The magical lamp saloon is a unique establishment that transports its patrons to a world of enchantment and wonder. As its name suggests, this saloon is centered around a mystical lamp that is said to possess incredible powers. Upon entering the magical lamp saloon, visitors are immediately captivated by the dimly lit atmosphere and mysterious ambiance. The walls are adorned with intricately designed tapestries depicting ancient tales of magic and adventure. The air is filled with the faint scent of incense and distant whispers of enchantments. The focal point of the saloon is the magical lamp itself, which sits atop a beautifully crafted pedestal in the center of the room.
The focal point of the saloon is the magical lamp itself, which sits atop a beautifully crafted pedestal in the center of the room. The lamp is said to be infused with the essence of a thousand wishes, and it is believed that anyone who dares to rub the lamp will have their desires fulfilled. Customers are encouraged to take a seat at one of the plush velvet booths that line the walls.
Feelin’ Swanky at the Magic Lamp Inn
When we are young, we all dream of how wonderful it will be when we grow up and we can do grown up things. When Yours Truly was young, my dreams were visions of go-go dancing in clubs, going to hip parties filled with stimulating intellectuals and dolling up to dine at swanky restaurants. Tragically, by the time I was old enough to do these things, this world was gone. Go-go cages were now thrown in backroom junk heaps, parties were packed with puking drop outs, and restaurants were remodeled with plastic tables, fluorescent lights and paper napkins. Time truly can be a cruel mistress.
If you are like Tawny, you have sought out the last vestiges of this fabulous past. A few hot spots still remain, but they are few and far between, and sometimes one must take a little journey to find them. One such place is the Magic Lamp Inn, an old Route 66 restaurant on the border of Upland and Rancho Cucamonga. Dim lighting, lush red leather booths, stained glass windows and cherry wood beams envelope you as you dine on steaks, chops, seafood and chicken and lose all consciousness of trendy concepts such as “vegan”.
Lucy and John’s Italian Restaurant
The Magic Lamp’s history goes back to the 1940s, when it originally was Lucy and John’s Italian Restaurant. When it was sold in the mid-50s, the Clearman family became part owners, and the restaurant was dramatically remodeled and became a steakhouse. It again changed hands in the 70s, but has retained its “vintagey goodness” to this day.
Dinner here can get expensive. A 16 oz rib eye steak is $41.99 and the rack of New Zealand lamb is $39.99. However, you can still enjoy the experience and spend less on the beef stroganoff ($14.95) or pan roasted chicken ($18.49). There is also happy hour from 4-7 pm Tues-Friday, which features half-price drinks and a complimentary mini-buffet.
The dimly-lit bar
Fortunately for me, I was squired by a well-to-do friend from out of town who sprang for the bill and encouraged me to try whatever I liked in the spirit of investigative journalism. Therefore, in order to get the full Magic Lamp experience, we kicked off the evening early in the bar for happy hour. The drinks were good, and they weren’t skimpy. My lemon drop martini came with a little glass bottle chilling in ice so that I could top off my drink whenever I was ready.
The mini-buffet was on the verge of being wheeled away, but I did have a chance to sample the meatballs, chips and salsa (surprisingly spicy and good), and the usual crunchy veggies. All good!
The intriguing Lamb Popsicles.
The bar menu includes a nice variety of offerings… soup, salads, burgers, shrimp cocktail, etc. You can go for the basics: potato skins, chicken wings, burger sliders… or go upscale with escargot bourguignon or sizzling shrimp scampi. We simply couldn’t leave without trying the intriguingly-named Lamb Popsicles. My mind raced with all the possibilities of what they would be. I was pleasantly surprised to find they were tender grilled lamb chops on fluffy mashed potatoes. They were quite delicious.
Moving to the dinner table, we were presented with the Magic Lamp’s signature relish tray and cheese bread. If this doesn’t take you to yesteryear, nothing will.
The old-fashioned relish tray.
We ordered steak and salmon for dinner. The steak charmingly came topped with an onion ring. Dieters, abandon your calorie-counting ways at the door! Everything was wonderful, and we found ourselves too stuffed for dessert.
The house band, The Philharmonics.
As we ate dinner, people began to pack the lounge and boogie to the beat of the house band, The Philharmonics. I tried to squeeze in, but with my full figure, I could barely make my way into the fray. Looks like the quite the scene for those of you who are looking for a place to get up, get out and get down!
I don’t know if this is really the ideal place to take kids, but the Magic Lamp does offer a children’s menu with amusingly-named items for the little ones: The Burger Meister, Mr. Chicken, The Big Cheese and Pasta Man.
The Magic Lamp Inn… still kickin’ on Route 66.
The Magic Lamp Inn
8189 Foothill Blvd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Hours: Tues-Fri 11:30 am – 10 pm
Sat-Sun 5 pm – 10 pm
(909) 981-8659
www.themagiclampinn.com
The impressive exterior of the Magic Lamp Inn Lucy and John’s Italian Restaurant Near the entrance of the Magic Lamp Inn The dimly-lit bar
Food from the mini-buffet Happy hour drinks The intriguing Lamb Popsicles. The ultra-cool round fireplace pit
The old-fashioned relish tray Steak dinner topped with an onion ring A view of the swanky dining room The house band, The Philharmonics
Lucy and John’s photo from http://route66.atwebpages.com/rppc/cawest.html
Related
The servers, dressed in flowing robes and adorned with ornate jewelry, glide gracefully through the room, tending to each guest's needs. They serve a selection of enchanted beverages, each with its own unique properties. The real allure of the magical lamp saloon lies in the opportunities it presents. The lamp is said to grant wishes to those who approach it with a humble and pure heart. Some wishes may be trivial, while others are life-altering, but the lamp has the power to make them all come true. Visitors to the magical lamp saloon often spend hours contemplating their desires, pondering the consequences and weighing their options. Some come seeking material wealth, others seek love or fulfillment. But no matter the wish, the saloon offers a tranquil and magical environment to consider the possibilities. The magical lamp saloon is a place unlike any other, where dreams and reality intertwine. It is a sanctuary for those who dare to believe in the power of wishes, and a reminder that sometimes, magic can be found in the most unexpected places. So, if you find yourself in need of a little enchantment, step into the magical lamp saloon and let your wishes take flight..
Reviews for "Magical Nights at The Magical Lamp Saloon"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my experience at The Magical Lamp Saloon. The atmosphere was lackluster and the decors looked cheap and outdated. The waitstaff was also quite rude and inattentive. The food and drinks were mediocre at best, and certainly not worth the prices they were charging. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place for a magical dining experience.
2. John - 1 star - This place was a complete letdown. The concept sounded interesting, but the execution was poor. The magical elements were scarce and barely noticeable. The service was slow and indifferent, and the server got my order wrong. The food was bland and overpriced. It's safe to say I won't be returning to The Magical Lamp Saloon.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for The Magical Lamp Saloon, but unfortunately, it fell short. The ambiance was nothing special and felt more like a run-down pub than a magical saloon. The service was average, with some waitstaff appearing uninterested in attending to customers. The cocktails were below average and lacked creativity. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking for a truly magical experience.
4. Michael - 1 star - My visit to The Magical Lamp Saloon was a disaster from start to finish. The decor was tacky and outdated, and the overall atmosphere was uninviting. The service was incredibly slow and unresponsive. The food was mediocre at best, and the prices were outrageous for what was served. Avoid this place and save yourself the disappointment.