Owen’s Bistro
5210 D St, Chino, CA, 91710
Owen’s Bistro Menu
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Current Menu - First Course
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Current Menu - Second Course
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Current Menu - Chef's Specials
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Current Menu - Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Owen’s Bistro
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Current Menu - First Course
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Current Menu - Second Course
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Current Menu - Chef's Specials
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Current Menu - Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Chino for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Chino for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5210 D St
Chino, CA, 91710 - Phone (909) 628-0452
- Website https://www.owensbistro.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Tiffany D.
Completely satisfying and insanely delicious. Came here for my cousin's birthday dinner and cannot stop thinking about this meal. Start to finish, it is one of my favorite meals in a long time. THE SCENE You enter through the back of the building, and immediately are asked if you want patio dining or inside. Patio has heat lamps, live jazz band playing on Thursdays- Weekend, and christmas lights strewn overhead. We opted for that naturally. It's intimate, comfortable, and casually fancy. A perfect dichotomy of many things. THE FOOD Mind-blowingly delicious. Started out with the garlic cheese bread. I know, I know, it's just cheese bread, but it was delicious. It was a french baguette with sea salt and cheese melted over, and for $4 it was amazing. I had the house cabernet for $7 -- highly recommended. For mains, we had: 1) Italian Beef Short Ribs - my favorite short ribs I have ever had. No joke. Served with mashed potatoes in a broth of some sort and pepperoncini peppers to add a slight kick, this was just to die for. Tender enough to cut with the fork, and the melting of flavors together.... I found myself almost licking the bowl clean. 2) Smoked Wild Boar Stew - served with creamy polenta and topped with a fried egg. This dish was awesome. Served like a layered stewy lasagna in a glass container with a lid, we were to leave the lid on until we were ready to eat it, to allow the "smoking" process to continue to infuse all those flavors together. Each bite was all mixed together, and was so hearty and savory. 3) Chicken and Waffles - the sauce was a honey sriracha, which sounds odd, but was a perfect dichotomy. It was delicious, and coated the chicken all around. The chicken was not KFC fried -- it was more subtlely fried, but still delicious. The waffle was perfect. slightly crispy, soft, fluffy. 4) The Camping Trip - a good, but ordinary grilled salmon. Plated nicely with a sizzling river stone and some nice greens. Salmon was well-cooked. This was our least favorite of the night, and it was still a darn good piece of salmon, just everything else was overwhelmingly amazing. Desserts: Cracker Jack rice pudding with potato chip crumble was interesting but delicious. It was salty and sweet, and creamy but crunchy. Totally intriguing dish. Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts with Mexican hot chocolate (cinnamon, yummm!) - the doughnuts were so soft, and sweetened to the perfect level. The hot chocolate was amazing, infused with cinnamon you could taste. Coffee was fantastic, served with a delicate cream. This is by far my favorite new place to celebrate anything. Food and service were beyond fabulous, and I cannot wait to be back. And totally affordable. 4 entrees, garlic cheese bread, tea, wine, and 2 desserts cost me $90. TIPS: Parking is free on the street in front, or in the back. $30 for a 3 course pre-fixe on weekends, not on weekdays. Make a reservation -- I don't think they will seat walk-ins.
(5)Dan B.
Good service! Accommodated us all the way !! Good food, nothing special ! Atmosphere was chick! Glad to try it out
(3)Debra W.
Late Mother's Day dinner last night was amazing! The perfectly crafted dishes paired with their wine recommendations, attentive service and classy/romantic ambiance were top notch! Looking to celebrate life with loved ones...this is the place! I'm coming back soon. Thank you!!
(5)Chessie B.
My boyfriend surprised me with dinner here and we had a great night. I had chicken and sweet potato waffles for the first time and it was devoured. My bf had the pepper soup and filet mignon medallions. His was also yummy and the presentation was really nice. For dessert, we had the strawberry merengue and it was perfect. The setting is a little small but elegant. The only downfall was that the service was slow. It took awhile to get our drink order taken. The chef/owner is developing a new martini menu and had a group of us do some taste testing. We tried bacon/pepper, red velvet/ cotton candy, coconut banana, and blood orange martinis and they were all ridiculous. I can't wait to come back when it's complete. The reason this place is such a treasure is due to the fact that the chef is a true artist who's passionate about what he does. His heart and soul goes into his dishes and it shows. That seams to be rare these days so thank you :)
(5)Tiffany F.
This is a lovely place. It was a great night for the patio seating. There was the right amount of light, and the guitarist playing through the night gave a nice ambience. The service was courteous and never rushed us through our meal. The food has a nice presentation.
(4)Sean M.
My wife and I have been eating at Owen's for quite a few years. It is by far our favorite date night spot. I usually lean towards the steak option and she usually gets the fish (one called the camping trip is her favorite). I love to try the different salad and desert options. It is a great place to have a nice mellow evening. That being said here are some things to know so that you will enjoy yourself the most: 1. Reservations are a must. Many people don't quite get that it is a very small place with a limited staff. A reservation will ensure you get seated in a timely manner. 2. This is a place to sit down, slow down, relax and enjoy the company you are with... This is not Chili's, wham bam thank you, out the door type place. The pace of the meal allows you the time to talk with you dinner guest, gaze into your beautiful date's eyes etc. I like the fact my meal is not a race to get me fed and get another ass in my seat. That being said expect the time between courses to be longer than a chain resteraunt that is ok, really. If you are in a hurry get there very early and let them know. 3. The portions are perfect. I have always left Owen's feeling just "right". Not stuffed like you had 5 trips at home town buffet. 4. Try the unique items on the menu! I have never been disappointed, ever. The chef puts a lot of thought into his cool creations. 5. If the Brussels sprouts are on the menu, get them. It is a very unique preparation and it rocks. Overall this place is hard to beat. It is a quaint little family resteraunt with high end flair. The food is top notch, the vibe is great and the folks are among the best around. Make sure you give this place a chance with an open mind and an open schedule. Immerse yourself in the experience they have worked years to create.
(5)C D.
Favorite place, service was above expected. Nice long enjoyable experience. Dinner with all courses was fabulous. Fish on the rocks was incredible. If your in the area it's worth it. Heading back to experience the seasonal menu update.
(5)IKnowQuality T.
OMG! The food was deliciousooo! Went for a dear friends birthday dinner with her husband (local business owner), & her adult son & his girlfriend. We got their a little late and had no problem finding parking, walked in with my bow & they were expecting us, greeted us at the door. We sat down just in time for the appetizers ..Wow! I had the filet mignon and my guy had the short ribs with black beans. The meat was soo tender, we shared our dishes & both were amazing. The meat just fell off the bone. Tasty! We took our own bottle of red wine & was charged $10.00 for a cork fee, not bad. The owners knew the people in our group so they sat with us & we really enjoyed their company. The chef is originally from Chicago. You have to ck out this place. Do I know Quality...Trust Me!
(5)Manuel P.
This place is great. Family run business. Good food and service. Will recommend this place to everybody. Wish I known this place before. Been living in the area for a long time and did not know that this place exist.
(5)Hannah C.
The food is amazing, it's got a great relaxed atmosphere, the owner will strike up a chat with you... it's just a nice independent restaurant with great food and a unique style. There is live music on the weekends! Keep in mind that the staff is very small and there's just the one chef, so it might take longer than if you go to a chain, but the food is 100% worth the wait. Tuesdays are "Italian Night". I've been for that and the regular menu, and was not disappointed.
(5)Adriana G.
I am writing this review to express my disappointment when I had a friend from out of town visiting and I thought it would be great for us to visit this establishment for the first time. My husband called in advance and notified the restaurant that we would be bringing our twin babies with us.At no time where we notified that they were not kid friendly. My husband and I are foodies at heart an never look at pricing if the meal we eat is great. The food was very tasty, they have a good chef. As for the owner's attitude in practically kicking us out because our children were a bit loud, well that is another situation all together. We had spent well over $150 on our check and I can guarantee you we will not be returning and I will make sure to tell as many people as possible no to go to this establishment.
(3)Gabriel I.
Went here with my lady for their 9 p.m. late supper and let me say, their food and service are outstanding!! Denise and Jim (Owners) are so very welcoming and engaging. I've learned that Chino has a few hidden culinary gems with Owens Bistro being the only one in the genre of fine dining. This establishment trumps all of the high end, well established restaurants that I've been to and I've been to plenty. It just blows me away that this establishment is in Chino...CHINO!!!!! Do make reservations and enjoy not just the food, but the experience of this amazing restaurant.
(5)Tan T.
Very intimate atmosphere, great live music, delicious food, for a reasonable price. Definitely a standout restaurant in Chino.
(5)Tenecia S.
This place was the perfect place for my husband and I. We are originally from the los Angeles area and had yet to find a place that could compare to our fine dining like we are used to until we found Owens Bistro. This place has an ambiance that we have been longing for. We arrived on a Friday night and there was a live band playing jazz. The staff and owners are very attentive and friendly. The food was top notch exquisite! Although the place wasn't sport coat only or 5* it sure felt like it when you received your food! We look forward to dining at owens bistros for the years to come. We no longer have to travel out of the county to have our romantic ambiance experience. BRAVO!
(5)Robert G.
It was aight
(4)Sal D.
I don't like giving 5 stars to meals that are so expensive, but really when you get what you paid for its hard not too. This place is really chill, don't come here if you are in a hurry, because our whole dining experience was about 2 hours, which is also another reason why the price is worth it. We sat outside which was very cool, it was an old brick building that had been converted into romantic setting. There was a person playing an acustic guitar as live entertainment, which actually was very enjoyable and he would play just about anything and took request. So basically its $30 for a 3 course meal and you pay $6 more if you opt out for a steak, which me and the gf are carnivores so we did. We ordered a bottle of Cab for $32, which is not bad and if you are going to be there for 2 hours its a good idea. This may sound lame but I really enjoyed the cucumber in the water, just made it so refreshing and their bread was amazing, you only get one piece but that's all you need with a 3 course dinner. I recommend you get the Spinach salad it had lots of feta cheese. If you really like steak go for it, just a warning I asked for medium rare and it was very bloody but delicious but could tell the gf was not enjoying the sight, but she got rare and no blood. For desert I went with the banana cake which was delicious, but tiny if you like a larger desert go with the cheesecake. So the night was not cheap, it was romantic, got a good chance to just sit and talk and enjoy and amazing meal with an amazing girl. I am already planning on coming back.
(5)Leland W.
Just went again last week!!! WOW!!! It's hard to believe this quality of a place is in my backyard. Your properly greeted at the door by a server or Denise. We started with the Tomato and sweet onion salad. The dressing was from another planet and was amazing!!! I had the filet Mignon medallions with mixed vegetables and roasted potatoes. Then for dessert it was the mini donuts. The carmel sauce was terrific!!! Your eating this amazing meal with a great acoustical guitar player and singer. The ambiance is amazing!!! The Executive Chef is so amazingly creative and a master of food!!! This is a must try!!! You will surely comeback!!!
(5)Phil N.
Great little gem in the middle of nowhere. One of my friends had recommended this place to me last year. He told me that I NEEDED to try it. But, I live in the South Bay and really have nothing to do over in Chino. My friend was still insistent that I try it. Well, I had to run some errands and do things about 16 miles away in Industry and decided to try it. I'm glad I did. The ambiance and decor is lovely, coupled with the live music, gives it a pretty romantic vibe. It's low-key, yet still has an air of elegance. The service was very friendly. The food was great. They were homages to "comfort" foods done simply, yet still elegantly. My steak was cooked just right and the supporting "mac 'n cheese" (it was more like risotto) was delicious. I even ate the broccoli that was part of the dish, and that's saying something, since I don't even like broccoli. It wasn't "OMG best thing ever" good, but it was certainly very very delicious. The dessert on the other hand, was indeed OMG good. It was definitely my favorite part of the meal. This place can certainly rival some 4 and 5-star places in LA, but I would venture to say that while it is good, it is still not up there with the best. But, it is the best value that I've had in dining. It is CHEAP! For the money, this is probably one of the best places, hands down. I will definitely return. If you're within 20 miles of the place, you should try it.
(5)Cynthia K.
I have never been so offended and discriminated in my life! I really wish to give this place ZERO stars, but that just isn't how yelp works. I'm going to give a play by play, you will want to read all of it. We had arrived with a party of 9 at 6:10pm for our 6:30pm reservations. Upon entering we were greeted and asked if we had reservations (because dining is for reservations only). We said yes and waited 10 minutes before a frizzy blotchy red haired lady (I'm assuming she is the owners wife) comes in and asks if our whole party was here. We told her 7 was here and 2 was on their way. She proceeds to say she cannot seat us and if they don't come in 5 minutes she'll make us wait an hour for the next available table because we would disturb the ambiance and says she went out of her way to fit our last minute reservation. Um, you didn't have to, but I'm pretty sure a table of 9 means $$$. So we waited for the rest of our party and were finally seated. We were seated at 6:30 (our reservation time) although feeling a bit of self-righteous attitude from the lady, we were optimistic about the experience. WRONG! We had 3 menus on the table and we weren't offered more menus until the server was taking our order about 20 minutes later, but that's fine, we shared the menus. Four of us got the three course dinner for $29 (plus $15 extra for ordering rib-eye) and everyone else ordered a la carte. It took AN HOUR before we got our first course, which mind you was two soups and two salads, I believe Olive Garden gets theirs out in less than 5 minutes(Obviously we're comparing apples to oranges, but it's not rocket science and they had a maximum occupancy of 30, so lets do the math). The table of four next to us complained of the wait as well. The lady came back and said the mac and cheese we ordered for my four year old nephew wasn't available because she did us a favor and squeezed in our reservation (about the third time she has mentioned that) therefore the chef didn't have the pasta. The only thing he can eat is whatever is on the menu, so my nephew ended up getting the coconut rice on the side (which he didn't even touch). Our entrees came an hour later at 8:30. The dessert came right after but by this time half of the patrons were gone. (So really we had to wait an hour for the next table if we were late for our reservations? Please explain that to me.) THIS IS THE FUN PART. Our check came and had the written food order and a slip of paper with prices punched in, the best way to decribe it was just a mess. Obviously we would like to know what we paid for so my aunt went to the front to ask the lady what we were being charged for. After being informed, my aunt even told her we weren't charged for gratuity so please add the tip as you charge the credit card, she agreed. When she came back with the credit card slip she was charged an extra $15 plus $60 for tip. When we asked her what the $15 charge was for, she said she added on one of the rib eye that we weren't charged for. Ok fine, that's fair I guess. Then she says she'll go over the charges again. My sister saw on the food ticket we were still charged for a mac and cheese, my sister told her we never received the mac and cheese and she says (Think of the most annoying whining voice ever) "Well you got the rice didn't you? That was $4 and it was specially made." My sister responds" Really? $4 for a scoop of rice that comes with one of your other entrees so how it that specially made?" She replies "Well $4 is the price of the rice, what would you like for it to be? $2? What do you think its worth? Really, tell me." AND THEN, everything was a blur from there. Some words were exchanged; including the "I went out of my way for this reservation, it took me an hour to rearrange the seating (AGAIN)", and then she played the victim and then BAM! the most incredible phrase I've heard any business owner say "YOU KNOW, I KNEW YOU GUYS WERE GOING TO DO THIS TO ME WHEN YOU WALKED IN THE DOOR... THAT'S WHY I PRAYED FOR YOU." WOWWWWWWW. REALLY?! Your food is mediocre at that, I've tasted better steak. Your lobster bisque tasted like dirty sea water, your pork chops tasted like something I can make. Your brussell sprouts were bitter, but ok fine, you can have the mashed potatoes, they were pretty good. The B**CH acted like we owed her something from the minute we walked in the door. SERIOUSLY? your job is THAT hard that it takes you an hour to rearrange the tables? I've seen better service at Olive Garden and that is not even saying much. Oh you're a family business and we should understand cause we're a family? Um yes, we understand a business and the customer service that comes along with it. What you are doing, I do not understand.
(1)Eric C.
Came here for dinner via referral. We were 5 people so we each ordered 5 different first course, 5 different second course, and 5 different desserts so that we can try their various dishes. Results were fantastic. Personally I liked best the "Filet Mignon Medallions bordelaise, potato puree, French green beans". Will recommend to friends and definitely will come back again. By the way, .love the ambiance and the live music (I think his name is Kevin or something) ;-).
(4)Alana T.
We had dinner here and were very disappointed, before going to the theater around the corner from them. We told the hostess our time restrictions but they couldn't get us out on time with 75 minutes. We also made it clear we all wanted separate checks.when the reservation was made and again when we arrived. We were catching a play around the corner. Well, the food was nothing special for the high prices they charged, the wine Malbac stated $8 on the menu, but we were charged $9, they don't seem to use ice cubes in the water unless you request it. and my pasta dish that was their own $17 creation with worm like looking pasta and marinara sauce.that needed salt & pepper. The owner's wife came to the table without separate checks insinuating she thought a few of us were together, that means assuming 2 of the men were with the women sitting next to them. Wow was that embarrassing! How about the director of the theater and someone else standing outside the theater telling us they were holding up the play waiting for the 5 of us to arrive? Never again would I go here. This was my opinion, and we are all coming to Chino for another play, and I would not bring my guests back to this restaurant. The musician was the best part.
(3)Mike T.
I have always been a fan of mom and pop restaurants. I enjoy finding hidden gems, within a sea of corporate conglomerates that push the little man out . To my dismay, I have found just a piece of coal. I have worked in the service industry for years, I have held positions as a busser, server, bartender, trainer and supervisor. I am well aware of the ins and outs of a restaurant. I know that things come up, the kitchen gets behind and mistakes happen. In the case of this restaurant it was just a snowball of mistakes that would not stop. From a rude and incompetent staff to the abysmal menu offerings. Lets starts with the food. To put it in the simplest form it was just meh! I can get better food from a soup kitchen (yes I have had food there when I use to do volunteer work) or even worse, hospital food sounds more appetizing. I would rather get fed from an NG tube than torture my pallet like that again. Ok maybe that was too far and it wasn't all that bad, but I do believe that the atmosphere this place exudes have left a bad taste in my mouth. It doesn't take much to work at a restaurant. When I was working at a restaurant we had a mentally disabled kid manning the host stand and he was amazing, he engaged the customers and properly did his job. So why can't normally, un-challenged individuals complete simple tasks. It was like the whole restaurant went full retard. (Sorry if I offended anyone, but it was the only way to describe it) I was always taught and truly believed that service should be timed based upon the guests time constraints and not the servers or restaurants. If larger restaurants can churn out customer after customer in a timely manner, why would a smaller restaurant 1/4 their size have any trouble. I believe it all stems down to management and poor training. Speaking of managers, I heard she was also the owners wife. If you're gonna be rude and mean I rather take it from an attractive woman. Not to mention the pre-judgement that came along with her snide remarks; I thought we got over that and we hate gays now.(Don't worry I'm pro gay marriage, just wanted to make that certain impact) Have you seen where your establishment is located? I would not say that this is an area where a fine dining restaurant resides, yet you have this notion that you are a fine dining restaurant. Do you and your employees even understand what type of service goes into a fine dining experience. How about visiting one and you might understand what "crumbing the table" means. (Now that is service) You would like to be recognized as a legitimate restaurant. How about getting rid of those paper written orders and invest in a proper computer. In an era of technology and innovation, it's only conventional to keep up with the competition. If people who live on food stamps can afford i-phones and i-pads, I am pretty sure your establishment should be able to afford a small business network. It is places like these that help me realize that the era of small mom and pop shops is coming to an end. Only because of poor management and a disbelief that the customer is probably your most important client, not your ego. You may have thought that you have unlatched those corporate shackles, and you are your own boss, but in reality we are your new bosses. Remember, we pay your bills and without us you are really nothing.
(1)Sil S.
I visited Owen's Bistro last Saturday with a group of ten people. What a fabulous dining experience! We made a reservation just two hours prior after trying to decide where to take our out-of-country guests. Since we wanted to stay in the neighborhood but somewhere nice, we remembered Owen's. The hostess/owner Denise was very welcoming and pleasant. At the time of reservation we asked if they have vegan options and they said yes so I was relieved. Since it was a last-minute reservation the patio was taken so we were seated inside which was still fine. They had a live guitarist (Kevin) out in the patio and had the speaker inside which was nice not to miss out on the live music. Ambience is cozy and intimate situated in a rustic building. It would be a great place to have a date or just to have a nice gathering with friends. The menu offered three course meals for a very reasonable price at $29/person. The menu changes daily so no telling if you'll have the same offering another time. Rest of the group had a range of different things--asparagus with egg, suspended salad, sausage and kale soup as appetizers; pork tenderloin, Cornish hen, seared salmon, filet mignon as entrées; mango panna cotta, and some other desserts. So here's my vegan dinner: -appetizer: fried brussel sprouts: it was crispy and delicious; normally it comes with aioli and parmesan regianno but I got it sans aioli and the cheese. Got a little salty at the end but overall it was a good start of the meal. -entree: grilled vegetables over basmati rice with drizzled balsamic reduction on the side (which was not on the menu). Now this was fantastic! I was underwhelmed when I was told that the vegan entrée option was veggies over rice but this definitely exceeded my expectation. Not only did it taste wonderful with a variety of fresh vegetables, the presentation was gorgeous. It was like a painting! -dessert: the chef made a special vegan dessert and I couldn't believe he whipped this up at the last minute. At this point I wasn't even really paying attention to what dessert other people in my group were having because I was so excited with my own. It was acai berry gelée garnished with tangerine sections, mango puree with blood orange juice/syrup on the side; it was a beautiful and refreshing dessert! The chef came out to greet us and to describe my dessert for me. What a treat! I had a fantastic experience at Owen's. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I truly didn't expect too much especially for it being a last-minute reservation. And really? In Chino? Who knew? As another review stated...it's really a gem in town. I was really appreciative that they were so pleasant and accommodating. We will definitely go back to it and be surprised by other delicious creations. Thank you Denise! Thank you Chef! And thank you Kevin!
