Prime rib this good doesn’t wait for a holiday — it demands a road trip.
Across California, hungry fans are piling into their cars and pointing their GPS toward VITA Italian Bar & Grill. Tucked at 3101 W Temple Ave in Pomona, this laid-back Italian kitchen turns Sundays into a full-blown feast with an all-you-can-eat prime rib buffet that borders on legendary.
Picture thick, slow-roasted slices carved to order. Juices running.
Plates loaded high. Then you go back for more — because that’s the whole point.
No tiny portions. No raised eyebrows.
Just round after glorious round of beef done right.
And it’s not just about the prime rib. The spread brings classic Italian comfort to the table, turning a simple Sunday into a celebration.
Families linger. Friends toast.
Strangers leave planning their next visit.
Some meals are dinner.
This one feels like an event.
The All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib Carving Station
Few things in the brunch world stop a room like the sight of a slow-roasted prime rib being carved right in front of you. At VITA Italian Bar & Grill, this is not a gimmick — it is the centerpiece of their Sunday buffet, and guests consistently rave about how tender and flavorful it is.
The carving station is run by skilled staff who slice each portion to your liking, whether you prefer a thinner cut or a thick, juicy slab. The meat is seasoned simply but effectively, letting the quality of the beef speak for itself.
Paired with classic accompaniments, it delivers that satisfying, hearty bite you have been craving all week.
Reviews from diners mention that the prime rib alone is worth the price of admission. One guest noted it was among the best they had eaten outside of a high-end steakhouse.
When a buffet carving station earns that kind of praise, you know the kitchen is doing something right. Show up early if you want the freshest cuts, because this station draws a crowd fast every single Sunday.
Live Pasta Station with Lobster Claws
There is something almost theatrical about watching a chef hand-craft your pasta order right in front of you. VITA Italian Bar & Grill brings that energy to their Sunday buffet with a live pasta station where guests can customize their dish and watch it come together in real time.
The pasta itself is worth a special mention. According to one reviewer, the pasta is custom-ordered and shipped directly from Italy, which gives it a texture and flavor that domestic alternatives simply cannot replicate.
At the live station, lobster claws are incorporated into hot pasta dishes, creating a rich, savory combination that feels more like a fine dining entree than a buffet item.
Regulars suggest trying the pasta early in the buffet rotation before loading up on other items, because it is genuinely that good. The interactive element also adds a fun, personalized touch to the meal.
You choose your pasta shape, your sauce, and your add-ins, making each plate feel like it was made just for you. For pasta enthusiasts, this station alone is reason enough to make the Sunday trip to Pomona.
Farm-to-Table Ingredients Sourced from Cal Poly Pomona
Most restaurants claim to care about fresh ingredients, but VITA Italian Bar & Grill actually backs it up with receipts. Many of the produce items used in their kitchen come directly from the farm at Cal Poly Pomona, which sits just minutes away from the restaurant.
That proximity means the vegetables on your plate were likely harvested within days of your visit.
This farm-to-table philosophy gives the entire menu a vibrant, seasonal quality that is hard to fake. Salads taste crisper, sauces taste brighter, and even simple side dishes carry a freshness that elevates the whole meal.
One reviewer described it perfectly: the sourcing is intentional, and you can taste the difference.
Beyond flavor, there is something genuinely feel-good about knowing your meal supports a local agricultural program. Cal Poly Pomona is one of the top agricultural universities in the country, and their partnership with VITA creates a loop where quality and community intersect beautifully.
If you care about where your food comes from — and more people do every year — this is the kind of detail that makes VITA feel like more than just another restaurant. It is a dining experience with purpose.
The Stunning Patio with Pomona Valley Views
Before the food even arrives, the setting at VITA Italian Bar & Grill makes a statement. The outdoor patio overlooks the Pomona Valley, offering sweeping views of the surrounding mountains that shift beautifully depending on the time of day.
At brunch, the morning light gives the whole space a warm, golden glow that practically begs to be photographed.
Reviewers consistently describe the patio as one of the most underrated dining spots in the greater Los Angeles area. Instagrammable touches are everywhere — a floral accent wall, statement peacock chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the line between indoors and out.
The resort-style ambiance feels like a mini vacation without the drive to a beach town.
One guest summed it up beautifully, calling it a vacation escape right in LA’s Eastside. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, planning a romantic brunch date, or just treating yourself to something special on a Sunday, the patio setting at VITA adds a layer of magic to the experience.
Sunset visits are equally popular, with diners returning specifically to catch the view as the sky changes color over the valley. Reserve a patio table when you can — it sells out.
The Omelette Station and Brunch Variety
Not every brunch guest is in the mood for prime rib and lobster at 11 in the morning, and VITA Italian Bar & Grill understands that completely. Their Sunday buffet includes a live omelette station where a dedicated chef prepares made-to-order eggs with whatever fillings you choose, giving the spread a classic brunch anchor alongside all the upscale options.
