Salads are more than a main dish preview. In the hands of talented chefs, they become stand-alone meals or a course on the menu you don’t want to pass up. They’re especially welcome in summer when served on a chilled plate with a perfectly paired wine. At Mario’s Place in Riverside, chef and co-owner Leone Palagi adds his magic touch to several salads on the seasonal menu. One is the Boschetto Salad with wild arugula, truffled Pecorino Toana, roasted locally grown beets, balsamic vinaigrette and Marcona almonds, a gourmet variety from Spain that’s sweet and has the texture of a Macadamia nut.
Claremont’s Tutti Mangia Italian Chophouse might be known for its fine-dining steaks and pasta, but salads are also created with passion. One example is Cavoletti made with shaved Brussels sprouts and toasted Marcona almonds and served with sourdough crostini and a creamy Meyer lemon dressing. Fine Italian restaurants aren’t the only ones with something green to offer. In Redlands, Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant features several salads, including a Flat Taco Salad made with lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of chicken or ground beef.
Anchos Southwest Grill and Bar in Riverside serves a hearty Santa Fe Salad with strawberries, cantaloupe, pecans, pasta, lettuce, red cabbage and mesquite-grilled chicken breast. Finch in Wildomar features a Burrata & Spinach Salad, along with several other options. Salads at Temecula’s Burgers & Beer include a Steak Caesar version. In Rancho Cucamonga, fill up on a Thai Chicken Salad or the Seared Ahi Tuna Salad at the Lazy Dog Restaurant. As you can see, salads aren’t just for rabbits and skinny models. Check out the salad options at your favorite Inland Empire restaurants.
