Wasabi Sushi

Wasabi Sushi

Location: 529 North McKinley  Corona, Ca

Type of Food: Sushi

Price Range: A little too expensive for what you get

Date Potential: So, so!

Wasabi Sushi is located on McKinley Street North off of the 91 freeway in Riverside California. They serve a selection of fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine.

At Wasabi you will find a large selection of sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes such as beef and chicken teriyaki, yakisoba noodles, and miso soup. For an appetizer I suggest the edamame soybeans which are served hot.

Compared with Shogun Sushi, another local sushi joint, Wasabi lacks significantly in terms of quality and price. The overall quality of fish is not as fresh as you would expect for the price. The sauces used are also a bit bland and watery.

The service at Wasabi is friendly and timely. As far as my dining experience went, I had no complaints. The atmosphere of Wasabi provides a fifteen seat sushi bar and a number of tables. This restaurant is decorated in a traditional oriental style, unfortunately nothing too noteworthy. You will also observe that the sushi chefs are very friendly and will become more so upon a drink of saki compliments of you. It is good sushi etiquette to make sure you tip the chefs or buy them a drink if they are friendly despite the possible lacking of food quality.

This restaurant, despite the lack of the food’s impressiveness, has a good date potential although I might recommend Shogun over Wasabi any day of the week. The good thing is that Wasabi is a quiet un-crowded environment which is suitable for a lunch or dinner date. One piece of dating advice I would like to offer would be to keep a pack of gum handy for after the meal as fish breath is not sexy!

Events Bar and Grill

Events Bar and Grill

Location: 10560 Magnolia Ave., Suite A Riverside, CA 92505

Type of Food:  Pizza and Beer

Price Range: $10.00 per pizza

Date Potential: Don’t even think about it!

Events Sports Bar and Grill located on Magnolia Avenue features pizza, beer, and televisions to watch the games. None more needs to be said.

The food at Events Bar and Grill proves under par compared to other pizza joints in the area. The items such as bread sticks, buffalo wings, and salad are nothing special. As far as the bar is concerned they have several beers on draught which would please the average workman. The prices at Events seem relatively high in the new world of five dollar pizzas. Expect the ten dollar pizza at Events to be no better than the five dollar Little Ceasar’s “hot and ready”.

The service at Events Bar and Grill is hospitable as one would imagine a local joint might be. This may be one of the only assets of this soon to be extinct genre of restaurants. The Bar and Grill is ideal for special fight nights or sports which you would otherwise have to buy on pay-per view. The number of big screens is pleasing to the sports enthusiast who is able to watch many games at once.

The atmosphere at Events Bar and Grill is single roomed with the bar and eating booths close to each other. It is an ideal place to have a large gathering to watch the game or have a drink with friends.

This restaurant is NOT and I repeat NOT the place to take a date! The televisions are distracting and the lack of intimacy would upset any lady looking for romance, trust me on this one. Plus, the mere idea of going to a bar to watch sports seems so bland for time meant to get to know someone.

Don Jose

Don Jose

Location: 848 La Sierra Ave Riverside, CA 92505

Type of Food: Mexican

Price Range: about $12 per person

Date Potential: Great for a first date

Website: www.donjose.net

Don Jose is one of the prime destinations in Riverside for those seeking Mexican cuisine in a traditional Mexican restaurant/cantina atmosphere. Located on the corner of La Sierra and Magnolia, Don Jose’s provides a suitable choice for any outing or party.

The food at Don Jose is traditional Mexican cuisine featuring delicious tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and taco salads. One specific item that I recommend are the beef and chicken fajitas combination. The meats are perfectly seasoned and garnished with an array of peppers and onions. The chips served with your meal are also fresh from the fryer and accompanied with the best restaurant salsa I have tried to date!

The drinks at Don Jose are also talked about among the locals. The bar tends to be a popular hangout for weekends and weekdays alike. Margaritas are the drink of choice at Don Jose. The restaurant original margarita called “the Gulf of Mexico” is so large that the restaurant limits two per customer. Although don’t expect to drive if you consume more than one it is highly likely you will be a danger to those on the road!

