~Bella Trattoria~ Italian Bistro

Bella Trattoria : Riverside's hidden jewel

Enjoy sidewalk dining at it’s best!
The new Bella Trattoria will tempt the palate with delicious Southern Italian Cuisine including brick oven baked pizzas, build your own pasta and pressed Panini sandwiches. Experience the flavors of Italy right here at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.-- Mission Inn Hotel (Missioninn.com)

--> Below: I bet festive lights would look even more romantic at night

--> Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast: Lightly Breaded Sliced Breast of Chicken served with Fettuccini Pasta and Alfredo Sauce--> below: Brick oven



--> Margherita Pizza: fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, roma tomatoes, garlic and olive Oil
Although this pizza is not the best of the selection I can guarantee you The Athena pizza on the Dinner menu only is absolutely delicious! definitely recommended





--> It was still pretty warm in Riverside when I went here for the second time, but my favorite thing to do now is going to Bella Trattoria in the middle of winter, dining outside under whimsical light deco, heat lamps and enjoying the joyous Italian music. A MUST DO if you're ever in town and already ate out somewhere and feel like getting a small snack or drink i HIGHLY recommend Bella's :

Nose Warmer : Brewed Coffee in a Mugwith Tia Maria, Frangelico, Venetian Cream and Grand Marnier
and the
Chocolate Milano:Chocolate Milano, Brewed Coffee with Chocolate Milano Syrup,Whipped Cream and Chocolate Shavings with Venetian Cream


Address:
3649 Mission Inn Ave.,
Riverside, CA 92501

Phone: (951)784-0300

Happy Hour @ Yardhouse

Yardhouse Happy Hour!~


--> Calamari- lots of tentacles !


--> Eggrolls topped with deepfried strips of carrot
-->Jamaican Jerk Wings
--> Pizza: half mushroom, half pepperoni

Mandalay Bay Buffet : Desserts

--> Below: Fruit tart w/ chocolate cup: presentation-wise, I thought I'd fall in love with this since I love fruit tarts, but it was probably the most disappointing of the entire selection of desserts! fruits were definitely not in season nor remotely ripe! Although sometimes this can pass off, the cream or custard inside usually makes up for the lack of ripened fruits on top... the custard in this tart was beyond bland! tasted like cheap diluted jello packets of vanilla pudding!!! Now I must revive my love for fruit tarts and make a stop at Porto's Bakery!!

--> below: Tiramisu w/ chocolate cup : very very creamy! but nonetheless yummy
--> Blueberry Cheesecake: extremely light and fluffy- very very small hint of cheesecake- reminded me of the cheesecake I get at Korean and Japanese bakeries!

--> Mini Lemon Meringue Pie/tart
--> innards- probably my favorite one of the entire bunch: extrmely fluffy and pleasing meringue- reminding me of marshmellows by the campfire! then underneath this sticky yet delicious cloud hides a delicate balance between sweet and sour lemon custard! Although the custard may have solidified because of the refrigerated conditions, it was nonetheless delliiiciousss!


Although there were MANY desserts at the Mandalay Bay Buffet, I was only able to pull out my camera for the biggest and smallest highlights of the afternoon! Perhaps next time I can find some self control and take my time with picture-taking :)

San Francisco ~ continued..

Zachary's : Chicago Pizza - Berkeley

I know a good group of friends and family who go to UC Berkeley and ALL of them just keep talking about this place called Zachary's... with high expectations and rumbling tummy, I discovered the first chicago-style pizza I have absolutely fallen in love with! Coming from Southern California... well rather specifically the San Fernando Valley, it's actually pretty hard to find local joints that serve specialized food. Quite honestly, the only chicago-style pizza I've eaten was from BJ's... a chain!! Not that I have anything against chain-restaurants.. I just really like supporting the mom and pop diners with inspirational and truly food-loving advocates who cook to make people happy!
Although Zachary's has another location, it's only served locally, meaning you.. and I will not find one down in Southern California :( ... unfortunate. I have searched high and low for great pizza so I can list all the "pizza" places that are praised for the pizza they make: all the delivery brands (you know.. dominoes, etc), BJ's Brewery, California Pizza Kitchen aka CPK, AMeci's, etc. etc. the list goes on and on! Although some of their pizza's are actually pretty good (ameci's chicken ranch yumm), you just can't find a truly great pizza place that makes you feel like you've eaten a wholesome, warm, home-cooked meal! My friend was initially a bit upset eating here because she wanted a true "meal" ... in her definition pizza ain't a meal!! she left satisfied and truly surprised by Zachary's pizza!

