Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 11, 2014

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 11, 2014 
8 FOOD & DRINK & MORE Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 11, 2014 
8 FOOD & DRINK & MORE 
OLD SCHOOL PRICES FOR A NEW YEAR 

Beckham Grill 

I am fully aware that times are tough and when you are going to spend your hard earned dough, you 
want to feel that you got your monies worth. I thought about changing the name of the article to my 
money says, what do you think? I digress. 

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills 
thechefknows@yahoo.com 
Beckham Grill has been around since 1977, 
originally named after owner Bob Beckham, it was 
known as Bechkam Place. There are new owners 
but the management remains the same. The 

restaurant by today’s standards is “Old School,” its not a dark restaurant but shows in a cozy and faintly 
lit. The Bar, or “The Crown Room,” as it is familiarly known, is illuminated by the burst of a fireplace. 
There’s an old Car decorating the outside, and a 1960s English style Telephone Booth starts you on a 
journey. Often I come to Beckham to sit in the bar by the fireplace, a soothing respite. Beckham Grill 
has an item which seems simple enough in the description, but I don’t know of any other restaurant 
in Pasadena that serves it... Smoked Norwegian Salmon with Capers ($11.95). Seriously, I could order 
a double and have that alone for dinner, it’s that good. That may not be your cup of tea, so, maybe you 
are here for meat? Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef is the specialty, always has been and I suspect always will 
be. Prices are ($24.50 to $33.95) for the Crown Cut, on my visit I ordered the End Cut at ($26.95). All the 
aforementioned items 
come with Yorkshire 
pudding, creamed 
Corn and creamed 
spinach. 

The menu is skillfully 
represented with fish, 
meat, duck, steak and 
salad. My dinner 
companion Mike 
Bingley from Charter 
Cable had the Grilled 
Salmon for ($21.95), 
he gave it two thumbs 
up. No room for dessert on this visit, but next time for sure. 

If it’s a drink by the fireplace or a game of darts with some special friends, you may want to consider 
Five for Five happy hour drinks and cocktails for $5, a real value, though I ordered the Shrimp 
Cocktail at $14.95, one of the better one’s this side of Pasadena. Full Bar and Valet Parking 
Beckham Grill 77 W. Walnut Pasadena. (626) 796-3399

Listen to Dining w/Dills 790 AM KABC Radio Sundays at 5 PM 


CHICKEN TETRAZZINI 
INGREDIENTS

 Coarse salt

 Ground pepper
6 tablespoon(s) butter 
1 pound(s) white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced 1 inch thick


1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour 
3 cup(s) milk 
1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce) reduced-sodium chicken broth


3/4 cup(s) dry white wine 

3 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon(s) dried thyme leaves 
1 pound(s) linguine, broken in half 
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups) 
1 package(s) (10-ounce) frozen peas, thawed and drained 


DIRECTIONS 

1.Preheat oven to 400. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (for pasta). In a large saucepan, melt 
2 tablespoons butter over high heat. Add mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing 
frequently, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and set aside. 

2.Make sauce: In same saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour; 
cook, whisking, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk, broth, and wine. Bring to 
a boil; reduce to a simmer, and add 2 cups Parmesan and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. 

3.Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente; drain and return to pot. Add 
sauce, chicken, peas, and mushrooms. Toss well to combine. Divide between two shallow 2-quart 
baking dishes; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Freeze (see below) or bake until browned, about 
30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. 

4.To freeze: After placing pasta mixture in baking dishes and sprinkling with Parmesan (step 3), 
cool to room temperature. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze up to 3 months. 

To bake from frozen: Bake, covered with foil, at 400 degrees, until center is warm, about 2 hours. 
Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more. Serve. 

To bake from thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Bake, covered with foil, at 400 degrees, until 
center is warm, about 30 minutes. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes. 


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 
REVIEWS: 


Review By Sean Kayden 

SONGS TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR 

Young The Giant – Crystallized – After three years, Southern California natives 

Young The Giant are returning with their sophomore effort, “Mind Over 

Matter.” The album will be released on January 21st via Fueled By Ramen. One 

of the first singles is “Crystallized.” It packs delicate vocals, fervent melodies and huge hooks. The love 

song is the ideal summer night jam that just happens to be coming out in the winter. No matter what 

season it is, “Crystallized,” is sure to comfort anyone feeling lovesick. 

Bad Suns – Cardiac Arrest – Another SoCal band making the list are Bad Suns. The group is preparing 
to release their first EP, “Transpose” later this month. “Cardiac Arrest” is pure fun from this new pop-
rock bursting onto the scene. Frontman Christo Bowman sings with conviction and fervor. While 
“Cardiac Arrest” isn’t reinventing any genre, the song is incredibly catchy and infectiously addicting 
to keep on repeat. With bands like Capital Cities and Youngblood Hawke increasingly becoming 
popular, Bad Suns and their similar sound should be able to find much success with their 4-song EP. 
“Cardiac Arrest” is simply fun pop rock and sometimes simple and straightforward isn’t half bad. 
“Transpose EP” will be released on January 21st through Vagrant Records. 