(5)Diana B.
Still a wonderful place! We had the Mother's Day dinner here last Sunday. Steak and lobster, a special chef''s concoction (rissoto, chicken and veggies),salad and balsamic ice cream (incredibly good!) with a strawberry infused whipped cream chocolate chip cupcake for dessert. I went all out and had the wine flight with dinner (Chardonnay, red wine blend and a sparkling Asti and champagne). Of course the highlight is when Chef Kelly comes out to greet his guests. Its an opportunity to let him know how wonderful his food is and to tell him and his lovely wife how happy we are to have a restaurant of this caliber right here in our backyard!
(5)Christiana B.
Awesome, AWESOME food! Definitely gourmet, but at decent prices. The food was creative and delicious. Staff is super nice and helpful. Great place for a celebration or just for great food.
(5)Oznur A.
So i was told to pick a place to eat on the way to Pomona... well its for my birthday last month dinner and a concert... okay so as usual i venture to Yelp for assistance. So $29 for a prix fixed meal... hmmm okay i think that's gonna do, besides i love to try new places i never heard of. so on our way here we drive up to the area and say hmmmm... interesting I loved the building gold worn down brick, with a hint of contemporary vision. the soft sounds of a solo acoustic guitar playing faintly and getting louder as we approach the patio of Owens bistro. We are greeted by a host then a lovely lady that sat us on the patio. my dinner consisted of Fried Brussels sprouts: Absolutely amazing! lemon aioli, with a Parmesan this flavor in my mouth stayed with me throughout my meal.. yes that amazing! Entree- Prime NY strip steak - with asparagus, potato's and a blue cheese puree... simply d lish Dessert - fruit parfait- nothing to write home about just simply light and d luscious after a heavy meal my friends dinner choice- Minestrone soup- not to my taste buds- i really don't care for minestrone soup bu this was the lightest one I've tasted. The camping trip- salmon that they place it on a hot rock served with fresh spring field greens and rosemary pitas Cheesecake made form scratch and strawberries. OK what did they put in this because it so OMG! French press coffee. OMG! probably the best I've had in a long time! All these items were absolutely amazing. The owner had been serving us ll night and her husband is the chef... Hats off to you MR. and Mrs. Jim Kelly not only the ambiance, the food, the service, the entire experience is just unbelievable! I do suggest any one and everyone to go and find this little gem of wonderful flavors... You won't be disappointed! Thank you again for the great night Mrs. Kelly! I will be back!
(5)Angelica F.
If your looking for a romantic and personal dinner this the place the come. The food is great, the service is good. This place is like a hidden gem. Old school but modern. I'll be going back regularly. Prices are fair. Make sure to make a reservation. Danny was awesome and took us in regardless of not having one.
(5)Larry H.
Went for my daughters birthday. This was Tuesday night which is Italian night. Please keep in mind, the menu they show on the website is just an example of what could be served and could be totally different when you show up. Needless to say the food was terrific. The soups were fresh and tasty. The man dish with the different pastas were very good. The dessert section was ok. I would have liked a chocolate choice. The fresh baked bread was awesome as was the pizza bread. Due to the amount of reservations, the chief did not make more beef/chicken sides for the pasta. that would have put it over the top for us. The expectations just missed reality. Other than that, it is a great place to come for quality fresh cooked to order food! :)
(4)Lisa M.
Absolutely fabulous!!!! Don't pass this place up!!!
(5)Jakki A.
Today is Mothers Day and five of went to this wonderful Bistro to celebrate my birthday and mother's day. This is the second time my husband and I have been here. We were not disappointment either time. For Mothers. Day they presented a progressive meal. We started out with a appetizer bar that consisted of delicious sliced lux (salmon), pieces of pork belly that was superb, incredible cheese, salad and fruit, etc etc. Next course was a crab leg and mushroom frittata, the frittata was a little bland could of used a little more flavoring. The next course was waffle and chicken. The chicken was moist and very flavorful you can not ruin a waffle. Next course was a medallion with a Béarnaise butter sauce and asparagus and fingerling potatoes. The meat was so tender you could cut it with a fork The portions were just perfect to get a sampling of the marvelous food. Next dish was desert. It was a cake with a raspberry sauce. And finally a superb truffle. The service was exceptional and Denise the owner and the other staff were very attentive. Love this restaurant.
(5)Bob C.
Wow! We truly just stumbled onto this place in Chino of all places. Apparently, this is a reservations only place that serves a pre-fixe menu nightly. We stumbled into this place the weekend before Valentines. We sweet talked our way into a seat (which we really appreciated, because we had no other options). It's taken a while to actually get to this review, so I don't remember each item on the course. All I remember is that it was tasty. The main course was lobster tail and filet of beef. There was a cotton candy-ish dessert as well. Anyhoo tasty tasty place.
(5)Cherish H.
How do I know this place is good? When both BF and I enjoy it (since we have different standards of greatness) and when he's already deciding what he is going to eat next time we go there before we are home, which is a couple of blocks away. We started with a loaf of garlic bread. Then we had the suspended salad and soup of the day, which was potato and artichoke. The suspended salad was an amazing aromatic dish, and it truly pleased my senses. It was a clean, simple dish. A deep inhaling of the truffle oil, followed by a bit of great quality olive oil-salt-pepper-lemon drizzled over romaine was amazing. So simple, yet so delicious!! For entrees we had chicken & waffles and pomodoro angel hair pasta. Both were great. The angel hair was originally gnocchi but the Chef had to change the menu right before we got there. I was a tad disappointed only because I LOVE gnocchi! The chicken & waffles were really fabulous, the chicken had a great crunch and flavor. It paired wonderfully with the slightly dense waffle with a drizzle of warm maple syrup. Eat your heart out, Roscoe's! Dessert was almond panacotta and cheesecake w/ sour cherry compote. The almond dessert was topped with a thin layer of chocolate, whipped cream, and toasted coconut. It was light, airy, and perfect. The cheesecake was thick and delicious. I personally prefer my cheesecake lighter and less dense, but nevertheless this was great. The ambiance, service, and price are all completely worth it. The portions are huge, especially for the caliber of food. We will definitely come again! MUST TRYS: Garlic loaf, Chicken & Waffles, Almond Panacotta, Brussels sprouts Yummilicious Factor = A
(5)Ralph O.
The wife and I came here for dinner. What a great deal this place is, for $29.00 you get a 3 course meal with choices! Never would have thought a place like this was in Chino This is what we had: Fried Brussels sprouts: very good, crispy flaky leaves but a bit on the salty side. Field green salad: salad, cranberries and bacon bits worked well together but the yogurt dressing didn't belong. Filet mignon: pay the extra $9.00 to get this dish, it is worth it; the wife asked for medium well but came out at best medium. Fried turkey with mole sauce: dish was good, turkey was moist not dry; but it was thick so I needed a steak knife to cut it which I had to ask for. Red velvet waffle with vanilla ice cream: this was okay, the waffle was not made fresh and the ice cream was average. Creme brule'e: very good, but seemed undercooked, it had the consistency of a pudding rather than flan. The place had a cozy intimate feel. The furniture though needs to be replaced. The furniture didn't match the setting. The furniture appeared to be patio furniture. The tables were either too high or the chairs were too low. The service overall was good but had a couple of flaws. We weren't told of the specials of the day (we overheard them when the table next to us were told the specials); we had to ask for extra bread twice before it was given; the servers never looked around when going back and forth, to get their attention seemed like you have to wave them down like a taxi cab; we left without anyone even seeing us off, which is something you don't think of until someone doesn't do it. I admit I'm being over critical reviewing this place, but overall this is a place you need to try.
(3)David W.
This is a great find! The food is excellent and the service is friendly and unpretentious.
(5)Jamie K.
So i came here about 2 years ago for my birthday, and the foood was amazing. Yesterday, I brought a group of my friends there for another friends b-day. It was still amazing. They had change the whole patio place by enclosing it so that it wouldn't be as cold!!! This place is a real hidden gem and the food is diffferent but good. The chef got chef of the year before too!! Him and his wife owns the place. Their son name is Owen thus the title of the restaurant. It's a nice prefix menu price with 3 entrees!! :) The hummus and pita bread was good. Their cheesecake with caramel sauce was reallie good. The steak medium rare was delicious! Amazing food. Great Parking. Good Service.
(5)Brian S.
Brilliant place. Best restaurant in the area. The food is delicious and super creative. Denise is the hostess, waitress, and co-owner, she is always open, friendly, and helpful. If you have a question about wine, food, life, she is there to assist in a down to earth approachable manner. Her staff may look young, but they are trained perfectly. Friendly, informed, helpful, great service to complete a top notch dinning experience every time. We have been there for wine events and dinner several times including our first date. It worked I got a second date. For the wine dinners, they are A+. James, the Chef/Owner is incredibly creative. Not sure I could do it justice, but he sets fish on a hot river stone in a soup to keep cooking the fish and keep the soup hot, also does this on the camping trip on the everyday menu. He used a pipette to hold green apple juice, skewered a shrimp with the end and capped it with gelled ginger so you could eat this as all one bite while squeezing the juice into your mouth. Salad with pork belly croutons. Served spring appetizers on skewers coming up from a fresh piece of sod like we were grabbing food from the garden. Anthony Bourdain inspired Spanish wine tasting with a menu to compliment the wine, if you watch the El Bulli, and Barcelona episodes of "No Reservations" you will see some of the items we ate. I would tell you more, but there was an excessive amount of wine and the details are a little foggy. I would definitely suggest a cab ride and depending on where you are coming from a hotel. The wine list is the perfect size and will please all price levels and tastes. If you have the means, go with the Bell Clone 6 Cabernet, they charge a price lower than most charge retail. Probably one of the finest Cabs in all of Napa. The wine is fabulous and they have hosted a wine dinner for Bell where Anthony Bell and his wife came down and talked about the wine. The food has all been good and there is always something new. Most recently we had the center cut rib eye. I mention the center cut, as I was unaware that center cut makes a huge difference. The steak was flavorful like a ribeye but little to no fat, like a filet. The potato puree was perfect and the sauce/gravy would have made an envelope delicious. Enjoy, you will be impressed.
(5)Paul R.
I two had friends in from Chicago and I desperately wanted to find a quality independently owned restaurant. Living in Chino Hills that isn't easy! The food, service and atmosphere were amazing. The escargot appetizer was phenomenal and I have never had better brussel sprouts! I had a creme brule "expert" with me and this one was the FIRST he ever gave a standing spoon salute! Denise is so warm and accommodating and James came out to discuss his Chicago roots with my friends. It was my first time here but definitely not my last!! I recommend this place to anyone that appreciates great food, amazing service and personal touch you can't get in the Chino Hills food barns. Thank you James and Denise for the great time with my friends. Paul
(4)Japen G.
I went to this place a little over 1 year ago after one of our District Conventions (Jehovah's Witnesses) and I made reservations for a group of 20 people. I have to say, we were greeted so warmly and everything was ready and prepared for our group. They were ready for our big group. The ambiance of the place was very warm and inviting. They had live music played outside, bringing some nice, relaxing background music inside. The food was very posh. The presentation was nice, I ordered the Pork Tenderloin, and it was very tender and serve with plantains, which complimented the pork surprisingly well. They had good choices of wine which they were very helpful in helping us choose which one to pick. As for the dessert, they were delicious. The real surprise was when the Chef came out to greet us. It was a warm treat and shows how they cater to their customers. If you are in the area or just want to try something new.... definitely give this a try, you won't regret it!!!
(5)Timothy H.
Holy Diamond in the Rough, Batman! Chino? What's in Chino? Didn't the Offspring sing something like, "Time Time, 18 to life in Chino?" Well, they never ate at Owen's. Me and the wifey went here for dinner. Everything is on a prix fix menu. You get a starter - soup, salad. Then an entree - we had pork tenderloin and salmon. And a dessert - cheesecake and some fruit and yogurt. So, the verdict? Well, it was only 25 bucks. You'd have paid more at Outback. However, the food was excellent. The soup was a cauliflower bisque. I don't even really like cauliflower, but this stuff was excellent. The salad was a suspended salad, that is with the lettuce sitting on a thin piece of flatbread over some dressing. Nice plating, better food. Then came entrees. Salmon was cooked well and had a nice bacon glaze. I like bacon. Pork tenderloin was with something they called liquefied pepperoni. Whatever, it was really good. Heck, I've had stuff like this at places that charge twice as much. Dessert. Well, it wasn't as good, but hey, for the price, who cares! So, think that you're getting 4 star food for 2.5 star prices. And, thanks to recession math, that equals 5 stars in my book!
(5)Kevin R.
Honestly, there might not be a better restaurant in the Chino Valley. The chef is a genius. The way he prepares the food just makes my mouth water. Yes, it is a tad pricey, but you are getting QUALITY cuisine and a lovely atmosphere on the patio. We are always excited to see what the menu will look like, since it changes constantly. There are few things better than sitting on the Owen's patio at dusk, while just finishing up the last few bites of my amazing dessert to cap off an exquisite meal and lose myself in the acoustic guitar with a Pinot in hand. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(5)kaela h.
When reviewers noted that this place is a "little gem," I didn't believe it haven traveled from food mecca, the bay area. I kept my expectations low when we walked into this restaurant. We didn't heed any warnings as to reservations and went on Tues night. It was apparently Italian Night and the night was pretty booked. But since we were there around 7:30 during the last seating, we lucked out and snagged one table. The hostess turned out to be one of the owners, and she was super nice about seating us. First of all, I thought I was hallucinating the prixe price of $15.95 for 3-course meal. Since this was affordable, I added Italian Sausage for $3. I ordered an accompaniment of an Italian wine for $8/glass. Overall, the value was excellent. I started off with artichoke cream soup, which I can tell it was freshly made. It was light in texture and taste. The only complaint would be that it came out a little on the cooler side. But I think it's because it was end of the night, and they didn't want the soup to be reduced further. Then I proceeded onto the entree: spinach and cheese tortellini in chicken broth. The owner told me that the broth is made from actual chicken, so I was happy to hear its quality. I can tell that the pasta was made in-house or at least it was very fresh. The one thing I didn't like was that the broth was a bit salty although tasty probably from over-reduction and probably being kept warm the whole night. It's such a sacrifice - do you keep it warm for the last customer of the night or serve cold but not so reduced and concentrated? The sausage was flavorful in tomato sauce - a lot of flavor... maybe on the saltier side for my taste. I finished off the meal w/ lemon panna cotta, which was served in superficial shell dish. The presentation was innovative and the dessert itself was delicious! Not too sweet. I give this place 4.5 stars overall but have rounded up instead of down because of the service. In the beginning, it was a little slow due to the packed nature of the house. However, the hostess made up for it in the end. She was friendly and explained everything about the food. The seating area is a little small, but they really try to accommodate everyone. There's a difference when the hostess has a stake in the restaurant.
(5)Irene K.
$30 per person for a 3-course meal or if 2 people split a 3-course meal, $12 per person. It's pretty cheap for this restaurant. I tried the chicken and waffles, pork, fillet mignon, and minestrone soup. The soup was nothing special, but I loved the chicken and waffles and the fillet mignon. The gravy with the fillet mignon was a little too salty, but the potato puree was yumsies. I didn't like the pork that much. For dessert, I had the chocolate s'mores panna cotta with cayenne. A++++. The summer fruit parfait was below average, nothing amazing. The service was excellent.
(5)Michael P.
Made a reservation and was promptly seated. There was a small room with a group of ten and then several small tables with two. The owner/hostess struck up a conversation with one table of two. After 10 minutes, we grew tired of sitting on uncomfortable chairs in a noisy crowded room, hoping we'd be able to get the attention of the hostess and left. We went to Mes Amis instead, which isn't nearly as upscale but had great service of a very attentive waitress. The special steak was delicious as was the dessert.
(1)Irene C.
Just like everyone says... AMAZING! The service and food was great. The best part of the meal was the salad :) and dessert.
(4)Nadine H.
Freaking awesome! Perfect place for our anniversary dinner! The food was amazing! We ordered the fried Brussels Sprouts, pork belly, camp fire salmon, chocolate mug cake, and the strawberry tart. They also recommended great beer and wine pairing with the food. I can't stop raving about this hidden gem in Chino.
(5)Shelly Y.
Amazing! We met Denise and James wine tasting in Lompoc a couple of weeks ago and they suggested we come by for our 40th anniversary. We did just that and had a great time with an incredible gourmet dinner, attentive staff and wonderful new friends! James is an innovative and creative chef and Denise the perfect hostess! I had the tomatoe bisque soup, fried Brussel sprouts and a lamb rack that will go down in history! My husband had the rib eye, impressive and huge! The butterscotch panna cota for desert was outrageous! Thanks to you both, see you again soon! We will return in august for the wine paring dinner, cannot wait!
(5)Theresa M.
My husband and I have gone to Owen's Bistro a few times and each time has been amazing. It is a little spot that allows the right amount of people in for dinner so that everyone is comfortable. The music is calming and entertaining. The menu changes to keep you wanting more. You HAVE TO HAVE RESEVATIONS. When you think about going, book the reservation at that time. The staff make you feel like your at a private dinner party at home. Enjoy the moment and experience. Best spot for a dinner for two and double date. I wouldn't recommend for larger parties - they can handle it but it's just not the right environment. Once you go, you will agree.
(5)Chris H.
This place never fails to impress. The owners are always amazing. You will find the wife in the dining area serving up beautifully plated food prepared by her husband who carefully designs every single dish. This is a romantic food getaway for you and your significant other or a nice place to celebrate with a large group of upto 60 people in their enclosed outdoor patio.
(5)S T.
Owens, the hidden gem in Chino. Enjoyed a lovely 4 course Valentine Dinner at Owens Bistro. The ambiance on this special night was wonderful! We walked on a bed of rose petals and were greeted with a glass of champagne! We were serenaded with love songs by Kevin Krieg. From the first course of sausage stuffed dates to the main entre of filet mignon medallions with a filet of lobster, the dishes were superb. Chef James greeted each table after our meal. Denise and staff served with smiles and enthusiasm as the night went on. Great Food! Great ambiance!
(4)J N.
This place is hard to find and semi dark .. I went there with date.. We both have problem find front desk.. Friday night at 7 pm.. No one there when we walk in, so we walk out to double check.. Walk back in 2nd times n wait for someone to show up. 2 mins pass, finally someone is greet us and seat next to performer on outside patio.. 1st 10 mins, my date and I scream over the music still cant heard each other.. But we could heard the couple next to us which they are scream over each other like we do. We finally, give up and ask to move inside. Waitress wasn't happy about it. Cajun Spiced Pork Belly Bites - chow chow w/ Louisiana hot sauce - Is taste like roast pig w/ hot sauce.. Nothing special.. 4 small pieces Pici Pasta w/ pomodoro sauce, parmigiana & Italian herbs - my date order this since he is vegetarian.. was told is okay.. Filet Mignon Medallion (9 oz) - mashed potatoes, horseradish sauce - (add a fried egg for extra cost) - Filet is so small that I could finished in 4 bites. Meat is dark and boring flavor Food is okay, very small & pricey. Service need to improved
(2)Michael B.
This little restaurant tucked away in downtown Chino is a very nice place to enjoy a delicious meal and listen to relaxing music. The service is very good. Very attentive servers and waiters are always making sure you are enjoying your meal. The food is wonderfully prepared and great to the eye. Outdoor dining is the way to go too. Very nice patio with comfortable seating. No negatives here. Just enjoy your time here.
(4)Chris R.
Just found my new favorite restaurant! Where to begin? Alfresco dining with perfectly prepared food, gorgeous patio, enjoyable soft live music, and attentive servers. Ambience: We came on a Saturday evening and had reservations. Sat in the patio area and enjoyed the cool summer breeze. Live music by Kevin was perfect. I read one review on here that said the music was too loud?? Must not have been Kevin. He is peacefully strumming instrumental cover songs that you'll find yourself humming along to. Service: love the fact that the owner is working as a server. Her attention and care were evident and the rest of the staff were also available when needed. They don't hover like at some fine restaurants. I actually like that! Food: Everything we had was top notch! Started with garlic cheese bread = crispy, cheesy bite and not too oily! Wife had butternut squash risotto = chunks of squash blended on with perfectly prepared risotto topped with bacon crumbles. I got the filet medallions = black pepper crust was perfection, as were the delicate mixed veggies. Puréed potatoes could have used some garlic, but my plate was still wiped clean by the end! Dessert: chocolate waffle with graham cracker ice cream and toasted marshmallow whipped cream. Basically a deconstructed s'more! Simply amazing! BEST PART: All this and a glass of Pinot for $80 plus a generous tip! Literally one of the best meals of my life for around $50pp. Keep up the good work Owen's!
(5)Reza M.
Definitely the best restaurant in the area. Great date night ambiance. Love the brick building. Outdoor patio seating was fine with the heat lamps. Great live music. Guests were pleasant. We sat next to some regulars that had some fun stories to tell about the place. Drinks and food were amazing and the best part was the price. Will be back soon.
