Duane’s at The Mission Inn

Duane’s at the Mission Inn

Location: Mission Inn, Riverside Californa

Type of Food: Upscale Steakhouse

Price Range: Expensive, that’s all I can say

Date Potential: Oh-la-la

Website: www.missioninn.com
Duane’s is everything a steakhouse should be. It is one of the most upscale venues in the area and never seems to disappoint.

Food:
Duane’s menu is a mix between fine steaks, seafood, and the occasional poultry. This is by far the best restaurant in the area for steak. A piece of filet mignon will run you a good day’s work but will leave you smiling while paying the bill. If you order your meat rare at this restaurant it will come out rare. Not medium, not medium rare, rare! They take much pride in their ability to please their guests as their reputation would uphold.
The deserts at Duane’s are also spectacular. Enjoy a crème brule or piece of chocolate cake that will please even the highest of critics. Duane’s also boasts an extensive wine list that ranges from just under a hundred dollars to the priciest of wines for the connoisseur.

Atmosphere:
This restaurant ‘s atmosphere is about as fabulous as its food. It is dim-lit and peaceful. The dark wood tables and decor make you feel like one of high status. On your table you will also find more silverware than possibly useable. You won’t be left short of anything here. The area surrounding the restaurant is also very pleasant. After dinner take a tour of the Mission Inn’s beautiful architecture and floral effects.

Service:
The service at Duane’s is like having a personal assistant. I would not be surprised if the waiters would simply feed you your food like an infant if requested. Expect to have the table cleaned promptly after each course and constant checkups for drink refills or any other service your heart desires.

Date Potential:
If you want to impress your date, Duane’s is the place to go. Not only will you be astounded by the food you will find it quite romantic. I would not recommend taking a first date here since you can expect to spend a minimum of two hundred dollars for three courses, and lets face it, sometimes first dates don’t always make it to the second.

Citrus City Grille

Citrus City Grille
“Outrageous Dining and Cocktails”

Location: Riverside Plaza, Riverside
Dos Lagos Promenade, Corona

Type of
Food: American Fusion

Price: $11.00 – $40.00

Date
Potential: Expensive, yet probably impressive

Website: www.citruscitygrille.com

Upon entrance to Citrus City Grille I felt a very familiar vibe similar to that of California Pizza Kitchen. This restaurant features a sleek modern lounge with a full service bar as well as a classy dining area accompanied by an outdoor patio complete with fireplace and heaters. It is worthy to note that Citrus City Grille was voted “best restaurant” in Riverside for 2007.

Your meal at Citrus City Grille begins with a warm loaf of bread complimented by balsamic vinaigrette. Although this bread and dip proves tasty by most standards, I must say that it does not even compare to the bread at Macaroni Grill or Taps Brewery.

The menu features items such as the “Kobe beef” burger, fresh fish, and also filet. The bizarre thing is that some of these elegant dishes that would most likely be served with fresh vegetables or mashed potatoes come with French fries instead. This is of grave disappointment. When you have to pay $30 for a piece of salmon served with fries, the price trumps the quality of food.

The overall service of the restaurant is what is to be expected of a restaurant of this stature. They feature a friendly staff that constantly ensures your comfort and overall dining experience. I would rate this restaurant a good place to take an evening date, you can dress to impress and not feel out of place. Citrus City Grille has two great locations,
Riverside Plaza and Dos Lagos Promenade Shops, both perfect for a great night out. If a night out is not what you are looking for, Citrus City Grille’s ultra-chic lounge is perfect for an after dinner drink or two. I do have a bit of advice I am going to offer. Although great for a more expensive date, this is not the restaurant you want to take a group of friends. The prices are a little high relevant to the quality of food. Overall, this isn’t the highest restaurant on my list.

TAPS Fish House and Brewery

Location: Dos Lagos Promenade Shops, Corona, Ca

Type of Food: Fish House and Brewery

Price Range: Expensive, $20-$40 per plate

Date Potential: Impressive

Website: www.tapsbrea.com/corona/

Taps Fish House and Brewery is a very new addition to our Inland Empire, founded originally in Brea, Ca in September of 1999. Taps offers a premium-dining destination with extraordinary attention to classically prepared seafood, steaks, and European ales and lagers. Overlooking the lakes at Dos Lagos, Taps’ dining room is elegantly displayed with white linen tablecloths, stemware, and delicate table décor. Think New Orleans Mardi Gras meets elegant dining. Tap’s is perfect if you want to dress up or dress down. Thank goodness for southern California weather, Taps’ patio dining, overlooking the water, features a gorgeous brick fireplace and chic sitting.

From the very beginning of your dining experience at Taps, you are sure to be impressed. Each meal begins with fresh baked bread and an oil-balsamic vinegar dip with chucks of garlic, to die for. A bit of warning, if you do decide to take a date to Taps, you may want to avoid the dipping sauce, often times you reek of garlic for two days.

On to the main course. If seafood is your thing, you have come to the prefect place. Taps’ signature Cedar Plank Salmon, wild salmon seasoned with a brown sugar glaze broiled atop a cedar plank, is unbelievable fresh and honest to goodness delicious. This will be the once dish, I guarantee you won’t want to end.

If seafood isn’t at the top of your list, no need to fret. Taps’ Prime Rib is arguably one of the most tender and juicy cuts of meat one can get. So tender you can cut it with a butter knife and it literally melts in your mouth.

Desert at Taps’ deserves a page of its own. Each dessert is prepared fresh, which means you have to allow about 20 minutes for whatever you order. Taps’ offers homemade cookies and milk; the cookies are in fact made when you place your order, fresh baked brownies, crème brulee, New York-Style cheesecake, chocolate dipped strawberries, and many other first-class desserts.

This is one of the first restaurants in a long time, where honestly I was impressed from beginning to end.