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Claremont Restaurants, Hotels Earn “Best of Inland Empire” Honors

March 2018 – Inland Empire Magazine named several Claremont restaurants and hotels among its 2018 “Best of the Inland Empire” winners in February. The restaurants and hotels were chosen by Inland Empire magazine readers in more than a dozen categories.

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

42nd 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

 

Claremont to Host “Heart of the Foothills” CicLAvia on Earth Day 2018

What:
CicLAvia’s 25th Car-Free Streets Event “Heart of the Foothills”

Perfect for the cyclist — or walker, jogger, skateboarder or scooterer — this car-free event has four hubs: in San Dimas, La Verne,
Pomona and Claremont. Participants can start anywhere and ride at their own pace through adjacent neighborhoods. From the old west flavor of downtown San Dimas, to the small town charm of La Verne, to the Midwestern vibe of Pomona, to the elegant tree-lined boulevards of Claremont, discover each town in a new way, or for the first time. In addition to the car-free streets, set against the magnificent backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, there will be food trucks and activity booths galore, art stations, two farmers’ markets and Earth Day celebrations.

Where:              
“Heart of the Foothills” winds through four inland cities new to CicLAvia: San Dimas,
La Verne, Pomona and Claremont. Participants may enter and exit the 6.5 miles of car-
free streets anywhere along the route. (map attached or download here)

When:                   

Streets car-free from 9 am – 4 pm
Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day)
8:30 am Kick Off and Press Conference

Who:                    
his is a family-friendly, multi-generational event, open to all ages. Any and all forms of people-powered transportation welcome including cyclists, scooters, rollerbladers, strollers and walkers.

Why:                    
Presented by Metro, CicLAvia catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation and good health through car-free streets. CicLAvia engages with people to transform our relationship with our communities and with each other.\

How:                    
CicLAvia is free. No registration required. Show up anywhere along the route. If arriving by car, there is ample free parking available in and around each hub. Metrolink has two conveniently stations conveniently located along the route in Pomona and Claremont.

For More Information:

http://www.CicLAvia.org
https://www.facebook.com/ciclavia
https://twitter.com/ciclavia
https://www.instagram.com/ciclavia/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnNd9dsh_F9uIgG5Kf9YpyA

Boutique Shopping: Hen’s Kitchen Shoppe offers a mix for everyone

Story courtesy of Claremont Courier

2017 Midsummer Shakespeare Festival in Claremont, Presented by Ophelia’s Jump, Features Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing

 

Ophelia’s Jump Productions presents the Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival with HAMLET and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. The productions will run July 13-23, 2017 at Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College. The festival, co-sponsored by Pomona College, includes exhibits, arts and crafts by community businesses and organizations. Tickets are available at opheliasjump.org, or by calling 909-734-6565.

This year’s Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival celebrates what many regard as Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Blending elements of drama and comedy, this tale teaches that “love will have its way no matter how much we try to fight it.” In HAMLET, the epic tale of revenge gone awry will be set in the influential period following the First World War, under the stars at the beautiful Sontag Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater originally built in 1910 and renovated in 1997. The productions will be performed in repertory, alternating each night.

ABOUT HAMLET

Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, Hamlet dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to wreak upon his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet. Claudius had murdered his own brother and seized the throne, also marrying his deceased brother’s widow. Hamlet is ranked among the most powerful and influential tragedies in English literature, with a story capable of “seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others”.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Get ready for the verbal sparring match of the ages! Benedick and Beatrice have sworn off love… and each other. But when their friends and family attempt to con them into a romance, will these acid-tongued cynics take the bait? Mistaken identities, love, hilarity, honor, shame, and partying till the sun comes up are all ingredients for a great time in this rollicking production!

Now a Claremont tradition, Ophelia’s Jump’s Midsummer Shakespeare Festival artfully presents tragedy and comedy under the stars in a beautiful outdoor setting. Each performance opens nightly with a 30-minute Green Show – an entertaining prelude to the evening’s main performance.  We invite you to bring your own picnic and don’t forget a small blanket or cushion for added comfort.

Weekend Festival

On Saturdays, arrive early and enjoy local musicians, artists, and crafts before settling in for an evening of timeless Shakespearean classics. Enjoy festival booths, crafts, and vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Local restaurants and businesses will be offering special in-restaurant dining menus and selected take-out options to enjoy prior to all performances.

  • Title: HAMLET and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
  • Directors: Founding Artistic Director Beatrice Casagran (HAMLET) and Founding
    Associate Artistic Director Caitlin Lopez (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
  • Location: Sontag Greek Theatre, Pomona College, 300 East Bonita Ave., Claremont
    (located behind Seaver Theatre)
  • Opening: Thursday, July 13 (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING) & Friday, July 14 (HAMLET)
  • Regular Run: July 13-July 23, 2017

 Specific Show Schedule:

                        MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – July 13, 15, 21, 23

                        HAMLET – July 14, 16, 20, 22

Curtain Times:

  • Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 8 p.m.
  • Ticket prices: $25 General Admission, $22 Student/Seniors
  • Group tickets available, contact info@opheliasjump.org or call
    909-734-6565 for info

About Ophelia’s Jump

Ophelia’s Jump is a theatre company focused on producing highly-regarded, award-winning works that leave audiences asking questions and discussing big ideas — theatre that invites you to leap into the drama. Our mission is to produce both creative new interpretations of classical and award-winning works, and also new works by talented local and regional artists.

