John Bottala
Staff Writer
The new hot spot in town, Chase’s, has been getting plenty of business from the University community with its fancy water walls, fire pits and happy hour specials.
Owner Linda Wilkinson has been a La Verne resident for 23 years and felt there was a need for a restaurant like Chase’s in the area.
“I have owned this property for about 15 years and I have seen a lot of transition in this town, and felt like a restaurant like Chase’s would be a big asset to the downtown area,” Wilkinson said.
The restaurant name came from her youngest son named Chase. Wilkinson felt the name was strong and would represent the bistro well.
Wilkinson wanted a real home-like feel in the bistro so she took some of her home furniture and used it for the atmosphere of the restaurant.
Chase’s has a patio with a water wall and fire pits for people to sit around while drinking a glass of wine or having a bite to eat.
“I love this place because it is like having a glass of wine in someone’s backyard,” said Shaun Babish, a waitress at Chase’s.
The restaurant has only been open for eight weeks, and people have been visiting it like they were going to an old friend’s house.
“I am shocked with how many large parties I have had within the first eight weeks,” Wilkinson said.
“It seems like people are coming here to celebrate birthdays and family gatherings because it offers that backyard feel.” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson’s goal is to expand the patio and add a few more tables and fire pits to accommodate the large crowds she has been receiving during happy hour; and the college crowd has been taking advantage of the great happy hour.
Wilkinson came up with the idea of having guest “check-in” on Facebook to receive $2 off any purchase and an additional $1 off for photos uploaded to Facebook while at Chase’s.
This idea was targeted to the college crowd to help promote Chase’s via Facebook.
“The check in idea is very cool and appealing to the younger crowd, I definitely use it when I come in to get lunch,” Haley Gripp, a freshmen psychology major, said.
Chase’s has a wide variety of food selections on their menu that pair well with the beer and wine options. From salads and pastas to Mexican food they have it all.
“I love coming to lunch here because the menu has lots to choose from; the nachos are my favorite,” Gripp said.
Wilkinson also included a range of exotic drinks in her bar. One such drink called Soju, a Japanese alcohol that has half the calories as vodka and mixes well with anything.
“I have never had anything like Soju before,” Amanda Sourapas, a customer at Chase’s, said. “It’s very exotic and tastes great.”
Wilkinson has many choices of micro-brews on tap to sample and enjoy.
She currently has Hanger 24 which is brewed out in Redlands. However, the No. 1 seller is Pomona Queen which is brewed in Pomona by the Dale Brothers.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Chase’s, the Dale Brothers are going to have a beer tasting event that will be open for the La Verne community and any other interested tasters.
“This will be a very fun event, it is open to the public and the Dale Brothers will explain the ins and outs with beer making,” Wilkinson, said.
John Bottala can be reached at john.bottala@laverne.edu.