The service at Don Jose tends to vary depending on the amount of people dining. Some nights are slow, but on others expect to find a half and hour wait before getting in.

The atmosphere of Don Jose’s is dimly lit with many booths and tables suitable for an intimate date or large gathering. I wouldn’t recommend having business meetings at this venue; the dim lights would negatively effect your ability to read documents or other paper information.

Dragon House

Dragon House

Location: 10466 Magnolia Ave. Riverside, CA 92505

Type of Food: Chinese

Price Range: about $8.00 per entree

Date Potential: Not too impressive atmosphere, but the food is GREAT!

Website: www.riversidedragonhouse.com

Dragon House is a Chinese restaurant located on Magnolia in Riverside California. It boasts traditional Chinese entrees as well as a large selection of vegetarian items which can be substituted for most of the meat dishes.

The food at Dragon House is some of the best Chinese food you will find in the area. It is also very acclaimed by those who like to eat “meat free” as the vegetarian dishes prove very tasty even to those not familiar or accustomed to “veggie” meat. I was surprised at how good the vegetarian orange chicken tasted compared to the real thing. For lunch hours you will find one of the best values in the area. They offer over twenty different dish combinations including fried rice, an egg roll, and soup for under $8. During dinner expect prices more reasonable than competitors like P.F. Chang’s.

The service at Dragon House is average among most restaurants in its class. Sometimes you will have great service while other times it will be a bit lacking as it usually depends on the server you get and the busyness at the time you decide to eat.

The atmosphere of Dragon House is peaceful. The decorations include many traditionally oriental pieces including a statue of Budda. There are also many plants and red and gold colors to add to the “feng shuei”. The restaurant is mid-sized so conversations at surrounding tables do not prove disturbing.

The overall date potential of Dragon House is very high. I would recommend taking a lunch or dinner date but remember that the value is much better during lunch as you will get a lot more without having to empty your pockets.

The Krazy Greek

The Krazy Greek

Location: 10501 Hole Ave.  Riverside, CA 92505

Type of Food: Greek

Price Range: about $5.00

Date Potential: Don’t DO IT!

The Krazy Greek is a locally owned and operated burger joint on Hole Ave. It is about a five minute drive from La Sierra University or The Galleria at Tyler.

While The Krazy Greek is primarily identified with your typical hamburger stand, they also serve items that you would not normally find on a burger joint’s menu. Items include gyro’s, fried chicken dinner’s, carne asada burritos, tacos, and hot dogs. The food is made fresh to order and is economically priced. Your standard cheese- burger meal will cost no more than $5 with tax. The Krazy Greek’s burgers are also much more hefty than your $7 “Jack in the Crack” meal. The fries at The Krazy Greek are some of the best in the area. They could be classified as “steak fries” and are perfectly crispy and contain the perfect balance of salt.

The service at The Krazy Greek can be a little slow as the kitchen area is small. You will generally wait a bit longer in the drive through than you would at “mickie D’s”. The menu is also more difficult to read as the items are not separated in to the common meal numbers which means the people ordering in front of you will get on your nerves fast if they deliberate for too long before ordering!

The atmosphere of The Krazy Greek would send a priss running for the hills. The tables and booths contain ketchup and sauce stains feel very unsanitary. The floor is dirty and there is no restroom available to customers. This is most definitely one of the restaurants worst attributes and is probably what keeps the restaurant from main stream glory.

I would not recommend taking a date here even for lunch. The best suggestion I can give you if you are eating with someone special is to go through the drive through and eat at home or in the car!

Pomodoro Cucina Italiana

Pomodoro Cucina Italian

Location:  510 Hidden Valley Pkwy  Corona, Ca

Type of Food:  Italian

Price Range:  Reasonable for the quality

Date Potential:  Definitely would recommend it!