(5)Eli Y.
What a find in Chino. This place has great potential but is not ready for the big league. The pork bellies and suspended salad were outstanding. However the Pasta was raw and the pork entree was bland. Not much of a wine selection and no sparking water. The staff really wants to do right. So in time I believe I will writing a different review.
(2)Ernest A.
Great food...Atmosphere is great...A must try...The chicken jidori fantastic... Must try the pork belly bites.... OMG sinful.. Bad ASS...
(4)Ulyana T.
What a great discovery. Recently came across this gem while looking for a Kids Museum with my son (which is located on the other side of the building). And since then could not wait to try it. The ambiance, the food, the service, everything was great. My husband and I got there at the very opening, at 5:30 pm, and were courteously greeted by Denise and offered a seating either inside or outside in the patio. Definitely go for the patio!!! Live guitar music which makes the whole experience that much better. The restaurant is located in the rustic brick building. There is plenty of space on the patio, both small and large tables available to accommodate any group size. Don't worry there are fans available to make you cool. We had soup of the day (chilled asparagus, lemon, & thyme soup..mmmm!) and a cucumber/tomato/feta salad (which was good tasting and a large portion) to start with. Which followed by salmon on the rock and chicken. The salmon had generous serving of greens. The chicken was so soft on the inside and wonderfully roasted and spiced on the inside served on the bed of beet rice and marinated kale. To finish off our dinner, we ordered a take out desert, peach tart with whipped cream. Although it did not have as good of a presentation it would have if served on a plate at a restaurant, it was a wonderful combination of flavors and textures. Nutty crust with fresh peaches and whipped cream. The service was great, everyone was attentive, friendly and genuine. but considering there were not many people to serve at the hour we were there, sometimes it would take them a little bit of time to bring items. We will definitely coming back again to try other items on the menu (which they will be updating in fall), enjoy the music and spend the whole evening there.
(5)Avery S.
You won't find cuisine like Owen's anywhere else in this area. If you're looking to get away from the greasy "all-American" restaurants, I highly recommend coming to Owen's. This is another small business gem. It's ran by Owen himself and his lovely wife. They are genuinely interested in creating a great experience as well as meals and drinks. The menu and atmosphere has a fusion of European influence, so if you have a taste for Spanish, French or Italian food, you simply MUST visit Owen's. I had the handmade pasta and it was delicious. The noodles were so soft and the tomato sauce was light and tasty. I've never had pasta like that! I also had some of their fantastic fruity sangria. The prices at this place are a bit on the pricey side so don't expect some type of 5 for 5 deals. You can, however, expect excellent service, delectable food and drinks as well as an intimate and quaint atmosphere.
(4)Joyce Y.
denise + james kelly literally go above and beyond for each guest that comes into owen's bistro. i come for the exceptional food: the way that it is designed, perfected and devoured... and i stay for the warm and friendly service, the ambience, the music, the lighting, the coziness. come hungry. appetizers and desserts are a must!!!!
(5)Niall K.
Wow! Where do I start! This place is absolutely top notch! (You may wonder why I only gave four stars, more on that later) As soon as me and my fiancée walked in, we were greeted by a lady named Katie, I believe. Immediately after that a lovely lady named Denise gave us a friendly hello and showed us to our seats and brought us free water. I instantly noticed the blissful and relaxing ambience in this place. It's extremely nice inside, very clean and romantic. Perfect for a date. Our orders were taken about 15 minutes later we were served appetisers. We both ordered the muscles and they were delicious. The bread was great too. For our entrées, I ordered the rib eye steak, and my lady ordered the 16 hour short rib. Wow, what can I say?! They were DELICIOUS. I'm a huge steak guy, and I've tried a lot of steak, but this was the best steak I've ever had! Perfectly tender, moist and juicy, and melted in my mouth. Perfect! The potato purée was nice too. I sampled my fiancées food and it was incredible too. We skipped desert as the other half was tired, but our bill was brought to us promptly. The whole experience was delightful! One of the best restaurants i have been in. Lovely setting and ambience and truly gorgeous food. So why 4 stars you ask? I'll tell you why. Two appetisers, two main courses, one sangria and one coke came to $100! I understand the restaurant is lovely and that the food was beautifully cooked, but $100 for two people is ridiculous! Regardless, Id recommend this place all day long. Wonderful experience.
(4)Janet U.
My husband and I were introduced to this restaurant for the first time last night. We were beyond satisfied with the food and attentive service. Everything on the menu was to die for! The owners run this restaurant and go above and beyond to make their guest happy. Thank you for the hospitality !!!
(5)Richard M.
Rib eye, braised short rib, risotto, several appetizers pork belly good, flat bread salad, crispy brussel sprouts not that tasty. Actually the brussel sprouts weren't crispy at all. I liked the ambiance, sitting out in the courtyard, but the place could use a new storage facility. The waiter was a bit odd, not bad just seemed uncomfortable serving people. I won't be back, too many other places to try. Not saying you shouldn't give them a try, the menu has some winners on it.
(3)Ben E.
Back to Back visits of pure excellence. Food Quality, Taste, and Hospitality makes this place a true "Gem". I'm definetly going back again. Swordfish and Brussel Sprouts are absolutely devine.
(5)Derek B.
We haven't been here probably since they opened and we decided to head out of town and try it again for dinner. The building is nice. Old brick, dining semi-outside in a shell of an old building. If I had to give a tip- clean up the back side of the dining room. It looks like a storage area and not a nice place to sit. Aside from that, it was a nice to sit in the open air. Summer might be a bit uncomfortable, but the night was cool. We had about 5 appetizers. Dinner was the Ribeye and the wife had the risotto. Overall it was very good. The steak was a thinner cut, but the char on the steak was perfect. There aren't many independant places to eat in Chino, and Owen's is one of the best in the area. We'll be back.
(4)John P.
We celebrated our five year anniversary at Owen's bistro on a Friday night at 7 PM. We made reservations earlier in the week and it wasn't very crowded when we got there. Sat on the patio as most people do, it was very nice and they had string lights that lit up to create great ambience once it got dark. We had the following- - Garlic cheese bread and brussels sprouts as appetizers. Garlic cheese bread was simply bread with cheese and garlic but was very tasty. Brussels sprouts were to die for, I asked for the recipe but she said it was a secret - Fillet mignon medallions and barbecue short ribs. Both were amazing, both meats were very tender and seasoned and cooked perfectly. We shared the warm soft chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. When making the reservation we told them it was our anniversary, they had little decorations on the table when we arrived and served us a small bottle of split champagne during dessert. It was a nice touch. Service was a tad bit slow, took about 2.5 hours for the whole experience. That was okay with us as we wanted to just sit and relax. They served wine and beer only, no mixed drinks. Everyone working there was extremely kind, courteous and professional. We would definitely return keeping in mind that it will be a long night. There was plenty more to try on the menu that we didn't have. There is a nice gentleman that plays guitar on the patio during dinner, if you want a quieter experience ask to be sat inside or away from him. It was nice where we were sitting in the middle.
(5)Helen B.
Came here last night without reservations .... It took about 20 mins to get seated then another hour to finally get our food :/ however there were a few other people who had been seated and ordered before us and we got our food first. Weird but worked out for me. Went with my boyfriend for a night cute dinner He got the fried chicken and I got the New York medallion. Somehow My order got mixed up with the filet mignon, my bf's chicken came out and I had to tell them that's not what I ordered then I had to do some more waiting ..... I told my bf to go ahead and eat his dish w/o me if he waited his chicken would've been cold. So then finally finally finally my New York medallion get here! Honestly no joke as soon as I had my first bite of my steak I was in heaven!! Soooo tasty and well worth the wait!! I will be coming again for sureeeeee. Just a note.. If you're going to make your customers wait so long why not offer free bread rather then putting it on the menu and charging us for it? If I would've know how long that wait would've been I would've ordered it!
(4)Lori E.
First time at this restaurant. Everything was perfect from the minute we walked in. Great greeting, attentive service, amazing food, gracious owner. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Anonymous G.
As noted in many reviews, Owens is a hidden gem in Chino. The decor and food make you forget that you're in Chino. It is a quaint restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. There is even an option of outdoor seating with live music. The modern food dishes earn solid 4 stars. Even the salad earned it. The service was very attentive but a little awkward. A pleasant find thanks to Yelp. I will definitely be back!
(4)Heather M.
This little gem is a diamond in the rough. My parents discovered this place on a whim a few years ago and we have been hooked ever since. The food, the atmosphere, the service, and the hospitality set this establishment far above the rest. Walking up, you would never expect world class cuisine, the exterior is a modest brick building in down town chino. The space is small, and very well liked, so I would highly suggest calling ahead, or making a reservation a few days in advance. Once inside, you are generally greeted by the co-owner, Denise, who is an amazing host, and bends over backwards to make sure that your experience is nothing more than perfect. They offer both inside, and courtyard seating. I would suggest the courtyard, it beautiful, and they generally have live music (soft) playing. Now, here comes the amazing part. Things that go in your belly. Owen's Bistro is very detailed oriented, even the water the provide has cucumber in lieu of the acidic lemon. Fresh and clean on the pallet. Chef James creates seasonal menus, which allows him to offer only the most delicious in season produce, which definitely makes a difference. Owen's offers dozens of options, from small plates, to full entrees, depending on your mood. I have gone in and had nothing but a few split appetizers, but have also done the whole shabang. No matter what you do, you must get dessert. Favorite Appetizers: Brussels Sprout (just get them, then get more), Beet Fries, & Chorizo Verde. The soups are made daily and all amazing Favorite Entrees:Camping Trip, Chicken & Sage Waffle, King Crab w/ Coconut Rice & Bok choy, and of course the ever incredible and tender short rib. Favorite Desserts: Peach Tart, Coffee and doughnuts, and my fabulous gentleman caller can't get enough of their panna cotta (all varieties over the years). ***Not all are always on the menu, but most of the above cycle through depending on the season. Owen's also offers a fabulous wine selection, we generally bring our own, as they have a very low corkage fee. But I have definitely just order a glass from time to time. The choices were carefully selected to offer the guest the best pairings with their seasonal menus. Furthermore, the offer craft beers (bottled and poured in a chilled glass) for non-wine drinkers (like those weirdos actually exist). This is a definitely a place to sit back and relax and enjoy your meal, so I wouldn't recommend if you are looking to eat in a hurry. But, if you are ever in the area, you should definitely make a point to dine here, you will not regret it.
(5)Gabriel H.
Wife an I just finished an amazing meal at Owens Bistro. The ambiance was quiet and reserved, waiters were super attentive. The wines our hostess paired with the dishes we ordered were exceptional! The scallops in squid ink, (yes squid ink), foi gras and short ribs were amazing. Desert was apricot bread pudding with a bourbon syrup...superb! Definitely returning to this well kept secret in downtown Chino
(5)Kelly S.
Probably the nicest restaurant in all of Chino. I love the atmosphere, it's very cozy and has an expensive city vibe with gorgeous lights and expensive decor. The staff is so friendly and the owners Denise and Jim are so sweet. The food is to DIE for. I love how their menu is always changing and they always have fresh ingredients and new things too choose from. I would give this place 10 stars if I could.
(5)Elvira G.
0verall 4. Beautiful courtyard setting with pleasant James Taylor-like live musician. Started with Brussels sprouts and fresh mozzarella, the highlight of our meal. Sprouts were perfectly crispy with a hint of lemon and a butter finish. Mozzarella to die for accompanied with heirloom tomatoes drenched in a lovely olive oil. Our entrees: stuffed red peppers and scallops. Would have liked if both were warmer, not room temperature. Still tasty and fine for price point. For dessert we indulged in a side of the fried chicken. Just couldn't resist after seeing and smelling the sweet poultry served to our neighboring diner. We will definitely come back and enjoy wine and real dessert with our dinner.
(4)Petsila L.
Got a gift card at our wedding, made reservation n decided to try it out. A lot of the decor is from ikea, but it works very well with the ambiance at this restaurant. I enjoy the fresh flowers at each table. Food is worth the wait as the chef wholeheartedly prepares them for you. First course we had beet fries, seasoned with salt pepper similar to the taste of popcorn chicken but with more delicacy, side with smooth mayo (which i didnt dip in cuz it's fat). Second we had a autumn salad, with fruits and lighter mayo, crispiness of the fruit and the fresh veggies really went well together, with the occasional pine nuts(?) aroma that surprises me :) Main course we had what she (chef's wife as the host n waitress) called a "camp site". It's a Scottish Salmon dish featuring a hot stone on top of a piece of rosemary (love the strong aroma subtly diffusing throughout the whole dish. Then the salmon seasoned just to the right amount on top of the stone staying warm. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It is juicy and flavorful, yet each slice of the fish is well-defined. The long pieces of halved potatoes gave different texture. Covered with fresh greens with sauce n oil from the fish poured over. I thought the leaves were too oily but i have bland tastebuds. Husband had the short ribs, only had a small slice but loved it nothing less than my salmon.
(5)Natalie B.
Owen's Bistro is a real gem! The service is exceptional, the ambiance is wonderful and the food is delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone I know!
(5)Chili M.
Wow, my first time here. What a nice surprise. Very friendly staff, awesome fresh and inventive menu that changes every day. What a treat ! I am definitely a new regular
(5)John S.
What a great secret in Chino! Out of the way, unrushed, great food and atmosphere. Don't come here if you don't want a dining experience. Take your time, relax and enjoy a great wine list and live music on the weekend. Appetizers are tasty! Really enjoy the way the chef combines and prepares the food. The waiters and waitress all are knowledgable and can help if you have questions. Bon appetit!
(5)Ryan S.
I went here with my wife on our anniversary, well a couple days after because they were closed on our actual anniversary. We set reservations for 6 and showed up about 5:45 and were the first ones there. The crowd didn't start to show up until around 6:30. There was live music which was nice. The food was really good and you can tell that they make everything from scratch. It is a normal multi course dining experience so plan on being there over an hour or more depending on how many courses you order. Everything came out at a good pace, we didn't reel rushed and the only course we would like to have come out faster than it did was dessert but even that wasn't too bad. I graduated from Le cordon bleu so everyone is always asking me for recommendations and I always tell them look for places that don't put salt and pepper shakers on the table because that usually means they scratch make most things and know how to season properly. This was proof of concept. Everything was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. If I had to pick one bad thing I was say the desserts that we had did not stand up to the quality of the rest of the food. They were still pretty good but for this type of restaurant I expect better we had the panna cotta and the baked Alaska. Like I said they were good but could be stepped up a notch Overall I have recommended Owens bistro to everyone I know looking for a good restaurant near by. We will definitely be back.
(5)Eric D.
I'm a little upset that it took me such a long time to find this wonderful establishment. I work 2 blocks from the place and I was just introduced to the place. Owen's Bistro is nestled in between obscure streets and senior homes, adjacent to a quiet park. It's hidden location makes the place feel that much more exclusive and special. I arrived at 5:30, right when the restaurant opened. My boyfriend and I were greeted the the lovely Denise, the owner of the joint. She was not only courteous and charming, but sweet and very kind. She led us to our table on a beautiful patio that is open to the small park i mentioned early. It was the perfect setting for a friday night date after a long week at work because we got to enjoy the weather as the temperature began to drop and the sun about to set. It was such a pretty place to enjoy amazing food. We started with the pork belly appetizer. Granted, a small portion for the price, but it was well worth it. Crispy, with a kick. It sat on a bed of pickled vegetables that was an excellent addition to cutting through the flavor of the pork. I had the rib eye that was cooked to the perfect rare temperature. A fried egg was added to the top, no charge, it was absolutely perfect. The potato puree is heavenly and the vegetables were also cooked to perfection. My boyfriend had the salmon that was brought to the table on a sizzling rock and was surrounded with a wonderful bacon salad. The fish melted like butter. The presentation was gorgeous and it tasted even better. The staff made sure our drinks were always filled and they were very professional. Aside from the food, my favorite part about the place is that a musician named kevin was hired to play his guitar. He is absolutely amazing. He played tunes ranging from katy perry to john legend. He was so pleasant and extremely talented. He created the perfect ambiance for this hidden gem. As the sunset, the patio was illuminated with garden lights. This place is so romantic and an awesome escape for a few hours. I too have had the privilege of dining at some of the very best restaurants in the world, and Owen's Bistro, is truly wonderful.
(5)Allison S.
The food was just not that good. We had the prix fixe menu and tried the suspended salad and a seasonal spinach salad for starters. The suspended salad had A LOT of garlic. The spinach salad with a fruity vinaigrette was much preferred. For our entrees, the BF had the "fish on a rock" and I tried the tamale. I think I could make a seared fish and serve it on a bed of spinach (we had a lot in our meal), and the tamale wasn't as good as ones you could find in an authentic Mexican restaurant. Dessert (a vanilla pudding) was very atypical and not memorable. Service was good, but bottom line is the food doesn't warrant a second visit.
(3)John W.
Every August, I head here to celebrate my Anniversity. Love this place, friendly staff and food.
(5)Chris H.
The food was quite amazing here. Denise paired our food with some wine that was even more spectacular. We visited for a company dinner and we'll be back. Absolutely everything we had was incredible. Thank you for the wonderful time.
(5)Danny M.
We had a great dining experience. Party of six on Friday night service was quick. We were seated in the patio where they had live entertainment that did not disturb our conversation or meal. Good selection of wines for us to choose from. We had the pork belly appetizers. Certainly a must try. For dinner we had everything from New York stake to scallops. Everyone at our table enjoy their meal, no complaints. If you're in the area or even if you're not, certainly worth a try.
(5)Paul C.
Ate here a few weeks ago with my wife and the food and service were outstanding! I had the braised short rib and my wife had the spaghetti squash. We found out it was owned by a husband-and-wife team, and we ended up speaking to them for quite a bit. Both really nice people and can't wait to go back and dine again. Yum, yum!
(5)Ruben V.
We ended up having dinner here last night and we both enjoyed it a lot. Upon arrival we realized we probably should have made reservations, because the place looked packed, but the lady (I'm guessing she's the owner) immediately assured us that we would be able to get a table in 10 minutes or so. It didn't take long before we got a table and while waiting we got to enjoy the live guitar music. The music wasn't too loud so you're still able to talk. We ended up ordering the fish on a rock, the orecchiette and the crispy fried brussels sprouts and the panna cotta for dessert. Everything was clearly prepared with a lot of care and tasted great. Altogether a very pleasant experience and we will probably come back.
(5)Christy H.
Hands down, the best restaurant experience I've ever had. Excellent service, divine food and the steak is definitely worth the extra 15$! The best part was when we left, the owner, Denise, opened the door for us and gave us hugs. P.S don't forget to make a reservation because this place is reservation only!
(5)Wendy B.
Gracious, warm, comfortable, classy yet casual. I could go on and on. I loved this place. Most of their tables are outside in a charming covered patio surrounded by 100 year old red brick walls. The remains of a turn of the century bank dressed up just enough to be trendy yet quaint. Add to the mix the live acoustical guitarists/vocalists. And outstanding food. This place exudes of someone with good taste who takes pride in making your dining experience enjoyable in every aspect. Prie fix meals are your only choice, $29 on Fridays and Saturdays, less on week nights. Three courses, with 5 choices in each category. Each choice was intriguing, creative, and frustratingly seductful. Dinner for the two of us tonight... First course: Suspended salad (a green salad elevated on thin cracker bread). Fried brussel sprouts with lemon aoili house made and grated parmesan. As other reviewers have said, the brussel sprouts are very memorable. Second course: Braised Short ribs over mashed potatoes, and pork tenderloin topped with artichoke puree and fried spinach, beautifully presented on top of potato rounds and a delicate cheesy sauce. The pork tenderloin was lucious. The braised short ribs were melt in your mouth tender. The vegetables and mashed potatoes, perfection. Third course: Black pepper donuts with strawberries and whipped cream, and a warm chocolate lava cake. Both great choices. There were no failures. This meal was consistently wonderful. The portions were just right for us. While we exchanged bites, we did so cautiously because of the smaller portion sizes. And I wanted to lick the plate after each course just to prolong the experience. If anyone wanted to complain, it would be from someone who had a larger appetite. They would probably be stopping off for something to eat after dinner, although I don't know why. If that were the case, I would suggest eating before rather than after, so the last taste in your mouth is your meal, here. This place was wonderful. And the service, the best. This is an excellent choice for a special date.
(5)Nico G.
Another great dining experience at Owens!!! Amazing dinner...the Singapore Shrimp was good! And the Rose Petal Cake was good!
(4)Juliana C.
Small little restaurant hidden on a random street. Parked on the street and it looked like the restaurant was closed but turns out you have to walk around to find the entrance. So this place serves Purple Haze and any place that serves Purple Haze is a friend of mines :) Presentation and food are all really nice. And the service is excellent. Got the lobster bisque which had really good flavor. Also got the garlic cheese bread and ahi flatbread to start. The garlic cheese bread with the dipping sauce was to die for. For entree got the gnocchi impersonating scallops which is pretty much what it sounds like. A little too buttery for me but really cute idea. Boyfriends venison on the other hand was delicious. For dessert got the carrot cake which tasted a little raw to me and boyfriend seemed to like it. At the end of the meal we realized they don't do separate checks which was quite the bummer. I guess I'm only coming here with a group when I'm feeling generous.
(5)Vincent W.
