Citrone

Redlands has preserved much of it's origins with many Victorian homes and
historical sights. In the heart of Redlands is State Street, the original town 100
years ago, and Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street are the two main veins
that run from here. Some of the best places in town are located along these
streets, and Citrone is one of them. The old brick building they've chosen is
narrow and long, and respectfully allowed to age gracefully. Without much
need for adornment, Citrone isn't cozy, with scattered tables, hustle and
bustle, and echoed conversations exuding energy, which can be noisey or
animated depending on your frame of mind. It's a hot spot in Redlands,
especially with a tangy and trendy Citrone Martini in hand, one of a few to
select from their martini list. The glass walled kitchen sets your mind at ease
with chefs clad in white, tending to pans searing and sauteing atop dancing
flames. At lunch they have the freshest Fish Tacos grilled and tucked into flour
tortillas and served with a fresh and lively tomato mango salsa. The Signature
Pizza combines apple slices, onions and feta cheese on a thick crust with the
option of adding Italian sausage. Best of all is their Grilled Vegetable
Quesadilla, which succeeds in bringing out the vegetable's ultimate potential!
They fill a flour tortilla with fresh grilled mushrooms, yellow squash, broccoli,
onions, bell peppers and zucchini, feta cheese and cilantro, it's a flavor
sensation. I'm not a vegetable lover, but after eating this I can see how being
a vegetarian might not be so bad after all. If California French Onion Soup is
the daily offering don't pass it up! A touch of Marsala wine made this soup
irresistible! The Bistro Salad makes for a light start, but in the evenings they
have a unique and most superb Full o Nuts Salad with generous amounts of
caramelized hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews and pine nuts upon a bed of spinach
and Boston lettuce with red onion, currents and feta cheese topped with a
raspberry dressing, another extremely easy way to do something good for
your body! Dungeness Crab Cakes are lightened up with a fresh Pineapple
Mango Salsa. Their complimentary homemade focaccia bread is served before
every meal with a plate of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Keep in
mind, the broth from the Toasted Mushrooms is another wonderful place for
dipping that bread in. Steamed Mussels & Clams in a white wine and garlic
broth were fresh and flavorful, exactly how I would sum up all the food they
serve here. There are a half dozen pastas to choose from, one of which I am
particularly partial to, the Penne Gorgonzola with a boldly flavored cream
sauce, toasted pine nuts, chopped tomato and basil which can also be topped
with your choice of grilled chicken or Portabella mushrooms and Italian
sausage. Another flavorful choice is the Linguine Pescatore with pasta and
various seafoods mingling in a garlic wine broth. The menu slightly changes in
the evenings offering the Citrone Stack with an uncomplicated layering of
eggplant, peppers, tomato, potato, mushrooms, red onion and buffalo
mozzarella, seasoned with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, roasted and set
alongside a simple dressed salad. The Pacific Northwest Salmon with Lemon
Butter & Capers was good, but not quite worth the $21 price tag. I can't say
enough, however about the Potatoes Au Gratin, that I chose to accompany
this dish, sweet with cream. With all of their desserts made fresh on the
premises, we had to try, and the Flourless Chocolate Cake came highly
recommended with a couple of dense rounds of chocolate cakes set on a swirl
of vanilla and strawberry sauces and a scoop of coffee ice cream. Though this
had so much going on, my simple palate favored their Homemade Cream
Puffs. Prices are rather high, especially at dinner with our starter salad topped
with fresh pear slices, walnuts and a scattering of gorgonzola shockingly
priced at $14. Lunch prices are more reasonable. In spite of that a meal at
Citrone feels special.

Located at 328 Orange Street in Redlands.

Telephone (909) 793-6635