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Business & Tech

Restoring Landmark Restaurant D'Antonio's With Amore

D'Antonio's will not be forgotten, according to Jose and Irene Espada. Convinced Diamond Bar will respond well to a great Italian eatery, and they have some help coming from the Growing Home organic garden in Diamond Bar.

Jose Larga Espada, and his wife of 38 years, Irene have signed on to a monumental task: Restoring the landmark Diamond Bar restaurant, D’Antonio’s to its original reputation of  being the “it” spot in town. First time restauranteurs, and lovers of good food, they have a big job of them. They came out of retirement to take this job on, with excitement and energy.

Many long time Diamond Bar residents remember D’Antonio’s heyday with fond memories. Some kids were employed for the first time in the kitchen in the 1980’s like Leslie Allyn’s son. “ D’Antonio’s was his first job, we remember Sadie very well, we ate there often.”

Others, have romantic memories at D’Antonio’s. Melissa Cardeno says, “D’Antonio’s was my first date with my husband! How can I ever forget that?” Indeed.

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The fond memories of family dinners, anniversaries, retirement parties and other special events were partly the inspiration for the Espadas to rescue the failing restaurant.

“We saw a notice online that the place was going bankrupt.”  For Irene and myself, we have good memories of D’Antonio’s. We love good Italian food, and thought, let’s save this place from being closed forever. We can do it, we can revive it!”

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 Irene remembers being impressed with their food and the atmosphere, “I used to work not too far from here. A coworker and I came for lunch one day, and I had a delicious meal. We are very excited about the possibilities here.” 

The Espadas are not alone. Italian cuisine remains in the top three of the most popular restaurant choices trading places for number one and two with Mexican and Asian cuisines. Will we no longer have to go to another city for Italian? Jose and Irene have committed completely to making this a success.

“We love Diamond Bar. Our boys went to school here, and I coached NJB basketball for Walnut and Diamond Bar for 10 years or so. It’s a great community, so we should have a great community restaurant. A place for all your family functions, a nice night out, and family pizza night.”says Jose. It’s a tall order to fill, considering D’Antonio’s has had its challenges in the past few years. “The previous owner did not live in the community, struggling with an ailing wife, he let D’Antonio’s and Diamond Bar down. We have the energy and excitement to make this place what Diamond Bar wants. We just need your help.”

This help is coming from many directions. One of them being Cal Poly Pomona. “The Science department had a party here recently. “They have been fans for years, and are thrilled with the changes we are making. I think we are heading in the right direction.” Says Irene.

Italian native and restaurant manager Sandro Karabi explained it this way, “ A community restaurant has to serve the community. We are here to bring the ‘family’ back into D’Antonio’s. We had a family call us with a request. An unexpected funeral left them with little options for the family meal, and they were disappointed to find out we were closed on Sunday. We opened the kitchen just for them, and helped their family not have to struggle to find a place at the last minute. We were very happy to help, and they were more than thankful.”

What has changed in the six weeks the Espadas have had ownership?

“Not as much as we would like, but things take time. We are in the process of working with an architect to upgrade the bar area. We are looking to add draft beer, plasma televisions, and a comfortable bar. We want to revitalize the entry, and remove the salad bar. So far, we have been working hard on the kitchen, upgrading the refrigeration, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. And of course, let’s not forget, the menu!”

What about the outdated menu? Jose and Irene have employed a celebrity chef who has worked with top restaurants in Beverly Hills among other demanding locations. Straight from Italy, Luigi Betti has been signed on to bring authentic dishes and cooking techniques from the hot spots of Italy to Diamond Bar.

Irene is very excited about two items he is working on. “For me, I am thrilled about our authentic Risotto, and a Salad Pizza! Wait til you try it, out of this world!” Jose is more excited about dessert. While that sounds good he says, “The hot thing in Italy now are dessert pizzas, so we are working on a Nutella and fruit pizza. That is great, believe me!”

Jose is also taking freshness seriously by shopping daily for the best ingredients. He shops himself, and feels that if he can see the quality, the customers will taste it.

With that in mind, help has come from yet a more local source, The Growing Home Organic Garden in Diamond Bar.

Pearl Kumar of Growing Home came by D’Antonio’s for another reason entirely. “I initially came for some wine bottles to use for a fermented tea called Kombucha, but the light bulb came on as soon as I met Jose, the new owner.” Pearl thought of her overflowing tomato bushes and over burdened zucchini squash vines. Who could use them? An Italian restaurant of course! Pearl brought a giant basket of her best veggies to Jose and Sandro one afternoon. “He bought the whole basket! He said he would love to offer local, fresh, organic vegetables, so we are working together to make his restaurant even more special.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea! Pearl’s vegetables are magnificent, and the tomatoes! I have to say, they are the sweetest, best tasting tomatoes available. Sandro directed the kitchen immediately to make Calabrese salad with Mozzarella and basil, and a wonderful Bruschetta. We were giving it free to our customers to try. It was a big hit. Pearl’s vegetables will be a wonderful addition to our menu.”

Ok Diamond Bar, we have been challenged. The challenge is to help a local retired couple make D’Antonio’s a great local restaurant. So what can we do to help?

“We really want is your input. We want to make great pizza, the way you like it. Come and tell us what you think, and what to keep on the menu. We are here to please, and keep D’Antonio’s a landmark. For now we are going through the old recipes, and bringing back all the homemade salad dressings. We have researched the very best pizza crust, and have come up with Caputo 00, as being the best out there. We are using old world recipe sausages from Claro’s Italian Meats. Come and tell us what you remember about D’Antonio’s, we would love to hear your story!” say Jose and Irene.

For now, to encourage us, lunch specials are offered. A $3.95 medium cheese pizza, and entrees under $8 is the beginning to the whole new concept. Success will depend on us, Diamond Bar.

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