Website:  www.pastapomodoro.com

You wouldn’t think Pomodoro to be a chain restaurant, but suprisingly it is! This restaurant, which in Italian means “tomato” serves authentic Italian food ( not Olive Garden! ) at very reasonable prices.

Your experience at Pomodoro begins with a traditional Italian style bread accompanied by the most amazing pesto dip in the area! This dipping sauce champs many Italian restaurants of more “high status”.

Upon entering Pomodoro’s you will notice the backally feel as the floor is occupied with booth’s and tables that occupy an amount of people that identifies with the non “mass produced” food. don’t suscpect that your food may be microwaved as the kitchen is open so that you can see your food being made fresh. On the menu you will find traditional Italian items such as spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, and some other classics that most Americans do not embrace in the typical Italian chains.

This is a very good place to take an evening or lunch date. You will also be pleased as your checkbook will appreciate the very reasonable prices that seldom reflect the high quality and uniqueness of the food.

Wood Ranch Bar and Grill

Wood Rance Bar and Grill

Location: 2785 Lakeshore Dr. Corona, Ca

Type of Food: BBQ

Price Range: Expect to pay about $50.00 for two!

Date Potential: Perfect for a date!

Upon entering Wood Ranch Bar and Grill in Corona California you will notice a barbecue style decor with a fine dining flare. This dim light steakhouse features items such as prime rib, filet mignon, and other barbecue favorites accompanied by an extensive list of homestyle sides. These include mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and fresh vegetables.

The food at Wood Ranch resembles that of Claim Jumper with a bit more attention to detail. You will notice that the food on the plates are arranged perfectly and there is no sauce dripping off the side. A steak at Wood Ranch is also done to perfection. When you ask for medium, it comes out medium. Not medium well. One thing admirable about Wood Ranch is their bread. The garlic cheese bread comes out hot and differentiates itself from the ordinary.

The service at Wood Ranch is also exceptional. The staff is friendly and is helpful at communicating the special dishes of the day or any other query you may have. This is what separates Wood Ranch from other barbecue joints as the premium prices will reflect the excellent service.

I would definitely recommend Wood Ranch as a perfect spot for a night date. The area surrounding Wood Ranch also would seem favorable to walking around as there is shopping, ice cream, and a movie theater close by.

Las Campanas

Las Campanas

Location: Dowtown Riverside, Mission Inn

Hours: Lunch and Dinner
Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Champagne Sunday Brunch 10pm-3pm

Price Range: Lunch $9.50-$14.50
Dinner $8.00-$23.00

Date Potential: So Romantic!

Website: www.lascampanasrestaurant.com

I am a huge fan of Mexican food and when I find an incredible Mexican restaurant I want everyone to try it. I have, indeed, found a great Mexican restaurant, Las Campanas, located downtown Riverside at the Mission Inn. Not only is Las Campanas have delicious food and drinks, the lushly landscaped patio is a must see. Las Campanas is the perfect restaurant for a fun lunch date with friends or a romantic evening.

One of my favorite items on the menu is the Filet Mignon Tacos complimented with homemade beans and rice. The filet is cooked to order and toped with fresh pico de gallo, cabbage, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese. This dish comes with two tacos and I am warning you, you will have one to take home. They are so big and juicy; you wish you would never get full.

Another great item at Las Campanas are their top shelf margaritas. The grande margarita definitely holds true to its name; one is all you need.

Out of all the restaurants I have been raving about, I do want to place this restaurant in the highest category of date potential. The patio truly is gorgeous. At night the trees are lit in little white lights, the tables are set with a candle, you can hear the water fountain, and the music is softly playing in the background. If Las Campanas doesn’t scream romantic, I don’t know what does. This is a perfect evening date. As I mentioned before Las Campanas is located in the Mission Inn and that, as you all know, just adds to the romantic date potential. Imagine after a great dinner filled with scrumptious Filet Mignon Tacos, a couple Grande margaritas, and some dessert, taking your date on a romantic walk through the Mission Inn, stopping in the courtyard to sit on the fountain and star gaze. Boys, let me tell, this would make any girl weak in the knees.

