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Tonight in Norco, Bob's Big Boy got the boot.Actually, a pair of boots and a cowboy hat.
What seemed like half the town of Norco showed up to celebrate the culmination of a two-year journey for the Western-clad statue.
When the restaurant was in the planning stages in late 2007, the planning commission of "Horsetown USA" didn't think the iconic mascot was Western enough. So they requested a makeover.
The restaurant's headquarters, having complied once before by putting a Tyrolean hat on the Big Boy statue in Alpine-themed Gaylord, Mich., agreed to the change.
The restaurant opened in March of this year, but without the customized Big Boy.
The statue finally arrived late last month and the date for the big debut was chosen.
Continue reading An icon transformed: Norco's Cowboy Bob's Big Boy.
The taste of New Orleans has come to downtown Riverside.The grand opening of the Crescent Jewell Restaurant, 3597 Main St. (at Sixth Street) is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday (November 5).
The restaurant had a soft opening late last month. It occupies the space formerly held by the Back Stage Restaurant.
Owner Norman Copeland previously owned and operated Bayou Seafood Grille in Rancho Mirage. He's returning to his roots, as he grew up and was a former educator in Riverside. He graduated from North High School.
The restaurant specializes in Creole/Cajun food and also offers some American dishes such as steaks, pork chops and salads.
The eatery will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. They will offer a happy hour Monday through Friday.
For more information, you can reach them at (951) 684-1001.
Question: What does Norco have that no other place in the world has?
Horses? Nope. Lots of places have horses. But you're kinda close.
The Lake Norconian Club? Well, yes...but this is a food blog.
OK, then, Starbucks Coffee? That's ridiculous. You know there's a Starbucks on practically every corner in Southern California.
Fine. I give up. Sheesh, you give up easily.
The thing that Norco has that no other place in the world has...is a Western Bob's Big Boy statue!
And Dine 909 has an exclusive sneak peek after the jump!
Horses? Nope. Lots of places have horses. But you're kinda close.
The Lake Norconian Club? Well, yes...but this is a food blog.
OK, then, Starbucks Coffee? That's ridiculous. You know there's a Starbucks on practically every corner in Southern California.
Fine. I give up. Sheesh, you give up easily.
The thing that Norco has that no other place in the world has...is a Western Bob's Big Boy statue!
And Dine 909 has an exclusive sneak peek after the jump!
Continue reading Saddle up, Dolly!.
Here are just a few random Inland Empire food-related tidbits that have landed in the Dine 909 inbox recently:
- Café y pan y más
From 2 to 6 p.m. this Sunday (October 11), the Mountain Avenue Assembly of God, Redeemer's Mission (Mision El Redentor) Spanish Assembly of God and Camino de Fe (Way of Faith) churches are hosting a "Festival del Café" (Festival of Coffee) and "Festival del Pan" (Festival of Bread) at 1951 S. Mountain Avenue (between Philadelphia and Francis streets) in South Ontario.
The celebration is free and no donations of any kind will be accepted.
On the menu: Pozole and a selection of Brazilian dishes.
Also, many community organizations and businesses will be offering free services at the event.
For more information, call the Mountain Avenue Assembly of God Church at (909) 983-4378.
Continue reading Here, there and everywhere.
Get ready...they're doing it again.
Tomorrow morning, May 5.
9 a.m.
Mimi's Cafe, Corona.
If you're a regular follower of Dine 909, you know the drill: Get there early, get gift certificates.
In the past, Mimi's has given $100 gift certificates to the first 10 adults (18+) in line, $50 the next 15, and $25 to the next 50, for a total of 75 gift certificates worth $3,000. Not bad for just standing around.
They have been handing out gift certificates to celebrate their grand openings of new restaurants or remodels of older locations. Corona happens to fall in the latter category.
With this remodel, the Corona location gains a full bar and gets a refreshed look.
After 17 years, I believe they're due.
Why not come out and join the celebration? You might just walk away with a free gift card as a Cinco de Mayo present!
The Corona Mimi's Cafe is at 2230 Griffin Way, at McKinley Street. They're open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m daily.
Tomorrow morning, May 5.
9 a.m.
Mimi's Cafe, Corona.
If you're a regular follower of Dine 909, you know the drill: Get there early, get gift certificates.
In the past, Mimi's has given $100 gift certificates to the first 10 adults (18+) in line, $50 the next 15, and $25 to the next 50, for a total of 75 gift certificates worth $3,000. Not bad for just standing around.
They have been handing out gift certificates to celebrate their grand openings of new restaurants or remodels of older locations. Corona happens to fall in the latter category.
With this remodel, the Corona location gains a full bar and gets a refreshed look.
After 17 years, I believe they're due.
Why not come out and join the celebration? You might just walk away with a free gift card as a Cinco de Mayo present!
The Corona Mimi's Cafe is at 2230 Griffin Way, at McKinley Street. They're open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m daily.