If i could give partial stars, it would be 3.75 for an overall experience. Decor - 4- i really enjoyed the rustic decor of the restaurant, the paper lamps really made the older building pop. It took me a minute to figure out where the entrance was, but that added to the mystery of the multiple glass doors for decoration. The food - 4 - I had the Asian Duck con-fee salad - The best item that I had tasted for the night. The bold sweet flavors from the hoisin mixed perfectly with the bitterness of the greens. Rack of lamb. - The portion was a great size. The flavors were much more subtle compared to the Duck salad. The meat was cooked perfectly, although i did have to ask about the hot stone and lemon slice. *aroma enhancers.* Service - 3- The service was some what lack luster. For being such a large party (13) it is quite understandable that it is quite difficult to keep up with wait times and high level of service. The waitress did in fact try her best and deserves the credit for that but it was larger party so food was served when it was completed even though others at my table may not have gotten their food yet. The billing system is quite outdated, receipt was something out of a accounting calculator , but we made it work . I would recommend it for smaller parties.
(3)tiffany l.
Husband and I popped in without reservations tonight. The wait staff was very accommodating and we felt well taken care of, they kept us up to date with how long our wait was and sat us down way before we expected to be able to get a table. The space is a nice romantic covered Courtyard. Very intimate and a perfect place to relax and enjoy great food. We also enjoyed the john mayer-isk entertainment they had. Food is seriously delicious! What a gem!
(5)Jennifer R.
Awesome! Food, service and atmosphere was just fantastic! Stumbled on this place tonight and have to say it is now my new favorite restaurant. The owners are so welcoming and friendly.
(5)Rae Marie Y.
I really enjoy this place. It's a small restaurant in the middle of Downtown Chino. I've been here a few times and the most memorable time was my first. We walked in and were greeted by a woman (who I think is the Chef's wife). We ordered from the pre fixe menu and added a wine flight to our meal. The hostess really knew her wines. She gave a brief description of each glass she came out with. It really felt like I was out wine tasting at some winery. This hostess introduced me to my first glass of Malbec and I order this 80% of the time I am at dinner now. I believe their menu changes every so often. My husband and I like to share their t-bone steak among other things. Everything I've ordered comes out in pure perfection. This is truly a hidden gem. I wouldn't even expect there to be a quaint bistro next to the Chino Library and Civic Center. I haven't been here in awhile, but I think I need to visit again soon since my mouth is getting watery just thinking of the memories.
(4)Elizabeth A.
I travel extensively for work and have had the good fortune to have dined at some if the best restaurants in the country. Frankly, I really don't get how this place Is rated so highly. The service is terrible, the food is terrible and I would never ever recommend this place to anyone. If you want over cooked food, slow and extremely rude service then this is your place. The only thing Owen"s has going for it is the lovely alfresco dining area.
(1)Cynthia B.
Food is phenomenal! Main dining room has a little bar area and about 10 tables. The larger dining room is actually the covered patio. Lovely old brick building in Downtown Chino. Owners are friendly. The Mrs. works the dining room while Mr. is the Master Chef and creator of wonderful dishes. Wine list is comprehensive and prices are very reasonable. We enjoyed the Lamb, Pork Chop, Fillet, Brussel Sprout starter, cheese bread, Lobster Bisque and a beautiful bottle of Santa Barbara Merlot from the Flood Vineyards. Deserts: Strawberry Meringue was delightful and the Grape Jelly/ Banana/ Peanut Butter Donut (Think Elvis) was interesting. I didn't love the cheese bread but this is just a personal taste. Some Yelpers feel the portions are small however I disagree. I couldn't even finish half of my Lamb. I'd never been to Chino before and will say this was worth the drive. You should make a reservation at least a day in advance. Go and enjoy!
(5)Camie M.
This is truly as good as it gets! Love everything about this restaurant!!! The food is fantastic (better than any steak house I've ever been to), wine is wonderful, the service is spectacular, and ambiance is awesome! Love the music on the weekend.....makes for a romantic dining experience!!! I will always recommend!!!
(5)Andrea T.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Owens. Food, drink, service, and entertainment is spot on every time we go. Every single employee works so hard, and they all help each other out. Love that environment. Excellent. Thank you Owens!
(5)Gary L.
My wife and I go to Owen's Bistro several times a year, and then, we walk across the street to the Chino Community Theatre to watch a play. It is good food, and it makes for a nice evening. Owen's Bistro has excellent food and excellent service, but you have to give yourself enough time. We get reservations for 6:30 and it takes the an hour and half to get and enjoy our meal. If you go, try the cheesecake.
(5)Stephanie G.
Owen's Bistro never disappoints. The Bleu cheese plate was a perfect balance of everything offered. The BEST lobster bisque on the planet! Spicy shrimp and rack of lamb couldn't have been better. Dessert was divine- chocolate cake & butterscotch panna cotta that are unmatched anywhere else! Excellent service. Quaint, private, delectable gem of a restaurant in a somewhat unlikely location.
(5)G H.
Owens Bistro is the quintessential fine dining restaurant in the Chino Valley. If you are looking for the best dining experience, this is the place. I give Owens a big thumbs up and at least five stars.
(5)R S.
Food is good, service is extremely slow. Looks like if you're a regular you get priority over others. Appears they may have a rotating menu. The venue ran out of their pork chop dish, 4 of 5 in our party ordered soup of the day...they ran out of that too. Very affordable for a 3 course meal.
(4)Tony G.
After one visit it is clear that this is probably the best food in the general area. Reservations are a must. bon appetit !
(5)Mimi C.
Goood morning!! Another little gem for you!! Owen's Bistro! You really wouldn't think you'd find beautifully plated and wonderfully crafted American & Italian food in the heart of nowhere Chino. Perhaps, that's what really makes this place a diamond! Our dining experience started with 3 course prix fixe ... well priced at ~$25. What more can I say about their ever so light & creamy cauliflower (yes, cauliflower!) soup except that inhaling the scent gives you a wonderful anticipation of the taste ahead -- and delivers with bright hints of cauliflower flavor. Or .. perhaps I could go on about their uniquely crafted suspended salad with chopped romaine lettuce balanced by a light crispy wafer? Did I mention their Pecorino cheese (made from ewe's milk) gives it a nice sharp palate teaser and their light tang dressing a perfect complement? Oh yes, it was enjoyable! I couldn't stop without delving into the main entrees. +Salmon on the a large rock glazed with bacon sauce and hugged by a bed of earthy greens. The large (but well sliced) salmon sits a top the rock to keep a nice crispiness (and an interesting conversation piece!). The bacon sauce was a little over done but perhaps that a matter of preference-- I could do w/o the saltiness and sharp flavor of the bacon -- I felt it interfered and took away the the central flavor which was the salmon. However, it was nonetheless, enjoyable. The fresh rustic potatoes were great additions to the salmon -- it grounded the exotic flavors in this entree. Perhaps, it could've been done with a little less greasing - and as a topper instead of tossed in the greens (but hey.. surprises are nice). +Pork shoulder was my crowd pleaser of the meal. I can almost picture my fork gathering away a piece of that delicious meat -- not too salty and didn't err on the bland - just perfect. Chef used a liquidized pepperoni sauce.. which I never knew existed but it was THE perfect sauce for wonderful chunks of meat. =0) The bed of cooked spinach and panzanella salad were nice touches that didn't detract the entree -- but didn't exactly enhance it either. ... meal ends with dessert cheesecake + greek yogurt w/ pistachios in honey and sauteed peaches. I think I liked the cheesecake better as it was soft, fluffy and lightly sweetened (who could not love??) .. the other .. was a little too "easy to make" .. though it was good and artfully plated - eating it made me think that this was something I could do at home. --- the little details were nice too -- like the constantly refilled cool cucumber water and the lightly crispy and buttered french bread (starter). Menu is seasonal -- which makes this little bistro, a special one. It's inviting, cozy and just the right place to take a date or intimate family gathering w/o breaking the bank (it's even cheaper than DineLA w/ better food and sizable portions!)... it truly lives up to it's "bistro" namesake (a French word for small cafe that's well priced with a simple menu). au revior! :) - it is an Italian / Am restaurant after all. =0 ) PST... DO MAKE RESERVATIONS!! They make enough based on the number of people who reserve.. yes.. it's a stickler but I can totally understand after this wonderful meal. =) And.. they only open for dinner.
(5)Dotty L.
I was a bit hesitant to dine here after reading some of the negative reviews, but I actually had a very positive experience when I dined here for an dinner date. Our server (I think his name was Danny) was exceptional, he was so attentive and accommodating. We ordered the brussel sprouts, garlic bread, and filet mignon medallions, all of which were really good. The food arrived shortly after we were ordered, much to our surprise, considering the previous reviews mentioning the long waiting time. Then again, there were only two other people dining together besides us that night, so maybe that was why. The price is what one would expect from a nicer restaurant (not cheap). I'd recommend dining here if you are looking to take a date somewhere nice and "romantic" for dinner.
(5)Jan Y.
YUM so delish. their portions could stand to be a smidge larger, but i guess they're fair in their naming of the dishes: 'small plates'. we promised them upon exiting that we'd be their newest, and best regulars :) in short: cucumber infused water. Garlic cheese bread. Mediterranean mussels. Shaved Brussels sprouts w/ aioli. Goat cheese peppadews. Scallops ::gasp for air:: salmon cooked atop a really hot rock. Soba noodle salad. Spinach beets salad. Autumn squash ragout atop farro. More garlic cheese bread. Big ole glass of Pinot. Mini donuts w Nutella and Mexican chocolate cake. Now that mid day snack is done with- what's for dinner? People go check out Owens bistro in chino. BOMB.
(4)Joy S.
Owen's bistro continues to be one of my favorite hidden gems in the IE. I discovered this place roughly three years ago and I have been a regular customer since then. They offer seasonal menu which I love ( but also makes me sad when a favorite dish is taken off the menu lol). Make sure you order the Brussels sprouts!! It's amazing! Perfect balance of acidity and creaminess. My favorite dish by far. Corkage fee is $10 per bottle if I remember correctly. Make sure to call ahead for reservations!
(4)Lisa N.
The food was mediocre. The service was what killed it. Dinner should not have to take 3 hours for 3 people on a normal Thursday night!!! The entire time there were about only 7 tables including our own. It took them ten minutes to give us two menus for 3 people. I have no idea why they only gave us three menus but I guess because we're asian? It then turned into the longest dinner service ever. We ordered the heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella along with the garlic cheese bread. Both were okay but not worth the 20 minute wait. I guess there's only one chef in the kitchen? We ordered the pork chop, chicken and waffles, and fish on a rock. They were pretty tasty but we were full from the 45 minutes that we sat waiting for it to come out. We got there at 7:30 and when i looked at the clock it was probably 8:40 when the entrees came out. Honestly,we were given no explanations as to why the food was taking so long, we just sat there waiting forever. I looked around and everyone had the same wait. They stop taking diners at 830 and I can see why. We ended up getting cheesecake for dessert. For 7 dollars you think you'd get something better than a small slice of Costco cheesecake with some chocolate and caramel sauce on top. Save yourself the time and trouble and don't bother coming here. TL;DR? food is good but 30 - 1 hour wait between courses is killer. Would not come back.
(1)Rick h.
excellent food!! highly recommened
(5)Vivian L.
Am I the only one giving a harsh feedback? Ok... but I am real. Came here twice for celebrating valentine's day and birthday. The experience wasn't good. On Valentine's day, they seat whoever was inside the room. It was crowded and therefore we waited outside thinking Denise would call us by name. We waited for about 30 minute and seeing everyone else had a table but not us. I asked Denise and she told me "everyone will be serve at the same time so it doesn't matter who is seated first". wouldn't it make more sense for those who arrived first to be seated first? That's just my opinion. The food isn't any special and overpriced. Will definitely not come again but will recommend anyone who has extra buck and don't know where else to spend to come.
(2)Noelle H.
You SUCK!!! Thanks for ruining my Valentines Day!! My husband called your restaurant to set up a reservation and you told him that we didn't need one. So we wanted to come on Thursday February 13th because we have difficult job schedules and a baby so my husband called in advance to make a reservation for us to have a peaceful Valentine's Day dinner, but they said that we didn't need a reservation. So we walked in on Thursday evening and then the told us that we needed to wait because we didn't have a reservation. That really pissed me off. The next seating wasn't until 8pm and we were there like at 6. I can not eat so late at night and I don't want to eat so late either. Maybe your food may be good, I don't know, but your customer service and communication sucks. So in conclusion, you ruined my
(1)Jessica B.
Loved this place. Food was great and so was the service. Very cute atmosphere. Definitely will be back.
(5)Michael V.
This place is fantastic. Great atmosphere and even better food. Owen's bistro has outstanding chicken and waffles that are just made of magic (sweet potatoe and candied pecans). There is also an awesome pork bell dish. It is hard to put this taste into word. You just have to try it yourself. Just great. And desert is great. This is one of the best places I have even eaten at!
(5)Phouphane I.
My husband and I quite enjoyed this place. We ordered the mac and chesse snd bread to start of. Then we had the pasta and we enjoyed some wine. For dinner we had the fried chicken and short medallions, everything was perfect. The place has a great ambiance. I can not wait to go again.
(5)Leena B.
Meh. Great Brussels sprouts. Honestly that's all I remember. They have a price fixed menu (I'm sure there's a French spelling of some sort...) but honestly, nothing too exciting. They have patio seating and I remember the food presentation being quite nice. But what's the point when I remember how the food looks versus how the food tastes. But if you are coming here, make sure you get the Brussels sprouts! You have to make reservations as well. And they are a bit pricey too...
(3)Tiffany P.
Well, let's get straight to the point--- Food was Good (Great Presentation), Service was not that good, and it's expensive. The Food: As an appetizer, we got the Guacamole with chorizo and home-made chips: It's a different twist on Guacamole- with chunks of cucumber and tomatoes. It was different in a good way but also felt like there were too many cucumber chunks in there. It was more like a cucumber-mole type dip, and the ratio of avocados to cucumbers was off. I was actually hoping there would be more cucumbers. My Fiance got the Chicken and Waffles: nice crispy chicken, but on the down side it was dry. Waffles were crispy, but not enough syrup. I got the pork chop: that was good, nicely cooked, nice and moist, but slightly over peppered. Potatoes were yummy. The Service: I was reading the reviews about the service and I was hoping it was going to better but it ended up being really bad. The waitress spent more time talking to the group in the corner rather than helping other tables. That meant our food didn't come out on in a timely manner --- let's just say because she took so long with everything else, we decided not to have dessert there and asked for the check. And that as well took forever to come out.
(3)Frank H.
Owen's Bistro is the best kept secret in Chino. This area lacks a good restaurant and I really enjoy having dinner here. The service has always been good as is the food. The Tomato Bisque is excellent for a starter, Fish on a Rock is one of my favorites, pasta dishes are good too. They also have a nice wine selection.The guy on the guitar sets the mood.
(5)Vanessa K.
Such a cool, romantic little bistro. Fabulous food. Terrific hostess. I will be back!!
(5)Brian G.
AMAZING! Thank you chef James!
(5)Cam C.
Layout was a bit small but definately cosy and romantic. As you walk in you are greeted and seated. Staff were very friendly and helpful in recommendations. They have a nice varity of courses, appetizers and desserts. The Chef was top chef in 2007, wonderful dining experience. There was live music all through the evening. Excellent place to just chill have dinner and drinks. Location is a bit hard to find since you enter from the rear entrance aside from that I have found a new resturant to dine at after a hard day of work.
(5)Brian D.
We celebrated our ten year anniversary and wanted to go somewhere in chino/chino hills that wasn't a chain restaurant. We always saw Owens bistro and saw the yelp review and gave it a try. It was by far a five star for food and ambiance. The exposed brick, smaller intimate size and perfect music was right on. The owners wife is the one who seated and took care if us and she was just so nice and showed how much she loved the restaurant. She made us feel very well taken care of. For appetizer we got queso fundido which was awesome. For entree the hot rock salmon - cooked perfectly with fingerling potatoes and warm bacon dressing on spring mix. They put a fresh piece of rosemary under the rock so the aroma perfumed everything and was such a great touch. My wife had the braised short rib which was one of the most tender pieces of meat I've ever had. She loved it. The table next to is saw it and ordered it as well and they raved about it. It is one of those places that as soon as we started the meal we said this is our new date night spot and want to take our friends here.
(5)Chasin T.
All time favorite restaurant ever, period. I love this place. The food is wonderful and constantly changing. The quality is outstanding and the service exceptional. As many have said the hanging salad is great and the "camping trip" with the fish cooked on the stone is super cool. Everything I have had from here is great. The wine list while small is select and top notch. I cannot say enough about this place, I drive 70 plus miles to go here for the $29 pre-fixe and it is worth every penny.
(5)Heath C.
This place has a great atmosphere and friendly staff, but that doesn't make up for the high prices for the small portions. I'd say the portions are tiny, especially for appetizers and sides. Overall, the food is pretty delicious and well pared. I would recommend visiting at least once. Just expect to pay about $40 per person and not get completely stuffed.
(3)Al M.
Wonderful! The food is truly an experience. Try the Brussels sprouts. Plan on spending a few hours enjoying the meal. We get the wine flight even though it isn't on the menu. We return here every few months and it is always special.
(5)Richard G.
This place is a GEM! The prix fixe menu has plenty of wonderful and delicious choices, all at a very reasonable price. The ambiance is romantic, the food is top notch and the service is great. If you want a great date spot or just want an overall great fine dining experience, Owen's Bistro is the right place.
(5)Jackk Y.
4 stars for the food, price and that is in chino where there's not much other comparable places. 2.5 stars for the service, can be very slow at times in getting the food have experice close to 2hr whole dinning time due to the wait of he courses combined. another is not enough waiters when the place is busy. overall 3.5 stars as you can't get much better food around this area especially for weekday specials where you get the most bang for your bucks! Too bad they don't update their menu on the website often as I wanted to get the bread pudding dessert again that I saw online but it wasn't available
(4)Amanda J.
Food was good. Too bad the wife of the owner/hostess racial profiles. We were questioning the bill that we did not understand and she said, "I knew you guys were going to do this to me the second you walked in those doors and I prayed for you." Excuse me? Was it because we are Asian? Never have we felt so discriminated in our lives. We did not cause any trouble the 3 hours it took you to serve a party of 9. I even kept my 3 year old and 4 month old quiet so your guests would enjoy a lovely evening there; now you should be thanking me. Instead you have left us feeling like we should be kissing your feet because you fit us in within the hour. You did not need to accept our large party if you could not handle it. To the waiter that served us, we are sorry about refusing the mandatory 18% tip, it truly was not your fault; this was a true sign of poor management. Please contact me and I will pay you. This truly was not about the price of the rice. We hope that you wake up and realize that racial profiling is not acceptable.
(1)J R.
Glade I finally went. The area and building is cool. The portion size seems small but if you think about it, we over eat. With the food and live music, its very easy to spend a couple hours here. I would like to see them on a busy night. interesting menu options. nice selection of craft beers. looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Tameka M.
One of the best dining experiences I have ever had. We did the dinner and wine pairing. Amazing. The owner was an absolute delight. She introduced me to my new favorite wine. I can't thank her enough. The food was great. I had pork tenderloin. I will be back.
(5)Jasmine T.
Very nice and quaint place. A gem in Chino! My husband and I go here to have a romantic dinner. Everything we've had on the menu is great. It is extremely comparable to Emeril's or any of the other fine dining places at a fraction of the cost. I recommend The Camping Trip while my husband loves the Filet Mignon medallions- beef cooked to perfection. For dessert, i recommend the almond panna cotta- yum! I've also had the pork braised shoulder----very good as well. We're going back to try the chicken and waffles. Personal attention is given to all customers. The wait staff is friendly, the live music really adds to the ambiance. I would only recommend bringing children during Tuesday nights or on weekends. Our kids' palates wouldn't appreciate the food as much as we do.
(5)Morton L.
I would love to give 5 stars, but a couple things prevent that score. Here is the good and not so good: Feta appetizer, pork chop, rack of Lamb and chocolate pot de creme were all fabulous and represent the establishment well. The wait for bread, multiple times, for both our table and those around us was distracting and annoying, although it was great when it arrived. The mushroom and Parmesan bisque soup was ok and the strawberry and meringue desert were not very good. But the wife/owner's arrogant attitude was the most significant blemish in my opinion. She was curt with me on the phone and basically rude to the table next to us, which I am not sure she is even aware of it.
(4)siutou s.
The food was okay, but the service was horribly slow. It took probably 20 minutes to get my drink and appetizers, and it was an hour between the time I ordered before I got my meal. Here it is 2 hours later and I'm currently waiting for a dessert that is "on its way". Sat on the patio, where a mouse was kind enough to give us plenty of unwanted attention. They had a few tables inside, but didn't give us an option when we were seated. I tried the soy glazed pork which wasn't as good as the chicken and waffle, the ricotta bacon stuffed peppers and corn bisque that had too much corn starch. Finally got to dessert to be told that they ran out of the selection I gave them 2 hours ago... I don't think I'll come back here.
(2)Moe T.
I was expecting this place to be a little more extraordinary than it was. Although the food was good there was nothing that WOW'ed me, it was quite ordinary to say the least. My wife and I started with the soup of the day and the suspended salad. The soup was creamy and the salad fresh. For our entree's we had the filet mignon and the salmon. The filet was juicy and tender but not that flavorful. Still worth a try. The salmon was seasoned better than the filet and had more flavor but it was a bit drier than I prefer. For dessert we finished our meal off with the cheesecake with local strawberries and the smores. The cheesecake was delicious but I wouldn't really recommend the smores. I would say that Owen's BARELY edged a 4 stars from me. I was expecting a bit more. We crossed it off our list of places to try but it's not going on our list of places to re-visit.