Additional information available at opheliasjump.org

About Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona is known for its quality academic programs, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, a range of student research and leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to the arts.

Additional information available at www.pomona.edu

 

Claremont Pie Festival Coming March 18, Author Kate McDermott to be Guest Speaker

The 5th Annual Claremont Pie Festival event will take place Saturday, March 18, 2017, throughout the historic Claremont Village. Event hours are 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The event features pie-baking and pie-eating contests, makers’ stage and bakers’ stage demonstrations, a classic car display, vintage aprons, handcrafted merchandise, great food, great pie and live music. Stroll around the Claremont Village collecting recipe cards from participating stores, wear your favorite apron, learn pie making tips and eat pie! Don’t forget to stick around for the pie tasting buffet after the baking contest winners are announced!

Famed baker Kate McDermott will be a guest speaker at this year’s festival. For years, the world’s culinary superstars have travelled to
Kate’s legendary workshops and Pie Camps in Port Angeles, Washington, to learn pie-baking secrets from the master. Here is your chance to meet her right here in southern California. 

From a self-taught home baker who learned the magic of pie from her grandmother, Kate became a nationally recognized expert on the subject and,since then, thousands have traveled to her famous Pie Cottage to get a taste. In her publishing debut, ART OF THE PIE: A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts, Fillings, Kate McDermott presents the definitive guide to that simplest and yet most intimidating of pastries—the pie.  McDermott explains why the time had come to share her wisdom. “I want to pass on the craft of pie making to as many as I possibly can,” she says. “Since not everyone can join me at my Pie Cottage baking counter, I wrote Art of the Pie so I could ‘join’others at theirs.” Readers expecting a technical pastry manual will be surprised and delighted at ART OF THE PIE. McDermott is an advocate for confidence, flexibility, and fun in piemaking. Her recipes encourage readers to feel the dough, taste the fruit, and develop the intuition that turns a baker from good to great. Her recipes and detailed instructions—as sensible as they are whimsical—will make home cooks feel like they have a helpful grandmother at their elbow offering advice, just as Kate did when just as Kate did when she learned pie baking years ago.

 

Kate will give a brief talk about her life and her book Art of the Pie, followed by a book signing.   Books will be available for purchase (while supplies last).

Cost:  Free!

Date: Saturday, March 18, 2017

Time: Noon, Saturday, March 18, 2017 

Location: Hotel Casa 425 in the Claremont Village, 425 W 1st St, Claremont, CA 91711. 

 

Kate’s 90-minute Pie Making Demo

Cost to attend: $55

Date:  Saturday, March 18, 2017

Time: 1:45 PM, Saturday, March 18, 2017 

Location: Hotel Casa 425 in the Claremont Village,  425 W 1st St, Claremont, CA 91711. 

 

For event details, like how to enter the pie baking contest or become a vendor, go to 
 
ClaremontPieFestival.com.

Bicycling Getaways to Claremont

Claremont, a silver level bicycle-friendly community, is a bike rider’s dream. An ideal destination for mountain bikers and bike-riding enthusiasts alike, the town has bike lanes on most surface streets and a bevy of bike racks. And with enchanting tree-filled streets with historical homes, stately buildings at the Claremont Colleges, and a charming downtown, there’s lots of sublime scenery to enjoy while you ride through the city. You can also ditch your car completely by arriving in Claremont with your bike via the Metrolink, which runs from Los Angeles Union Station to San Bernardino. You’ll be dropped off right in the Bicycles at Hotel Casa 425 in Claremont CAVillage.

For mountain bikers, Claremont Wilderness Park offers a winding bike trail with moderate elevation and dramatic views. At Mount Baldy, just minutes away, you can take a chair lift to bike trails at Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts. The descents on the trails are exposed and unique in Southern California – good times.

Before hitting the trails, you can grab sandwiches and salads at Wolfe’s Market for a picnic lunch.

If you need your bike repaired or are in the market for a new one, you can stop at Sunset Cycles inside the Packing House. Afterwards, you can get gourmet ice cream at A La Minute, check out the art gallery at Studio Claremont, or do some boutique shopping. There’s also Jax Bicycle Shop in the Village and Velo on Route 66 (Foothill Blvd.)

After a day of bike riding, a hearty meal is in order. At Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine, offering a menu that blends authentic Italian cuisine with a Sunset Cycle in Claremont CAcontemporary farm to table approach, you can nosh on delish dishes such as Zucca (kabocha pumpkin ravioli) or Maiale Osso Buco.

