Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 6, 2013

GOOD FOOD & DRINK

9

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 6, 2013 

FLAKE? OR I JUST FORGOT TO CALL

Ever flaked out on an appointment, made a reservation and didn’t show. I for one never write anything down and 
up until now it has done me just fine, you know the feeling -- sitting at a coffee shop waiting to catch up with a 
friend that you haven’t seen for awhile, tick tock they are twenty minutes late so you text them, and they respond 
“oh, I forgot, how about a rain check?”. Now you remember why it is that you don’t make plans with that person.

The Hospitality Industry makes their plan how many people to hire and to have working a certain shift by history 
- you know, how busy we are usually on a certain date or with how many reservations. The issue of no-shows 
has plagued many different industries that rely on reservation or appointment-type processes. Everything from 
the restaurant to healthcare to commercial airline industry has had to come up with solutions to this problem 
in order to remain both profitable and customer-service oriented. Many of these industries have used statistical 
models to predict no-shows such that seats or appointments 
that would otherwise go unused are filled with customers that 
were overbooked for those vacancies. A restaurant in Beverly 
Hills has taken this a bit further as what to do or at least how to 
punish a No Show!! They took their grievance to social media 
right or wrong, you be the judge.

“I hope you enjoyed your GF’s B-day and 
the flowers that you didn’t bring when 
you no-showed for your 8:15 res.,” read 
one tweet.

Noah Ellis, co-owner of Red Medicine, 
sent that and another tweet naming 
several other people. He took the 
unusual step after turning away walk-
up customers because he thought his 
50-something-seat restaurant was 
booked solid during the popular 6:30-9 
p.m. window, and forcing loyal customers 
to book earlier or later times. “We lost 
20 percent of our total reservations on 
Saturday and a huge chunk of our prime-
time bookings,” he said in a statement 
emailed to The Associated Press. “Most 
diners don’t realize the impact no-shows 
make on a restaurant.”

Ellis’ move prompted a torrent of mixed reactions, with some saying the customers’ thoughtless behavior 
warranted public embarrassment and others saying the owner stepped over the line and his business will suffer. 
Within hours of Ellis’ tweets on the Red Medicine Twitter account, several one-star reviews appeared on Yelp.

Tell me what you think. thechefknows@yahoo.com

Join me this Sunday afternoon at 5:30 PM KABC Radio


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


SIERRA MADRE FARMERS MARKET 

The Sierra Madre Farmer’s Market hours have changed to 3:00pm through 7:00pm every Wednesday in fall and 
winter. Vendors include Dry Dock which has fresh and wild caught fish, Rustic Loaf with artisan breads, Cutie 
Pie with fresh pies and much more!

For those interested in being a vendor contact Melissa Farwell with Raw Inspirations at 818-591-8161 ext. 806.


A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER’S CULINARY 
JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, LOVE, 
AND LASAGNA 

Sierra Madre, CA — January 15, 2013 — When San 
Marino hairstylist Marinella Pollo entertained the 
idea of writing a cookbook of family recipes from her 
mother’s kitchen, clients jumped on board and YOU 
NEVER GROW OLD AT THE DINNER TABLE took 
flight. This cookbook will not only teach you how to 
cook, but have you laughing and crying over stories of 
Italian tradition and a mother’s devotion to her family. 
Selling out in only three weeks, a second printing of 
YOU NEVER GROW OLD AT THE DINNER TABLE 
is now available at Vroman’s Bookstore, Claro’s Italian 
Markets, and other retailers listed on the website www.
spadabooks.com. 

“The most important message behind my book is how 
the power of a mother’s love and the strength of family 
have been the constants in my life that have driven me 
to pursue new adventures with enthusiasm and no fear 
of failing. If I’m happy, my family is happy,” said Pollo. 
“Another amazing aspect of this book project was the 
education on writing, self-publishing, and social media 
I received. It was minutes away from home at my 
local community college,” Pollo said with enthusiasm, 
now adding author to her life as a hairstylist, student, 
teacher, and business owner. 

“The way you have written your book has inspired me 
to be in the kitchen with confidence and enthusiasm. 
My husband is amazed by the transformation of my 
attitude about cooking! I feel like I have found a mentor 
in the kitchen and a friend of my heart.” — Carrie 
George, author The Waiting Room 

Marinella Pollo is currently scheduled for a local author book signing event at Vroman’s Bookstore (695 East 
Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena) on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. She also will be attending her hometown 
annual Wisteria Festival to promote her book on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at Savor the Flavor, Specialty 
Foods and Gifts (11 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre). 

About the Author: Marinella Pollo is the author of YOU NEVER GROW OLD AT THE DINNER TABLE. Her 
mission in writing her cookbook and blog www.piazzapress.blogspot.com founded in Sierra Madre, CA, 2012 
is to connect with people by sharing family recipes, the rich Italian culture she lives by and follows, and how 
she applies positive energy to her life to attain personal achievement. In Piazza Press Pollo also shares her 26-
year passion in the world of hair color and styling by offering leading-edge hair tips to her readers; and her 
background experience on the foundations of managing a business and retaining satisfied customers. For more 
information, please call (626) 404-6177 or visit www.spadabooks.com. You can pick up a copy of the book at Savor 
the Flavor in Sierra Madrea, Vroman's Bookstores, Pasadena, Claro's Italian Markets (there are 6 locations), 
Huntington Hospital Gift Shop, Webster's fine Stationers – Altadena and , San Marino Book Shop. 
MEET THE AUTHOR THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2013 AT VROMAN’S PASADENA AT 4:00 pm. 
Photo above: Marinello, with mother Mara Pizzinat and Savor the Flavor Proprieter, Karen Keegan at the 2013 
Wistaria Festival.


Fresh: Celebrating The Table - Cooking at the Arboretum

$50 Arboretum members / $60 non-members (admission included)

Reservations Required - Please Call 626.821.4623

Alexandra Poer Sheridan chef/owner of café & boutique Alexandra’s Table 
Wednesday, April 10 3 – 5pm

Alexandra Poer Sheridan is the chef/owner of the cafe and boutique 'alexandra's table, 
food and objects for the table", established in 2011, located in the historic Mission 
District of San Gabriel. She is also the proprietor and chef of the catering company, 
Alexandra Poer Sheridan Catering. Preparing seasonal, flavorful and colorful foods is 
what has earned her a highly regarded reputation in the greater Los Angeles region. 

A fixture on the Arboretum guest chef roster, she will be back preparing seasonal selections 
from two of her favorite cookbooks: Plenty and Jerusalem by the Chef/ Author 
Yotam Ottolenghi. Please call for a reservation, and do visit: alexandra’s table at 413 S. 
Mission Drive San Gabriel, CA 91776 626.319.8649