The variety at this buffet is genuinely impressive. Fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, pasta, carved meats, a seafood boil, and the omelette station all coexist in one spread, meaning every person at the table can find something that excites them.
Families with mixed tastes tend to love this setup because nobody has to compromise.
One reviewer highlighted how the omelette station, combined with the pasta and carving stations, creates a flow to the meal that keeps things interesting from start to finish. You are not just loading one plate and sitting down — you are exploring, returning, and discovering something new with each trip to the buffet line.
That interactive quality is part of what makes the Sunday experience at VITA feel more like an event than a meal. It is a full morning worth of delicious decisions.
Bottomless Mimosas to Pair with Your Brunch
A great brunch buffet and bottomless mimosas are basically a match made in weekend heaven. At VITA Italian Bar & Grill, the mimosas flow freely alongside the food, and multiple reviewers have specifically called them out as a standout part of the Sunday experience.
One guest mentioned that their server kept the glasses topped up throughout the entire meal without needing to be asked.
That level of attentive service makes a real difference. There is nothing worse than waving down a server every twenty minutes at a brunch spot.
At VITA, the staff seems to take pride in making sure guests feel genuinely taken care of, and the mimosa refills are a small but meaningful example of that hospitality in action.
Pairing a cold, citrusy mimosa with a plate of prime rib and king crab legs creates one of those rare food moments that just feels right. The lightness of the drink balances the richness of the food in a way that keeps you comfortable and happy throughout a long, leisurely meal.
Whether you are a two-glass person or someone who settles in for a full Sunday session, the mimosa service here sets the tone for a relaxed and joyful brunch from start to finish.
Authentic Italian Desserts Including Tiramisu and Macarons
Saving room for dessert at VITA Italian Bar & Grill is not optional — it is a responsibility. The dessert spread at their Sunday buffet is a highlight that diners talk about long after the meal is over.
Mini macarons, tiramisu, panna cotta, and chocolate nocciola are among the sweets that regularly appear, and each one is crafted with care.
One reviewer noted that the tiramisu was cloud-like with just the right amount of espresso flavor — not too bitter, not too sweet. The panna cotta was described as silky and surprisingly light, a perfect palate cleanser after a heavy plate of prime rib and crab.
For chocolate fans, the nocciola option delivers a rich, hazelnut-forward experience that one guest compared to an elevated Nutella dream.
What makes the dessert selection especially impressive is its authenticity. According to a reviewer who spoke with the manager, the desserts are authentic Italian exclusives, and the pasta and some specialty items are imported directly from Italy.
That commitment to genuine Italian flavor carries through to the sweets in a way that chain Italian restaurants simply cannot replicate. The mini macarons were reportedly a favorite among younger guests, proving the dessert table earns fans of all ages.
The Warm and Attentive Service Team
Great food can only carry a restaurant so far — the service team is what turns a good meal into a memorable one. At VITA Italian Bar & Grill, the staff has earned consistent praise across dozens of reviews for being warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the dining experience they are delivering.
Names like Daniel, Arely, Julio, and Armando come up repeatedly in guest reviews, which is a telling sign. When customers remember their server by name and mention them specifically in a five-star review, that speaks to a level of personal connection that most restaurants struggle to create.
One guest described the team as treating you like family, while another praised a server for keeping mimosas full and clearing plates efficiently throughout a long Father’s Day brunch.
For a buffet-style meal, service quality can often feel like an afterthought. At VITA, it is clearly a priority.
The staff moves with purpose, anticipates needs before guests have to ask, and maintains a friendly energy even during busy Sunday rushes. Whether you are a solo diner or part of a large group celebration, the team here has a way of making everyone feel like the most important table in the room.
That consistency is rare and worth celebrating.
A Sophisticated Setting Inside the DoubleTree Hotel Pomona
Location matters, and VITA Italian Bar & Grill has one of the most striking setups of any restaurant in the Inland Empire. Housed inside the DoubleTree Hotel at 3101 W Temple Ave in Pomona, the restaurant carries a resort-style polish that feels both elevated and genuinely welcoming.
You do not need to be a hotel guest to enjoy it — the dining room and patio are open to all.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the mountain views from inside the restaurant, meaning even guests who cannot snag a patio table still enjoy a gorgeous backdrop. The interior is described by reviewers as modern, classy, and beautifully decorated, with a warm atmosphere that works equally well for a casual Sunday brunch, a romantic dinner, or a company celebration.
One guest who visited after returning from Italy said VITA blew Italian restaurants there out of the water — high praise that speaks to the kitchen’s commitment to quality. The combination of a hotel-grade setting, thoughtful decor, ample free parking, and a menu driven by genuine Italian craftsmanship makes VITA feel like a destination rather than just a neighborhood restaurant.
For anyone within driving distance across California, this is the kind of place that earns a spot on the must-visit list and stays there.