While stay-at-homes watched envelopes open during the Oscars broadcast earlier this month, several hundred friends and guests of Sartaj Singh helped the chef, his family and staff open a new era in dining in Rancho Cucamonga and beyond.

The Feb. 9 pre-grand opening celebration of Cara Mia Italian Restaurant drew supporters from across the Inland Empire. This was a memorable and somewhat spontaneous celebration, with what had been expected to be a small gathering instead seeing the remodeled space filled and warmed with friends.

Guests were greeted by chef and owner Singh, his family and staff for a taste of modern Italian fare in the warmly redone former home of the well-regarded Antonino’s Restaurant, also owned by Singh. Many will remember Singh from his popular Chianti Restaurant some 30 years ago - one of my all-time local favorites for Italian – and other popular restaurants in the area.

“Cara Mia - ‘my darling’ - is unique and not only near to my heart, but my children are finally old enough to help out, and it is wonderful having them involved,” said Singh. “This restaurant is my darling.”

The modern Italian menu offers more health-conscious selections for both lunch and dinner.

“Although we do offer classic Italian dishes, including pastas, pizzas, chicken and beef, we also offer more fresh salads ($6 to $15), soups ($6 to S10), paninis (from $12) and fish dishes ($25).”

Appetizers include bruschetta ($6), crab cake ($8), Mozzarella Caprese ($10), and shrimp Liveronese ($13). My favorites include Cara Mia Angel Hair sautéed in olive oil and garlic with over-roasted cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts and Burrata cheese ($17), Eggplant Parmigiana, and Singh’s shrimp scampi ($25).

Lunch and dinner menus feature pasta and seafood specials.

Premium wines by the glass ($8 to $15) and bottles (from $28) include California, Oregon, Italian vintages and Cucamonga-grown Zinfandel. Happy hour, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. features specialty cocktails and wines by the glass.

Cara Mia is located in the Thomas Winery Plaza at 7945 N. Vineyard Ave., Rancho Cucamonga. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 909 360-1498 for reservations, and for more information visit www.caramiarc.com Cara Mia offers delicious dishes from Italy including a variety of pastas, pizzas, seafood, meat, and much more at reasonable price. Cara Mia welcomes guests to a special venue for your next meeting, social party or celebrations.

Gino L. Filippi is a fourth-generation Cucamonga Valley vintner. Send wine comments and questions to Ginoffvine@aol.com.