Another Friday, another pair of reviews of places I've yet to visit.
Elaine Lehman made her way out to Grand Terrace to try Bonello's New York Pizza.
She got more than she bargained for when she ordered the lunch special.
Click here to read it for yourself.
On the dinner side, David Cohen reviews Riverside's Restaurant Omakase.
He gives it five stars out of five.
Looking at the current menu on their Web site, most of it sounds incredible:
Let's do the math...let's see...carry the 5...that's a $95 dinner! Wow.
For me, that would be a once-in-a-decade treat.
There is a bright side, however. For us cheapskates, David writes that the restaurant has been offering a special tasting menu on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.
Courses during the special tasting are only $10 and $5 for the wine pairing. For a three-course meal (the minimum), that's only $45, and down to a paltry $30 if you forgo the wine.
Hmm...that's within reach. Pity we've got to wait nearly a month for the next one!
Click here to read David's glowing review.
Elaine Lehman made her way out to Grand Terrace to try Bonello's New York Pizza.
She got more than she bargained for when she ordered the lunch special.
Click here to read it for yourself.
On the dinner side, David Cohen reviews Riverside's Restaurant Omakase.
He gives it five stars out of five.
Looking at the current menu on their Web site, most of it sounds incredible:
- bisque of fairytale pumpkin, house cheese, bacon, brioche
- japanese tai, sashimi style, a pickle of persimmon, apple & hot mint
- butternut gnocchi, glazed with tart apple, reggiano, balsamico
- roquefort 'cheesecake', preserved quince, pumpkin seed oil
- apple-yogurt souffle, brown sugar-sea salt anglaise
Let's do the math...let's see...carry the 5...that's a $95 dinner! Wow.
For me, that would be a once-in-a-decade treat.
There is a bright side, however. For us cheapskates, David writes that the restaurant has been offering a special tasting menu on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.
Courses during the special tasting are only $10 and $5 for the wine pairing. For a three-course meal (the minimum), that's only $45, and down to a paltry $30 if you forgo the wine.
Hmm...that's within reach. Pity we've got to wait nearly a month for the next one!
Click here to read David's glowing review.
Ever dream of strolling beautiful gardens while listening to live music and sampling fine wine and delicious food?
Well, now's your chance to make your dream come true.
UC Riverside's Botanic Gardens (seen at left) will be hosting its 11th annual "Primavera in the Gardens" fundraiser from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in the gardens.
Tickets for the wine- and food-tasting event are $50 per person and are available by reservation and at the gate.
Appetizers will be provided by prominent Riverside restaurants and caterers, and wines will come from regional vineyards and wineries.
Among the more than 30 restaurants, caterers and vintners that participated last year were Mario's Place, Café Sevilla, Saffron at the Riverside Art Museum, Trader Joe's, BevMo! Redlands, The Winery at Canyon Crest, Callaway Vineyards and Winery, Hart Winery and McDonald's.
Um...just kidding about that last one.
Live music will be presented by the band Incendio. The event also will include a silent auction, featuring dozens of garden-related items.
Proceeds from the event benefit Botanic Gardens projects, including hosting thousands of touring school children each year.
To receive advance tickets, reservations should be postmarked by May 8. Make checks payable to UCR Foundation and send to Primavera, Botanic Gardens University of California, 92521-0124.
For more information, call (951) 784-6962, e-mail ucrbg@ucr.edu, or go to www.gardens.ucr.edu.
Sounds like a lovely time. Hope you call can make it!
Well, now's your chance to make your dream come true.
UC Riverside's Botanic Gardens (seen at left) will be hosting its 11th annual "Primavera in the Gardens" fundraiser from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in the gardens.Tickets for the wine- and food-tasting event are $50 per person and are available by reservation and at the gate.
Appetizers will be provided by prominent Riverside restaurants and caterers, and wines will come from regional vineyards and wineries.
Among the more than 30 restaurants, caterers and vintners that participated last year were Mario's Place, Café Sevilla, Saffron at the Riverside Art Museum, Trader Joe's, BevMo! Redlands, The Winery at Canyon Crest, Callaway Vineyards and Winery, Hart Winery and McDonald's.
Um...just kidding about that last one.
Live music will be presented by the band Incendio. The event also will include a silent auction, featuring dozens of garden-related items.
Proceeds from the event benefit Botanic Gardens projects, including hosting thousands of touring school children each year.
To receive advance tickets, reservations should be postmarked by May 8. Make checks payable to UCR Foundation and send to Primavera, Botanic Gardens University of California, 92521-0124.
For more information, call (951) 784-6962, e-mail ucrbg@ucr.edu, or go to www.gardens.ucr.edu.
Sounds like a lovely time. Hope you call can make it!
No, we're not talking performance enhancing substances, here.
We're talking about a fundraiser for the Riverside Bengals Jr. All-American Youth Football and Cheer.
It's going to be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday (April 18) at the Jamba Juice at 2653 Pats Ranch Road, Suite C, Mira Loma, in the Vernola Marketplace.
