City Grille

City Grille
Corona Pointe Center
1180 El Camino Road
Corona, CA

I'm still in shock. A place this good can't possibly be in my backyard. Not yet, anyway. But it is. If you've read my reviews, you probably think I don't have a harsh word in my vocabulary. Such is not the case. I can decimate with the best of them. Try calling me sometime when I'm in heavy traffic, profusely hungry, and lost. You'll hear a new and memorable spin on harsh.

See, it's not so much that I'm nice as it is that it takes a lot of "getting it right" to make our Rave Review list.

Tula Coco, and husband Sal, have ascended to great heights of flavor and presentation in local dining. Natives of Greece and Italy respectively, this duo has all the makings of creating what a place to eat should be. Both with a rich heritage and stringent standards of what they will offer and serve, Sal and Tula keep their knowing patrons happy at every visit. Watch this new Corona stand-out rise quickly. Word of mouth is a driving force after only four months.

City Grille has some of the best things you might expect from a wise Greek and a passionate Italian. Unbelievable fish. Flawless pasta. Recipes and quality ingredients that pass a hard test. There are great wines and impressive dessert wines. If you want to get on someone's good side, take them here for a spectacular dinner in a beautiful setting. This place is high on atmosphere and décor. The patio is another thing they did right. It's beautiful and ready for all seasons. Live music heightens the weekend experience here. You will also want to watch for
featured theme nights soon to be on the calendar.

Tula's Greek salad is by far the best I have ever had. Not the best in Corona, or California, but simply the best Greek salad I think you will find if you live to be old, well-traveled, and hard to please. (Is this the part where I tell you I have been to Greece and I never had a salad so good?) The signature dressing is full of what must be termed pure zing. It will do more for your mouth and your day than the best energy drink on the planet. It will also taste much better. The dressing shares the bowl with wonderful greens, Kalamata olives, feta, and candied walnuts, among other things. There is variety and perfect little surprises in every bite.

Some emerging favorites at City Grille—and there are many—should go on your list. This includes anything they serve at breakfast, the afore-mentioned salad, Kobe beef burgers at lunch, and the Chicken Parmesan or Greek style rack of lamb at dinner. You will not soon forget the potato-wrapped halibut with its almond pesto sauce. That fish and I are going to go pick out some furniture. I might also add that their onion rings are becoming legendary.

If I sound all over the place between formal and casual dining, it's because the menu is brilliant enough to have a wide variety no matter what time of day you go. There are also welcome twists on everything. For example, the French toast they serve is stuffed, one of the nine offered salads is a steak and potato, and well, have you ever had calamari with a crispy graham cracker crust? The list goes on.

Take advantage of a delicious perk of this place—the breakfast. They are serious about it. All your favorites, along with a few surprises. Lunch? They've got you covered. The owners know their town and their patrons. You can catch a great sandwich, a quick salad, even fish tacos. They don't try to be quite everything, but it seems they can pull of anything, and pull it off well.

City Grille is a family business in every sense of the word and this is one talented family. If you join those who have discovered it already, you may soon follow suit and become a regular.

Ryan Keane writes exclusively for MyCityCorona.com

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