(4)Randy R.
Disappointed. Went there on Valentines day and after 4 hours of terrible service I was hoping for a much better experience for my first time there. The food looked good but since it was mostly cold and one food server for the entire restaurant was missing in action I could not enjoy this expensive dinner. To make matters worse was when the food server did show up to tell me that the amount of tip I graciously left her was slightly less than the usual 18 percent. She charged my card the difference. Unbelievable! Note to Owen food server, you may have got your tip, but you have lost a customer.
(2)Jae Y.
Absolutely gorgeous food, a wonderful atmosphere, and live music that just complimented everything, Owen's Bistro is an elegant and wonderful place to dine. The food fills you up completely without leaving you bloated. They have a wide variety of things to eat during the week and all for an affordable price. The prices range from $16 (For their Tues 3 course Italian dinners) and up to $29 (For their Fri and Sat 3 course meals). This is per person. However, the food is absolutely divine. I came on a French-class expedition and had: escargot, beet soup, steak and fries, a seasonal green salad, and desert. The flavors burst in my mouth. Ate everything on my plate because it was well worth it. Highly recommend going here!
(5)Addie S.
If you have a couple hours to enjoy a nice meal, then you came to the right yelp page! The evening started with some refreshing water with a cucumber slice, and bread that has been toasted and buttered for you. I ordered the Suspended Caesar Salad (romaine, anchovy dressing, flatbread, pecorino). It is suspended because the salad sits on top of the flatbread. But I recommend you break it into pieces and mix the salad in the delightful dressing. What I really came for was the "The Camping Trip" (seared rare salmon on a hot river stone, rustic potatoes, greens, bacon dressing). The greens were fresh, buttery, and essentially melted in my mouth. The salmon was cooked to perfection. Flaky, moist, tender. Mm. The first time I came here, a friend ordered this dish. I was ready to chuck mine and just take his. This dish can get a little salty towards the end, but it is what it is. I'm sure the first half wouldn't have tasted so great if it wasn't seasoned as such. This is still my favorite dish. By this time I was already rather full, but I ordered almond Panna Cotta with coconut whipped cream and chocolate sauce. This dessert was presented beautifully, but I prefer regular panna cotta over the almond flavored. "Wednesdays and Thursdays starting at $24.50 per person. Fridays and Saturdays starting at $29.00 per person."
(4)Valerie P.
I really wish I wrote this review as soon as we left the restaurant, because unfortunately I can't seem to remember what we ordered. It's been a little less than a year since I've dined here. Lol. What I do remember was how cute and quaint the whole set up was outside on their patio. It's got a very intimate setting. I loved it. Actually I do remember one thing I ordered. Chicken & Waffles! The chicken melted in my mouth. It was delicious. If you're looking for a nice quiet and intimate dinner, you must come here. :)
(5)Tony G.
Situated in the middle of the historic downtown section of Chino, Owens Bistro has the clientele and the reputation to encourage its place as a slightly upscale venue in a not so upscale location. While this would seemingly be the most it should strive for, I found it to be unrequitedly pretentious exhibiting some of the worst service I have ever encountered. Upon arriving to the restaurant we were greeted with only a question "do you have a reservation", despite the fact that over half of the tables were empty we were left standing outside for over fifteen minutes. The hostess/waitress seemed befuddled with the concept of seating and serving at the same time despite the fact that she only had a small number of tables to care for and several assistants. She seemed generally annoyed that we were there without a reservation although the entire time we were at Owens, no more than 3/4 of the tables were ever full. Despite the surmounting reviews stating that Owens Bistro has an extensive wine menu, the truth is that it is was quite mediocre. Two sheets of various wines including only one Chilean Carmenere wine and Zero Malbec options. I heard guests at an adjoining table be greatly impressed as the waitress attempt to explain what a Pinotage was and how it comes from "South Africa" as if this is something very exotic. It was very obvious that she had no formal or even informal oenological training. The server was a young man approximately 17-19 years old and he did a great job. First thing served was a piece of rather stale tasting bread and butter. Second course choice for me was the Chorizo Quesadilla which I found to be excellent. Richly flavorful meat combined with perfectly caramelized onions between a perfectly toasted tortilla topped with crumbled queso fresco. I had no complaints. My next course was the Rib-eye Steak with Peruvian purple potatoes. The steak was obviously a poor cut of meat, over-marbled, and lacking on seasoning and flavor. It was a poor excuse for a Rib-eye. The potatoes were undercooked and also needed some added flavor to set them apart. My final course was bananas foster, and it was done perfectly. While I commend family owned businesses for the risk and hard work that it takes to make them succeed, this business is severely lacking in pure management ability. This evening I sat in Owens Bistro for 2 hours and 20 minutes for a meal that should have taken a little over an hour. They need to drop the false pretentiousness because they do not have the skill to pull it off. The place is already very moderately priced so expanding their menu and making it more of a friendly place to drop in and have a more comfortable meal should be a priority. While I fully believe that the chef has the ability to run a highly rated restaurant, he does not have the management ability to see that his dining room is very poorly operated. As me and my wife sat in our seats twiddling our thumbs for 20-30 minutes between courses and waiting for the check, we discussed how perfect this place would be for Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
(2)Shakei D.
Absolutely loved this place!. 3 course meal are all small but very filling!!. You get your choice of appetizer entrée and dessert. Everything was just delicious.Had the loaf of garlic cheese bread $5. (yummy!!).First course had the suspended Cesar salad with anchovy dressing and flat bread. (Dressing was perfect!.). 2nd course has the "camping trip"- rare salmon on a hot stone, rustic potatoes, greens and bacon. ( I asked for no bacon). Third course chocolate mousse with expresso . Came here for the first time on a Wednesday a few people were there. Didn't take any time to be seated. Friendly service. Recommend!
(5)Randy M.
We had a work dinner fall through and heard they had some new items on the menu so we wanted to stop in. We stayed with the smaller plates and shared so we could try more items. Wow, so good. Wanted to keep tasting but only so much room, will need to return next week. The Chef was out in the dinning room at the start of our meal and told us of a couple of items that he had not shared with the staff yet, sign us up. Started with a refreshing glass of sangria and moved onto the jidora chicken wings with a siracha honey sauce, just enough bite. Next were the fried brussels sprouts, we always get this, followed by beet home fries with a great spicy mayo on the side. Next up I tried the soup creation he had mentioned, a milk and honey soup, could have tucked me into bed with this one, not to sweet but oh so comforting. My wife had the havarti grilled cheese with tomato soup. She shared a bit so I saved a few bits of the sandwich to clean the bowl for them, always trying to save washing ya know. The gnocchi dish was made with ricotta instead of potato, very light, served in a brown butter sauce with capers. Server saw how I enjoyed and brought out some bread for me to clean that plate as well. Hey, what can I say. I'm Italian. For dessert we had the smore's bomb IC and the banana bread pudding, both were great but I am a bread pudding fan. Can't wait to get back.
(5)Randa J.
My husband and I wanted to try something new and local for our 4 year anniversary, so I yelped and Owen's Bistro it was... Loved it. We sat outside and felt like we were back in Italy. Simple, clean, intimate with history... so dont' come here expecting a posh/chain restaurant. Think quiet, think rustic, think brick walls, think fresh picked garden flowers in a vase... romantic. The 3 course prefix dinner was $22.50pp. We got the following: Bread Toasted french baguette drizzled with butter, served with truffle butter. - OUT OF THIS WORLD... and it's bread & butter? Can all butter have truffles in it?!?! Can everything I eat have truffles in it?!?! I was in heaven. Appetizer/Salad: Me - Spinach Salad with blue cheese, walnuts, and roasted plantains. - 5/5 LOVED IT! Hubs - Tomato and Balsamic Vinegar Bisk - 5/5 - Had a BBQ taste to it. Entree: Me & Hubs: Rib Eye for 2. - 3/5 It was nothing special in comparison to other Rib Eyes past... kinda anti-climatic from the truffle butter, salad and soup (but for the price, good stuff). The Chimmichurri sauce was really good though. I want to try the Filet Mignon next time... and there will be a next time for sure. Dessert: Me: Cheese Cake Hubs: Berry Parfait Definitely a great combo. If we got the same thing (parfait, parfait or cheese cake cheese cake), it would have been boring. Wine: Adobe Red - One of the richest red wines I've tasted in a long time. So much flavor... not dry or deep, but good nonetheless. Service was nice and personal, but can also be slow. We didn't mind. As they say, when in Rome... Oh wait, this is Chino!
(5)Amina K.
I took my husband for dinner to celebrate his birthday. Based on other reviews, I was expecting to be blown away by the quality of the food. Quite honestly, I wasn't too impressed. I thought the meal was just okay and a bit over salted. I had the beet & mozzarella salad and my husband had the suspended caesar salad. Presentation on the suspended salad was interesting and the dressing was delicious. My salad on the other hand was just okay. The mozzarella was not that soft and the beet was slightly under cooked and dressing was average. Our steaks came out more on the well done side and overly seasoned instead of rare which is what we requested. The fries were over salted and so was the blue cheese sauce. For dessert we had panna cotta and pineapple cake which were good with pretty presentation and plating. I don't think I would go back mainly because I don't think the price paid was worth the quality of the food received. I was happy with the service but not so much with the actual restaurant or meals. Not very likely I will be returning to dine here.
(2)Howard R.
Great Experience all around. We didn't know if we could get in as a message on the voicemail stated they had sold out. We tried anyway and a cancellation lucked us into a table. The Host/Owner Denise is especially welcoming. The ambaince of a live guitarist playing mellow tunes also adds to the experience. Three Course Prix Fixed meals may not appeal to everyone. A few things had sold out by 8:30 but the Brussel Sprouts were delicious and presented in an artistic way. Entree was a Pork Shoulder. Delcious. GF had Salmon served on a Hotrock and Spinach Salad. Mousse dessert also good. Chef came out and visited with several tables. Only down side would be no cocktails but a great atmosphere and meal. Enjoyable surprise to us while in Chino and a thank you to fellow Yelpers for leading us here!
(5)Darlene J.
This was my second visit to this well-kept secret of Chino. I absolutely loved it. The service is excellent and the food was amazing. When you dining there you MUST order the chicken and waffles. Just the presentation of the food alone is something else. And the butternut squash soup "WOW" and the guacamole with chorizo was flavorful. I can't wait to go back! :)
(5)Sparky P.
For starters, the weekday prixe fix menus(they don't do anything else) is $22.50 per person. That's right! 3 wonderful courses for only $22.50! Even DineLA specials don't get that cheap! That alone should get 5 stars, but Owen's earns it in other ways too. It's a beautiful hole in the wall with red brick walls, old time photos, and patio furniture(even in the inside dining area). It manages to look classy, without being pretentious. The waitress/seating host/server is the wife of the chef and has won awards for her ability to serve guests. She's very friendly and you should take the time to get to know her! Even though they only serve a prix fix menu, this doesn't mean that your options are limited. They have at least five different choices available for each of the courses! Appetizer- Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with lemon aioli sauce. There were three delightful asparagus stalks wrapped and, I think cooked in a frying pan to perfection! (Mom had a sashimi salad, and my brother had lamb and flatbread) Main- Camp something, Salmon cooked on a 500 degree riverstone surrounded by mixed baby greens with vinaigrette. Under the salad were some really amazing rosemary potatoes. Mom had the Fillet Mignon which came with potatoes. If they consistently serve it thick, you might want ask for it medium butterfly style. Brother had the Rib eye. The rib eye isn't my favoritest of steaks. I would recommend getting something else, anywhere you go. Dessert- Bananas fosters. If you love this dessert you should get it here! It's really amazing! Chocolate torte- it's chocolate! Panna Cotta- really intense taste, really needed the freshly whipped cream to smooth it out. I'll be upfront. Owen's can't hold a candle to bistros in Hollywood, or Beverly Hills. But for those of us stuck out here unless we want to get stuck in traffic, Owen's is gem. Especially considering their prices, I'm amazed at the quality of the food, the presentation, and the over all experience. Just a warning. Owen's is not at all REMOTELY fast. Expect to spend a good 2 hours enjoying your meal and having conversations, becuase no matter how much you may want to leave sooner, you can't leave earlier when the chef is making your meal course by course completely from scratch! If you have a special occasion coming up, or just want grab dinner with a friend you have a lot of catching up to do, check out Owen's it won't disappoint!
(5)Sky M.
As good as it gets! We were staying in Ontario for a conference and it was so worth the drive down to Chino. We had an amazing Caesar, Steak, and Dessert, then ordered more because we were so impressed. If you are hungry or a foodie go here!
(5)Katrina L.
Delicious! Love this restaurant. Cute ambiance and very tasty food. Loved the Kobe Burger, the pasta, and the bread. Very good food at a good price.
(5)Frank W.
A true five star dining experience! The place was very cozy and the owners James and Denise were great host! You have to try the beef bone marrow and Brussels sprout. The pork loin I had was juicy and tender. The steak and the salmon my friends tried was also delicious!! Not to mention the great desserts!!!
(5)Justin K.
I'm a fan. It's a 3 course meal and every course I ordered tasted great. Started with the Suspended Salad (romaine, truffle vinaigrette, flatbread, pecorino) the combination of flavors from this plate was spectacular. For entree I opted for the extra 6$ and got the Ribeye with chimichurri sauce, red potatoes, and asparagus. I wasn't blown away but the chimichurri sauce added something a little special and steak and sides were solid. For dessert (I'm not a dessert person fyi) I got the Almond Panna Cotta with coconut whipped cream and chocolate sauce... yum. That was pretty awesome. All in all it was a great meal, they had a live guitar/vocal artist softly playing his renditions of old (dave matthews) to new (rihanna). The ambience was lovely (not feeling overly formal but still elegant), I'd recommend this joint.
(4)Trisha H.
went here for valentines day, great food and a hidden gem in the city of chino, prices are similar to fine dining in la/oc
(4)Bobby R.
Surprised food network hasn't found you. Great food, great service. Bread? WOW
(5)Anita L.
I'm a fan! We have had the good fortune of dining here on multiple occasions. What we like: -Location: Off the beaten track, but close to home. -Ample parking (A word of caution though. Wednesday evening is Market Night. We had to go around and back...) -Family owned and operated (Friendly, personal service!) -Intimate dining areas (patio and indoors), but still suitable for quiet conversation -Solid menu: Nothing too out-of -the-box or trendy but enough choices to satisfy most diners. Standout dishes were the Fried Brussel Sprouts (crispy fried leaves dusted with Parmesan and drizzled with Aioli), New York Steak (tender, flavorful, seasoned well), and the Black Licorice Panna Cotta. -GREAT value! $22.50 PP is a steal!
(4)Emily F.
I've been wanting to go to Owen's Bistro for about 2 years now and we finally went for my birthday and all I can say is that we should have come to this place much sooner! I called several days ahead to make reservations and the hostess, Denise (also the owner) called me back and confirmed with me twice and was very courteous. We had a party of 7 and chose to sit in the patio section of the restaurant which is the biggest seating area and completely enclosed. Everyone's meals' were seriously wonderful; I had the suspended salad- amazing dressing- the steak with the blue cheese sauce- one of the best pieces of meat I've ever had and perfectly cooked- and the cheesecake, which was so good I wanted to order another slice. My husband and brother-in-law let me eat their desserts after they had taken a few bites (it was my birthday, after all) and I was in dessert heaven! They had ordered the banana cake and the panna cotta and both were delicious. Our table also ordered 3 bottles of wine that went very well with our meals and the night ended with a complimentary dish of vanilla bean ice cream that was brought out to me- and yes, I ate that, too! LOL We all thought that the prices of the meals were very reasonable, given the high-quality ingredients and the presentation. One thing that is important to note about the meals is this: if you are absolutely starving and are looking for a gigantic meal, this place is not for you. The serving sizes are smaller than most of the restaurants around the I.E. but we found that it was just enough food and appreciated it all much more. The plates that much of the dishes are served on are very cool and modern, too; the panna cotta came in a dish shaped like a flattened snail shell. The cucumber slices in the water gave the meal an extra dose of class and was nicer to see than the usual slice of lemon. There are a few things that could use some improvement at the restaurant. One, if 75% of a party is there and waiting, the people already there should not have to wait and stare at their table that is ready for them as we were told to do as were were waiting for the last 2 of our 7-person party. Two, they really do need another waiter/waitress, as our meal was a 2.5 hour affair and we only got one water refill and never saw any bread, even though the dishes for it were included with our place settings. Having someone other than the one waiter/busboy and the hostess/owner serve and clear would definitely make a difference. And three, the restaurant's website needs to be updated, as we all had been looking at the menu posted on it in anticipation and when we got to the restaurant, several of the dishes that were wanted were not being offered. All in all, this truly is a hidden gem in the Inland Empire and we are looking forward to trying the Pasta night and coming back to enjoy the menu as it changes with the season
(4)Matt B.
We absolutely love this place! It's just as good now as it was when we started going there a couple years ago. The food is delicious and the owners are always present and make the evening so memorable. You get the food and the ambiance of much more expensive restaurant without the attitude. Owen's exceeds our expectations every time we go. By the way, get the brussel sprouts!
(5)Tria B.
Went here for my birthday this year. Waited a half hour for a drink, even though we were seated right away. Food was subpar this time, lobster cold and rubbery, and I was sick within twenty minutes of eating it. Sad. I really loved this place when we came last year... Inconsistency is not good in the restaurant business!!!
(1)beno h.
chino is not a great food destination, but i think this has to be the best restaurant in chino if not maybe all of the inland empire. the people here really know food. i can proudly say that i found this place on yelp. this is definitely a case of a yelp success story. one thing to note though: please make reservations before showing up here. it's not emphasized enough through yelp; but reservations are not just recommended but pretty much required. my wife and i didn't get that message via yelp, so we just showed up. thankfully, the owner denise is very nice, and she managed to squeeze us in even though we didn't have a reservation. she's really nice, but i don't want to make any promises that she can do the same for you if you just show up; so please, please, please make a reservation first. i'm from up in the san francisco bay area. even the owner denise had to admit how that pretty much automatically makes us foodies since the san francisco bay area has so many great, famous restaurants; but, let me tell you, owen's bistro would totally fit in up there amongst the big ones, no problem. skip all the franchise chain joint in the spectrum and the shoppes and head over to historic downtown for a _real_ culinary experience here at owen's bistro. since my wife and i didn't call ahead, we didn't know that we had shown up on italian pasta night. i actually don't usually eat much pasta anymore at restaurants because i'm aiming for more of a gluten.free, minimal carb, grain.restricted diet. actually, i'm more strict for my son; so, since my wife and i were out on a date night without him, we were happy that it turned out to be italian pasta night since we could enjoy all this wheat.based pasta without worrying about what to feed him. even with the menu being a little more casual on the italian pasta night; wow, everything came out still very impressive, delicious, and well.plated. on this italian pasta night, the prix fixe was really cheap, $15. they also had various add.ons and wine on the menu. in the mood for something bacony, i chose the spaghetti carbonara. my wife chose the tortellini but also added on a side of italian sausage. we got a couple of great wines to match. the buttered bread was amazingly good too, but i didn't want to eat too much of it because i'm trying to be all low.carb and everything, right? the food was really delicious, and the service was very attentive, personal, and friendly. i'm glad i discovered this restaurant on yelp and will try to come back whenever i'm in chino.
(5)Robert G.
One of the best meals I have had in a long time. Amazing service & fantastic atmosphere! I can't wait to come back again.
(5)Ty J.
This is the place for a great couples dinner. Amazing good in a comfortable atmosphere.
(5)Stacy M.
Been here twice, keep hearing rave reviews yet have yet to be amazed. First time was a Friday night at 7pm and they were sold out of both their beef filet and pork medallions. WTF??? Had the camping trip which was supposed to be a rare seared salmon but it was overlooked and completely dry. Came back on a Saturday with a group of four and finally got the beef filet and was all right, yet small. Salads are tiny, desserts are pretty good with the exception of the flavorless red velvet waffles - I did have some pretty incredible lemon panna cotta. Wine flight is nice, could use a longer pour but we were served extra selections. Still a wait with reservations, outside seating for more than half the restaurant so dress warmly in cold weather, long waits for food even though the place is small and menu is pre fixe . Menu changes all the time so you cannot expect to see your favorites every time you go (like that lemon panna cotta, where did it go???) Still waiting to be amazed.
(2)Kim K.
came here for my birthday. It is such a romantic and private setting bistro. The food was great and they had someone playing soft guitar music. Love this place!!!!
(5)Selena T.
This is one of our favorite places to visit when we visit our family in Chino Hills. This is a secret gem that you don't expect to find in this town. The service is friendly and prompt. The food and the wine is always excellent! We've attended some of their wine pairing dinners--- even had our wedding reception dinner outside; which has an Italian feel. The atmosphere is intimate and the staff like family but the food is high-end Cali-fusion at a reasonable price.
(5)Joshua d.