Here's how it works: Stop by the Riverside Bengals booster tent in the parking lot of Jamba Juice and pick up a flier to take into the store. Present the flier when you order and the Riverside Bengals will receive an amount equal to 20% of your purchase. Enjoy your juice!
If your juice doesn't make you feel better, perhaps helping kids will!
We're talking about a fundraiser for the Riverside Bengals Jr. All-American Youth Football and Cheer.
It's going to be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday (April 18) at the Jamba Juice at 2653 Pats Ranch Road, Suite C, Mira Loma, in the Vernola Marketplace.
Here's how it works: Stop by the Riverside Bengals booster tent in the parking lot of Jamba Juice and pick up a flier to take into the store. Present the flier when you order and the Riverside Bengals will receive an amount equal to 20% of your purchase. Enjoy your juice!
If your juice doesn't make you feel better, perhaps helping kids will!
Director Anat Baron has created a documentary about the U.S. beer industry...described as a contemporary David versus Goliath story of small craft breweries against the corporate beer industry, chiefly Anheuser-Busch.
Anat Baron knows of what she films. Although she is allergic to alcohol, she was previously general manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade.
Her documentary, Beer Wars, will be screened in a nationwide live event tomorrow (April 16) evening.
Of course, we here in the Inland Empire won't be seeing it live, since it's being delayed on the West Coast, where it will play at 8 p.m. (It's playing live at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central and 6 p.m. Mountain)
The screening will be followed by a live panel discussion (unedited here on the West Coast) of the film and its topic, moderated by Ben Stein. Oddly enough, the live panel discussion will take place at Royce Hall at UCLA.
Here in the Inland Empire, the event will take place at the AMC Ontario Mills 30 in, um, Ontario, and at in Riverside at the AMC Galleria at Tyler 16. If you include the low desert in your definition of the Inland Empire, it's happening at Regal's Palm Springs Courtyard Stadium 9 and at Cinemark's Rancho Mirage River 15. It's also taking place at Cinemark 16 Victorville.
Click here for a complete theater listing and to purchase tickets.
Cheers!
Anat Baron knows of what she films. Although she is allergic to alcohol, she was previously general manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade.
Her documentary, Beer Wars, will be screened in a nationwide live event tomorrow (April 16) evening.
Of course, we here in the Inland Empire won't be seeing it live, since it's being delayed on the West Coast, where it will play at 8 p.m. (It's playing live at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central and 6 p.m. Mountain)
The screening will be followed by a live panel discussion (unedited here on the West Coast) of the film and its topic, moderated by Ben Stein. Oddly enough, the live panel discussion will take place at Royce Hall at UCLA.
Here in the Inland Empire, the event will take place at the AMC Ontario Mills 30 in, um, Ontario, and at in Riverside at the AMC Galleria at Tyler 16. If you include the low desert in your definition of the Inland Empire, it's happening at Regal's Palm Springs Courtyard Stadium 9 and at Cinemark's Rancho Mirage River 15. It's also taking place at Cinemark 16 Victorville.
Click here for a complete theater listing and to purchase tickets.
Cheers!
Ladies and gentlemen...in this corner we have Pepito's, a longtime Riverside establishment with a not-so-storied past.
And in this corner, we have Kool Kactus Cafe, offering a fresh take on your standard Mexican fare.
Who will win? We'll leave that decision up to you.
I'm referring, of course, to this week's reviews...first up is Elaine Lehman's lunch review of Kool Kactus in Loma Linda. I've been to Kool Kactus, but not for a very long time. I seem to recall that it was a bit pricey for what you got, but that their focus was on freshness and being perhaps a little healthier than your typical Mexican standard.
Just glancing over their menu here, it appears that very little has changed over at the cafe. They're a dollar or two above what you might find elsewhere, and they have a number of items (Squash burrito? Sounds intriguing!) that are approved by the San Bernardino County Department of Health as being healthier for you.
Elaine seemed to enjoy her chicken quesadilla special, commenting favorably on the accompanying beans. You can read her entire review here.
And in this corner, we have Kool Kactus Cafe, offering a fresh take on your standard Mexican fare.
Who will win? We'll leave that decision up to you.
I'm referring, of course, to this week's reviews...first up is Elaine Lehman's lunch review of Kool Kactus in Loma Linda. I've been to Kool Kactus, but not for a very long time. I seem to recall that it was a bit pricey for what you got, but that their focus was on freshness and being perhaps a little healthier than your typical Mexican standard.
Just glancing over their menu here, it appears that very little has changed over at the cafe. They're a dollar or two above what you might find elsewhere, and they have a number of items (Squash burrito? Sounds intriguing!) that are approved by the San Bernardino County Department of Health as being healthier for you.
Elaine seemed to enjoy her chicken quesadilla special, commenting favorably on the accompanying beans. You can read her entire review here.
Continue reading Finally, Friday.
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