p8, v5.05 — Good Food & Drink — Mountain Views News

Good Food & Drink

Mountain Views News Saturday, January 29, 2011

MVNews this week: Page 8

GOOD FOOD & DRINK

Mountain Views News Saturday, January 29, 2011

Wine Tasting &
Cuisine Tasting

MORE THAN FOOD AND WINE AT THE

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY EVENT

The 41st Wine and Cuisine Tasting promises to be the most entertaining ever, as event chairs
work to bring you music and magic to the Villa as well as premium wines and marvelous
food. On February 18th you will be treated to the music of four great groups. Mario Lalli
of Club 322 is again sponsoring the groups as his contribution to the Friends. Mario has
booked for your enjoyment: Steve Vargas and Friends (folk, rock country acoustic); The
Echo Park Hot Club featuring harmonica virtuoso Bill Barnett (Retro ragtime, Gypsy Jazz);
2 Frets Lower (Blue Grass & Folk Blues); and Vince Meghrouni & the Downbeats Trio (Jazz).
These groups will be stationed throughout the Villa and the tents.

For almost 20 years, Magicians Steve Silverman and Will Chandler of the Magic Castle have
beguiled you with their magic. They won’t disappoint you this year as they are looking forward
to again participating.

At our Premier Event, Michael Riboli, 4th generation winemaker of San Antonio Winery
and Riboil Family Wine Estates will be there to speak about wine making and wine from his
famous winery. In addition to Mr. Riboli’s talk we will also have a very special door prize
for one lucky attendee to the Premier Event. Other door prizes will be given throughout the
main event.

You may purchase your tickets on line at www.SierraMadreLibraryFriends.org or at the Sierra
Madre Library, The Bottle Shop, Savor the Flavor, Arnold’s Frontier Hardware, and
Iris Intrigue. Tickets are $80 for the Premier and Main Event and $60 for the Main Event.
Members of the Friends of the Library will be given a $5.00 discount for the Main Event
tickets if they purchase them at the library. Premier tickets are limited to 100 guests and last
year they were sold out two weeks prior to the event, so be sure you don’t miss out this year.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Steak is one of my favorite dishes. My parents told me that when I was a boy, they would say
the magic words, “We are having steak for dinner.” My excitement level would explode. As if a long
awaited birthday had finally arrived. Some things never change. I still love a great steak. Maybe I have
been spoiled but an Argentinean restaurant or the Brazilian Chascaria that gives you all you can eat
and stuffs you like a human luggage container. But I really believe you can’t get a great steak for $19.95.
A great steak restaurant must have two essential ingredients, first and foremost, “The goods,” a quality
piece of meat, and secondly, the correct oven to prepare it in. Chef Gary Watanabe of The Ruth’s Chris
Steak House in Pasadena has both!!!

Founder Ruth Fertel was raised in Happy Jack, Louisiana, Fertel graduated from LSU with a degree in
Chemistry, and in the 1960’s Ruth saw an ad for a local steak house and took the job where she met
Chris Matulich, the owner of Chris Steak House. Against advice, Ruth borrowed enough money to
buy Chris out. The story has many more twists and turns, but as they say, “the rest is history.”

Each of the Ruth’s Chris has an identity of it’s own, the Pasadena Restaurant has a perfect greeting
area as you walk in. The hostess to your front the main dining room to your right and to the bar area
is on your left. Now I have dined at Ruth’s Chris at least ten time since it opened five years ago and I
am very comfortable pulling up a chair in the bar area. I am a people watcher and this is a great stop
to watch people.

Steak makes up 90% of all sales in the restaurant; each steak is artfully prepared in an 1800-degree double
broiler over. It is one of the reasons that you cannot get your steak at home to taste like theirs. The Beef
is dry-aged in Chicago and shipped twice weekly to Pasadena. Here it is just like when I was just a boy,
for eating at Ruth’s Chris is a special day. The Petite Filet ($ ) was incredible, I ordered it medium rare as
my first test. All the steaks come out on a sizzling plate with butter, and Chef Watanabe cooked my steak
to perfection. I must confess that I rarely order a NY Steak, it isn’t sexy enough, Chef agrees, that NY
strip steak was under appreciated. I am now a convert. The
New
York
Strip
Steak was delicious. in fact it might have new best friend
in this reviewer. Guests devoured the Rib Eye Steak as if
they hadn’t eaten in weeks. Impossible, because we also enjoyed
some of the best Calamari that I have ever had, yes,
the best. Too many restaurants try to fool you with frozen
rings, Yuk! If you have been reading my articles and following
my radio show, Crab Cakes are one of my favorites,
and they certainly pass the test here. A little hint, some of
these items are available for sampling a great price during
happy hour. What would a Steak House be with out a legendary
wine list. The list headed with selections from the
manager and boosts 8 pages of wine. If you can’t decide
there are some thirty to 40 wines by the glass. Desserts, are
you kidding me, I am supposed to be on a diet. Leave your
diet at home, the chef prepared cheesecake and a cram belay
that made me want to hang out at the bar and have a
glass of wine here every night. Our server was a delight and
she knew her steaks, great training!!

Ruth’s Chris 369 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena (626)
5838122.

Listen to my radio show every Sunday at 4 PM KABC Radio

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

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.

Come and Celebrate
Valentine’s DayTwo Course Meal (For Two)
Fajitas Trio for TwoA Chicken, beef and shrimp mix with bell peppers,
onions, tomatoes and flamed with white wine,
accompanied with rice, beans and tortillas.
1 DessertChoose one of our delicious dessertsFresas con Crema, Crepas con cajeta,
Fried Ice Cream, Cheesecake,
Flan de la Casa or Vanilla Ice Cream$25.95From 11am to 9:00pm, Valentine’s DayNew Hours beginning
February 14th, 2011Open at 8:00am for Breakfast
7 Days a WeekIf you bring in or mention the paper,
you will get a surprise.
wARCADIA(626) 445-5327625 E. Live Oak Ave.
Arcadia
California
91006PASADENA(626) 795-0230655 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena
California
91101DUARTE(626) 359-36141856 E. Huntington Dr.
Duarte
California
91010
What DO You Think?

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