When I announced on my social networks I was heading to Pechanga Resort & Casino, the feedback I got was about the food and how good it is. I knew we would be in good hands. Our dinner reservations were for Paisano's - an upscale Italian restaurant serving "New World Old World" cuisine. I fell in love with the decor as I walked in, pumpkin shaped lights hung from the rustic ceiling and mixed chairs at the tables caught my eye. The kitchen layout is open so you can watch the Chefs and kitchen staff prepare your dishes. The staff is superb. (Actually the whole Pechanga staff is bar none thee best I've encountered.) The food is superb. Loved the ambiance.
Our Zuppe e Antipasti (appetizer) picks were between Bruschetta and Polpettine. Polpettine won. Homemade meatballs with fried polenta and parmigiano. Tasty and juicy were these meatballs. My son Duke is very picky and he loved 'em!
Fried polenta.
My cutie pie was excited to go out to dinner with us and Woody.
I almost always order steak. This is the Il Filetto - grilled beef tenderloin, gorgonzola cheese and chicory. I had to ask our server what chicory was, she said it is similar to kale. I figured I'd give it a shot. I did not like it. It's not the chef's fault, chicory just ain't my thing. The flavor and cut of my beef = GOOD.
Chris ordered La Lasagna - fresh pasta layered with three meat ragu sauce, parmigiano
and mozzarella. My husband graciously let me take a bite and I expected the lasagna to be heavy but it was surprisingly light. It was so good, I made some a couple weeks later!
Our picky child ordered chicken tenders and fries. There was a wait but our server and the manager let us know and apologized. All was forgiven when he dug in and gave me this smile.
We couldn't say no to dessert. Chris went for the Chocolate Mousse Hazelnut Cake - salted caramel, vanilla ice cream and candied hazelnuts. It was gorgeous and was super delicious. I ordered the Apricot Panna Cotta with apricot foam, candied pistachios but sadly my pictures don't do it justice. It was SO GOOD.
A little scoop of vanilla ice cream for Duke! He was so happy!
You can read about my thoughts on Pechanga being more than a casino here.Labels: Food, Inland Empire, Paisano's Italian, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Travel