--> Below: While taking a trip to the restroom you can see an entire wall filled with Zachary's pride, framed, posted and glowing in all its glory! impressive yes..!!



-->We ordered Zachary's Special- which fed three easily! : sausage, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms
--> I have to say.. my absolute favorite part of the pizza is definitely the tomato sauce on top!!! i LOVED it!! I'm a huge cheese person so I hesitated a little while eating it but quickly fell for the wholesome chunks of tomatoes scattered throughout a truly rich tomato sauce filled with the right spices and herbs!
--> This is the best shot I could get of the great layers of crust, cheese, fillings and great tomato dressing on top! Let me tell you... the tomato sauce and crust is truly what sets this pizza apart from all the others! the crust is the complete opposite of Bj's semi doughy-raw-yeasty pizza dough! Zachs' crust and bottom (very important that the bottom isn't gooey and soggy) was crispy, bready and baked to perfection. I loved how the semi-crispy dough was constructed so that it could withstand all the gooey toppings weighing it down!
--> A messy but delicious slice! note those beautiful chunks of tomatoes that just melt in your mouth - bursting with naturally sweet tomatoey goodness!!

Gregoire~ Oakland

Gregoire....
the amazing... most wonderful little place to eat... I could probably live next door and eat there every single freaking day!!!! This place is just such a great spot! its romantic, cute, casual with a flair of European essence and cute countryside-like vibes all in one little.. tiny tiny food joint!
THe great thing about Greogoire is probably their menu.. it changes EVERY MONTH which is great because you can definitely feel that the chef's/owners are creative and active in picking out ingredients that go with the seasons!



--> below: i'm telling you.. whoever lives in norcal just HAS to eat here at LEAST once!! the place is tiny.. but oh so great!
--> when you walk in.. you're seriously going to feel like you're walking into someone's kitchen..waiting in line for food that's being freshly cooked right in front of you!
-->definitely not a sit-in restaurant type of place but I would definitely get takeout and go to the nearest park and have a great little picnic eating off of their delicious menu!
--> below: The highlight of the menu .. at least in my opinion was the Spicy Tuna & Wakame salad with Potato Chips on Sliced Bread $7.50 so light, fresh and delicious all at the same time .. i could eat it all over again right now!


--> Below: Grilled chicken with tomato, anchovies, & garlic mayonnaise on pantofolina. $7.00 This is what I ordered and at first.. the anchovies really scared me a little but I went with it anyways and did not regret it at all! the anchovies .. which I actually couldn't physically find in the sandwich was definitely in there.. the flavor of the anchovies gave the sandwich a great kick .. ESPECIALLY the garlic mayonnaise which I must remind myself to try making sometime !
--> Below: a side order of Scalloped potatoes with garlic & parsley. $4.50 - for those of you who love creamy, hot potatoes!! this is definitely it! If you ever go here I highly HIGHLY recommend their fried potato balls! unfortunate that I did not get to taste one but I am 99.5% sure that they're out of this world

--> Below: Warm curried potato with smoked salmon in grilled lavash
--> This one was definitely the most unique sounding on their menu! I never would have thought of putting salmon and curry together since the flavors, you would think, would clash.. the strong smokey salmon and the pungent yet creamy curry! wow... definitely a smeller haha!

Indoor Farmer's Market @ The Metreon - SF

Shocking news to many of us who don't really know San Francisco very well.. but.. they closed the metreon's playstation store and replaced it with an indoor Farmers market!!!! I suppose I can say that the change isn't TOO bad considering i'm a huge farmers' market fan but... honestly.. I really REALLY was looking forward to the playstation store!! a bit disappointing but other than that, I got to try a lot of great food for free!!



--> below: the dips were really amazing, I would've bought a couple to take home.. but with all this organic and fresh food... I doubt it'll last the plane ride and drive back home :(
--> Below: Stuffing pitas with falafels, hummus and various fresh goodies!
--> Below: I believe this was from a South African cuisine booth... very interesting considering the smells drifting from this booth dominated the entire section!
--> below: Fugazetta - stuffed with aged Cheddar Cheese, shredded organic chicken & Oregano! at $3 a piece and it's considerable size.. I wouldn't mind at all!!