Food & Drink | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, September 30, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 30, 2017 9FOOD AND DRINK & MORE Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 30, 2017 9FOOD AND DRINK & MORE TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dillsthechefknows@yahoo.com URBAN PLATES This one might be tough to explain, but in my quest to keep you, my loyal reader, educated we will discuss organic and natural wines. Last Thursday Night I visited the Urban Plates Restaurant on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena. Much like Chipotle or your work cafeteria, you wait in line, but the comparisons end there. My task was to try the food, but also see what kind of wines matched up with their “protein-focused” menu. I sampled their free-range chicken, California line- caught albacore, and a turkey meatloaf that my grandmother would have been proud of. Other entrees on my list for my next visit are sautéed brussel sprouts and organic potatoes. Organic potatoes? I can’t tell the difference between organic, natural, or farm-to-table, but we live in a new generation of “foodies” and reading the labels in the grocery store seems to be the norm, not the exception. While menu boasts many healthy choices like beet salad with goat cheese, you can live it up with an order of pork ribs and macaroni and cheese. Both of these go great with their selection of local beers. All entrees are in the $10 to $17 range and come with char grilled focaccia bread. The wine list, though small, offers a wine-by-theglass program that I really appreciate. I counted 11 wines by the glass and have been told once management gets requests for additional wines they will expand. All and all they have great food and a nice wine list! So what exactly is “organic wine”? Urban Plates carries a few that are and a few that are not. I love the fact that you can get a great glass of wine with your lunch or dinner for $8 and up. Here is my best explanation: the term “organic” has the same meaning as when applied to other products of our everyday consumption such as organic poultry or produce, and conveys the concept of natural growing practices. Organic winemakers use only natural fertilizers and never use pesticides. It is simply a pure and natural method of wine growing and wine making! Simple, right? I find there is no taste difference. It might cost you a few more pennies, but give it a shot!! All winemakers are farmers and their intent is to keep all of their wines/farms goods as close to natural as possible. Side note: Each morning I stop at my local grocery store for a bottle of Kombucha - Urban Plates has it on tap! Urban Plates 269 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena; Lunch and Dinner Listen to Dining with Dills Sunday 5 PM KLAA AM 830 www.peterdills.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 | ||||||||||||||||||||