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RESTAURANTS
Aruffo's Italian Cuisine / 2*
126 YALE AVE, CLAREMONT; 909/949-8426
Vintage posters, wine displays, an exposed brick wall adorned with delicately
painted cherubs, and fresh flower arrangements create an elegant atmosphere
at this charming trattoria featuring owner/chef Tom Aruffo's traditional
Italian fare. Homey classics such as creamy fettuccine alfredo, house-made
spinach-and-egg tortellini stuffed with veal and Parmigiano cheese, and
buttery scampi are as authentic as they come. The hearty eggplant lasagne—generously
layered with rich ricotta, mozzarella, thinly sliced breaded eggplant,
noodles, and homemade marinara sauce topped with steamed asparagus and
squash—is a fresh spin on the traditional Italian favorite. A tender
breast of fragrant rosemary chicken
and a charbroiled New York sirloin steak with mushrooms, Marsala, prosciutto,
and melted mozzarella are also pleasingly straightforward and well prepared.
Pastas and entrees come with either soup or salad and homemade garlic
bread, which arrives piping hot and topped with a dollop of fresh tomato
sauce. Save room for the creamy tiramisu; it's worth every calorie. $$;
AE, MC, V; no checks; lunch, dinner every 'day; full bar; reservations
recommended; north of 1st St.
Harvard Square Cafe / 1.5*
206 W BONITA AVE, CLAREMONT; 909/626-7763
Housed in the former home of Claremont's historic Village Theatre, this
casual bistro-style eatery attracts everyone from college professors'and
students to the ladies who stop in for lunch after browsing the nearby
antique and collectibles boutiques. Lace curtains and dark woods add a
relaxed charm to the interior of this cozy eatery, but the spacious outdoor
patio is a popular spot to linger and people-watch on a sunny Southern
California day or indulge in Sunday brunch. Though the restaurant's lunch
menu sticks to basic California cuisine such as salads, sandwiches, pasta,
and pizza, dinner selections have a decidedly French (and more caloric)
overtone. The way to go here is to start with the garlicky escar-
gots bourguignon or the rich lobster crepes topped with a creamy hollandaise
sauce and nestled in a bed of flavorful lobster sauce, and then follow
up with grilled lamb cutlets with Provencal herbs and roasted garlic sauce
or filet au poivre, a tender piece of beef sauteed with cracked black
pepper, flambeed with brandy, and laced with cream. The newly
expanded wine cellar seems a little overpriced, but it does contain more
than 40 vintages ranging from Australia, German, and French wines to those
from Central and Northern California. $$$; AE, MC, V; no checks; lunch
Mon-Sat, dinner every day, brunch Sun; full bar; reservations recommended;
at Harvard Ave.
Heroes Bar and Grill / 1*
131 YALE AVE, CLAREMONT; 909/621-6712
Like "Cheers," this friendly neighborhood pub is the kind of
place where everybody knows your name. Or at least they will by the time
you're seated for dinner, since the wait for a table at this charming
little eatery on weekend nights has been known to last an hour. Once you've
put your name on the list, the order of business is to belly up to the
bar and sample one of 46 beers on tap, which include Portland Honey Ale
and Belgium Double Bach. Some choose to sample bar food—such as
zesty chicken wings and nachos with all the fixings, but it's recommended
that you save room for Heroes' generous-sized entrees, which arrive on
enormous plates that dominate every dinner table. Beef stroganoff perched
on a
creamy bed of mashed potatoes is comfort food at its most comfortable,
and the whiskey chicken with apple-walnut stuffing, rice pilaf, and fresh
vegetables is a carbo-loader's dream. Steak lovers will appreciate the
tender New York steak served with a baked potato stuffed with sour cream
and chives. For those with less-hearty appetites, juicy burgers served
with baskets full of crisp curly fries and a tender chicken sandwich with
jalapeno cheese and avocados are about as light as it gets here. $$; AE,
MC, V; no checks; lunch, dinner every day; full bar; reservations not
accepted; north of 1st St. |