Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, February 11, 2017

9

FOOD AND DRINK & MORE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 11, 2017 


HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com

First of all, let’s agree to agree, Valentine’s Day 
should be a full week. A single day is not long 
enough to fully express one’s love. What do you say 
about having an evening at home with a bottle of 
champagne and a candlelight table for dinner? You 
may wonder why a restaurant critic would dare 
such treason. In all truth, it’s an impossible night for 
restaurants. Service is less than optimal and even the 
guarantee of a reservation can lead to a long wait 
and the siphon of romance. 

 Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, 
and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. All in 
the name of St. Valentine, but who is this mysterious 
saint and why do we celebrate the passion of this 
holiday? The history of Valentine’s Day — and 
its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we 
do know that February has long been a month of 
romance. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, 
contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient 
Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and 
how did he become associated with this ancient rite? 
Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three 
different saints named Valentine or Valentines, all of 
whom were martyred.

 One legend contends that Valentine was a priest 
who served during the third century 
in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II 
decided that single men made better 
soldiers than those with wives and 
families, he outlawed marriage for young 
men — his crop of potential soldiers. 
Valentine, realizing the injustice of the 
decree, defied Claudius and continued 
to perform marriages for young lovers 
in secret. When Valentine’s actions were 
discovered, Claudius ordered that he be 
put to death. His love for love lives on 
each February.

 I realize that the stay at home 
experience will not fly with everyone’s 
better half, so let’s go dining

 One of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena is 
The Central Park Café on S. Fair Oaks. The menu 
offers a variety of meats, poultry and seafood. I am 
a major fan of their crab bisque soup. 

(626) 449-4499

 Avanti Café, The restaurant like the owner is small 
and very charming. Nice pizzas and pastas and you 
won’t go broke eating at Avanti. North Lake (626) 
577-4688

 How about Café Beaujolais in Eagle Rock, I 
dined there recently and was very pleased with the 
dishes, plus their prices are reasonable. The crème 
brulee will make the most stubborn woman swoon. 
Colorado Blvd.

(323) 255-5111

 My favorite Italian spot for sure is Celestino’s on 
South Lake. Pure Italian and let me say once more 
reservations required. 

 

 Join me every Sunday Afternoon at 5 PM for Dining 
with Dills on KLAA AM 830 


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