Here are some of the top “Readers’ Choices” in Claremont:

Best Splurge Restaurant

Bardot

Best Place for a Business Lunch

The Orchard, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont

Best Italian Restaurant

Eddie’s Italian Eatery

Il Mattone Trattoria Italiana

Tutti Mangia

Best Mexican Restaurant

Casa Moreno

Espiau’s

Best Sandwich Shop

42^nd Street Bagel Café

Best Burger

Eureka!

Best Dessert

Salted Caramel Custard with Butterscotch Cashew Popcorn, The Orchard, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont

Best Slice of Pie

I Like Pie Bake Shop

Best Coffee House

Augie’s Coffee House

Best Coffee Drink

Iced Caramel Latter, Augie’s Coffee House

Best Hotel

Casa 425 Hotel + Lounge

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont

The post Claremont Restaurants, Hotels Earn “Best of Inland Empire” Honors appeared first on Discover Claremont.

This year’s program will include both restaurants and specialty food shoppes, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to sample favorites from all over Claremont’s thriving food scene. Participating chefs and business owners will feature locally sourced #dineClaremont specials during the two-week campaign. Some restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, while others will showcase customer favorite dishes, inspired seasonal specials, and housemade desserts as their #dineClaremont offerings.

Claremont hotels will offer visitors a “dine and stay” experience through its popular Discover Claremont package. The package includes a guest room and $100 in Discover Claremont gift cards, redeemable for hotel dining or at more than 140 Claremont restaurants, boutiques, day spas and entertainment venues. A limited number of Discover Claremont packages are available to guests who book directly through participating Claremont hotels, including DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), Motel 6 Claremont (909-621-4831), Claremont Lodge (909-626-5654), and Knights Inn Claremont (909-626-2431).

“We welcome visitors seeking a different Southern California experience to come walk from restaurant to restaurant, explore unique shops, and enjoy a relaxing getaway from the busy urban environment,” said Maureen Aldridge, CEO, Claremont Chamber of Commerce. “Claremont is filled with family-owned restaurants and locally owned, renowned bakeries, dessert shops and specialty food stores. Claremont Restaurant Week is a great time to sample the foods that keep bringing visitors back to Claremont.”

Participants confirmed as of January 9 are:

• Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine, 126 Yale Ave.
• Bardot, 206 W. Bonita Ave.
• Hotel + Lounge Casa 425, 425 W. First St.
• Il Mattone Trattoria Italiana, 201 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
• The Junction, 1 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
• Pine Haven Cafe, 1191 E. Foothill Blvd., Upland
• Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine, 248 W. Second St.
• The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, Historic Route 66, 555 W. Foothill Blvd.
• Tutti Mangia Italian Grill, 102 Harvard Ave.
• Union on Yale, 232 Yale Ave.
• Viva Madrid, 225 Yale Ave.
• The Whisper House, Claremont Packing House, 502 W. First St.
• Packing House Wines, Claremont Packing House, 540 W. First St.
• Nuno’s Bistro & Bar, 2440 W. Arrow Route, Upland
• The Press Restaurant, Claremont Packing House, 129 Harvard Ave.
• Eddie’s Italian Eatery, Claremont Packing House, 1065 W. Foothill Blvd.

Claremont’s annual Restaurant Week program, presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Discover Claremont, was moved to January 2017 from July to coincide with the Visit California’s statewide California Restaurant Month. For more information about California Restaurant Month, visit www.DineinCa.com. 

More details and a growing list of participating restaurants can be found at www.ClaremontRestaurantWeek.com. Visitor information and a listing of Claremont restaurants, hotels, boutiques, day spas, events and more can be found at www.DiscoverClaremont.com.

The post Claremont Joins California Restaurant Month, Annual Claremont Restaurant Week Set for January 16-29, 2017 appeared first on Discover Claremont.

Claremont Restaurant Week highlights the city’s contemporary dining choices and provides foodies with an opportunity to sample specials created by local chefs. Visitors to Claremont can enjoy an overnight stay at local hotels, each of which will be offering special “Dine and Stay” packages that include $50 in Discover Claremont gift cards – redeemable towards dinner at most participating Claremont Restaurant Week locations.

