First bites: AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza

Posted on April 28, 2010 by John Plessel

After hearing the news that AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza took first place in the western U.S (and fifth in the world!) at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas earlier this year, I’d been wanting to try them

This past Friday, I finally got a chance to do so.

Was it the best pizza I’ve ever had?

Um…not quite. But it was very good.

Let’s get this out of the way: When you think of Chicago pizza, you think of thick crust, deep dish pies, right? AJ Barile’s has thin crust.

But, oh, what a crust!
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Two more Inland Valley options for fine Italian dining

Posted on March 27, 2010 by John Plessel

Italian food lovers in the west side of the Inland Empire have two more choices for fine dining…one old and one new.

First up is the wonderful Paisano Ristorante Italiano, which used to be in north Fontana and has relocated to Victoria Gardens.

Their re-opening was delayed by a few months, but they’ve open for about a month now, and from what I hear, the new restaurant is more elegant than the last.

Dine 909 loved Paisano’s in its old incarnation, but we have yet to visit the Rancho Cucamonga restaurant.

If you want to check it out for yourself, it’s at 12574 North Main Street, near the entrance to the AMC Theatres. It’s in the spot formerly occupied by Sisley Italian Kitchen.
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First bites: CiCi’s Pizza

Posted on February 27, 2010 by John Plessel

OK, after hearing and seeing the ads for years, and just over a year after writing a blog post questioning the advertising of something that wasn’t available in this state, the curiosity was just too much.

I finally tried CiCi’s Pizza.

I happened to be in L.A. doing a little CD shopping and planned to stop on my way back in Chino Hills and check out the recently opened pizza buffet.

The verdict?

For the price, it can’t be beat, especially now. (More on that later.)

Do they have the best pizza I’ve ever had?

No, but some of their varieties are actually pretty tasty.
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Finally…CiCi’s!

Posted on February 13, 2010 by John Plessel

After pestering us for years with local television and radio spots, we’re finally getting a CiCi’s Pizza within driving distance.

CiCi’s Pizza Buffet will open Monday (February 15) in Chino Hills, at 4200 Chino Hills Parkway.

The buffet will normally cost just $4.99, but if you happen to be one of the first 100 people in line on Monday, you’ll receive free buffets for a year!

The announcement of the new 4,800 square foot restaurant comes nearly a year to the day since a certain blog post lamenting the barrage of advertising and complete lack of restaurants within California was written.

Of course, since then things have changed. The Chino Hills restaurant will be the third in the state, following a CiCi’s Pizza Buffet in San Diego and a CiCi’s Pizza To Go in Gardena.

CiCi’s offers 18 varieties of pizza, including specialty pizzas such as Buffalo chicken, BBQ, Mexican pizza Ol, spinach Alfredo and macaroni and cheese.

Besides pizza, the buffet also features pastas, salad and desserts. In addition to the buffet, CiCi’s will sell single-topping 15″ take-out pizzas for $4.99.

I’m still a little curious to check it out, but for $4.99 for all you can eat, I can tell you I’m not expecting much.

Redlands’ Old Spaghetti Factory: Less than a fortnight away

Posted on November 28, 2009 by John Plessel

According to Joy Juedes’ article appearing in The Sun today, the Redlands location of the Old Spaghetti Factory (in the old Babe’s Slim PigN’s building at 1635 Industrial Park Ave.) will open December 7.

That’s about a week earlier than previously announced.

It’ll be the third Inland Empire location for OSF, after Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga.

Apparently, they can only build in cities that begin with the letter ‘R.’

Click here to read Joy’s article.

Eat pizza, help schoolkids

Posted on November 16, 2009 by John Plessel

Tomorrow (November 17), the Original Graziano’s Italian Restaurant and Bar is hosting a fundraiser for Saint Peter and Saint Paul school in Rancho Cucamonga.

The event will take place from opening to closing at the restaurant, 1615 N. Mountain Ave. (at 16th Street).

All you need to do is mention the school and Graziano’s will donate 20% of your purchase to the school.

Grazie, Grazianos!

Paisano to move into Victoria Gardens

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Wendy Leung

That lonely void left by Sisley’s at Victoria Gardens will soon be filled.

Italian restaurant Paisano
is leaving its Fontana location and moving next to Lucille’s at
Victoria Gardens. The eatery is expected to open mid-December, said
Masa Liles, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens.

Old Spaghetti Factory coming to Redlands

Posted on September 28, 2009 by John Plessel

From our friends over at the Redlands Daily Facts, we learn that the fine folks of the Old Spaghetti Factory are planning to open a restaurant in Redlands by mid-December.

The restaurant will occupy the space that formerly housed Babe’s Slim PigN’s, 1635 Industrial Park Ave.

In my opinion, it’s a perfect fit. However, I predict the parking situation will be less perfect.

Construction will begin shortly to make minor changes before opening.

This will be OSF’s third Inland Empire location, following Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga.

Click here to read Jesse B. Gill’s story as posted on the Facts’ Web site.

Yet another take on Mill Creek

Posted on July 31, 2009 by John Plessel

Well, it appears that food critic/radio show host Allen Borgen and Dine 909 have something in common…our love for Mill Creek Cattle Company in Redlands.

Allen’s review hits the pages of the Sun and the Daily Bulletin today, and he gives it an astounding 4 stars out of 5.

Wow! I think he liked it even more than we did.

I’ve been back to Mill Creek several times since I did my initial review, and have had a great experience each time.

I’ve tried a couple of their sandwiches, one of their breakfast burritos and, out of curiosity, their chili cheese fries.

All good. All filling.

I really appreciate restaurants that serve breakfast all day, and Mill Creek is one of those.

If you like BBQ, do yourself a favor and check them out if you haven’t already done so.

If you, like me, are not a huge BBQ fan, don’t despair, they have plenty of other treats there as well.

Click here to read Allan’s review.

Not to be forgotten, also appearing in today’s Sun and Bulletin is Elaine Lehman’s review of Rancho Cucamonga’s Stuft Pizza Cafe.

Elaine tried an 8-inch sub filled with cheese, veggies and Italian meats, along with a salad and a soda, all for only $6.25. Sounds like a really good deal and a great alternative to Subway/Togo’s/Quiznos.

You can read Elaine’s review here.

Free BreadBowl Pasta! Free BreadBowl Pasta! Free BreadBowl Pasta!

Posted on May 19, 2009 by John Plessel

I know Diamond Bar is only Inland Empire-adjacent, but it’s definitely within driving distance for some of you, so…

If you want a free sample of Domino’s Pizza’s new BreadBowl Pasta, head on over to the store at 1383 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., in Diamond Bar.

But not yet.

From 4 to 6 p.m. next Wednesday (May 27), that location (and perhaps others?) will be handing out samples of its latest creation.

According to the press release, “Domino’s BreadBowl Pasta is a lightly seasoned bread bowl baked up around the pasta, surrounding it with tasty oven goodness. It is perfect for dipping, ripping, sharing and tearing! Domino’s BreadBowl Pasta is available in five classic combinations, including:

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Dine 909

Also delivering to the 760 and the 951

Category Archives: Italian