Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 8, 2011

GOOD FOOD & DRINK

7

 Mountain Views News Saturday, January 8, 2011 

 
Imagine over the holidays you invited 500 of 
your closest friends over for dinner and wine. 
Now imagine that these same 500 are pretty 
sophisticated wine drinkers –each having 
a different preference for varietal, and each 
expecting to find their “surprise” vintage. 

Such is the job description for Bill Sullivan, 
26-year owner of the Bottle Shop in Sierra 
Madre. This will be the second year Bill has 
taken on the task of selecting the wines for 
the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library’s 
Wine and Cuisine Gala scheduled next 
month. This means finding the right wine 
makers among hundreds of wineries that 
bottle some of the world’s finest wines right 
here in California. 

“Because this is my second year, I can now 
take a look at some of the sales trends to meet 
the demand at this event,” said Bill. “I have 
a good idea of what attendees purchased, 
and can make adjustments for next month,” 
he added. According to Sullivan, the most 
popular wine at last year’s Friends event was 
Pinot Noir, with Zinfandels running a close 
second. Most of the wine purchased was 
under $15 a bottle. “Many in the community 
don’t realize this is great opportunity to BUY 
wine. This is a convenient way to “visit” over 
20 different producers. And, because the 
wines ordered that evening are discounted 
15% - 45% off retail, for those buying wine, 
this savings should easily pay for the cost of 
the ticket.” 

So, how are the wineries chosen? “I’m 
most concerned with the value of the wine, 
finding that right balance of quality and 
value” Sullivan said. He works to find a good 
selection of not only different varietals, but 
Bill focuses on wine that is affordable. “There 
are always brands that some find comfortable, 
so we make certain that some familiar wines 
are present, such as Jordan, Mondavi, or 
Sterling. Most of our folks are now looking 
for value in wine,” Sullivan answered. “With 
so many wine-related events to choose from, 
it’s important that the attendee sees value in 
what they can buy, but also in the event. This 
is really a unique community effort, which 
is a win-win-win for everyone – the Library 
is supported, the producer get’s to promote 
the wine, and the attendee is buying wine at 
a significant discount off retail.” Bill added. 

So, what was most surprising about last year’s 
event? “Without a doubt, it was WHERE 
the attendees were from,” Bill answered. 
“I’d expected to see mostly Sierra Madre 
residents, as this is an event to help our local 
library. But because friends told friends, who 
told friends, it seemed that a many of those 
buying wine were from outside the city, he 
added. “This method of advertisement really 
speaks to the overall quality of the evening.” 

Thus far, Sullivan expects the participating 
wineries to be Madellana, Sterling, Coppola, 
Hahn, Jordan, Mumm, St. Francis, One 
Hope, Cupcake and Beringer. 

Mark your calendar to attend The Sierra 
Madre Friends of the Library 41st Annual 
Wine and Cuisine Tasting Event. The 
always-popular evening will take place 
at the Alverno High School Villa, 200 N 
Michillinda Avenue, on Friday February 18 
7:00p – 9:30p. General entry tickets at a cost 
of $60 will allow entry at 7:00, but Premier 
admission will allow 100 folk an early entry 
at 6:00 and include many new surprises. 
Current paid members of the Friends will 
receive a $5 discount off general entry when 
purchased at the library. 

Tickets can be purchased at Arnold’s Frontier 
Hardware, The Bottle Shop, Iris Intrigue, and 
Savor the Flavor. You can also pick up tickets 
at the Sierra Madre Library, or on-line at 
sierramadrelibraryfriends.org. 

In addition to attending one of the social 
highlights of the year, you’ll enable the 
Friends to support your library services and 
programs. This past year The Friends of the 
Sierra Madre Library provided over $58,000 
for equipment upgrades and improvements. 

Eat Well! Take A Ride To Montrose

 
The question poised to your local restaurant reviewer this week was, “What was your greatest 
discovery of 2010?” Easy Answer.

 Divina Cucina - Ristorante Italiano. How it had managed to slip past my knife and fork for all these 
years is a true mystery, since Divina Cucina has been around for 19 years. 

 The restaurant itself is quaint, with a bar, a main dining room and an attached patio. I sat on the 
enclosed patio and found it comfortable and acoustically perfect. You can have a nice conversation 
without the bother of shouting or the need to whisper so that no one hears you. As I tilted to look 
above my table I noticed the rich wood beams spanning the room which brought to mind a chalet in 
Aspen.

 The restaurant is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Horacio and Alicia 
Lavanchy. My server, Luis, followed Horacio from his own restaurant to Montrose and has been 
serving with him for all of the 19 years. He was lightning quick, and his service reminded me of the 
professionalism that is lacking in too many restaurants. 

 I was fortunate enough to be able to try an array of dishes. I soon discovered that all the breads are 
made right in Divina’s kitchen. Horacio explained to me that there is a big difference between bread 
that was made a day before and bread that is made an hour before. I agree with him - the difference is 
measurable. It certainly was evident in the Bruschetta Con Pomodori ($6.95). Sticking with appetizers, 
I enjoyed the Carpaccio di Manzo ($10.95), with a mustard caper sauce that made this dish a must 
on my next return. Soup of the day was a delightful Mushroom Soup and I sampled the Squash Soup 
as well. I have long since said that, if the soup is good, it usually leads to a great dining experience. 
I don’t know of anything they could have done to 
improve these two liquid delights.

