Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 4, 2011

10

GOOD FOOD & DRINK

 Mountain Views News Saturday, June 4, 2011 

A north by West Surprise. Montrose that is

Redefining the Coffee Experience

Mocha? Cappacino? Chai Latte anyone? 

If Christopher Columbus were alive today and 
I had the opportunity to take him out to dinner, 
I would take him to the sleepy town of Montrose 
and a restaurant nestled near the 2 Fwy. For much 
like Christopher, I also made an accidental but 
fortuitous discovery, Divina Cucina - Ristorante 
Italiano. How it had managed to slip past my knife 
and fork for all these years is a true mystery. For 
Divina Cucina has been around for 19 years. 

The restaurant itself is quaint, with a bar, a main 
dining room and an attached patio. Fully decorated 
for the holidays and with some angels that 
appear to watch over its guest throughout year. I 
sat on the enclosed patio and found it to be comfortable 
and acoustically perfect, as 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 that spanned the room and 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 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 also took a sampling 
of the Squash Soup as well. I have long since 
said, that if the soup is good, that usually leads to 
a great dining experience. 

I don’t know what 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, which is filled with butternut squash 
mousse in Alfredo sauce. Exceptional, but the 
Ravioli di Aragosta filled with lobster 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 (MP). 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. 

Treat yourself to a present this holiday’s season 
and settle into a seat at Divina Cucina. 

Full bar, and reservations are suggested. Please 
view their menu on line for current updates.

www.divinacucinarestaurant.com

3730 N. Verdugo Rd. Montrose (828) 248-3077. 
Please watch my TV Show every Saturday and 
Sunday Night at 7 PM. On Charter Cable 101. E 
mail me at thechefknows@yahoo.com

By La Quetta M. Shamblee

Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and 
Pete’s Coffee Company may be more visible 
to commuters and others traveling the main 
thoroughfares and regional malls, but millions 
of diners have also enjoyed a gourmet brew or 
smoothie from the Caffee D’ Amore product line. 
Their Bellagio gourmet coffee 
line is very popular choice in the 
restaurant and hotel industry.

Caffe D’ Amore is a local 
company that produces a line 
of gourmet beverage and food 
products that are distributed 
around the world. After starting 
in 1969, it was known as the 
Pasadena Coffee Company 
and later gained notoriety after 
introducing the world’s first 
flavored cappuccino, Caffe 
D’Amore® Original Mocha. 
They are also credited with 
introducing the first frozen coffee 
beverage their flavored Frappe 
Freeze® mixes made it possible 
for consumers to enjoy the ice-blended coffee 
house experience at home. Although the company 
continues to maintain their coffee roastery in 
Pasadena, but their corporate headquarters, 
distribution center and state-of-the-art training 
facility is located in Monrovia.

They continue as trendsetters with innovative 
additions, including two flavors inspired by culture 
South of the Border, specifically Latin Blends ® 
Dulce de Leche and Latin Blends ® Mexican Spiced 
Cocoa. Rooibos Thai Tea is available and anyone 
who enjoys Chai tea will feel like a kid in a candy 
store with a wide variety of mixes that simply need 
to have water or milk added, hot or cold. Mixes 
for flavored tea lattes, sipping chocolates, even 
a line of packaged dry goods for baking healthy 
brownies, cookies and other goodies are just an 
order away. 

The “Bellagio Epicurean” 
line is a favorite with chefs 
and restaurants for creating 
gourmet desserts and beverages, 
with choices of Unsweetened 
Cocoa Powder, Sweet Ground 
Chocolate, Freeze Dried 
Espresso, Vanilla Bean and 
Decadent Chocolate Gelato 
Starters. Their signature 
Bellagio roast was designated as 
“The Official Coffee of the 2008 
Tournament of Roses.” For a 
number of years the company 
operated a coffee shop on the 
corner of Walnut Avenue and 
Sierra Bonita in Pasadena where 
they also sold their entire line 
of consumer products, including gift baskets. 
Fortunately for consumers, products including 
gift sets, are available for purchase through their 
website. In fact, the site features a Holiday Gift 
Center with many selections.

The next time you’re in a coffee shop where 
you’re able to peek over the counter, don’t be 
surprised if you catch a glimpse of the Caffe D’ 
Amore or Bellagio logo on the package being used 
to prepare your perfect gourmet beverage. To 
learn more, visit their website at caffedamore.com.


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills


From the Inside Out

Mary Carney

A Case for Premium Ice Cream


Ah, reminders of home. 
Home? Yes, central 
Pennsylvania, home of 
the Eastern Continental 
Divide, the Amish, and 
Penn State’s Creamery, 
world-re-knowned for its 
amazing ice cream. 

Founded in 1855 as a chartered 
school with the primary goal of 
bringing scientific principles to 
farming, Penn State became a 
land-grant college only 7 years 
later, and has since grown into 
a multidisciplinary university 
focusing first on the practical 
aspects of life, and then the 
academic. 

Today, in addition to its 
academic credentials, Penn 
State is recognized world-wide 
as the world’s finest school on making ice 
cream. Ice cream from the University Park 
Creamery is an amazing treat – with no more 
than 4 days from cow to ice cream cone 
or dish. Everything counts when making 
truly wonderful ice cream; and all the food 
networks recognize Penn State’s premier 
position in this field.

So, I hear you mutter, why rhapsodize about 
something that is only available 3/4 the way 
across the country? Well, brace yourselves, 
folks. 

“Mother Moo” is scheduled to open 
up right here in Sierra Madre this July 4th 
weekend at the former Domino’s 
Pizza location in Kersting Court. 
And the owner, Karen, has been 
well trained at Penn State’s ice 
cream institute. Yes – world 
quality organic ice cream will be 
available here right in our own 
town. All ingredients will be 
fresh, and obtained to the greatest 
extent possible from local organic 
farmers and gardeners, and all ice 
cream will be hand-made in small 
batches right in the store, with an 
ever-changing array of flavors by 
season.

 In the meantime, if you’ve got an errand 
in town, drift on by and watch as the former 
interior is transformed into what is going to 
be a wonderful addition to our town. 

 


Sierra Madre Public Library440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA626.355.7186Sierra Madre Families are invited to theChildren’s LibraryFamily Pizza PartyFundraiserSaturday, June 25th from 3 – 6 p. m.
Pizza . Silent Auction . Storytelling . Face paintingFun for the whole family!
RSVP to Meegan Tosh, Youth Services Librarian626.355.4672or 
mtosh@cityofsierramadre.com
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com