http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/ :9 en Copyright 2010 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:58:02 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification
Bet you never knew there was a National Bagel Day. Well, you're not alone!

I found a couple of reports online that indicated Panera Bread was giving away bagels today, but nothing on Panera's Web site, nor their Twitter or Facebook pages. So, you might want to take those reports with a grain of salt. Or a poppy seed.

Regardless, you might want to take time today to celebrate with your favorite bagel and a schmeer of cream cheese. Yum!

Mazel tov!]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/happy-national-bagel-day.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/happy-national-bagel-day.html Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:58:02 -0800 Denny's is repeating it's colossally-popular Free Grand Slam event.

They're giving free Original Grand Slams from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow (February 9).

Of course, last year's giveaway drew lines around the building at most Denny's restaurants.

Expect the same tomorrow.

In addition to the Grand Slam giveaway, Denny's has other promotions lined up. Follow the jump to find out more.]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/deja-vudennys-offering-free-gr.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/deja-vudennys-offering-free-gr.html free stuff Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:47:02 -0800 Update: Joy Juedes over at the Redlands Daily Facts has done a story on the event. Click here to read her article.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands is hosting the 16th iteration of its Chocolate Fantasy fundraiser this Saturday (February 6) at the Mitten Building, 345A N. Fifth St., Redlands.

The black tie-preferred event, which runs from 7 to 11 p.m., will feature hors d'œuvre, Champagne, live and silent auctions, dancing to a live band, and, of course...chocolate!

No one under the age of 21 will be admitted.

This year's event will featured food and drink from local providers, including Mill Creek Cattle Co., Hangar 24 Craft Brewery and Farm Artisan Foods.

This year's live auction includes a seven-day/six-night stay at Wyndham Ka'Eo Kai on Kauai, Hawaii; a gourmet dinner for eight (with wine pairings) by Farm Artisan Foods owner and chef Roberto Argentina; a six-day, five night stay (including airfare) at Westin Regina Resort in Puerto Vallarta; a limo ride for four to attend a live taping of CBS' "Two and a Half Men"; a pair of Trek adult beach cruiser bikes; and a Mexican dinner fiesta for fifty.

Among the dozens of silent auction items: a two-night stay at the Avi Resort and Casino in Laughlin, NV; a Saturday night stay with Sunday brunch at the San Bernardino Hilton; a gift certificate for Joe Greensleeves; a guitar signed by Kevin Costner via KFRG; passes to the Palm Springs Tramway; passes to Sea World; and an Ontario Reign luxury box suite from Toyota of San Bernardino.

Whew!

Proceeds from the event fund programs for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands.

Tickets are $90 at the door or $75 in advance by calling 909-798-4599.

However, because you're a fan of Dine 909, we'll let you in on a little secret. If you're quick, you can get tickets from our friends over at SoCal Gift Cards for only $48.75. That's nearly half off the door price!

At the time of this post, there are 11 tickets left.

On your mark...get set...go!]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/whats-your-fantasydoes-it-invo.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/whats-your-fantasydoes-it-invo.html Dessert Redlands fundraisers Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:16:05 -0800 Starbucks this Friday (February 5), you'll get a little something extra with your Caramel Macchiato.

You see, Starbucks will be giving out bite-size KIND bar samples at their stores nationwide.

And just what is a KIND bar?

If you haven't already found out by clicking the link above, it's a healthy snack bar that's billed as being made "from ingredients you can see and pronounce."

Sounds pretty sensible to me. They're also connected with a Web site that encourages random acts of kindness, which bodes well for their corporate culture.

Starbucks will be sampling two of the KIND bars they carry: Fruit & Nut Delight and Cranberry Almond+Antioxidants.

For more information, click here to read the KIND January newsletter.]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/free-kind-bars-at-starbucks.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/02/free-kind-bars-at-starbucks.html Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:08:37 -0800 fresh & easy locations in Rancho Cucamonga doubled today.

Of course, there was only one to begin with, but now there are two.

The new location, which opened its doors at 10 a.m today, is at 8956 Foothill Blvd. (at Vineyard Avenue), in the Thomas Winery Plaza.

