Mario's Place

Mario's Place Restaurant Review:

Mario’s Place inhabits stylish digs across from the landmark Mission Inn. The urbane setting includes tables dressed in crisp linen, Art Deco lighting, a copper-topped bar sensually illuminated in red, modern art and a generous use of mahogany. The menu of chef Leone Palagi is not always consistent, but on a good day, this is the closest you’ll get to Valentino in the Inland Empire. Starters include butter-tender Maine scallops with caramelized fennel, drizzled with a grapefruit-tarragon vinaigrette; a rustic, soulful cannellini bean soup; and crispy squash blossoms with mozzarella. Moving on, you’ll find items like a wood-fired pear-Gorgonzola pizza, wild mushroom ravioli with creamy shiitake sauce, citrus-scented risotto that's enough for two, and a thick basil-marinated veal chop. For dessert, consider a plate of premium Italian cheeses or the caramel budino. The wine list has several options from California, France and Argentina, but the best choices are among the lengthy selection of Italian reds.