A limited number of “Dine and Stay” getaway packages are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests who book directly through DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont, Hotel Casa 425, Claremont Lodge, Motel 6 Claremont and Knights Inn Claremont.

Claremont Restaurant Week is presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Discover Claremont, the Claremont tourism board. More details and restaurant menus can be found at www.ClaremontRestaurantWeek.com.

The post “Dine and Stay” Specials During Claremont Restaurant Week, July 10-19 appeared first on Discover Claremont.

Claremont Restaurant Week, presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Discover Claremont, is expected to feature more than two dozen participating restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus that will showcase favorite local dishes and inspired summer seasonal specials. Last year, Claremont chefs highlighted locally grown vegetables, farm-raised beef and fresh fish selections in menu specials priced from $10 for lunch and $20-$40 for dinner.

Restaurants offering special Claremont Restaurant Week menus this July will include the following:

• Lounge 425 at Hotel Casa 425
• The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont
• Bardot
• Casa Moreno Mexican Grill
• Euro Cafe
• La Parolaccia Osteria Italiana
• Nuno’s Bistro (Upland)
• Packing House Wines
• Pappas Artisanal (La Verne)
• Pine Haven Cafe (Upland)
• Rounds Premium Burgers
• Saca’s Mediterranean Grill
• Salad Farm
• The Junction
• The Press Restaurant
• Tutti Mangia Italian Grill
• Viva Madrid

(A complete list of participating restaurants will be announced in June.)

Claremont’s reputation as a regional dining destination has been on the rise in recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of local restaurateurs Ed Inglese, Sal Medina and others, and the work of chefs like Matt Mattison, Stephen Rudicel and Jose Ruiz. With a growing number of regionally acclaimed restaurants and dozens of locally owned eateries keeping the food scene fresh, it’s no wonder that LA Weekly and NBC Los Angeles have declared Claremont a “food neighborhood” that’s “worth the drive” for foodies and tourists.

A special kickoff event for food writers and Chamber members is being planned for Wednesday, July 8, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont. Claremont Restaurant Week’s second weekend will coincide with the annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival, presented July 16-26 by Ophelia’s Jump Productions at Pomona College’s Sontag Greek Theatre.

More details and a growing list of participating restaurants can be found at www.ClaremontRestaurantWeek.com. Visitor information and a listing of Claremont restaurants, hotels, boutiques, day spas, events and more can be found at www.DiscoverClaremont.com.

The post “Claremont Restaurant Week” Coming July 10-19, 2015 appeared first on Discover Claremont.

• Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine
• Bardot
• Casa de Salsa
• Casa Moreno
• Euro Café
• La Parolaccia Osteria
• Lounge 425 at Hotel Casa 425
• The Last Drop Café
• The Loving Hut Claremont
• The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont
• Packing House Wines
• Pappas Artisanal (La Verne)
• Pizza n’ Such
• Podge’s Claremont Juice Co.
• The Press Restaurant
• Rounds Burgers
• Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine
• Salad Farm
• Tutti Mangia
• Viva Madrid
• Walter’s Restaurant
• Zpizza Claremont

“Claremont Restaurant Week will showcase our growing, local culinary scene that is comprised of some terrific young chefs, experienced and daring proprietors, menus filled with locally sourced ingredients, and restaurants serving craft beers and ales that complement their meals,” said Maureen Aldridge, CEO, Claremont Chamber of Commerce. More details and a growing list of participating restaurants can be found at www.ClaremontRestaurant.com.

The post Claremont to Host “Claremont Restaurant Week,” July 14-20, 2014 appeared first on Discover Claremont.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden’s annual Butterfly Pavilion runs from May 10 through

July 27, 2014. The pavilion unites science education and hands-on fun for visitors of all ages as hundreds of butterflies call the temporary enclosure home this spring and summer. Visitors can walk among the butterflies and caterpillars as well as explore the 86-acre botanic garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California’s native plants.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, May 23, and continuing until the butterflies are set free on July 27, Southern Californians looking for a local escape will find Discover Claremont’s “Flitter and Frolic” getaway package to be an attractive “stay and relax” option. The package includes a minimum one-night stay, separate Botanic Garden and Butterfly Pavilion admissions for up to four guests, and $50 in Discover Claremont gift cards redeemable at participating hotels and more than 130 other locally owned establishments.