Las Campanas is open for lunch and dinner and also serves a champagne brunch on Sundays, so go ahead try this hidden treasure; I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Coffee Depot

Coffee Depot

Location: Downtown Riverside, on the Corner of Mission Inn Avenue, across from Spaghetti Factory

Type of Food: Coffee Shop

Price: $1.00-$5.00

Date Potential: Perfect for so many occasions

To my fellow readers:

If your tried of that expensive Starbucks coffee that doesn’t really taste all that great anyways, READ ON…..

I am going to attempt to take a break from the usual types of restaurants I blog about to introduce you to one of my favorite coffee shops, The Coffee Depot.

The Coffee Depot has two locations serving the Riverside area, the Riverside Plaza and Downtown Riverside, but personally I prefer the downtown location for the ambiance and décor. If you have been looking for the perfect coffee break, a great place to study, a more intimate coffee date location, and/or the perfect place to meet up with the girls/guys, Coffee Depot is ideal choice.

The ambiance of the Coffee Depot is what should be expected of all coffee shops: big comfy couches and chairs, too many tables and chairs too choose from, indoor and outdoor seating, local artists and their creations featured on all the walls, acoustic coffee shop jams, and complete with a very helpful staff. On most Saturday nights, Coffee Depot hosts an open-mic night, where locals can come and feature their music in front of a crowd.

It isn’t just the décor and ambiance that keeps me driving all the way to downtown Riverside for a cup of joe, the coffee is of the highest quality. Might I recommend the “moondoggie.” This, oh so perfect, mocha is a scrumptious blend of hazelnut, Ghirardelli white and milk chocolate, topped off with a fabulously light whipped cream.

Coffee Depot also offers a ton of juice and tea options, if coffee isn’t at the top of your list.

Did I mention that Coffee Depot also offers breakfast and lunch? Breakfast features many different crepes and bagels and lunch has a huge deli menu. Although I rave about the coffee, I have yet to try their food, as I really don’t go there hungry.

The Coffee Depot has my highest recommendation in the category of coffee and I encourage all of my readers to just drop by and see what all the fuss is about.

Shogun

Shogun
Teppan Steak, Fine Dining and Sushi

Location: 275 Teller Street, #130 Corona

Type of Food: Japanese

Date Potential: A great second date

Price: A huge range, it very much depends on the type of food and time of day

Website: www.restaurantshogun.com
Don’t let the location of Shogun Teppan and Sushi restaurant put you off for too long, as it did with me. Shogun is located off of McKinley South in the 24 Hour Fitness center, unfortunately not the greatest location, but still a must try.

I must note that their hours include a break in the middle of the day from 2-5pm. This was a surprise to me, as the day that I arrived I had to wait for them to open for dinner. This restaurant is much larger than most sushi restaurants and features a full service bar, sushi bar, and twelve Teppan grill tables.

I have to say that good sushi is hard to find in the Riverside area and this restaurant proves to be a diamond in the rough. From your first roll of sashimi you will notice the absolute freshness of the fish. This is very important when it comes to sushi as the quality of the fish can make or break any sushi joint. The rolls at Shogun are moderately larger than most rolls in comparable restaurants in the area. The presentation quality is superb as each roll, or order in general, is decorated with an array of sauces and decorative vegetables.

The atmosphere at Shogun is very contemporary. They feature a dark hardwood floor and lighting that suits the mood. I also noticed that they have a row of green bamboo plants, fitting the overall Asian theme of the restaurant.

I would suggest that this restaurant be strongly considered when planning either a lunch or dinner date, as the environment welcomes both. For lunch you could consider sitting at the sushi bar and for dinner the Teppan grill, although not great for a first date because some strangers may accompany you. The prices are also very reasonable. During happy hour, from 5-7pm Monday thru Friday, you can expect rolls under $5 and an assortment of appetizers starting at just $2. For a filet at the Teppan grill, the prices jump drastically; expect to pay around $25-30.

Overall this is a great restaurant and it comes highly recommended.