Here are some noteworthy restaurants selected from our rotating list. We suggest before going that you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting errors. We also invite your feedback on new and wonderful dining experiences and when establishments fail to meet expectations.
ABBREVIATIONS & PRICING RS, reservations suggested. (While some restaurants suggest reservations on certain nights, others request them only for parties of five or more.) FB, full bar. $ mostly under $15, $$ mostly under $20, $$$ mostly under $50, $$$$ above $50
DOWNTOWN & MID-CITY BELLA TRATTORIA
At the Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., 951-341-6767, www.missioninn.com
Sidewalk dining featuring southern Italian cuisine. Lunch and dinner Tu.-Sa. $$
CIAO BELLA RISTORANTE
1630 Spruce St., 951-781-8840, www.ciaobellariverside.com
Casual fine dining indoors or on the patio. Lunch m-F, dinner m-sa. RS, FB, $$
D'ELIA'S GRINDERS 2093 University Ave.; 951-683-7380, www.deliasgrinders.com
Customizing cold, hot and gourmet grinders since 1955. Burgers also served. Lunch and dinner daily. $
DEMATTEO'S
7030 Magnolia Ave.; 951-682-6198, www.dematteos.com
Pizza, pasta, subs and salads, plus what's billed as the best stromboli in riverside. Lunch and dinner daily. $
DUANE'S
At the Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., 951-341-6767, www.missioninn.com
Premier steakhouse and seafood restaurant, which has received a AAA Four Diamond award every year since 1996. Dinner M-Sa., brunch Su. $$$
FARFALLA'S CUCINA ITALIANA
5250 Arlington Ave.; 951-354-5100, www.farfallasrestaurants.com
Pizza, pasta and calzones, with specialty items like eggplant, chicken and veal parmigiana. Lunch and dinner daily, except saturday when only dinner is served. $
GOURMET DETECTIVE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE
Avila Terrace Theatre, 3663 Main St., (above the Tamale Factory); 866-992-5424, www.gourmetdetective.com
"Murder at the Cafe Noir," limited menu features tri tip, chicken breast and grilled salmon. Price includes show and dinner. $$$$
GRAM'S MISSION BAR-B-QUE PALACE
3527 Main St.; 951-782-8219
An assortment of barbecue items, plus jambalaya, creole chicken, meat loaf, pork chops and more have been served at this riverside institution for the past two decades. Lunch and dinner specials are $6.50. $
LAS CAMPANAS
At the Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., 951-341-6767, www.missioninn.com
Authentic mexican cuisine served in a beautifully landscaped outdoor garden. Lunch M-Aa., brunch Su., dinner nightly. $
MARIO'S PLACE
3646 Mission Inn Ave.; 951-684-7755, www.mariosplace.com
Chef Leone Palagi's take on northern Italian cuisine has been praised far and wide. Live contemporary jazz performers Friday and saturday nights. Dinner m-sa., lunch Fri. special menu for Valentine's Day. RS, FB, $$$
MARKET BROILER
7119 Indiana Ave.; 951-276-9007, www.marketbroiler.com
More than a dozen varieties of fresh fish, steak, pasta, wood-fired oven pizza and more. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
MISSION INN RESTAURANT
3649 Mission Inn Ave.; 951-341-6767, www.missioninn.com
Signature "comfort foods" prepared in a new state-of-the-art display kitchen. Breakfast and dinner daily, lunch M-Sa. $
THE OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY
3191 Mission Inn Ave.; 951-784-4417, www.osf.com
Several varieties of pasta dishes (mostly spaghetti, of course), salads and desserts that include decadent chocolate mousse cake and mud pie. The restaurant is in a building that served as a citrus packinghouse in the early 1900s. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
OLIO RISTORANTE
At the Marriott, 3400 Market St., 951-786-7147, www.riversidemarriott.com
Northern Italian steak and seafood with an eclectic California twist. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. FB, $$
PEPITOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
6539 Magnolia Ave.; 951-788-2652
Traditional Mexican fare including carnitas, chile verde, fajitas and steak picado. Lunch and dinner daily; breakfast items also served. FB, $
RESTAURANT OMAKASE
3720 Mission Inn Ave.; 951-788-8820, www.restaurantomakase.com
Tasting menu using locally grown seasonal produce, served in an intimate 40-seat dining room. Boutique wines from around the world available. Special Valentine's Day menu. Dinner M-Sa. RS, $$$