New Desert Blues – Zachary – New Desert Blues is another newcomer hailing from the county of 
Whiteley located in Hampshire. The indie band evokes an American folk resonance. New Desert 
Blues actually dubbed themselves “noir Americana.” Whatever you want to call it, it’s great stuff. 
“Zachary” is a subtle, alternative-rock-country track that is invigorating from a band from England. 
While most bands hailing from there these days sound exactly the same, New Desert Blues seemed to 
be more influenced with the western civilization. Their guitars soar, the harmonies are ethereal and 
the vocals shine throughout. Despite only releasing a 4-track EP entitled “Devil’s Rope” on January 
21st through Whiteley Records, the band’s potential will have everyone anticipating their full-length 
record. 

The War on Drugs – Red Eyes – The most seasoned group on the list, The War On Drugs should have a 
huge year. Their fourth record, “Lost In the Dream” features “Red Eyes” a rolling rock gem that ignites 
the likes of Springsteen and company. This is good old fashion rock without the gimmicky electronics 
and tweaked vocals that’s all the rage these days. It’s raw and serious. “Red Eyes” is just shy of five 
minutes, but it could have been longer and I wouldn’t have mind. It’s dreamy rock with the signature 
sound from The War On Drugs that I can stand behind. The band is one of the more original bands 
out there playing today. If “Red Eyes” is any indication of how the entire record may sound, we just 
might have an early contender for album of the year. “Lost In The Dream” hits shelves March 18th via 
Secretly Canadian. 

MOZART CLARINET CONCERTO (WITH SOLOIST DAVID
NICHOLSON) AND SCHUMANN SYMPHONY FEATURED IN
PASADENA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA’S JANUARY CONCERT 


Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro Overture Rounds Out Program 

The Pasadena Community Orchestra presents a 
free concert that features soloist David Nicholson 
performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major, 
Schumann’s expansive Symphony #2, and Mozart’s 
Overture to the Marriage of Figaro. 


Enjoy one of the most beloved clarinet concertos in 
the repertoire and the overture to a delightful opera, 
together with Schumann’s expansive symphony, in a free 
concert presented by Pasadena Community Orchestra. 
Clarinetist David Nicholson has performed with the 
Los Angeles Philharmonic on its last two international 
tours, as well as with many Southern California 
orchestras. Mozart wrote the clarinet concerto as a 
kind of love poem to the instrument, and it displays 
the clarinet at its finest. Nicholson is a perfect match 
for the virtuoso versatility and lovely melodic lines of 
this concerto. Schumann’s Symphony #2, written at 
the height of Romanticism, is a richly expressive work, 
pervaded by a sense of epic striving that gives way to a 
spirit of triumph and jubilation. Mozart’s effervescent 
Overture to the Marriage of Figaro superbly establishes 
the mood and captures the essence of one of the most 
delightful and listenable operas in the repertoire. 
A reception follows the concert, at which audience 
members will have the opportunity to meet the soloist 
and the other musicians. 



MONROVIA (continued from page 6) - Insist that its staff provide a progress report at every 

city council meeting on progress getting the Cloverleaf 
I received responses to this letter from Mayor Mary trail open. 
Ann Lutz - who invited me to meet with herself and 
Interim City Manager Fran Delach - and from every - Work to establish an opening date for the Highland 
council member except Alexander Blackburn. Place trail. I understand it is closed because of the for


est fire damage, but at some point the trail should be 
(For a synopsis of the comments and meeting results, open-able. This ought to be on the City Council agenplease 
go to: www.monrovianow.com) da every few months or so to review. 

In conclusion, all Monrovians - from the richest to the - Post information about the Hillside trails on the city 
poorest - have been paying regularly for roughly 14 website, just as it does for Canyon Park: http://goo.gl/
years for a service they are not getting. They've been kiO5Li 
paying either directly, as property owners, or indirectly 
as renters. Yes, there are the legal issues, but Monrovia - Brad Haugaard 
was one of the leaders in redevelopment, which included 
lots of property issues, including lawsuits, and these 
issues were handled much more expeditiously than 
this Hillsides debacle. 

So, I believe the City Council should ... 

WHERE: In the sanctuary of First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena 
(just west of Michillinda Avenue). Ample free parking, wheelchair accessible. 

WHEN: Friday, January 31, 2014, 8 p.m. 

FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact PCO at 626.445.6708, via e-mail at publicity@pcomusic. 
org, or at www.pcomusic.org. 

Concert made possible in part by the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Pasadena 
Cultural Affairs Division, L.A. County Arts Commission, Pasadena Community Foundation, and 
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts.