Ambiance: It's upscale, however they could work on the…read morespacing between tables; specifically, the table for a large group blocking the walkway. It makes it difficult to exit when there's other people dining there and waiters moving around. Loved all of the cat decorations and how they kept the red theme going. It's quite dim, but personally that's preferable to it being extremely florescent and bright. Service: Johannes was very pleasant. Food: We came because we wanted to eat escargot. Our favorite French restaurant, Le Gourmet in Upland closed in 2024 or 2025 so we needed to find a new French place. The lamb loin in lingonberry sauce was wonderfully complex with the savory cheese complemented well by the sweet lingonberry. The escargot was perfect. The only caveat was that we tried the pastries of the day -- one was a puff pastry, forgetting the flavor/name and some kind of cake, maybe Napoleon? We did not care for the desserts at all, if I were to get another dessert I'd probably stick with the crème brulée. The bread and salty whipped butter were delicious, seemed house-made? The bread was slightly sweet and I had to hold myself back from gorging on it. Parking: Parked in a nearby garage for $20. I think there was an event going on.

Another incredible meal at Le Chat Noir. Thank you to our incredibly attentive and friendly server…read moreAdrien who provided truly excellent service, including making minor modifications in order to accommodate my diabetic mother. We ordered the greatest hits: the Voil au Vent (scrumptious!), the rack of lamb with herbs, the French Onion Soup + bread service, and the special of the day which was swordfish served with capers and a white wine sauce, and a rosemary risotto. The food was excellent, as always: perfectly sized and seasoned portions, with high quality products worthy of the price point. The meats were perfectly cooked to medium, juicy and just the right balance of firmness and melt in your mouth softness. Incredible! We will be back again, and again, and again. Merci Le Chat Noir!

We had a tremendous breakfast at their new location yesterday, in University Village, 1201…read moreUniversity Ave, Riverside close to the UCR campus. The owner, his wife and family delivered a fantastic meal and impeccable service. Several folks in our group ordered the brioche french toast which has got to be one of their signature dishes. It was so good, we ordered another serving. The omelets and short rib sandwich and eggs Benedit were also outstanding, plus the coffee was really really good. This is a must venue for anyone visiting or looking for a great restaurant in Riverside. Just wish I took pictures of the food, by the time I thought of it all we had were clean plates.

Café La Reve is a cozy, homey French café tucked away in a quiet plaza in Orangecrest that…read moreimmediately took me back to my visits to France. Like true Parisian style, you'll need to make a reservation because seating is limited and this spot is quite popular. My boyfriend and I were very fortunate they had a table available when we visited (we didn't know it was reservations-only) but the staff kindly seated us. Next time, I'll definitely call ahead. Right away, you're greeted by a warm and welcoming mother-daughter duo. They patiently walked us through the menu and shared the specials of the day. The chef himself came out to say hello and even took the time to explain a few items we were curious about. Soft French music plays in the background, creating such a calm, inviting atmosphere. *Plain Croissant: A perfect classic. Flaky on the outside, soft on the inside; it's exactly what you'd want from a traditional croissant. I'd come back just for their pastries alone, though this time I was excited to try their savory breakfast items. *Croque Monsieur: Absolutely delicious and wonderfully authentic. I ordered it with ham in the traditional style, and it came with creamy béchamel and melted cheese layered perfectly on top. The portion was generous and satisfying. You can add an egg to turn it into a Croque Madame. This came with a Provençal tomato and a potato pavé on the side, both of which were flavorful and beautifully prepared. The pavé, with its delicate layers, was such a standout. I haven't seen these sides offered at other French restaurants in the U.S., and I'd honestly return just for them. *Machaca Frances: My boyfriend ordered this dish, and it was such a pleasant surprise as a creative, well-executed blend of flavors. The short rib was incredibly tender, paired with potatoes, caramelized onions, and more, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. The fresh pico, sauce, and avocado on top tied it all together perfectly. When my boyfriend mentioned he was eyeing this dish, the chef smiled and said the machaca filling was similar to beef bourguignon, and he was right! It had that same rich, deep, savory flavor. If they ever have actual beef bourguignon on the menu, I'd order it in a heartbeat based on how good this was. *Side salad: This had fresh greens, carrots, and caramelized onions, with oven-roasted tomatoes, and more, drizzled in a rich balsamic reduction.You could tell a lot of effort went into even the salad, and it tied the dishes together beautifully. This café really reminded me of France, which I miss so much. The space is clean, the atmosphere is warm, and you can tell the staff knows their regulars well. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like family as soon as you walk in. Spots like this are rare for both atmosphere and traditional French cuisine, especially around here, which makes Café La Reve feel even more special. I'm already planning my next visit to try their sweet breakfast options and maybe a lunch entrée. I saw in another review that they also offer dinner on Fridays by reservation, something I'm excited to experience soon. Thank you to the entire team for your kindness and hospitality. Café La Reve is a true gem, and I can't wait to come back.

An amazing dinner spot in Old Town Temecula! At first, the restaurant looks small, with just…read morecounter seating and a few tables near the entrance. But once you head downstairs, you will find a cozy dining area in the back with a cozy atmosphere. My friend and I chose the prix fixe menu with the restaurant's selected wine pairings, and it was an incredible experience. Gabriel, who took care of our table, explained every dish and wine pairing in detail, making the entire meal even more enjoyable. Every course was creative, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. From the first bite to the final dessert, and every wine pairing in between, everything was outstanding. It was a memorable dining experience, and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Temecula.

I came here for lunch on my actual birthday and had a nice time here. We had reservations and got…read morethe afternoon tea and did the caviar add-on. I recommend getting this since I like to have more savory items. For the tea, I chose the strawberry rhubarb. The afternoon tea comes with a three tiered pastry and tea sandwich tower. We got honey tea cake, mango yuzu cream puff, strawberries & chocolate shortbread cookie, savory herb scone, hokkaido cheese tart, assorted seasonal fruit, radish + herb cheese tea sandwich, curry chicken salad sandwich, egg salad tea sandwich and our choice of a large pot of tea. There were a few cute spots to take photos and some ladies even complimented me on my outfit! I also got a surprise birthday scoop of ice cream! It was definitely a great start of my day!

This place is an absolute gem! The moment you walk into The Cellar, you are blown away by how…read moregorgeous the space is--the ambience is intimate, beautifully designed, and perfect for a special night out. The service was top-notch from start to finish. Every staff member we encountered was incredibly warm and welcoming. To top off an already amazing evening, our wonderful waitress brought out complimentary macarons to help us celebrate a birthday, which was such a thoughtful and classy touch. As for the menu, both the food and the drinks were absolutely delicious. The pork loin dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. We had an incredible experience and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!

Great food, great servers, and greaf atmospher. Pricey but…read moredefinitely worth it. Secluded place that brings a feeling as if you are in a shire from the hobbits. Thjs place has a history that started in 1969.

Incredible! I would give both the service and the food a 10/10. The ambiance and overall atmosphere…read morewere elegant, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated. I live in Riverside and consider myself a true foodie. When I want to celebrate something special, I don't buy a purse--I treat myself to an exceptional dining experience. Usually, that means driving all the way to Los Angeles or even Las Vegas, so I was thrilled to discover this restaurant much closer to home. I originally found the restaurant on TikTok. The food looked amazing, but I was still a little skeptical that it could live up to the hype. I'm happy to say it exceeded every expectation. This was genuinely one of the best dining experiences I've had in Southern California. I came for a girls' night out, and everything was flawless from start to finish. The wine pairing was perfect, and even the complimentary bread and truffle butter that arrived at the table were unforgettable. We started with the escargot and the hamachi crisp--both beautifully presented and bursting with balanced, sophisticated flavors. For our entrées, I ordered the uni pasta, while my friends chose the scallops and the sea bass. We all shared bites of each dish, and every plate was outstanding. The quality of the ingredients, execution, and attention to detail were evident in every course. What truly elevated the evening was the hospitality. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we ended up being the last guests in the restaurant, spending time talking with both the staff and the owner, Andrew. His passion for his vision, commitment to quality, and dedication to creating a memorable dining experience were inspiring. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. I will absolutely be returning often. Without question, this ranks among the very best meals I have had in Southern California. Here's a polished and more refined version of your review: Incredible! I would give both the service and the food a 10/10. The ambiance and overall atmosphere were elegant, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated. I live in Riverside and consider myself a true foodie. When I want to celebrate something special, I don't buy a purse--I treat myself to an exceptional dining experience. Usually, that means driving all the way to Los Angeles or even Las Vegas, so I was thrilled to discover this restaurant much closer to home. I originally found the restaurant on TikTok. The food looked amazing, but I was still a little skeptical that it could live up to the hype. I'm happy to say it exceeded every expectation. This was genuinely one of the best dining experiences I've had in Southern California. I came for a girls' night out, and everything was flawless from start to finish. The wine pairing was perfect, and even the complimentary bread and truffle butter that arrived at the table were unforgettable. We started with the escargot and the hamachi crisp--both beautifully presented and bursting with balanced, sophisticated flavors. For our entrées, I ordered the uni pasta, while my friends chose the scallops and the sea bass. We all shared bites of each dish, and every plate was outstanding. The quality of the ingredients, execution, and attention to detail were evident in every course. What truly elevated the evening was the hospitality. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we ended up being the last guests in the restaurant, spending time talking with both the staff and the owner, Andrew. His passion for his vision, commitment to quality, and dedication to creating a memorable dining experience were inspiring. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. I will absolutely be returning often. Without question, this ranks among the very best meals I have had in Southern California.

We have been dining at The Wild Artichoke for years. The…read morefood is delicious - honestly Chef Andrew has upped the menu to Five Stars! We had dinner again tonight and Jess (our primary server) & Taylor (who assisted Jess) were exceptional in their customer service and they just did a superb job making sure we had a fantastic evening/dinner! We had a bottle of Caymus - always good! We had escargot for appetizer - excellent! We had Watermelon Salad - absolutely delicious! I had Rib meat with potatoes & vegetables - super soft meat that "melts" in your mouth! And Chocolate Molten Lava Cake for dessert - perfect way to end a wonderful evening! Highly, highly recommend The Wild Artichoke for an evening of fine dining!!

Another awesome visit to a delightful icon of cultural history…read more Ms. Bernadette is keeping the legacy going, and shout out to her son Markus for making sure it stays alive! Shout out to Mr. Joe! Rest in power Ms. Monique!

Centro Basco is a remnant of when Basque people established sheep herding in the 19th to mid 20th…read morecentury, and then transitioned into dairy farming which have been converted to mega warehouses and residential subdivisions. However, Centro Basco still has its Jai Alai ball court & housing which may still be occupied by Basque workers. Centro Basco is big so beyond the main dining room & bar, there are the banquet room and the traditional long table communal hall typically found in Bakersfield, a major Basque center along with Boise, Idaho. We ordered a main and the Aitaxi or set up for $7 since it included Beef Tongue Escabeche which is a Basque signature dish. 1) Lukainka with Sauce Basquaise is a must get. Rough ground pork butt sausage seasoned with salt, black pepper, and garlic. Snappy skin and meaty texture are a pleasure to bite into. Sauce Basquaise on the side is tomato, garlic, olive oil, pimento, onion, white wine. 2) Oxtail Stew is slow braised for hours in red wine and tail bone supplying a fond de cuisine/broth, perfumed with touch of onions & carrots. Bone in the center, with soft, fibrous meat on the outer perimeter. A) Soup: Finely chopped carrots, trace of earthy, lentil flavoured chicken soup accompanied by sour dough bread. B) Beans in a mildly acidic red tomato sauce. C) Beef Tongue is boiled and soft marinated in oil & vinegar. Meaty yet bit fatty, the Escabeche style adds a flavour enhancing gastrique. Garnished with red tomato slices. D) Iceberg Lettuce Salad in oil & vinegar dressing is wilted with unremarkable processed, gummy white cheese slices. E) Spaghetti dressed with seems like a pedestrian, Salsa Bolognese/tomato meat sauce. F) Scalloped Potato: Slices of boiled, starchy potato colored with some yellow orange cheddar and baked in the oven that was like cafeteria food. 1-2a) Standard red wine varietal like a Syrah. 3) Monique's Gateau Basque: Suggested by our newbie server was a great choice. Two layers of a drier sponge cake sandwiching a thick layer of almond flavoured, gooey Crème Pâtisserie/pastry cream. Not cloyingly sweet like many typical American desserts. Down home food for the most part. Standouts were the Lukainka, Beef Tongue Escabeche, Monique's Gateau Basque, and Oxtail Stew for those really into beef where the meat nearest the bone is sweetest. With Basque restaurants in Socal disappearing such as "Jean's French Restaurant, a landmark in Colton, California, that closed after its French Basque owner, Jean Irola, passed away in April 2012." as well as Glendora Continental which is up for sale, it's important to patronize Centro Basco to recognize and preserve Basque culinary heritage. 3+/4- stars