THE ROYAL FALCONER
4281 Main St.; 951-684-4281, www.royalfalconerca.com.
Chicken, salmon, ribs, burgers and English specialties in a hometown pub-type atmosphere. There are 12 beers on tap, and nine of them are imports. Bands perform two Saturday nights a month. FB, $
SAFFRON
3425 Mission Inn Ave.; 951-367-1396
Art lovers will find this boutique restaurant inside the Riverside Art Museum, serving a prix fixe menu. Lunch M-F, dinner F-Sa. $$
SEVILLA
Mission Inn Ave.; 951-778-0611, www.cafesevilla.com
Casually elegant dining experience featuring Spanish and coastal cuisine. Nightclub with live music and dancing every night, plus a flamenco dinner show weekly. Lunch and dinner Su.-F, dinner Sa. 3252 FB, RS, $$$
TABLE FOR TWO
Across the street from Riverside Plaza. 3600 Central Ave.; 951-683-3648
Thai, Chinese-fusion and Japanese dishes. Lunch and dinner daily. $
VIA VENETO TRILUSSA RISTORANTE
3737 Main St.; 951-683-3494, www.trilussariversideca.com
Italian cuisine — ranging from Risotto ai Funghi to the traditional Spaghetti Bolognese — is served, and owner Giampaolo Dorigo, a native of Padua, Italy, is around to make sure the tastes are truly authentic. Dinner W-Sa.,
lunch by reservation. FB, $$$
WEST THE AULD DUBLINER
Galleria at Tyler, 3775 Tyler St.; 951-354-6325, www.aulddubliner.com
Beef stew, shepherd's pie and other traditional Irish dishes, plus burgers, sandwiches and wraps. More than 15 imported beers on tap. DJs Wednesday- Thursday, bands Friday-Saturday. RS, FB, $
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
Galleria at Tyler, 3525 Tyler St., 951-352-4600, www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Steaks, chops, seafood, pizza, sandwiches and, of course, more than 30 varieties of cheesecake. Two TVs in the bar. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. RS, FB, $$
CITRUS CITY GRILLE
Riverside Plaza, 3555 Riverside Plaza Drive, 951-274-9099, www.citruscitygrille.com
Steaks, seafood, lamb, chicken, pasta and more. Pianist Friday nights, blues music Sunday nights. Lunch and dinner daily. RS, FB, $$
DAPHNE'S GREEK CAFE & CATERING
Riverside Plaza, 3540 Riverside Plaza Drive, 951-781-8690, www.daphnesgreekcafe.com
Flame-broiled gyros, ka-bobs, chicken, pita sandwiches and vegetarian plates. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
ELEPHANT BAR RESTAURANT
Galleria at Tyler, 3775 Tyler St., 951-353-2200, www.elephantbar.com
Specialties include Pacific Rim and wok-fired recipes, plus favorites such as fire-grilled fish, steaks, chicken, sandwiches and salads. Kids menu items start at $2.95. Three TVs in the bar area. Lunch and dinner daily. RS, FB, $
EVENTS SPORTS GRILL
10560 Magnolia Ave., 951-352-2693, www.eventssportsgrill.com
Burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Tacos $1 each on Tuesdays; beer and pool specials on Wednesdays. Four large projection-screen TVs, plus more than a dozen smaller TVs spread throughout. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
JOSE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
3765 La Sierra Ave.; 951-359-8000, www.josesmexicanfood.com
Taco, enchilada and chile relleno combos, plus grande and fish burritos, quesadillas and other South of the border favorites. Corona, Negro Modelo and Bohemia are among the seven imported beers available. Lunch and dinner daily; breakfast all day. $
LOUNGE 33
Riverside Plaza, 3639 Riverside Plaza Drive, 951-784-4433, www.loungethirtythree.com
Upscale bar serving hand-crafted martinis, cocktails and a wide selection of beer and wine. Salads, grilled sandwiches, mini burgers, wings and desserts, plus appetizer platters. Music. 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. FB, $
NEW YORK PIZZA
3570 Van Buren Blvd., 951-688-4000
Pizza, pasta, lasagna, meatball subs, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, salads and appetizers make up the hearty fare here. Dining only on the outside patio. Lunch and dinner daily. $
KILLARNEY'S RESTAURANT & IRISH PUB
Riverside Plaza, 3639 Riverside Plaza Drive, 951-682-2933; www.killarneys.com
Visit Dublin without leaving the States at Killarney's, where you can enjoy a glass of Guinness in a pub that was built in Ireland and reconstructed at Riverside Plaza. Order traditional Irish fare, including
bangers and mash and Harp beer-battered fish and chips, or choose American favorites like prime rib and burgers. Among the other popular dishes are grilled salmon, three cheese pasta and teriyaki chicken. There are more than 20 beers on tap — including Bass, Killian's Red and Smithwicks — plus seasonal selections. With live bands, bag-pipers and Irish dancers on March 17, it promises to be the hot spot in Riverside for St. Patrick's Day. Get into the spirit with corned beef and cabbage or shepherd's pie, then top it off with Irish cream bread pudding for dessert.
