Monday, September 10, 2012

A Seat at Tabetha's Table; Isabella's in Redlands

Isabella's Italian restaurant in Redlands has one of the best lunch values in town and their food is simply divine. For as long as I have lived in Redlands Isabella's has relentlessly advertised a buy one get one free dinner or lunch coupon all over town. Most of their dishes on the lunch menu cost approximately ten dollars and around eighteen at dinner time. Each meal at both services include a generous portion of either a mixed green salad or home made soup. Are you starting to see the dollar signs? What's the catch, you ask? The only catch is that you have to purchase two beverages with your meal. Even if you get two o their delicious unsweetened fresh brewed raspberry iced teas you could still will still save at least five dollars at lunch and possibly three times that at dinner. Did I mention the food is stunning? Many of their specialties are cooked in a Northern Italian style with cream based, butter or olive oil prominent sauces but they also offer traditional Bolognese style sauces and other meat heavy entrees traditional to Southern Italy. Each dish is made to order and served piping hot. Two of my favorites include the Spaghetti Carbonara and the Gnocchi ala Pesto. The Carbonara surely contains thousands of calories, but that is exactly why it is so ridiculously delicious. You wouldn't spoil yourself with this kind of richness at home. The Gnocchi is insanely fresh and authentic. Lots of restaurants like to make gnocchi out of all sorts of crazy ingredients with similarly quirky sauces these days. However, if you have never had an original version of the potato dumpling style pasta, you simply must give it a try as it's rare to find it so fresh and tasty. One last note would have to be how refreshingly quiet and sophisticated Isabella's setting can be amidst the an overwhelming number of overcrowded and bustling deli style lunch spots in Redlands. For the same cost of your overpriced sandwich you will be delighted not to be rushed in and out and how easy it is to enjoy the company of your dining companions.