 Continuing with the house-made theme, I moved on to the pastas, which are all made from 
scratch at Divina Cucina. The pastas offer so many layers of intriguing flavors that it was self-evident 
that their preparation was under the watchful care of this restaurant. “The Special” of the night was 
the four-cheese Gnocchi. I also tasted the Ravioli di Zucca, filled with butternut squash mousse in 
Alfredo sauce. Exceptional, but the lobster filled Ravioli di Aragosta was even better! Both are in 
the ($16) range. Other entrées that pepper the menu: Veal, Chicken, Beef and a Fresh Salmon, the 
one menu item that Alicia said is her favorite. I thought the Pollo alla Gorgonzola ($19) smelled 
wondrous when it arrived at the table, as it cast its rich aromas in bouquets. In a word, Perfection. 
The sprinkling of olive oil, shallots and Gorgonzola cheese made you want to sing as you dined on 
this dish. For beef lovers, I highly recommend the Filetta con Porcini. A thin fillet of beef grilled in 
porcini mushroom sauce. Yes, there are pizzas here, and no, I didn’t have the room to sample one, 
but the owner, Horacio, guarantees that they are great as well. I trust this man! This restaurant cares 
about your dining experience! I cannot remember the last time I could say this, but every dish I dined 
upon ranged in the well-above-average to exceptional. This is one my best finds in the past year. The 
restaurant is a great combination of thoughtful owners and tantalizing dishes. Divina Cucina, means 
Divine Kitchen, and the food here, is indeed, Heavenly. 

Divina Cucina, 3730 N. Verdugo Rd., Montrose, (828) 248-3077. Full bar; reservations are suggested. 
View their on-line menu for current updates. www.divinacucinarestaurant.com

 Please watch my TV Show every Saturday 
and Sunday Night at 7 PM. On Charter 
Cable 101. Email me at thechefknows@
yahoo.com.

 For you Wine lovers, consider a Wine-
maker Dinner with Anthony Bell at the 
Golden Spur in Glendora, this Monday Night 
(1/10), at 7 PM. Call (626) 963-9302.


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills


2011 Happenings at Old Town Cooking School

Long-time friends and local residents, Deborah Swartz and Deanna Clark started the business five 
years ago. Swartz says they consider themselves “home cooks,” not chefs. Both have formal training, 
including courses at the Napa Culinary Institute and other recognized programs. Clark took courses 
in France and Italy. In fact, they were inspired to create their “home cooking” approach to culinary 
education after realizing that other programs catered to individuals preparing for full-time careers as 
chefs. What they devised is ideal for everyone else with an interest in learning the basics or simply 
building upon existing culinary skills. With courses reasonably priced it’s a great investment of time 
and money – and a creative destination for a date night!

OLD TOWN COOKING SCHOOL CLASS SCHEDULE 

January, 2011

Make-Ahead Meals Tuesday, Jan 11

 

Breakfast And Brunch Cooking From The Country Inns - Sunday, Jan 16

 

Indian Cooking With Vegetarian Entrees, With A Visiting Chef - Tuesday, Jan 18

 

Explore the Wines and Cuisine of the French Mediterranean Coast - Thursday, Jan 20

 

Baking Boot Camp - Saturday, Jan 22

 

Texas State Fair Prize-Winning Recipes! - Sunday Jan 23

 

Boot Camp - Sunday Jan 30

 

All Classes Take Place At the CASITA DEL ARROYO

177 S. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105

 

For information go to www.OldTownCookingSchool.com

Or call 626 791-0358


Win Two Tickets to the Friends 
of the Library 41st Annual Wine 
and Cuisine Tasting Event

February 18th at the Alverno Villa

Look for this Wine-Tasting Artwork in Mt. Views 
Publications now until January 31st. Answer the 
wine trivia question, complete the entry form and 
drop off at the Sierra Madre Library. 

Drawing Rules – Limited to one entry per 
person, per Mt Views publication. Winner need 
not be present to win General Admission tickets. 
Completed entry from must be delivered to the 
Sierra Madre Library during hours of operation, same week of publication. Drawing 
tickets have no cash value and cannot be refunded. Eligible entry form does not 
require a correct answer to the trivia question.


$7 Chamber membersThursday,January 27th, 5:30 to 7pm$
$15 non-membersy,Jy,pNetworking, Door Prizes, Great FoodSample Fine California Wines120WSierraMadreBlvd120W.SierraMadreBlvd.
Also, plan to join us Feb. 10th, 5:30 to 
7pm, for a Joint Chamber Mixer as we 7pm, for a Joint Chamber Mixer as we 
welcome the Arcadia Chamber for our 
February mixer hosted by Ed Clare, 
Electrical Contractor, and Corfu