OLIVIA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
9447 Magnolia Ave.; 951-689-2131
Traditional Mexican fare, including burritos, tacos and chile relleno. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $
PF CHANG'S BISTRO
Galleria at Tyler, 3475 Tyler St., 951-689-4020, www.pfchangs.com
Soups and salads, plus traditional Chinese favorites. Grill menu includes marinated New York strip steak, salmon and ahi tuna. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
RUBY'S DINNER
1298 Galleria at Tyler, G-19, 951-359-7829, www.rubys.com
Omelettes, skillets and griddle combos, plus burgers, sandwiches, steaks and salads. $
T.G.I. FRIDAY'S
Galleria at Tyler, 3487 Tyler St., 951-52-7285, www.tgifridays.com
Casual dining chain featuring burgers and sandwiches, sliders, chicken, ribs and steaks. Five TVs in the bar. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
THE YARD HOUSE
Galleria at Tyler, 3775 Tyler St., 951-688-9273 www.yardhouse.com
Upscale-casual eatery with a menu that includes pastas, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, ribs and chops. Keg room visible from the dining area and 130 taps are available at the bar. Lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily. RS, FB, $
UNIVERSITY & EAST CHILI'S
499 Alessandro Blvd.; 951-776-0952, www.chilis.com
Burgers, chicken, fajitas, sandwiches, steaks and more. Guiltless Grill menu has six items that are less than 750 calories each, including carne asada steak, grilled salmon and a black bean burger. Lunch and dinner daily. FB, $
CREOLA'S RESTAURANT
1015 E. Alessandro Blvd.; 951-653-8150, www.creolasrestaurant.com
Chicken, filet mignon, lamb, meat loaf, pork and several varieties of fish. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday. $$
CREST CAFE
5225 Canyon Crest Drive; 951-784-2233
Burgers, pasta, salads and other American and Italian favorites. Traditional breakfast menu includes omelettes, pancakes and waffles. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $
GERARD'S EVE BISTRO
9814 Magnolia Ave.; 951-687-4882, www.gerardsevebistro.com
French cuisine in an intimate bistro atmosphere. Dinner entrees include beef bourguignon, duck confit, garlic shrimp and veal milanese. Dinner W-Su., Sunday brunch. $$$
GRA-POW RESTAURANT
497 Alessandro Blvd. No. D, 951-780-1132, www.grapow.net
Thai food with California and Pacific Rim accents. Dishes include cashew chicken, pad gra pow, roasted curry stir fried with a choice of meats, and chicken with Thai barbecue sauce. Beer and wine available. Lunch and dinner daily. $
JOHN'S INCREDIBLE PIZZA COMPANY
6187 Valley Springs Parkway; 951-656-5555, www.johnspizza.com
Pizza, pasta, soups and desserts. Lunch buffet $7, dinner buffet $9. Lunch and dinner daily. $
THE PITA PIT
3740 Iowa Ave., No. 103; 951-275-8888, www.pitapitusa.com
More than two dozen varieties of pitas, including five with fewer than 500 calories. Also, salads, soups and smoothies. Lunch and dinner daily. $
SMOKEY CANYON BBQ CATERING
5225 Canyon Crest Drive, No. 9, 951-782-8808, www.smokeycanyon.com
Burgers, sandwiches, catfish, chicken, ribs and more. Bar area has two TVs. Lunch M, lunch and dinner Tu.-Su. FB, $
UNIVERSITY CAFE INC.
1400 University Ave., No. A109, 951-686-6338
Chinese cuisine, including sweet and sour pork, Cantonese soy chicken and curry chicken. Combo meals for $6.45 include a drink. Lunch and dinner daily. $
OUT & ABOUT
