redlands and Yucaipa/Calimesa.

16.67% more, actually.

That’s because the Dine 909 Favorite will be open seven days a week.

The Redlands store had traditionally been closed on Mondays, while the Yucaipa/Calimesa location was closed on Tuesdays.

Well…no more!

Both stores will be closed Friday and Saturday during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.

Gourmet Pizza Shoppes are at 120 E. State St., in Redlands and at 13661 Calimesa Blvd. in Yucaipa.

Happy World Pasta Day!

Posted on October 25, 2010 by John Plessel

Today (October 25) is World Pasta Day, which was designated by the (U.S.) National Pasta Association, the Union des Associations des Fabricants de Ptes Alimentaires de la Communaut conomique Europenne (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?
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All-you-can-eat for $3.99? Must be CiCi’s…

Posted on September 22, 2010 by John Plessel

And indeed it is.

CiCi’s Pizza Buffet has lowered their price yet again from $4.99 to $3.99 beginning today and lasting until October 3.

It’s part of their continuing 25th anniversary celebration.

CiCi’s finally landed in Chino Hills earlier this year after bombarding for years with their TV and radio ads.

(There will at some point in the uture be two CiCi’s in the Inland Empire, as their website lists a Coachella location under their “coming soon” listings.)

I’ve been to the Chino Hills location a couple of times and found it to be a great bargain for the price. I may take a trip out there to take advantage of this deal.

The Chino Hills CiCi’s is at 4200 Chino Hills Parkway.

Dine 909

Also delivering to the 760 and the 951

Category Archives: Italian