As A Chef it was an honor to have visited such a gen in the IE if only there were more great places to eat the food was amazing i was so very impressed with Chef James and His wonderful Wife Denise there little place i the best the IE has to offer at the moment i wish the the best for the future and i plan on cooking with Chef James on one of there guest chef night hope to eat there again soon. Thank you Chef Josh
(5)Sheri F.
wow...what a hidden gem in chino! My husband and I visit CA often and this has become favorite dining experience. Quaint beautiful open brick patio adorned with hanging white lights. The menu is eclectic, organic and always creative. The fried brussel sprouts are a must. The husband and wife team make a dynamic team and will always ensure your visit is pleasant. Love the per person price which includes your appetizer, entree and dessert. Just enough to please the pallet and feel satisfied. Love it and wish we lived closer :)
(5)Brenda M.
Simple menu, limited choices but good variety. Spinach salad was small but entree was good size. Had "The Camping Trip", grilled salmon served on a sizzling hot river rock - creative, but DON'T touch the rock! It was insanely hot the entire time, but like a kid, I had to touch it - holy crap HOT! Anyway...looked like a salad when it arrived. It's burried under a mound of mesculin mix salad but it's a good dish. Creme brulee was just ok but the French press coffee was great. Will definitely go back to try a few other dishes for sure.
(3)John G.
I literally love this restaurant. Denise (hostess/waitress) is the co-owner with her husband James and they both will make you feel like you are old friends. She makes excellent wine suggestions for any type of meal you order. The second time we went there, she remembered us, when we came in last, what wine we liked, I wanted to sing the theme song to "Cheers" basically. The menu is prix fixe, which is some other language for "you eat what we tell you". It's a set price menu with 3 courses, approximately 4-5 options per course. The menu changes monthly and certain weeknights have a theme that will also carry a different menu. I have never been disappointed with anything I've ordered, even the chicken and waffles, James was able to take the idea and turn it into fine dining while still making it taste awesome. The location is somewhat in a weird spot, but beyond that, this place hits it spot on every time
(5)Jonathan C.
There is no doubt the food here is good. This is why I have been here multiple times. However, the last outing was a bit different than previous visits. In the past, my party has only been two people. This time around, there were seven of us including a couple kids. While you can find a couple things that kids would eat (they happen to have chicken and waffles on the menu, not something you normally would expect from this restaurant), I would not recommend this for small children. But if you're a big kid, the food is tasty! This isn't something I would expect the restaurant to change. However, the service was not up to standard in a few areas. What was probably the most disappointing was that the food came out at different times. The menu included small plates of most of the entrees, but only one person in the party ordered multiple small plates, yet the entrees came in waves with considerable time in between. So, if you're trying to be polite and wait for others (like I did), your food gets cold! I can understand that this may be caused due to the kitchen staff (of one?), but this really shouldn't happen. The other disappointment was the boxing up of the leftovers. We had some of the chicken and waffle left over and asked for it to be boxed up along with the honey that came with it. Not only was the honey not put aside in another container (shouldn't you have the foresight to consider that by putting on the wet ingredients on the dry before re-warming, it only makes the food soggy?), but only a small portion was drizzled onto the waffle that was left over (so, in reality, only a small portion of my leftover was soggy...but the rest was not flavored correctly). For a restaurant striving to create a fine dining experience, these are really major missteps in my mind. However, the food is still delicious and I'm able to overlook this...at least for now.
(4)Steven Q.
We heard great reviews about this restaurant so I decided to take my wife to celebrate Valentines Day. The restaurant is small but very personal and friendly. We were greeted promptly and we were escorted inside to a nice table. The food was amazing. The lobster entree was a little rare to my taste but everything else was a treat! Would definitely recommend this restaurant for a nice indulgent evening out.
(4)Kerry W.
This is simply 5 star food in a really cool Napa-esq old town feel restaurant. Everything to eat here is fantastic. The only problem is they have no clue how to deliver service. Maitre d' of the year award?? from who?? We have eaten here about 10x and the service is consistent. BAD! Long waits for everything. even the inability to decide where to seat you, long times between visiting your table and long waits often for food. If they can simply get this right it could be the best restaurant within 30 miles of Chino, I hope they do, because I don't want to be embarrassed recommending this place to friends. We will eat there again this week and update this review review update: Food still great/Service still bad, the hostess is simply not good.. I feel bad because it seems like they dont know this..and the award is obviously bogus
(4)Jonathan L.
One the most pleasant and personal dining experiences I've ever had.
(5)Becky H.
Owen's is an experience! Family owned and operated. The menu changes every night; it is preselected as in a group event, except that here the selections are exquisite! I had a vegetarian lasagna that had made its debut the week we went there. It was delicious! =) I will be coming back again
(5)Meredith R.
The best restaurant I have ever been to, period. Worth every penny. Food, service, ambiance, music, presentation, everything. Five stars. Too bad it is located in Chino and I am not... go for Valentine's Day weekend and get the wine pairing, it may be your only dining splurge for the year but it is WORTH IT. They can and will accommodate any dietary request if you call ahead. What are you doing? Call and make a reservation now!!
(5)Nicholas B.
Went here with a couple of friends on a wednesday night. I got the chicken and waffles. The chicken was moist but the breading was bad. The waffles were nothing special. The chicken and waffles came with a little bit of syrup and sour cream. The sour cream was a bad choice it tasted horrible with the other flavors on the plate. Another friend got the Gnnochi it was bland and the cream was a little soupy. the third person got the filet mignon it was good and cooked well. Over all I wasnt impressed and probably wont be going back here again.
(3)Johanna S.
Incredible food made by an artist and served with love. We got several small plates - the Bulgarian feta/salad was the best I've had outside of Bulgaria, the pork belly was divine (on a bed of some sort of pickled cabbage - sounds weird but sooo good). The best surprise was the vegetables. From the broccoli to brussels sprouts - pure delicious artistry. If you love food, don't miss this place. Make sure to make reservations (it helps them plan and trust me you want to help them).
(5)Eric P.
Great experience at Owen's Bistro. This is probably the best restaurant in the Chino/Chino Hills Area. One of my customers recommended this place to me and it did not disappoint. It is a very small but classy dining area, and the service was top notch. It did take a little long to receive our food but they had someone playing the guitar so it was pleasant. There is a very nice outside patio that will be great on summer nights. I had the Fillet Mignon which was top notch and my wife had the Halibut served over a hot rock (which was different but absolutely fantastic). I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to enjoy a romantic evening or a special occasion.
(5)Melissa B.
This place has been a family favorite for years. Great for a celebration dinner. It has a wonderful atmosphere. Service is great. I have loved everything I have tried here. The "camping trip" which is salmon served steaming on hot rocks is always a hit at our table. The chiefs homemade pastas are always great. We attended a wine dinner a few months ago where they serve meals matched with specific wines. The entire night was a blast. Every dish was explained by the chief himself and matched wonderfully with the wine. One of my best dinning out experiences of my life. I will never forget it.
(5)Neil B.
Love. Love. Love. Owen's is a gem in the rough of the Inland Empire. Quality cuisine at an affordable price. Exceptional service every time I've been there. Honestly, there is nothing negative I can say about this place. Don't take my word for it... Do yourself a favor and enjoy a meal at Owen's Bistro.
(5)Ryan P.
Wow! I know now why chef Kelly received "Chef of the Year" honors! The place is great to take your wife, girlfriend or to impress someone. The food was fantastic, great, succulent, and everything noun you can describe a food. You get a three course meal at a very good price and I would recommend the stuff mushrooms for appetizer, salmon for the main course and their dessert are to die for, I forgot the name, but I know it's a pasty chocolate. The location was great too, I dined with my wife, my kids and my mom and we enjoyed the place, but next time it will just be me and my wife and leave the kids to grandma. We ate at the patio area and the place had a romantic ambiance with candle light, cool fall breeze and great food to make you feel so relaxed. So an advice for anyone who have kids, you can take them, but it's better without them and it will make your dining experience better. But if you do take them, eat outside at the patio area and make sure they have their video games since the place gets crowded and the meals are prepared to perfection. Oh yeah, I forgot to add that they're only open from Wed-Sat! Call and reserve now.
(5)Jennifer F.
I absolutely adore Owen's Bistro. This is my go to spot for a romantic or special occasion meal at (what I feel) is a very reasonable price. If you're looking for a quick meal, this is not your spot. However, if you adore lingering over your meal with great food, great company and great wine you must try Owen's. Their portions are not huge, but you have three courses to move through, so by the end you will be fulfilled. They also have french press coffee, which I absolutely adore (and will gladly pay extra for since it's divine). Definitely heed others' advice and make reservations, since it is a small place. And if you are ever in the Chino area looking for a fabulous mom and pop fine dining restaurant, try Owen's! I truly doubt you will be disappointed.
(5)CMI I.
Friday night...not really crowded. Ambiance: excellent for an intimate dinner cute venue indoor/outdoor area available. Certainly does NOT feel like your in the middle of Chino! Service: very personal, I believe our server (the only one there) is the wife of the owner. She brought everything in a timely manner...she knew when we were ready fir the next course without being a hover-maid. Great personal service however, there were only a few tables to wait at the time. Makes you feel like youre NOT in the middle of Chino. Food: Spinach Salad: Candied bananas w vinaigrette dress A- Asparagus: 3 pieces with bacon well cooked not overdone and soggy. B+ Lamb: Perfect A+ Fillet: had better B- it did not have that melt in your mouth quality of a steakhouse, not sure it's fair to compare but just sayin, I've had better. Bananas foster: good presentation well prepped, rates like every other bananas foster. Cheesecake with coconut and almonds: had a homemade quality Didn't try the wine flight but the recommended wine was very different but in a good way.
(4)Chau L.
What a great finding =) This bistro is amazing with its quaintness and is like a secret garden. We met the chef and his wife! They are so nice! The food was delicious and FRESH! The 3 course meals really did it for us .. it was one of the reason that we decided to come. We'll come back again for the SPRING MENU, then summer, and fall =) I think it's going to be yummy and beautiful.
(5)Kate B.
This was our first time and we will absolutely be back. Wonderful atmosphere on the patio with a great and not too loud acoustic guitarist. Service could not have been more attentive. Food was delicious. We started with the garlic cheese bread which was as good as everyone said and sambal deviled eggs. We both had Maine lobster tails with coconut jasmine rice and bok choy. Slightly salty but delicious and flavorful. Dessert was vanilla panna cotta and bourbon cake - both were great. A great evening all around.
(5)Richard L.
Great Great food! Came here Valentines day and sat in the outside area on nicely decorated table and aluminum lawn chairs, had their Valentine menu with the wine pairing, and their dessert platter and it was GREAT! People next to us were happy, the place was lively, a guy was singing, the chef came out and greeted everyone and the hostess was charming. It was just what I was looking for.
(5)Stephanie C.
I've never given anywhere a 5 star (that I can remember) but this place is amazing. The staff, the food, the ambiance, it is all top notch. Everything there tastes good and the ingredients, talent, execution is great. Added with a dash of adventure and their menu from top to bottom is beyond compare. If you want a nice night out with food that will leave you thinking about it for several days, go here. Now! Try the brussel sprouts and the peppered steak and the chicken and waffles and the...just go try it all.
(5)Toanito D.
Ambience: Relaxed, intimate, leisurely, quaint European like setting. Service: Attentive, friendly and professional, Food: Good portion not huge, well balanced taste Price: Excellent prix-fixe menu, I'd consider a bargain We went on a Wednesday night. It was not crowded so service was attentive. Our water glasses never went empty. The food was a step above your good neighborhood restaurant and made to order so it took time to come out. Don't come if you are on a schedule. If you want a leisurely night out, this is an excellent place. My wife had a salad, salmon on river rock, and chocolate cake. The salmon came out ontop of river rocks that was heated to 400 dergrees and made a beautiful presentation. I swear some body had on hip boots and just caught the fish before dinner :) I had tomato soup, some kind of nouveau pork, and chocolate mousse. I gotta tell you that not everything was perfect. The dinner roll was OK, and the pork was very good but did not knock my socks off. So I took one star off. Other that that though, it was excellent through out. The taste was well balanced with excellent flavor. If you have a sweet tooth, you will not like their desert. However, if you have refined taste, their desert is well crafted and the flavors blend beautifully. The presentation was as good as you see on the food network and added much for eye candy. So I added one star and overall it still deserved a 5 stars rating.
(5)Sleepie K.
This place is a hidden gem. I would never ever thought a place like this would exist in Chino. Food was really yummy. You get a 3 course prix-fixe menu for under $30. Love it!
(5)Pamela K.
my husband and i came here for a valentines dinner on sunday. They had service that Sunday to celebrate Valentines weekend. The food was very good considering there aren't any fresh quality restaurants nearby. The dining room was nice and intimate,probably holds about 10 couple tables inside, but there's also an outdoor sitting. Our only complaint was, and it played a big role for us, it took forever to get our food and expectations were raised. We got seated and they served us water. Then we waited almost an hour to get the first course. An amuse bouche... A single bite. Then the salad, then appetizer. We were also served surf and turf, filet mignon and lobster. I totally get the whole serving your meat the right way. Nice and pink/red in the middle. but i think my cow was still movin around. It was borderline purple... what do i do then in that situation. I don't want to insult the chef, but I also don't want to get food poinising. I took a couple of bites and yeah it definitely could have been left on the grill longer. Another some what disappointment was the dessert. After all Valentines is about sweet things and I for one love all sweet lovely foods. Another bummer. Dessert did not put a smile on my face. I think I loved the edible sugary flower best on that 3 way chocolate plate. Maybe we'll give it another shot. They were very pleasant, I just don't understand 2 hours of dinner service in such a tiny tiny small place. I have been to plenty of very formal dining experiences and two hours never happened. If I have to dine 2 hours, then it better be food that will be on my last meal on earth list.... and it's not!!
(3)Monty V.
Nearly a month has passed since I dined here for a friend's birthday dinner with two other couples, so the every detail of my event is starting to be vague. What I can tell you though is what stands out still. The two that jump out are the ambiance and wine. Now this is not to say the food is not good because the food was also superb. The restaurant has a small dining area inside but the attached building at the entrance is where you want to be for larger groups. Set in what looks to be an old firehouse, though it's not, it's built with red bricks and open windows and open fourth wall that has been covered with a clear plastic. Seating is simple and wine was served while waiting for our seats. One thing missing were possibly bistro type chairs and tables while we were waiting. Reservations are a must here so the wait was minimal and drinking wine while standing was much more social. Throughout the evening we dusted off eight bottles of wine between the six of us. Bell Vineyard of Napa Valley was the popular recommendation by the owners and the "Sonette" was by far one of our favorites. The vineyard visits once a year and they host an event at the restaurant which I'm hoping I don't miss on my next vacation back home. For your foodies this is not a place to come and gorge on a mountain full of food. It's a mandatory three course meal where you have a handful of selections for both meat eaters and vegetarians. Some portions were a bit pretentious for me but I think with the modest pricing it was fine compared to most nice places. You definitely get full you are just not going to need to unbutton your pants when you are in the car. One thing that stood out was the beet soup which was poured over a small handful of cotton candy. This was the most surprising treat. Everything was excellent overall and a very consistent meal. I'll be back here again when I'm back in December.
(5)Peter M.
This was a great find, and now one of my favorite restaurants. It is also a fantastic deal, $30 a person gets you an A+ meal. It is a beautiful location, with live music and friendly welcoming atmosphere. Though it was a hot day, we sat outside and the wind kept the temperature perfect. The water was really tasty, with a slice of cucumber in it :) All meals are 3 course, my wife and I got different options and shared with each other, every item was tasty. We were very happy with the experience. We recommend the calamari, it comes in a large piece bread crusted and wasabi'd to perfection. There was the normal street riff raff of the area being rambunctious, other than that a great location near a fountain and nice walkway along the back. The location is remote, no street signs and no marketing from what I can tell. It really is the best kept secret of Chino, please stay in business forever :)
(5)Lisa C.
I came here for my birthday and had the best meal I have had in a while. They have a Pri Fixe 3 course Menu for 26.95 that is most delicious. I got the deep fried brussell sprouts with a Parmesan cream (it sounds weird but is so yummy) my main course was a pepper crusted steak that was cooked to perfection and served with a blue cheese cream sauce. Dessert was a peanut butter chocolate mousse. I love this place as it is family owned and run, the Hostess is married to the Chef. I will come back soon.
(5)Sanders Y.
Welcome to the only reason I ever go to Chino. Owen's Bistro is a hidden gem in a city not really known for good cuisine. Both my wife and I are huge fans of this establishment. We've dined here at least a half a dozen times already and Owen's has yet to disappoint. This little restaurant is run by a husband and wife team. She runs the front end and he runs the kitchen. They run a pretty lean operation which in turn allows us to dine on 5 star cuisine at half the price! Don't confuse this with crappy service as Denise is very pleasant and attentive. The meals are prix fixed 3 course meals that allow a few selections per course as well as add-ons that cost a little extra. The wife and I often make a mistake of adding on side items since we love the food, but really the 3 course meals are portioned perfectly and ordering extra always puts us over the top. All the food is seasonal and selected daily by the chef and everything is made from scratch as should be expected of a high-end establishment. Tuesday's are past a nights, which are offered at a discounted price, but not discounted quality. The pastas are handmade is frankly much better than any other pasta we've had in the area and even better than pastas we've had in restaurants in Boston's North End and other Italian communities. The gnocchi is especially good. They don't always offer it, but it is the best that I've ever had. It's just one of those items that you are always in search of a good version of, but rarely find it. Well, I've found mine here at Owen's. The food is refined, yet the presentations are usually reserved. The food exhibits an excellent knowledge of flavor profiles and often contains flavorful subtleties that excites the palette. There may have been one or two dishes that have kind of missed their mark, but no matter what we order, the results never cease to amaze us. At the end of the night, we are always happy campers after dining at Owen's. They have limited seating, with only half a dozen tables indoors and a small courtyard of tables outdoors, so I always make sure to call in a reservation in advance. If Owen's were any other place than Chino, they'd be booked up weeks in advance, but as it is, reservations should be pretty easy to make.
(5)Kristen J.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday night for good food and good conversation. The place was relatively full but there was no feeling of chaos or stress from any of the staff or other patrons. The service was prompt and attentive, the hostess was very warm. The food was also delicious! I can't stress enough how delicious it was! I had the Spinach salad, "The Camping Trip" (which is seared salmon served with mixed greens and roasted potatoes), and finished with the Almond Panna Cotta (not sure of the spelling). All courses were delicious and the amount of food was quite satisfying for the price. The wine list also offers something for everyone. I had a glass of their sauvignon blanc. The price was great, we received a lot for our money. $70 for two people (including wine). Definitely a place to spend a nice night out. The reason Owen's receives 4 instead of 5 stars is the long gap between courses but this may not bother most people because Owen's is a great place for extended dinner conversation.
(4)Raul M.
just want to say customer service sucks sucks i really really wouldn't come back ever again, my food never came after waiting for 2 hours this place is the worse place I've ever visited to eat . i don't recommend this place, customer service sucks sucks sucks sucks....
(1)CJ Q.
I came across this little restaurant about a year ago but was always hesitant to try it. The only reason why I found it is because it's right across the Library (yes, I frequent the library). It's in a hidden area which makes it more intimate. I have been dying to try this place and now that I have, WOW! The food tastes awesome! The spouse and I had the 3 course meal and it was filling. Seafood pasta, Filet Mignon, dessert... YUM! Oddly enough, this establishment did not break the bank. This place is such a great find! Think romantic: dining under the stars in an intimate outdoor area, strings of lights across the way, candles to light your table, a water fountain in the background to create peacefulness... *sigh* The chef is amazing.. =O
(4)Kim R.
This place truly is amazing! Hubby & I went to celebrate our anniversary and fell in love with the service & ambiance. The owners wife served us complimentary champagne to toast and was very friendly. Hubby had the chicken w/waffles which is a basic food item, but it was delicious! chicken was soft & moist. I had the scallops which was fresh and flavorful. The food is great, the price is fair and the ambiance is cozy! A must try place! They also have wine night every month.
(5)Stacy V.
I expected the food at this restaurant to be outstanding, which it was. I'm only giving this place three stars because the food was the only good thing about Owen's Bistro. I would expect that a five-star restaurant would look like... well, a five-star restaurant. The decor here was lacking. The inside is basically brick walls and concrete floors with a few pictures on the walls. The seating was dreadful - basically metal tables and chairs that reminded me of cheap patio furniture. A half an hour after we'd sat down, my back was killing, and I don't have back problems! To make matters worse, it was freezing cold - probably because of the brick walls and concrete floors and lack of heating. We basically shivered through the entire meal, which took close to two hours. The food was excellent, but it was difficult to enjoy the experience because I was so uncomfortable. The menu changes every so often, and there's only 5-6 entrees offered, so I would advise checking the website to see the menu before actually going to the restaurant. Also beware that the website can be out-of-date - I noticed that one of the entrees listed on the website was not on the menu. If you are looking for superb food, I would recommend Owen's, with two tips: 1. Bring a cushion to put on the chair 2. Wear a thick sweater or bring a space heater.
(3)Michael K.
Can an LA foodie find a romantic gourmet bistro in Chino? Hell yeah! I came here solely on Yelp's score, and boy was I pleased. We started with the flash-fried beets, just because it was different and they were very yummy. Not over-cooked and soft, but just (if I can steal an Italian word) "aldente." We moved on to the asparagus truffle soup. I am not a big fan of truffle, but this was a lovely balance of the two and was perfectly seasoned, no salt or pepper needed to be added. My date had the Filet Mignon Medallions which I tasted, and they seemed okay, but she ordered them too well-done for me to really enjoy. Nice sized portion. I had the most expensive thing on the menu, the New Zealand Rack of Lamb. Talk about potions, it was a full rack, cut in half to show off the perfectly cooked chops. The flavor was stunning (no sign of gamey) and and the texture was classic New Zealand. Absolutely one of the best racks I tasted. For desert, we shared a baked Alaska (which you so rarely see on a menu) made with their home-made lemon ice cream was a work of art and scrumptious. Service was excellent and the live entertainment was amazing. Will be back, especially for their wine dinners.