A limited number of “Flitter and Frolic in Claremont” packages are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests who book directly through participating Claremont hotels, including Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), and Hotel Claremont and Tennis Club (909-621-4831).

Claremont’s visitor attractions also include the world-renowned Folk Music Center museum and store, owned by musician Ben Harper’s family; Fair Trade Shopping at dozens of independently owned boutiques; live entertainment at PianoPiano, Hip Kitty Jazz, Flappers Comedy Club, Candlelight Pavilion and other spots; and local and regional craft beers at Claremont Craft Ales, The Back Abbey and other pubs and eateries.

A complete list of Claremont merchants participating in the gift card promotion can be found at http://discoverclaremont.com/giftcards.

The post Discover Claremont to Offer “Flitter and Frolic” Getaway Package, May 23 to July 27 appeared first on Discover Claremont.

Claremont restaurants already confirmed to participate include Casa de Salsa (Mexican), Casa Moreno (Mexican), Eddie’s New York Pizzeria (Italian), Kazama Sushi (Japanese), La Parolaccia Osteria Italiana (Italian), Loving Hut Claremont (Vegan), Pita Pit Claremont (Greek), The Press Restaurant (American), and Tutti Mangia Italian Grill (Italian).

“Claremont Restaurant Week will showcase the stellar chefs, delicious menus and outstanding restaurants that make up the Claremont culinary scene,” said Maureen Aldridge, CEO, Claremont Chamber of Commerce.

More details and a growing list of participating restaurants can be found at http://www.ClaremontRestaurant.com. Visitor information and a complete listing of restaurants, hotels, boutiques, day spas, events and more can be found at www.discoverclaremont.com.

The post Claremont Restaurant Week Coming July 9-16, 2013 appeared first on Discover Claremont.

Three new drinks on the summer menu — the Berry Spicy Margarita, La Coquette and the Kentucky Rose — use house-made infused liquor as a key ingredient. “I’ve been infusing liquor with local, farmers market herbs and fruits, and it’s generated a lot of interest amongst our patrons, “ said Lounge mixologist Will Van Leuven. “Our new summer menu drinks play up our most popular infusions, like the jalapeno-cucumber tequila found in the Berry Spicy Margarita or the rosemary-orange bourbon in the Kentucky Rose.”

Small plate items added to the summer menu include Cajun Calamari and Pulled Pork Sliders. The new summer-inspired Champagne Chevre salad is large enough to enjoy as an entrée or share with two. The La Frieda Croissant, an eight-ounce chuck and short rib patty, topped with jalapeno bacon, tomato jam and marbled blue cheese sandwiched by a croissant bun, is expected to quickly become a favorite.

Along with the new cocktails and menu items, patrons will soon enjoy live music at Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge. Upcoming performers include the Brandon Bernstein trio on June 30, Lorenzo Grassi trio July 14, the Brandon Bernstein trio July 28, Joe LoPiccolo trio August 11 and Sarkis Turgutyan trio onAugust 25, 2012. All are classic guitarists with styles ranging from smooth jazz to Spanish Flamenco.

Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge is located in downtown Claremont at 425 W.First Street, in historic Claremont Village. The lounge offers a casually sophisticated venue for mingling with friends, along with signature drinks, an extensive wine and beer list and gourmet small plates. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, with select small plates and drinks ranging from $5 to $10. 

Indoor seating is available, but regulars prefer to relax in the hotel’s central courtyard, which feels more like an outdoor living room with its canopy of trees, lounge furniture, fountains, and fire pits.

For more information, visit www.casa425.com.

The post Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge Introduces New Summer ‘Farmers Market’ Cocktails, Small Plates Menu, Live Music appeared first on Discover Claremont.