Macaroni Grill

What's not to like about this place?....delicious pastas served in oversized
bowls, good vino, rustic Italian decor, cheap prices and serenading opera
singers. Yes, opera singers! They serenade tables acappella upon request,
more so during the dinner hour and weekends. Quite a unique idea. I love
the lighting here, with bulbs hanging in strands across the ceiling. Stone
walls frame the open kitchen which was as homey as a hearth with wood
burning ovens accommodating pizzas till they rise to the occasion. The
stark white table cloths were again covered in butcher paper, which is
where our, most hospitable waiter, Giovanni, introduced himself by writing
his name with a crayon on the table, and inviting us to do the same. This is
also where children find excitement in the forbidden act of writing on tables,
as it's permitted here. While they have a wine list, I like the House Chianti,
which is brought in a gallon jug and left on the table to refill at your leisure
by using the "honor system". Just make a mark in front of you every time
you refill your glass and they'll add it up at the end of your meal, how nice is
that? If wine isn't your thing, I highly recommend the Ultimate Leaning
Bellini which was an eye-roller. It was a blended drink with Bacardi Rum,
peach nectar, white wine and champagne and swirled with raspberry
liqueur. It was rather expensive at $5.99, but worth it! It's a struggle to
avoid the round of fresh baked bread they bring to your table. The light
olive oil and hint of aged balsamic is addicting, nearly ruining my appetite
every time. With so many memorable dishes under my belt, I struggle not
to reorder the same thing, yet the menu is so extensive it's hard to make
ordering easy. The whole thing is stressful. They make up several
calzones, all of which sound great, but the only one we've tried, the Grilled
Chicken Caesar Calzonetto was such a success served with two, very tasty,
sauces a basil Caesar dressing and a balsamic reduction, that my husband
is sure the other one's couldn't be better and doesn't even care to try them.
The salads are wonderful here. The Grilled Tenderloin Salad was a flavor
sensation with wonderful chunks of marinated beef atop baby spinach and
arugula topped with bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, creamy Italian dressing
and a drizzle of balsamic honey glaze. I wish they had sliced the beef into
more manageable pieces, as the chunks were quite a mouthful. The
Chicken Florentine Salad with spinach, orzo pasta, grilled chicken, sundried
tomatoes, capers, pinenuts, black olives and a roasted garlic lemon
vinaigrette, topped with shaved grana parmesan was so good, chopped
finely into bite size pieces so you can get everything in every bite. Even the
Garden Della Casa, their house salad, was an unexpected pleasure topped
with a sweet Italian dressing. For appetizers, the Calamari Fritti is good
served with marinara and a basil aioli, but I liked the Fonduta Gamberti
which was a creamy dip with shrimp, artichoke hearts, spinach, wood
roasted with parmesan, mozzarella and served with garlic bread wedges.
There are so many entrees to choose from, and hardly any have been a
disappointed. The Sugo Bianco with grilled chicken, bowtie pasta, smoked
proscuitto, red and green onion, topped with an asiago cream sauce was
fantastic and served in a huge bowl, while the Pollo Parmigiano is the best
chicken parmesan I've had to date. The chicken was pounded thin and
coated with seasoned bread crumbs before frying, then topped with
mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce and basil, mmm! The Salmon alla
Griglia was also something to brag about. The grilled salmon fillet was
topped with a teriyaki honey glaze and served alongside a spinach orzo
pasta that was oh, so good! The Alfredo Sauce was so buttery and
absolutely heavenly atop a bowl of angel hair pasta. The Penne Rustica was
another excellent dish with sauteed shrimp, smoked proscuitto, grilled
chicken, roasted red peppers, topped with a rich cheese sauce and
parmesan cheese that's baked in it's own crock. Still good, but not a
favorite was the Pollo Marsala with portabella mushrooms and roasted
garlic. Although I didn't care anything about the Linguine alla Pescatora
that was similar to a cioppini, chock full of shrimp, scallops, mussels and
clams in a spicy tomato sauce, my husband did, but then again I haven't
found a cioppino I've liked yet. The Lobster Ravioli was also very good with
lobster enveloped in a tender tarragon pasta, topped with shrimp,
asparagus and tomatoes in a lemon butter. The Potatoes Formaggi which is
one of the offered sides was too strong with blue cheese. I'll tell you what,
this place has the best kids meals I've ever seen. Our kids ordered the
grilled skinless boneless chicken with pasta and broccoli and it was fit for an
adult, they include a drink in a take-home cup and dessert all for $3.99. We
ordered three to take home for Ken's weekday lunches. Finally there's
dessert, I tired quickly of the Tiramisu and the Raspberry Pannacotta
reminded me of cream cheese Jello, I was impressed with their New York
Cheesecake which was creamy and delicious, pair it with a glass of
Chambord and you've got a perfect ending!

This is a wonderful chain restaurant.

Prices are extremely reasonable with most dinner entrees well under $15.

Located at 10742 Foothill Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga.

Telephone (909) 484-3200.

Website: www.macaronigrill.com