It joins the original Rancho Cucamonga location about 3½ miles east at 12188 Foothill Blvd. (at Day Creek Boulevard), which opened in September.

The recipient of the $1,000 check (which fresh & easy grants at each grand opening) is Citrus Little League.

Of course, still no word on the Loma Linda, Rialto, Moreno Valley (Cottonwood Avenue), Calimesa and Ontario (Euclid Avenue) store openings, although I hear the Rialto store will open sometime in March. I suspect the second Ontario location will open shortly after that.
]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/fresh-easy-opens-in-rancho-cuc.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/fresh-easy-opens-in-rancho-cuc.html Rancho Cucamonga openings Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:03:02 -0800
The tips are pretty common sense:

• Don't use gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices to heat your home.
• Throw away food (including food containers with screw-caps, and home canned foods) that has touched flood or storm water.
• Throw away perishable food that has been at 41 degrees or warmer for more than two hours.
• Don't use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.

This is especially important to remember if the power goes out, as it has in the mountains during the recent storms.

Follow the jump to read the county's press release.
]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/food-safety-during-storms.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/food-safety-during-storms.html Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:21:57 -0800 P.F. Chang's launched a new Happy Hour, which runs from 3 to 6 p.m. every day.

Every day.

EVERY DAY.

A quick glance revealed nearly all of the items on the Happy Hour menu are at least $2 off their usual prices. Most of the items I compared were $3 less.

Happy Hour items are priced from $3 to $6...get it? 3 to 6 p.m. -- $3 to $6 prices? Clever, huh?

Of course, there is one item (a glass of Pabst Blue Ribbon) that's only $2, but let's pretend we didn't see that.

We stumbled upon the Happy Hour this past Friday afternoon at the Victoria Gardens location in Rancho Cucamonga.

The result? For $20 and pennies per person (including tax, but not tip), we had a delicious, filling meal that included a wide variety of food, a high-end Margarita and dessert.

Follow the jump for more details.]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/pf-changs-new-happy-hour-price.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/pf-changs-new-happy-hour-price.html Chinese deals Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:07:54 -0800 Amapola Rico Taco began offering an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on Saturdays and Sundays at two of its San Bernardino locations -- 1279 W. Base Line (at Mount Vernon Avenue) and 1060 Harriman Ave.

I'd been to Amapola in the past and have to admit I hadn't been impressed.

However, this past weekend, I headed to the Base Line location to give the buffet a try.

The verdict?

Great food. Better price.

The buffet is loaded with Mexican delicacies, including menudo, chilaquiles, tamales, enchiladas, chorizo con huevos y papas, machaca, chile verde, carne asada and albóndigas.

I enjoyed almost everything I tried.
]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/amapola-debuts-weekend-buffet.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/amapola-debuts-weekend-buffet.html East Valley Mexican San Bernardino Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:36:07 -0800 Let's Dine Out show on NewsTalk 590 KTIE are hosting a Grub Club event at Afghan Palace Cuisine, 8685 Base Line, Rancho Cucamonga.

The event, a 17-course feast, will take place at 5 p.m. January 31.

17 courses? Wow...that's like eight meals rolled into one!

Cost is $22.95, which includes tax, tip and beverage.

Seating is limited and reservations are required by January 28. R.S.V.P. to Allan Borgen at 909-910-3463.

For a "taste" of what to expect, you can read Allan's review of Afghan Palace Cuisine here.]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/join-the-grub-club-for-an-afgh.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/join-the-grub-club-for-an-afgh.html Middle Eastern Rancho Cucamonga West Valley Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:12:19 -0800 Redlands Daily Facts recently visited the oxymoronic new Old Spaghetti Factory in Redlands.

We get an earful from pretty much the whole crew: Staff writers Joy Juedes (who drops the name of a certain food blogger), Jesse B. Gill and Chantal M. Lovell; sports writer Kevin Trudgeon; paginator Nichole Owens and head honcho Jennifer M. Dobbs.

The verdict is pretty much unanimous -- they all enjoyed their meals.

You can read the entire review for yourself by following this link.]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/rdf-meets-osf.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/rdf-meets-osf.html East Valley Redlands Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:40:07 -0800 Market Broiler at the Ontario Mills mall.