(4)U g.
Talk about finding a gem, it has that nice cozy bistro feel. Went last night without a reservation, I am so glad the owner accommodated us. Even though initially it looked like she was not happy we showed up unannounced. But she was great at attending to us. The food....Amazing! I can not wait to go back with my hubby for a date night.
(4)Ken K.
Seemed a little short handed sat down 15 minutes later the our reservation. Once we sat down in the indoor outdoor area we felt much more relaxed. The food was excellent, service also very good, great ambiance with live music. Little bit loud but still enjoyable. Will definitely come back and would recommend to friends.
(4)Tomas S.
Great time and fabulous food. The ambiance and service are truly 5 star. Hidden Gem of Chino.
(5)Karen A.
Our favorite local restaurant. Always amazing food, with great taste and artistry and a wonderful ambiance. Denise always makes is feel welcomed!
(5)Terry V.
Always an outstanding meal at Owens! You will Never disappointed, the Crispy Brussel Sprouts are So good we had to have 2 orders! Food for you soul, food for your ears with a smooth a guitar player and food for your spirit with great wine, a wonderful place to have great conversation and a good meal just like the old days!
(5)N S.
Definitely a hidden gem in chino... Food was excellent! Very freshly made. Atmosphere was very relaxing & intimate. Highly recommend trying it out!
(5)Beee D.
We had such a nice dinner experience tonight. From start to end, Denise Kelly took care of us. We usually have dinner at home on the weekdays and end up dissatisfied if we try somewhere new but not tonight. Our meal was very satisfying, every dish was prepared just right. I had the prix fixe special: Lobster Bisque, Beef Wellington, and Banana Foster. Hubby had the rack of lamb. We shared the Brussels Sprouts (which are probably the best I've ever had), and meatballs filled with dates (yum)! It sounds like a lot of food and it was, we were sold after the first couple of bites and got greedy. But what we appreciated more than the food was the personal and intimate service. I can see why we were surrounded by appreciative regulars. We even got to know a really cool couple that sat beside us, how often does something like that happen? There were several hugs exchanged. And to top it off, they had a mom and daughter duo sing classic songs throughout the night. We're told they're there every Thursday night between 6-9pm as part of their Throwback Thursday special. Their voices are so soft and beautiful, it's such a nice plus. The overall ambiance is romantic and very charming. Parking was super easy. At the end of our meal, Chef James Kelly came out to greet each table to ask how our meal was...that was the icing on the cake. And then of course, Denise walked us out. These are the exact reasons we look for privately owned establishments. We told them we will be back and we sure will be.
(5)Ella M.
Walk in on a Wednesday evening with no reservations. Was greeted by the hostess (lovely lady). Seated us right away. The ambiance was very rustic (brick and mortar). It was not crowded but the place was busy when we arrived. She gave us plenty of time to look at our menu before asking if we were ready to order. We got the fried Brussels sprouts, kale and tomato soup, Angus Ribeye and Pork belly. You must try the fried Brussels sprouts its pretty good. My friend and I also enjoyed the soup. The Angus ribeye was pretty yummy. It was accompanied with chimichurri, corn and purple potatoes. It was cooked it our liking (medium). It had the prefect crust and it was so delicious (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). The crispy pork belly was to die for! You must try it! We ending the night with their s'more dessert and coffee. It was getting pretty late but they didn't make us feel unwelcome or rushed cause they're closing. The experience was amazing. Our hostess was very warm and very attentive.
(5)Jason G.
Simply stated..... This place is a hidden gem. The food is amazing ..... The service is outstanding..... The owners/ chef took the time to talk with me....awesome and super humble....super happy and satisfied......will definitely come back in the future. J and J
(5)Ling L.
Guests can choose to dine in patio area with live music or inside where is more quiet. Excellent atmosphere and food. The chef is really creative. The prefix menu is definitely worth the value. I especially love the port belly. We enjoyed palatable starters, main dishes and deserts. It was a very nice dinning experience for our family. Will return soon.
(5)Dan G.
A great relaxing atmosphere ! Fantastic wine to start then on to the appetizers. Wow! The main course was outstanding. The menu is limited but perfected. What ever you order will be perfectly made and served. The menu also changes constantly so variety is there.
(5)Howard F.
My wife has been intrigued about this place since she saw it had 4 1/2 stars on their review. We love to explore and try new places and very much enjoy tasty foods. That is about the only thing I would give them credit for, good but not great food. They are still eons away from establishments like Ink, Providence, or Jean-Georges. Maybe if they improved on their service, then they might be on their way towards that direction. We had a reservation for 2 at 6:30pm. We were running errands all day and decided to just go wearing what we had on, jeans and sweaters (profile does state casual). Since my wife is pregnant and I thought maybe they had a separate tasting or preset menu, I stated that in my reservation. I guess the host/server (possibly the wife) wasnt aware of why I put that down and with a snarky attitude asked why I put that down. Didnt think anything of it at the time so I just explained why. Sat down without much of a wait and since we wanted to really try this place out, we ordered the brussel sprouts, gnocchis, and stuffed meat balls to start (and also their pepper soup which they forgot). Had their ribeye and pork belly for our entrees and pie and chocolate cake for dessert. After ordering, I noticed that the same host/server was telling all the other tables about their specials which werent told to us. Also noticed that she got very snarky when I had any questions. She didnt seem like she wanted to service us in anyway. Almost like it was a bother to her with us to dine there. She sure was treating others differently though. Very tentative to their questions. Towards the end I even gave her an opportunity to acknowledge that she forgot my soup by saying "we will need to come back to try your 7 pepper soup". Not only did she not acknowledge or remember that she forgot our soup, she had a look of disappointment when I said I would come back for the soup and just said "okay". Food was decent and served in a timely manner, but what happened at the end did it for me. When I gave my credit card for the bill, it was looked at with a weird expression and I was asked for my ID. I thought maybe that was just their policy but noticed others paying their bill without being asked for identification. Maybe my jeans and sweater wasnt up to par with the other patrons that wore jeans and sweaters. I did have tennis shoes on (again, their profile stated casual) and maybe they thought I was too poor or stole a credit card. Needless to say I will not be coming back.
(1)Melodi R.
Met up with 3 other couples for a nice dinner at Owen's. On a Friday night they were short-handed, but we still got friendly service. Their wait staff wasn't quite the level I expected (they were just kids on summer break I think), but not bad. The food was VERY good! I started with the Suspended Salad. Tasty and with a creative presentation! I had the Risotto for dinner. But the table tried Gnocchi, the Short Ribs and the Chicken & Waffles...there was not much talking...we were all busy eating! For dinner we shared a couple of deserts...both were delicious! I'd return again someday for a special meal or to celebrate an event. It's a very nice surprise in Chino. Support local business and support SMALL business!
(4)Robert W.
Owen's a hidden gem, is arguably the best restaurant in Chino. Owen's is tucked into a neat brick building. They can seat more people outside on their patio than in the restaurant. The restaurant is run by a husband and wife team, James and Denise Kelly, and named after their son. Denise is the maître d', and has been there every time I have gone. I've met James a few times, he is a hands on executive chef and usually in the kitchen. Owen's typically offers five to ten small plates or appetizers. I recommend ordering one appetizer for every two or three people. They always have one fresh soup made with market fresh vegetables and delightful salads to start your meals. One of the most popular entrées is their catch of the day, Fish on a rock. I never recall the fish being anything other than salmon though the menu says it is their fresh fish of the day. The fish is served rare on a hot riverstone. The stone is intended to hold the fish between the kitchen and while it is resting at your table. They have a great wine list starting at about 28 bucks, their most expensive bottle tops out at around 50 dollars. One of the bottles of Napa cab they offered was about the same Dessert, I cannot state I am a panacota, fan. However James makes a butterscotch panacota that is luxurious. Also I am a total sucker for baked Alaska, he makes a chocolate with orange ice cream Alaska that can hold a candle to the original baked You will not get in and out of Owens quickly. If you're looking to catch a fast meal before you have something else to do I do not recommend the place. If you're looking for a casual establishment to spend some time conversing with your fellow table mates Owen's is the perfect spot. On busy nights it can take a while for your food to come out of the kitchen. However, the atmosphere is conducive to spending quality time with the Denise does a very good job of training her staff and running the front of the house. The staff is attentive without being obtrusive. While I have never been on a weeknight, their price fixe menu looks great. If you're going on the weekend reservations are highly recommended as the place does fill up. If you want to go on Yelp or OpenTable to make your reservation, you can't. Owen's only takes reservations the old-fashioned way by talking to them on the telly, I like that. You would easily spend three times as much in old town Pasadena or any one of the hipster places along the seedy edges of downtown LA for food of the caliber you get at Owen's.
(5)Andy C.
Pork meatballs for the appetizer, unfortunately, not too much different and/or highly similar to meatballs purchased from Costco. Pork belly, executed poorly, large pieces of the pork were dry and under season. The toppings "pickles" were bit too sour and salty. The dish didn't justified the amount that was priced. Atmosphere, nice but not memorable. Service was slow but somewhat attentive. Chef came out and greeted with the customers towards the end of the night, which we thought was a nice gesture. In conclusion, the price ultimately didn't had the value expected.
(2)Naomi H.
Service was lacking when we went. Sat down and noticed only one table in the full patio had food. Had to flag down people to get water and drinks after waiting over ten minutes. Servers were nice but inattentive. Food came out very slow. Nothing stood out except for the duck confit which was very salty. I liked the gnocchi but everything else unfortunately wasn't properly seasoned. Didn't expect to stay two hours for food that didn't impress. The guitarist was great though.
(2)Micaela A.
My husband and I came here for our 5th anniversary dinner. Owen's was exactly what we were looking for. The food is amazing. The service is top notch. The ambiance is great, a true hidden gem. They even had the table decorated to help us celebrate. 100% we will be back.
(5)Rolando M.
A breath of fresh air in the city of Chino. I have eaten at a lot of "fancy" "upscale" restaurants before, and trust me when I say this place is up there. I know there are alot of reviews stating that the wait is long etc. But I went midweek and made sure i had a reservation. Upon entering I told our waitress, which I think is the owner, that I had reservations at 7 and was greeted by my first name. Immediately we were seated. Soft music playing in the background. The decors were very modern and chic. The setting is very intimate and personal. Our waitress was very attentive and well versed with the menu. I remember at one point i accidentally dropped my fork and she was at another table. Right after she came with a new fork. She even set the spoon for our dessert on the correct side for my left handed girlfriend. The menu was very creative and daring. For appetizers we ordered crispy fried brussels sprouts and beet fries. The brussels sprouts was lightly salted, crispy, with a sour cheesy aioli. Very interesting and delicious. The beet fries, i dont know how i feel about them. I am potato type of guy, so I could be bias. But they almost tastes like salted mini corn with a sour cheesy aioli. It was good, don't get me wrong, but a little weird for me. For the main course, my girlfriend ordered the slow braised short ribs and I, of course, went for the steak, prime rib if I remember correctly. Both were utterly delicious. I drooled a few times at the crust on the steak and how savory it was. The short ribs were delicious as well, especially with the sides of pureed potato with veggies and pomegranates. BUT, BUT, the dessert was the top of the night. Best dessert I have bad, hands down. 12 Year old Scotch Butterscotch Panna Cotta... Served in a spiral dish with creme fraiche in the center and cookie crumbs. First bite I didn't know what I was eating. Second bite I could taste all the ingredients well balanced. The scotch in the back end dancing with the butterscotch. Soft custard with the creme fraiche to add an extra texture and sweetness. The crumbled cookie pieces added a crunch. OMG! we are half way through this dessert and I want more...but in the end it was bittersweet. Just enough to leave me satisfied and wanting more. Overall a great experience, i will be recommending this place to friends and family. My advice, go mid week. Make reservations so you aren't complaining on the wait. And as for the price that some people complained about. There is no price on great service, great food, and great ambiance. Touche!
(5)Shannon T.
Had a girls night out here on a Friday night! Love the live performance!! Food was good and the service was good!! It is so great to find such a lovely non-franchised restaurant in non Downtown LA or Hollywood area. The rack of lamb was awesome, cooked perfectly and huge portion! The Singapore chili shrimp was full of favor!! so tasty!! Even the salad was good :) Plus, i love the atmosphere and the attentive service!! This is a very good place to have both romantic dinner or group of friends hang-out. I sure will come back for more visits!
(5)Rho L.
The girls and I had an impromptu date night planned.. or unplanned really. It's a bit difficult for me to get away during weeknights cause the kid keeps me relatively busy, but I was able to make an exception this time. I relayed a few suggestions for the resto and we decided on Owen's Bistro. I hadn't been here in a few years and was excited to see what they've done to their menu since my last visit. The restaurant is beautiful. Small, dimly lit, very ntimate, perfect for date nights or a fancy shmancy dinner without having to empty your pockets. Take note boys (and girls)! The owner, lovely lady, greeted my friend by name before we even entered their doors. Granted we were probably the only reservation for the evening --but regardless, that set such a good tone for the rest of our night. I cannot say enough about the service. Ms Kelly was friendly but not invasive, bubbly but not annoying and imparted such an uplifting vibe about her. She recommended wines/ drinks that truly made our meals much more enjoyable. Everything on the menu sounded fantastic. But here's a breakdown of what we shared: Bread basket - Easily in my top 5 breadbaskets over the course of my lifetime, and I've had many, many of them. The bread was buttery, chewy outside, soft inside. Wow. If I wasn't so diet conscious I would have eaten it all myself. Fried beets - I've never been a fan of beets until recently, well no,I still don't like them much, but these were just awesome for someone barely beginning their venture into eating this reddish purple root (veggie? fruit?) Mac and Cheese - I wasn't a huge fan, but mainly because the bleu cheese was very overpowering. That definitely did not affect my thoughts of our meal, since bleu cheese kinda does that to most dishes. Loved the flash fried spinach on top. Gnocchi - Not my favorite dish, but the creamy caper sauce was light, flavorful and paired well with the gnocchi. Pork Chop - Star entree of the night for me. It was perfectly seasoned, great kick, tender, and went really well with the black beans. I could eat this all day. Duck Confit and waffle - Savory waffle and crispy duck. Delish. This is a must try. Mexican Hot Chocolate Panna Cotta - Abuelita would lick the bowl. Banana bread pudding - The girls really enjoyed this, exclaiming "oh my god" on their first taste. Owen's Bistro is a five all the way for me. We were all thoroughly pleased and will be returning more sooner than later. I may even just come myself for the bread basket and pork chop.
(5)Janissa W.
Right when you walk in you see a welcoming host and beautiful lights that sets a romantic and happy feeling! I went there to celebrate my parents anniversary and they had a throwback while we were eating delicious, enjoyable, and pleasant dishes that came out surprising fast! Our server was really nice and she talked to us like family and her husband was actually the head chief and he came out to greet us and it was a really nice experience especially for my parents! They opened not long ago which was quiet surprising! Their location isn't bad but it's pretty isolated. Also around Owens Bistro are little drug stores and meat markets that made me a little worried but once I found a parking lot filled with cars just for Owens Bistro I was assured. Make sure to make a reservation first!
(5)Zelda H.
my husband and I ate here about 2 years ago and enjoyed the food. A bit slow on service but nothing too bad to complain about. with that said...a fellow business owner/friend told me his wife wanted to go for her birthday, I suggested him to take her and they will love it plus get reservation's they where a party of 3 couples and one was not there when they got there...so they were told they could not be seated until the other couple arrived..?...with that being a 20min wait...they felt they were treated badly and when the other couple arrived they chose to go to another restaurant. I was shocked...they could have been seated and ordered some wine and appetizers while they waited. With both of us business owners in Chino know how important customer service is...it was shocking to me to get such harsh service...I won't recommend them anymore...
(1)Jimmy K.
One bad thing about moving east to Chino Hills was that it brought me further away from the fine dining you'll find on the west side of LA. So when I read about Owen't Bistro on Yelp, it was towards the top of my checklist of local eateries to visit. After having dinner here tonight for the first time, I'm wonder why I waited almost two years before visiting Owen's Bistro. This establishment is open for dinner only from Tuesday through Saturday. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they have pasta dinner (3 course prix-fixe also I think) for $16. The wife and I are already planning a trip back here on one of those nights with some friends. Their Thursday night prix-fixe is $23 while it jumps to $29 for Friday and Saturday. You have about 4 choices to choose from for the first course, 6 choices for the second, and 5 choices for the dessert course. The wife went with the Tomato Bisque soup, chicken and waffles, and the banana cake for dessert. I ordered the spinach salad, the pork shoulder, and I forget what the dessert was, but it came in a swirl. A common complaint I've seen over a number of reviews on here was in reference to the serving time between courses. I'd have to agree that it is a bit long at times. But without that period of recovery, I think I might not have finished my dinner. The extended wait time allows for good conversation. Every table around us was filled with couples and groups engaged in busy chatter. Not one group seemed peeved that their food was taking too long to come out. By the way, we are in our early 30's and were the youngest couple in the room outside of a pair of twenty somethings out on a date. (Median age in the room was mid 40's if that matters to you) When my main course came out, the pork shoulder, I commented to my wife how delicious it was. Half way through the male, we switched plates, so that we could sample each others' meal. When I bit into her chicken and waffles, I could not believe how juicy and succulent the chicken was. I was almost expecting something similar to the quality of the chicken you might have at Rosco's Chicken & Waffles. So maybe that's why my heart just melted when I sunk my teeth into the chicken. As much as I enjoyed the pork shoulder, I didn't want to give her back the chicken and waffles! Not wanting to sour my wife's dining experience, I reluctantly returned her plate and I watched as she finished every last bite. Granted she's currently 7 months pregnant, but at barely 120 pounds now, she still is not that big of a eater. So I think this is an enormous compliment to the chef at Owen's Bistro that my wife ate every last bite. Five stars for this place, they've certainly earned it. Can't wait to come back to this place with a few friends in tow.
(5)Jenny Y.
I've only been rating my favorite restaurants so far.. and yep this is definitely one of them! both times we went there.. we ended up saying i think this is the best. ... i ever ate.. menu changes seasonally so gives you the chance to try new wonderful yummy dishes! the chef is the owner and you can just tell how much he cares about the food he serves! price is also really good for the type of food you get.. def. better than some of the really expensive restaurants i've been to in the past.. i can't really say anything bad about the food.. hmm can't wait to go back! the chocolate mousse alone will pull me to go back ten thousand times let alone the entrees and the appetizers! scallops.. steaks.. yum!
(5)Steve L.
We moved to Southern California 25 years ago from the San Francisco area. We love great restaurants and Owen's Bistro is our favorite for all occasions......Why would anyone want to be in a hurry?? The restaurant has a relaxing feeling and is a great place to sit down and enjoy a great dinner with family or friends. Every course is fantastic which shows alot of effort coming out of the kitchen by Chef James. Both Denise and Jim are gracious individuals and Owen's Bistro deserves your patronage---you won't be disappointed! Steve Lindemann
(5)B T.
We were referred to this place by the chef at the white house restaurant a few years back. We've been coming back every so often for great fine dining at affordable priced meals. I always order the salmon on the hot stone which is flavorful and cooked just right. The desserts are all yummy. Set Meals choices are all served with appetizers, main course and dessert. On top of great food, the service is excellent. The food is served a bit slow but Overall, Excellent chef + great personable service = 2 thumbs up!
(5)Sagrario R.
I went here on date night with my husband and we both enjoyed the meal. We both had the suspended salad and it was tasty. He had the steak and it was cooked perfectly. I had the fennel and shrimp ravioli which was delicate and tarty with the tangerine sauce. For dessert he had cheesecake which was nothing special but good. I had the chocolate mousse with peanut sauce which I loved but wished the helping was a bit bigger. I can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious food!
(4)Mike H.
Went here for my Dads 60th birthday and was blown away with the food and the service. I had the Chicken and waffles and wanted to order another round..... Cant wait to go back
(5)Tom R.
The food rivals that of any "spendy" place in Down Town, Santa Monica, and Hollywood. The owners are wonderful people and will even sit down and have a drink with you at the end of the night. Reservations are needed because the place is small and does fill-up.
(5)Kristin P.
LOVE THIS PLACE!! I was looking for somewhere local, nice, different for a Friday date night with my boyfriend and came across this place on yelp. Just as most of the reviews say, service is awesome. Ambience is great. It's small so at first I was worried it would feel crowded, but overall it was nice. Started off with the garlic cheese bread. And we each orderd the suspended ceasar salad. so simple but the flavors and the aroma are making my mouth salivate just typing this! Melt in your mouth delcious! My bf ordered the chicken and waffles. It was awesome. Not comparable to Roscoe's, as it was a totally different flavor, but really really good. I had the New york steak w/ potatoes and asparagus. I've paid much more for just a steak alone, and this one was on point. I devoured it! Overall, i love that this place feels like a neighborhood joint full of only regulars and people in the know. The service was great and food was amazing. I cant believe I found a place like this, so good, and so close to home.
(5)Lauren R.
