Centro Basco

Well, it's about the only Basque restaurant in SCa: But nonetheless, it is mighty fine eating! For dinner, the following is shared with all at your table: a pot of homemade soup, wonderful sheep herder's bread, salad--garlicky house dressed--cheese, marinated tomatoes, thinly sliced beef tongue--hush! it is delicious, just don't tell everyone what it is and they will love it--a real bolognese on impossibly long pasta with a mound of Parmesan cheese THEN you get your main dish--try the lamb or steak or trout or chicken--it's all good, served with french fries--don't laugh, it's traditional--and awful canned peas that are cooked to death. Get the house wine, it's cheap and good OR go on the weekends at 7 (check with them first) and get in on a prix fixe dinner served communal style in the old boarder's dining room.

Mind you this was a sheep herder's boarding house in origin --the original structure dating from the 30's and it still has that funky non pretentious ambiance. The main dining room has all the charm of a thirty year old cheap hotel conference room. Dinner with wine might set you back $30 each, but you will leave absolutely stuffed. You will see people bringing in big tupperware jugs to take home their extra soup and will ask for the left over bread--and you should too, much less the dinner they don't finish. The average age of the clientèle here is probably 70--do not let it deter you from a unique and tasty dinner!

This is one of the few things I miss about living in SoCalif.

Great basque food: the best Basque food in southern California, and great service too!

Comments (1)

USEDBMWS - 04/30/08
I LIVED IN CHINO CAL LEFT MOVED TO GA, CAME BACK TO SO CAL ON BUSINESS DROVE 70 MILES ONE WAY JUST FOR VEAL LUNCH WILL DO AGAIN IF THEY REMAIN OPEN. GREAT ,PEAS WERE BAD THO.