It’s Not the Same Old Compass Creek by Joe Lyons Some months ago, I visited Compass Creek in Rancho Cucamonga. As much as I liked it, I felt that a micro-brewery with an upscale menu was not the best plan for the area. While I am sure that it was not just my column that called attention to this miss-match, the fact is that it is an all new facility. Even the name has changed. Kind of. From “restaurant and brewery” to Compass Creek National Brew Pub (CCNBP). That sounds like a combination of public radio and the band that sang “Proud Mary.” The things that have been kept are the micro-brewed beers. And I don’t know if they jiggled with the recipe—or they haven’t blown the pipes lately—but the beers taste better. The menu is truly bigger and better. Appetizers now include onion rings ($4.95) and Zydeco shrimp ($7.95), along with their soft pretzels ($3.95) and crispy gooey-cheese ravioli ($6.25). Additions have brought about new names, inspired by the Inland Empire locale. Such is the case with the Phoothill Philly Cheese sandwich ($7.95), the Baldy taco salad ($8.95) and the Baseline burger ($6.25). The “new” Compass Creek has also added an entire new pizza menu, including a Red Hill roasted garlic pizza ($6.50). There is also a complete list of soups and salads, sandwiches, “Pub Grub” and burgers, before you even get to the entrees. There are big changes on the entree list. Gone is the bacon-wrapped filet, but you will now find Montana meatloaf ($8.95) and a steak and shrimp dish which is now the most expensive item on the menu at $16.95. Like the L.A. and Orange County micro-breweries, Compass Creek has added a list of specialty drinks, martinis and coffee drinks. In fact, there are 14 “monster martinis” on the list at $6.75 each. In line with that, martini and cigar nights out on the patio are being planned for later. I love a good cigar night. Pool tables, dart boards and video golf have been added where empty tables used to be. Owner Jim Connell is rightly proud of the new changes. His dream of a Santa Monica style facility has been altered, but obviously for the good. People are coming in. They’re spending time, and money. They are having a good time. And that is what Connell wanted all along. He had to give up the filet mignon to do it, but the changes have been worth it. The “new” Compass Creek National Beer Pub is located at 11837 Foothill Blvd. in Rancho Cucamonga.

La Fourchette d'or | Restaurant List

© 2000 Daily Planet Productions. All rights reserved.