When you’re ready to rest, the resort-like DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, with spacious, uniquely styled rooms, is just a short ride away. If your muscles are a bit sore after so much riding, you can end your day with a soak in the spa. 

That way, you’ll be ready to do it all again the next day!

Claremont Weekend Getaway Itinerary Ideas

Last Drop Cafe menu sign in Claremont CALooking to escape all the hubbub with a weekend getaway in Southern California? Claremont, a city with an overabundance of trees – and nationally renowned colleges – that just oozes charm, will make you think you got teleported to a college town back East.

Fuel Up

To kick-start your restorative weekend trip in Claremont, enjoy a cup of joe and a freshly baked croissant on the patio at Last Drop Café, located in the quaint Claremont Village. From here you can admire the historical architecture, gaze at the San Gabriel mountains and gear up for some boutique shopping in the neighboring stores.

Head Outdoors

Mount Baldy, just minutes away, makes for an excellent day-trip. Depending on the season, you can hike, mountain bike, zip-line, or partake in a wide variety of fun snow activities. Afterwards, you can take a ski lift up to Top of the Notch Restaurant & Bar, which offers a unique dining experience with amazing vistas.

Another option for nature lovers is Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants. If you’re at the Garden during late spring or summer, the Butterfly Pavilion is a must-see.

Claremont Village Awaits

Once you’ve perused an amazing variety of plants, or walked among beautiful butterflies, you can stop at The Back Abbey for a gourmet burger and an artisan crafted beer on the patio. Or you can head over to Claremont Craft Ales (opens at 1 p.m. on weekends), where various gourmet food trucks land daily. Rhino Records in Claremont CA

After lunch, you may want to check out the captivating assortment of musical instruments at Folk Music Center, expand your record collection at Rhino Records, do some vintage shopping at The Grove Vintage, or check out some of the art galleries in the Claremont Village or at the Claremont Colleges.

If you’re a serious art lover, you’ll want to plan your weekend trip around the Claremont Art Walk, which is held on the first Saturday of the month and showcases local artists at galleries throughout the Claremont Village.

Claremont Packing HouseClaremont Packing House at sunset

Come sundown, the Packing House offers a profusion of exciting evening activities. You can catch a live stand-up comedy show at Flappers Comedy Club, do a wine tasting at Packing House Wine Merchants, have dinner and hookah at Casablanca Bar and Grill, or enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at The Whisper House, Claremont’s first speakeasy. On Friday nights, you can shop one-of-a-kind arts and crafts at Art Mart, held inside the Packing House.   

Whatever place you decide to go to or activity you choose to partake in while in town, we trust you’ll leave Claremont with shoulders softened, a smile, and effortless breath. 

Claremont Chamber Hosts 35th Annual Village Venture Faire, October 22

The Claremont Chamber of Commerce is excited to present the 35th Annual Village Venture Arts and Crafts Faire located in the Claremont Village on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Claremont Village is located in downtown Claremont off of Indian Hill Blvd. between First St. and Fourth St. 

Get your holiday shopping done early as you walk the streets of the Claremont Village lined with 450 booths selling unique art, original crafts and apparel. Get to know all the local businesses and nonprofits in the business and organization block located on First Street. Be sure to also stop by the food court for an array of international foods and entertainment.

No need to worry about parking. A complementary off-site shuttle service will be provided by Pomona Valley Transit Authority. Shuttle locations: Claremont University Facilities on First St. and Mills Ave., Cahuilla Park parking lot on Scripps Ave. and Indian Hill Blvd., and St. Ambrose Episcopal Church on Bonita Ave. and Mountain Ave. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled family event!

Other festivities will include a children’s pre-carved pumpkin competition sponsored by Claremont Sunrise Rotary. Pre-carved pumpkins should be dropped off between 8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. at the Sunrise Rotary Booth located at the corner of Bonita Ave. and Harvard Ave. Judging will take place at 2 p.m. A traditional children’s Halloween costume parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. All participants must assemble at the corner of Harvard Ave. and Bonita Ave. by 9:15 a.m. (No motorized vehicles will be allowed in the parade.) All participants will receive a goodie bag at the end of the parade.

For more information contact the Claremont Chamber of Commerce at (909) 624-1681 or visit www.claremontchamber.org.

“Dine and Stay” Specials During Claremont Restaurant Week, July 10-19

Southern California foodies can select from prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at more than two dozen participating Claremont, California, area hotels and restaurants during the third annual “Claremont Restaurant Week,” July 10-19, 2015.

claremont_restaurant_week_2013Claremont 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.

“Claremont Restaurant Week” Coming July 10-19, 2015

Restaurants in Claremont, California, are gearing up for the third annual “Claremont Restaurant Week” being held July 10-19, 2015. The annual Midsummer Night’s Dine will run for 10 days, including two weekends, to encourage Southern California foodies toclaremont_restaurant_week_2013enjoy an overnight stay at one of Claremont’s five hotel properties.

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:

(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.

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