I've seen the advertisement announcing 20th anniversary deals on that electronic billboard off the southbound 15 near Fourth Street, but I haven't had a chance to check them out for myself until last night.

I swear the Riverside location has been there for more than 20 years.

They have three deals that are offered every day:

• Fish and chips ($7.95)
• Fresh catch of the day ($9.95)
• Snow crab platter ($9.95)

They also have four daily deals, all priced at $9.95:

• Mondays: Design your own duo
• Tuesdays: Sirloin steak and shrimp
• Wednesdays: Caramelized salmon
• Thursdays: Triple "S" combo (Salmon, snapper and shrimp skewer)

In addition to the meal specials, they are offering half-price wine on Mondays and Tuesdays, and half-price appetizers (one per guest) on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Click here to see all the deals.
]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/market-broiler-still-celebrati.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/market-broiler-still-celebrati.html Ontario Riverside Riverside County Seafood West Valley deals Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:06:22 -0800
He is best known for founding the restaurant which still bears his name, Taco Bell, but also co-founded Taco Tia here in San Bernardino and had a hand in the creation of Wienerschnitzel (founder John Galardi worked for Bell; Bell created their chili recipe; and Bell's wife came up with the name).

He was also friends with Neal T. Baker, who founded Baker's Drive-Thru, and former Bell employee Ed Hackbarth founded Casa del Taco, now simply known as Del Taco.

Bell died yesterday (January 17) at his home in Rancho Santa Fe. He is survived by his wife, Martha, three sisters, two sons and four grandchildren.

A link to the press release from Taco Bell can be found here (hover over Our Company at the top, then click on Latest News).

Sun writer Andrew Edwards spoke to Stater Bros.' Jack Brown and Juan Pollo's Albert Okura about Bell's legacy and has included their comments in an obituary for tomorrow's paper. You can find it online here.
]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/taco-bell-founder-dies-at-86.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/taco-bell-founder-dies-at-86.html Mexican Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:07:33 -0800 In just a few short weeks, the annual Girl Scout cookie sale will begin.

This year, the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council (which covers most of the Inland Empire) are doing away with the pre-orders and just selling cookies.

Hooray for instant gratification!

This year's cookie sale runs from January 24 through March 14.

There are two official bakers of Girl Scout cookies: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers.

The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council gets their cookies from ABC Bakers.

The cookies they're offering this year are:

• Thin Mints
• Peanut Butter Patties
• Peanut Butter Sandwiches
• Caramel deLites
• Shortbread
• Lemonades
• Thanks-a-Lots
• Daisy-Go-Rounds

]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/tummies-ready-here-some-the-gi.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/tummies-ready-here-some-the-gi.html fundraisers Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:54:38 -0800
To celebrate, Togo's Sandwiches is giving away a free pastrami mini classic sandwich to the first 100 customers at each store.

The giveaway takes place from 3 to 5 p.m.

There are Togo's locations scattered throughout the Inland Empire, including San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana, Upland, Corona, Chino Hills and Temecula.
]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/free-pastrami-free-pastrami-fr.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/free-pastrami-free-pastrami-fr.html free stuff Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:53:01 -0800
Los Angeles? Uh huh.

Orange County? Yep.

Inland Empire? Not so much.

We here at Dine 909 love Tillamook Cheese...with a particular fondness for the vintage white extra sharp Cheddar in the black wrapper that you can usually find at Costco.

Yum!

But does Tillamook return the favor?

In a word, no.

The creamery cooperative has embarked on its "Loaf Love Tour" to promote its Baby Loaf medium Cheddar cheese.

The modified VW microbuses are currently in Arizona and will be in Southern California starting next month. They'll be in various San Diego locations February 17 through March 14; Los Angeles March 17 through April 12; and Orange County from April 14 through May 16.

From there, they travel to Bakersfield.

So, according the tour schedule, no Inland Empire dates.]]> http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/no-loaf-love-for-the-inland-em.html http://www.insidesocal.com/dine909/2010/01/no-loaf-love-for-the-inland-em.html Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:28:24 -0800