This is going to be a long review but well worth the read if you're thinking of visiting this establishment. I booked this restaurant for my dad's 60th birthday party. Denise, owner/hostess/event coordinator/waitress convinced me to use their restaurant because she expressed their deep care about their reputation, service and food. Our date was available, she said it was a busy time but she would waive the banquet fee. Communicating with Denise was difficult because she has no email address, you have to email her husband who tells her about the email. If you call, you go straight to voicemail, have to wait for a call back and the call back is with a blocked number. Despite these oddities, I put down the deposit and was excited. 5 wks before our event, I emailed Denise (via husband) with a question regarding her tables. 20 days went by and I never heard back so I emailed again. The following day I received this email (which I've cut and pasted): "Your mom took photos, she can come by if needed. I am in the middle of my busiest 2 weeks sorry I am having trouble keeping up with your emails. She needs to set a date to sit and go over all the needs for your party. I waved your banquet fee(which includes correspondence and meetings) I am really sorry but this is valentines week and I have 3 banquets as well and I do not have an extra banquet coordinator to work on your party. If you need me my exclusive service for additional meetings additional time for banquets is $150 for parties up to 30pp $250 for parties up to 40pp and $300 for parties up to 50pp. Let me know if we need to step up the needs for the event." I responded saying I didn't think I asked a difficult question and there was no need to pay an additional $300 just to "correspond" with her. I felt her business dealings were a little underhanded and I was feeling disappointed by her rude email about the burdens of her business, but hoped the lunch would still be a success. The next day, she called and we had a 33 minute conversation about what a nuisance I was being to her. Here are just a few of the highlights: -She didn't respond to my question because A. Our event was still far away (17 days) -She's never had so many emails from a client and she couldn't answer my question because she had to prioritize. -In fact, I sent so many emails that she was delayed in calling me because her husband couldn't find the email where I gave my number. -Normally her clients don't discuss details until 1 week prior to the event - this includes weddings. -She has already called me 6 times and since I'm from out of town, she had to pay for the (619) phone call. -I needed to be considerate of her time because she has Valentine's Day and 3 banquets. It's only her, her husband, a waiter and a busboy. Her husband has 200 emails to respond to and she answers the all phone messages by herself. -She already waived the banquet fee and gave 50% off the menu pricing. Which I didn't know about but was told to look at their website and I would see it's normally twice as much (They don't serve lunch). -She also asked if she would have to check her email every day to see if I had more questions. -She would be happy to give me the deposit back so I could find another venue. With 50+ people already RSVP'd and the party 17 days away, I declined for obvious reasons. I was sure she had me confused with someone else. I actually pulled up my sent mail to read the emails to her. I told her the email about the tables was the first one I had sent since putting down the deposit. The majority of my emails had actually been responses to her or I was making sure she received my email since I never heard from her. Twice I sent my # because she misplaced it. I can honestly say I've never had anyone speak to me like that. Not on a personal level and certainly not on a business level. Denise is unprofessional, disorganized, argumentative and just downright mean. The lunch service was just as bad. We had 60 people and they only set for 58. So there were a couple of people who didn't have seats and Owen's had to scramble to add more. They served lunch to ALL 55 adults BEFORE the 5 children were served. For dessert, we had mini cupcakes in 2 flavors. Each person was supposed to get 1 of each. I told Denise this over the phone and again just before dessert was served and they still only passed out 1 per person. So guests had to get up and get the 2nd one themselves. Then, at the end of the party I overheard Denise tell a guest he couldn't have coffee because the tab was closed and she already turned off the coffee pot. I kid you not people - this really happened to me. Please don't let it happen to you...
(1)Tina K.
Just enjoyed a wonderful wine dinner at Owen's. This is the second wine dinner we have gone to and let's just say we weren't disappointed! Can't wait to go back for another dining adventure. Keep it up Denise and James!
(5)Cory K.
This place is cool. good service and good atmosphere. Didn't expect it to be good. But overall I rate it B+. A awesome place to hang out on Friday nites.
(4)foze e.
Owen's is an experience! Family owned and operated. The menu changes every night; it is preselected as in a group event, except that here the selections are exquisite! I had a vegetarian lasagna that had made its debut the week we went there. It was delicious and unique. For those wine lovers, you must try the Wine Flight (tasting several wines, paced just right)
(5)Rod E.
Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent news story. I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen: Owen's Bistro is legit!!! Classy, rustic ambiance. Friendly service. Fine wine list. Delicious food (I had the Wild Mushroom Tortellacci and Spinach Salad). Scrumptious dessert. Prix Fixe menu. Need I say more? Okay...the bread is really good as well. So what are you still doing reading? Head on down to Owen's Bistro! Just make sure it's on a day they're open...
(5)Chase V.
Indeed one of the best restaurants in Southern California. I have been going here for 5 years and Owen's Bistro delivers top-notch quality food, ambience, and service. The chef-owner, Jim Kelly, is a culinary wizard. Chef Jim Kelly creates succulent and well prepared menu options, which he never ceases to amaze...exquisite. The layout of the establishment is killer, the bistro reminds me of Barcelona and San Francisco restaurants. The bistro is in a one hundred year old brick building, with modern-minimalist decor, a beautiful and spacious outdoor patio, along with framed vintage photographs of Chino hanging on the wall; all are different yet complimentary elements adding to the charm and warmth to the place. Jim's wife, Denise Kelly, who manages the front of the restaurant ensures each guest is taken care of with the help of a welcoming and 'care to detail' staff of servers. Wednesday through Saturday Owen's Bistro run an exciting 3 course dinner menu. The menu changes depending on the season and what the chef feels like cooking up. So what you may have had last week or last month, may not be on the menu anymore. Instead, it will be replaced by something else that is equally amazing. Also, they have monthly wine dinners, where the chef creates dynamic and creative dishes ranging from 5-9 courses along with a wine pairing for each dish. With each wine dinner, there is a new wine line or wine country being featured. I had a chance to go to one of these dinners and they are so much fun! In the end, all of the guests that are attending become your friend and soon enough your clinking wine glasses, sharing laughs and good times with a person you never knew 2 hours before. Overall, Owen's Bistro is a great restaurant, if you are looking for great food, quality, warmth, and a place to relax and hang back, this place is it.
(5)Dan L.
My wife and I love this place ... one of our first dates was there, and now we're like family to Chef Kelly and Denise. The food is amazing, and never fails to amaze, not only with the flavor but the presentation is spot on! The atmosphere is soothing and a perfect compliment for the dining experience. Chino has a few good restaurants, but even fewer great. Owen's is at the top of my "Great" list! Side note: make sure you get on the list for the wine dinners they hold every so often ... awesome experience!
(5)Wally L.
I have nothing but praise for this place. The incredible experience started with setting up our reservations. Denise (MaitreD) was so helpful and accommodating in planning our dinner to celebrate my daughters Masters Degree Graduation dinner. When we arrive our table was set and ready and we were served refreshing water with cucumber. We moved to a delicous cheese platter served on clever little ceramic tiles. For our dinner entree we all ordered something different to try an assortment. No one of us were dissappointed, everything was more delicous than expected. To top it all off the chef came to our table and spoke with us....What a great experience we had. This place is such a winner and really an increadible bargain for such high quality food. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.....
(5)paulette M.
Being that we frequent many restaurants, and even though the food was excellent, with a beautiful presentation and the ambience was delightful making us forget we were in Chino, I have nothing good to say about their customer service. As long as we were the only customer, the service was simply just fine, nothing out of the ordinary, just fine. But as soon as friends, or repeat customers arrived, it became chaotic. Maybe the hostess (owner/wife) should concentrate on the business in it's entirety. As guests arrive, she should greet them and seat them as soon as possible and have the waiter quickly offer drinks, wine menu, and a bread basket. And then keep each table equally happy as we make our way through the courses. Instead, what we got was the back of the hostess and uncomfortable silence as we watched customers stand waiting to be seated as she carried on her conversation with her friends. Her waiter was no where to be found to refill the beverages, to carry the used plates and signal for the next course. I'm just glad we were there first and had gotten through to our main course as we waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity to get our dessert selection and our coffee. In fact, we never did quite get the Splenda we requested prior to even getting the cup of coffee. If he had spent less time trying to impress us with the Coffee Press, we may have gotten the sugar. And at this point in time, the were not overwhelmed with customers as we were a total of 5 tables and 3 of the tables had just arrived. It was the first time I felt a tip was not in order, or if we could only give it to the chef, that would suffice in getting the message across about entrusting such a jewel to the Host (wife) and his waiter. I believe I will not be spending anymore birthdays there and will probably write on other venues concerning the lack of service. The food was so wonderful, but it still is almost a faint memory when all I can remember is the hideous customer service that yelled so loudly making everything else seem uneventful. If they can refine themselves in the front, this place would shine and not need to worry about their future.
(3)Manjeet S.
AWESOME! Gourmet food at the highest level and incredible service and ambience. I have never eaten a better meal in my life and the wine selection was incredible. I will be going again and again to this place. The price was very good also. I would have played twice as much for such a great evening.
(5)Megan G.
My boyfriend and I came here on a Thursday night, and it was not crowded at all. There were only 2 other couples that were there around 7:30 when we arrived. The ambiance was very romantic and the waitress was very attentive to us and great at answering our questions. I ordered the salad (very good!), the salmon (interesting setup... it's on a very hot rock) & the cheesecake (great finish to the meal). My boyfriend ordered the pumpkin bisque, pork tenderloin & cheesecake. He was especially impressed with the soup and enjoyed the pork as well. We also had a glass of Chardonnay which was a great compliment to the meal.The only thing keeping me from rating this 5 stars is that my fish was good, but not the best I have had. Overall, the food was very good and we would definitely come back again to try different things on the menu.
(4)Elton W.
This is really the only fine restaurant in Chino Valley I have found (unless you count Pizzaiola which I find to be something of a joke). Their Thursday/Wednesday night prix fixe is an excellent value -- appetizer, entree, and desert for $22.50. The location is very quaint in downtown Chino. The mushroom tortalecci (?) was good, and the pork tenderloin was also tasty The spinach salad was spectacular. Will definitely go back, frequently.
(4)Jennifer C.
I was expecting a lot, think that's why i couldn't give them a better rating. We went to the Italian tue, it was cheap, $15.99/person, for a three course meal, I would give the food 4 stars for what I paid, but combining everything, the service and their wine list, i just can't give out that 1 more star =P I don't think our server is knowledgeable enough with their menu or wine(I asked if Italian wine is spicy, and she told me there was one that has taste more like cabernet sauvignon, and turned out it WAS spicy and it's NOT like cab == ), and the waiter keep coming up wanting to collect our plates before we finish, most of all, we waited forever for our food to come.... so summing up everything, i would only give them a 3 star.
(3)idrather n.
Wonderful place and food. We were welcomed by the owner, who recognized that we had not been in before and was very nice to talk to. My wife and I got different dishes for each of our three courses, and shared, so we each got half of everything. And everything was so good that we could have fought over the halves. The camping trip salmon is particularly wonderful -- love the bacon and potatoes and the salmon itself. The panna cotta dessert is my favorite so far. $30 is extremely reasonable for a 3 course meal. Wine does make the total higher, but we felt very well taken care of. It is fantastic to have a leisurely long and relaxed meal, always eating but never over stuffed, and often being delighted by the next course. Wish we lived a bit closer and we would go more often, or we could bring the restaurant to Claremont, as it is better than most places here.
(5)Cari B.
Owen's is a surprising little find in chino. We brought our own wine so I did not review their wine list. The menu is a 3 course dinner very well priced. We had an exquisite heirloom tomato soup as well as prociitto wrapped asparagus. Each was perfectfly flavored. The nice surprise was truffle butter for the hot squaw rolls. For entrees we had the salmon seared on a hot stone and a wild mushroom tortellacci. The pasta was so aromatic I enjoyed the aroma before induldging in the flavor. It was delicious and perfect. The salmon was perfectly cooked and not over flavored. The peach cheesecake for dessert was divine. I was not overly thrilled with the tangerine panna cotta. Finding the sauce a bit bitter. The service was perfect never rushed. An amazing find.
(5)Mary P.
My hubby & I went here for Valentine's Day weekend and we were definitely impressed. We did not feel like we were in Chino, that's for sure. Our dinner included a prix fixe menu that included a perfectly prepared gnocchi with prosciutto, a tender petite filet and lobster tail, & a dessert plate. The dessert plate included a bite-size brownie topped with passionfruit ice cream and a candied orchid. It was delicious! I took off 1 star because of service time. We had reservations at 6:45p but were not served until 7:20p. Other than that, we would definitely come back.
(4)Traci O.
WOW! I don't think there are enough words in the English language to express what a jewel Owen's Bistro is. It was the reviewers on Yelp that helped me find this place. We attended wine night on April 25th; as we arrived we were greeted by Denise, who will instantly brighten your day, as she did ours. The evening started with wine on the patio with the other guests, it is such a lively casual atmosphere. Some of the other guests greeted us and made us feel connected right away. As dinner began inside, the Chef introduced each course, giving us his thought about why he wanted to make the dish and what it consisted of. You could tell the pride that he took in every beautiful bite. It was Art on a plate, not lacking of color or flavor. As the evening continued, we chatted and laughed with people we were sitting next to and can't wait to see them again when we attend future events. To top off the evening, desert consisted of what the chef called a combination of Baked Alaska and Smores...all I know is that this was unlike anything I have ever tasted and it was wonderful! Do try Owen's Bistro! You will not be disappointed.
(5)Alex T.
Really a gem in the middle of old-town chino. Amazing ambience..Indoor & outdoor seating, but it is limited, so reservations are suggested....They have a great wine list & also their cook is excellent. This place makes you feel like you are in Beverly Hills, or a very upscale city.... I have had their steaks, very good. I will be going back again very soon..
(5)Jo S.
Just went last night for our 15th year anniversary. What a wonderful little bistro! The place was so charming. The service was filled with pride and care. The food was exceptional!!! My first course was the bleu cheese stuffed fig and it was yummy, but left me wanting more. My main course was the Salmon on hot river stone...AMAZING! Finally, my dessert was the bread pudding and it was good but missed their creme brulee. My husband also enjoyed his meal: Spinach Salad, Smoked Pork and Banana Foster. The price was so reasonable for such a great restaurant. We will definitely be returning!
(5)Scott S.
Just had our company's annual holiday luncheon there, and I was more then impressed. The food was amazing and the service was impeccible. I'm definitely planning to get back for a dinner real soon!
(5)Darryl B.
From the outside, Owen's Bistro looks like a large restaurant, but once you get inside, it's clear that it's a small, cozy restaurant with a lot of character. Denise greeted us with her genuinely friendly personality. The servers were knowledgeable about the food and wine and were willing to give recommendations. Augustus was fantastic! The prix fixe menu had plenty to choose from. Everything sounded really good on paper. When our order arrived, It was beautifully presented and tasted better than could have been imagined. The fried Brussel sprouts are incredible! We ordered the cheese platter for dessert, but the tables around us were served beautiful desserts. They all ate them with smiles on there faces. While we were there, a solo guitarist provided great ambiance. All in all, a terrific experience and a pleasant surprise! We'll be coming back!
(5)Bob S.
I generally don't go nuts about restaurants, but I am today. Owens Bistro is singly the best experience I have had, to date. My wife, daughter and I spent two great hours together dining, not just eating. You can dine on the patio or inside. The decor is reminiscent of a New York loft with exposed brick and piping. There was a fellow with his guitar there tonight entertaining the diners. The food is fantastic. Its a fixed price menu that has a wonderful assortment of first and second courses and deserts. We each had different items and everyone had a taste of each item. Honestly, there was nothing on the table that was under 5 star in flavor. I could go on and on, but the only thing I really wish you to do is go and see for yourself. The chef came out later in the evening and we all let him know how happy we were to have had dinner there. Go - I know we're going back...soon.
(5)Nche S.
This place is amazing!! Thank you Yelpers for recommending this restaurant! I had really high hopes and it totally exceeded all expectations. The hostess/owner was extremely charming and obviously enjoys running the restaurant and getting to know her patrons. I had the beet soup (it was a special) which was completely amazing, the soup was poured in front of me on top of a puff of pink cotton candy. A totally unexpected combo that was completely delicious and not too sweet at all. My husband had the suspended salad and liked it. I had the chicken and waffles (so good!!) and the hubby had the filet medallions cooked exactly to his liking. Everything was truly delicious. For dessert I had the almond pana cota which just melted in my mouth. Husband had the cheesecake which was good. We also enjoyed coffee which was French Press and so tasty. We totally enjoyed our experience and are still marveling about it the morning after! I read other reviews that commented on the somewhat slow pacing between courses but we didn't feel it was too slow; rather it was perfectly paced. In total ti was a 2 hour dinner. What a great way to spend a Saturday evening. We cant wait to come back!!
(5)Tim F.
This is the best restaurant hands down in the greater Chino area. I've been here several times and have been pleased with the service and quality of food. The menu changes but my personal favorites have been the filet mignon, brussel sprouts and the suspended salad. "Everything" I've had here was good.
(5)Nicolle L.
I took my husband here for his birthday and it was really cute they had birthday decorations and confetti on our table. The good: The waiter Danny was extremely friendly and personable, the food was good my husband loved his lamb chops and the Brussel sprouts were amazing !! I ordered the camping trip and it was very interesting the dish came out with the fish on a hot stone covered by a salad. The bad: I hate to nit pik but there were flies inside which was not great, the area itself is not nice either, And the camping trip was extremely salty just FYI. Again I almost feel bad for pointing out the bad. But my husband loved it I verified with him that the place deserves a 4. Lol
(4)Monica K.
This place is a little hole in the wall... And WOW! Fresh, delicious food, and easy going atmosphere. The food was cooked to order and was delicious. I love that its family owned and family operated. I love seeing the young man (12-14) bringing us water and bread. Its awesome to see a family passing on tradition. Love this place cant wait to come back!
(5)Amber J.
Expensive but worth it! Did the Valentines Day dinner and it was amazing. The waitstaff was awesome. Appetizer was a sausage stuffed date with a bell pepper sauce. It was delicious. Pearl pastas with truffle sauce was creamy and perfect texture. And the white chocolate mint was very creative. You need reservations for this one.
(5)Luis-armando A.
It's been close to four years since we've been here and the wait was well with it. The food is fantastic, I had the scallops for dinner it was phenomenal, my wife had the salmon and she love it. The whole evening was great, I'm glad we came back, we even took some risotto home to share with our kids and within minutes it was gone. I can't say enough great thing about Owen's. You need to come and see them if your ever in the area!
(5)Joanna N.
I wanted to love this place. It has a great look and was romantic, but there were too many things amiss, so I'm giving it 3.5 stars. First, we had reservations, yet waited over 5 minutes for a table. There were no other customers waiting, our table was free and we watched the hostess pour wine for another table before seating us. Not a good first impression! As we were seated, we were informed they were out of an appetizer and an entree. It's a small place, so I want to be understanding, but this was only halfway through their dinner service. Then, we were told they were out of soup. They also ran short on the more expensive salmon we ordered, so they added some of their less expensive salmon...but still charged for the more expensive. Later we were told one of the desserts had sold out. The menu is possibly 20 items and by 8pm they were out of 5? Very disappointing. This definitely impacted our experience, so be forewarned that what you want may be unavailable if you aren't one of their first customers. The food was also hit and miss. The cheddar bites were OK, nothing special. The wine was overpriced, so bring your own. The corkage fee is $15. You'll save money and enjoy your glass much more. Also, it's only beer and wine, if that matters to you. Everyone yelped about the suspended salad, but I wasn't impressed. The dressing tasted good, but it is lettuce on a flat bread placed across the bowl. And when I say lettuce, I mean it was lettuce, nothing else. I could do that at home; I expect more when eating out. The same goes for the camping trip (salmon on a hot rock), it's salmon on hot rocks (cool idea!) with lettuce and potatoes at the bottom. Some tomatoes or cucumbers or something to go with the lettuce would have been worth the price. The filet medallions were great. Cooked perfectly and great flavor. Same goes for the banana panna cotta. It's nothing elaborate, you could make it at home pretty easily, but it was very good. Like I said, hit and miss. The service was really good. I believe our waiter was Daniel. He offered a beer on the house because they were out of soup, which we wanted. He checked in just enough so we knew he was paying attention, but wasn't intrusive. I asked my husband if he'd give it another try and he asked whether I thought that experience was worth $150. Sadly, I had to admit we've had much better experiences and food for less. So disappointing, I really wanted to find a new go-to local gem!
(3)Robert U.
OMG, would give it 6 stars but they wouldn't let me. The food, the service, everything about this place is fantastic. The Brussel sprouts, the lamb chops, etc., etc., wow. Couldn't believe a fine dinning place like this could exist in Chino. My wife says it's a good thing doesn't cook like this for me at home, otherwise I would never go out let alone take her out for dinner. Oh, and the prices are lower than what You would expect for food this good.
(5)Teagan T.
Owen's Bistro is really a surprise. The biggest thing that got me was the location.. it's in Chino, where all the cows and flies reside. The inside sitting is small but the outside (with roof but more considered outdoor sitting) is pretty big. Live music playing at night.. So we sat inside to avoid that. Food was great! Salmon was extremely fresh and flavorful. King Dungeon Crab was fresh and cooked very well, paired with delicious veggies. The beets salad was unexpectedly prepared but very well prepared. Beets were lightly fried so it's got that fried bite but none of the greasy-ness. I would definitely come back again. Service was also very tentative.
(5)