Looking for great food idea in Montebello/SGV non-Mexican or Asian?

[Bruin2]

Looking for a dinner suggestion in the Montebello, Monterey Park, Rosemead etc area, that is non-Mexican and non-Asian. Any ideas? Moderately priced, by the way ( I know that is vague, but we're pretty open as to price using a sliding scale of type of food/cost.)

[andytseng]

I don't really think of the place as Mexican even though it kind of is, and also they close at 8 - Cook's Tortas.

[Neta]

Cooks Tortas is a Cuban place. If you're looking for just good comfort food, Salvatore's in Montebello has a delicious lasagna. The other items are also pretty good, more like home style. I agree with OP about Monterey Hill next to Luminaria's. They have a very good hamburger and some great fish and chips. Nice atmosphere for reasonable price too. There's Shaka's Hawaiian on Garfield and Rigging, again more for comfort.

[andytseng]

Is there something that makes them specifically Cuban? I always just categorized it under Latin-inspired, since they seem to have stuff from all over Latin America.

[Neta]

Only that when I went there when they first opened, I asked and they told me they were cubans. I asked because their tortas were very different than the Mexican style tortas.

[jkao1817]

How about Petrillo's???

[rickym13]

oh..i hear good thing about hot stuff cafe

http://www.hotstuff-cafe.com/

[Bruin2]

Thank you for this suggestion. I'd never heard of it, and I will try it when I get the chance.

[Ernie]

La Vie in Rosemead for French and Pizza Place California in San Gabriel for Cal-Italian are both moderately priced good choices

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La Vie
2547 San Gabriel Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

Pizza Place California
303 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

[rickym13]

i agree with bollini. others are not great but.....monterey park steakhouse?

[Bruin2]

I like La Vie. It's not pretentious, and though the portions are a bit on the small side, so are the prices.

[paprkutr]

Habib's off of Garfiled in Alhambra, decent middle eastern. Also how about Clearmans on Rosemead and Huntington Dr.

[Bruin2]

Clearmans is a good idea. Thats the steakhouse, like in Pico Rivera, right. The galley is a little crowded and noisy, and to be honest, I like the old "boat" more.

[ipsedixit]

Bahooka http://bahookarestaurant.com/

La Vie @ 2547 San Gabriel Blvd, [phone]

Clearman's Galley http://www.clearmansgalley.com/

[degustateur]

Wow! I haven't been to Bahooka's since "Rufus" was a baby. Sure brings back memories. Glad to hear they're still around, especially "Rufus". ^_^

[degustateur]

How about these? A couple are a bit further east in Claremont but well worth the additional few minutes drive.

Bollini’s Pizzeria Neapolitana
2315 S. Garfield Avenue
Monterey Park, CA
[phone]
Authentic Neapolitana (thin, crispy crust) pizzas. Fired, as they should be, in an authentic, wood burning Italian-made pizza/ bread oven at 1200 degrees. The wood gives the pizza a unique smoky, “crispy/chewy crust”. The Arugula Salad at $8 is one of the tastiest I’ve had anywhere. Owner/Chef Chris Bollini has definitely got his program down pat.

La Picolleta
114 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
[phone].
Family style Italian…awesome! They serve only one pasta dish per night with your choice of four different sauces plus an amuse bouche. The clam sauce, when available, is da bomb!

The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch
3801 W. Temple Ave., Bldg. 79
Pomona, CA 91768
[phone]
Excellent culinary school restaurant at Cal Poly Pomona. Unique dining experience with solidly good food, great service and an absolutely incredible view. 4 Course Prix Fixe with choices. Dr. Bob’s Handcrafted Ice Cream for dessert. Opens again January 21st for the Winter Quarter. Call for reservations.

Viva Madrid
225-B Yale Avenue
Claremont, CA
[phone]
Spanish Tapas Bar offering over 40 truly delicious small plates, including Gambas Ajillo (shrimp in garlic wine sauce), Tosta con Cabales Queso y Peras (toast with Cabrales cheese and red wine with poached pears), Calamares Con Chorizo (stuffed squid with chorizo, onions, & herbs), Calamares Fritos (Fried Calamari), and Chuletas De Cordero (broiled marinated lamb chops). Full entrees and desserts as well. Great atmosphere in a charming part of town. Love this cozy place!

Bon Appetit!

[will47]

Bollini's isn't bad, but I don't think it's exactly authentic Neapolitan pizza. Crust a little too thin, charring and texture is a little off. Still, not bad for that area. Beware, though, they keep kind of odd hours (always seem to be closed when I want to go).

You could drive to LA proper (downtown, Silverlake) much faster than to Claremont, and you'd probably end up with a better meal.

I haven't been to La Vie, but heard it's pretty good. Run by Vietnamese people, but I believe it's more or less straight ahead (not super fusion-y).

[will47]

ps - While they mostly cater to an Asian clientele, and while I've never eaten at any of them (I'm both vegetarian *and* allergic to shellfish), but maybe Captain Crab / Boiling Crab etc. would be a possibility here?

[Bruin2]

Agree that Bollini's is pretty good. Our issue with Bollini's is the seating is kind of iffy, and the salads, though they sound good, are not as good in actual fact. Like the pizza though.

[monku]

Only non-Asian & non-Mexican place that comes to mind is Charlie Browns in Rosemead.