The Boiler - Chino Hills

I live in Chino Hills and frequent the Lowes in the new plaza and drove by this place all the time. I always blew it off, seemed like a typical strip mall place. Then it got my curiosity up one day and I went in to look around and picked up a menu. I went back and had the most incredible dish, the Pan Roast Lobster. Off of the charts. I had it over linguini instead of rice. I literally woke up thinking about it. Once I find a food I like I always order the same thing. When I went back…the next day, I got the same thing and my wife got the Cioppino which then presented a dilemma after I tried some of hers, now I can’t decided which I like better. Appetizers are awesome, salads are awesome, there isn’t anything there that isn’t. If this place had a better location and more exposure you would never get in. I’ve traveled the US and Western Europe, ate at great restaurants all over. Been to the Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati which is always one of my favorites, eaten in New Orleans and countless places in 43 different states. This place is my favorite and it is only 3 miles away. Thank you guys for opening your restaurant so close to me.

The unique cooking method is a great reason to sit at the bar. In the back, there's a steam boiler that heats pipes leading to ten cooking bowls at the bar where food is prepared in front of customers. We visited four times within five weeks. The menu features Cajun Creole dishes, and you can specify your desired spice level on a scale from 1 to 10. It's important to note that spice doesn't always mean heat that will make your eyes water. Each soup comes with a basket of fresh crackers and bread, which is a nice touch. The fresh oyster plate is stunning, and I am eager to try the Oysters Rockefeller next. The chowder was delightful—creamy without being overly thick. We brought a friend from France along, and he raved about the Bouillabaisse, praising it as a taste of perfection he hadn't experienced since childhood. The waitstaff strikes the right balance; they are attentive without being intrusive, keeping our drinks filled and available when we needed assistance. The ambiance is a lovely blend of luxury and casualness, perfect for enjoying an incredible tasting experience with high-quality ingredients and authentic recipes. There’s a large TV in front of what becomes a full-service bar, contributing to the relaxed yet classy atmosphere. If you're looking for gigantic portions of mass-produced food, this restaurant isn't for you. Each dish and sauce is carefully crafted, not from prepackaged reheated bags. The chefs are also friendly and engaging, working right in front of you.

The fresh oyster platter is delightful, and I'm excited to see Oysters Rockefeller added to the menu. The clam chowder was fantastic—rich with flavor yet not overly thick. We also brought along a friend from France, who couldn't stop praising the Bouillabaisse, claiming it was the best he had since childhood. The waitstaff strikes a perfect balance; they are attentive and keep your drinks filled without being intrusive. The atmosphere is one of relaxed luxury, perfect for savoring a remarkable meal crafted from top-quality ingredients and authentic recipes. There’s a large screen TV set up in front of what will eventually become a full-service bar, which suggests that the ambiance will maintain its casual yet classy vibe. If you're expecting large portions of mass-produced food, this restaurant isn’t for you. The dishes and sauces are meticulously prepared by chefs, not pulled from a plastic reheating bag. Plus, the chefs are friendly and enjoyable to chat with as they work right before your eyes.

When I returned the next day, I ordered the same dish, and my wife tried the cioppino. After tasting hers, I found myself in a dilemma—I couldn't decide which dish I liked better! The appetizers are fantastic, the salads are amazing, and everything I've tried has been excellent. If this restaurant had a better location and more visibility, it would surely be packed all the time. I've traveled across the USA and Western Europe, dining at some great restaurants. I've enjoyed meals at Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati, which has always been one of my favorites, and I've dined in New Orleans and countless places across 43 different states. Yet, this restaurant, located just three miles from me, has become my favorite. Thank you for opening such a wonderful restaurant so close to home!