Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, May 20, 2017

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 20, 2017 9FOOD AND DRINK & MORE Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 20, 2017 9FOOD AND DRINK & MORE 
HAPPY HOUR PASADENA STYLE 

A friend in the wine business 
says that selling wine to 
restaurants and supermarketsis like “hand-to-hand combat”. 
I guess what he means is there is a lot of competition. Wines lists have certainly evolved in the past twenty 
years. The happy hour scene in the San Gabriel Valley has really heated up. It used to be that McCormick 
and Schmick’s was the only game in town for upscale surroundings and low prices. Although the time ofthe $1.99 burgers and $3 beer is long gone, there are four restaurants in a one-mile radius that are fightingfor your last dollar with some pretty impressive wine/beer selections. 

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills 
thechefknows@yahoo.com
First, how did the happy hour first come into our lives? It was an old Navy term - the sailors would geta break from their daily activities and drink beer and fight on the ship. Drinking on the ship was soon 
outlawed and the “happy” part went away. During Prohibition, adults would meet in speakeasies or 
friends’ homes before going out to dinner. Since it was illegal, alcohol could not be served in restaurants,
so friends would say, “let’s meet for happy hour”. It took some forty years for restaurants and bars to catchon with drinks and food specials, though some states, to this day have banned the term “happy hour”. 


Sip and share at Del Frisco’sfrom 4 PM to 6:30 PM. Their 
menu has what is called 
“food to fight over”, includingdeviled eggs, pork nachosand waygu corn dogs, a niceselection of wines (includinga Josh Cellars Cab that will 
go well any other appetizers).
What I like is that they haveall of their tap beers for $6,
and all sip and share items arereasonably priced at $7. Get 
the White Sangria, a perfectdrink for summer, plus it 
comes with a popsicle! I wish

they had a bit more food to fight over, but the price is right. 55 S. Lake Ave Pasadena. Various locations 

Paul Martins’, also on South Lake, starts at 3 PM and has $6 beers and wines from $6 to $10. If you getthe burger for $16, they throw in the beer gratis. The educated Guess Cabernet ($14) is a stand-out. 455 

S. Lake Pasadena. Various locations 
As far the food, Ruths Chris gets the nod over the others. Their Swizzle and Stir menu is $9 and includes 
a steak sandwich that is the bargain of all bargains. Happy hour includes selected mixed drinks and wines 
by the glass. 369 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena. Various locations 

Alexander’s, located at the aforementioned McCormick’s old spot, offers their Social Hour. This is 
definitely a business hour with no shortage of incredible eats at more of a white linen price, but still areduced price point. Try the Waygu Burger ($17) and the Imperial Waygu Pastrami ($23) which goesgreat with Simmone Brut $9. If draft beer is your style, try Anderson Valley ale ($4). Stop here Monday 
through Friday 5 PM-6:30PM. 199 N. Los Robles Pasadena 

A wide choice of prices for my Happy Hour Round Up.
Be safe. Don’t drink and drive. Did I miss a spot? Listen in to Dining with Dills on AM 830 KLAA on 
Sundays at 5 PM. Don’t miss the Taste of Duarte this Wednesday Night from 5 PM to 8 PM 

CIMINO, ENGELAND AND HENDERSON WIN 
KIWANIS CHILI COOK-OFF 


The Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club held its' annual Chili Cook Off on Saturday to a full house atthe city's recreation center. Rocking to the beat of JJ's Jukebox, members were able to judge the 
culinary skills of 9 amateur contestants in two categories. Celebrity Food Critic Peter Dills 
awarded the Critic's Choice Award to Sierra Madre Public Works Director Chris Cimino for his 
special recipe bourbon enhanced Chili. Attendee's voted and gave the People's Choice Award to 
none other than Kiwanis' own Immediate Past President and Mountain Views News Publisher 
Susan Henderson (pictured above with current President Judy Webb-Martin). Henderson 
served up her secret recipe NOLO-West (New Orleans/West Coast) Turkey Chili over jalepenocornbread. 

There was also another competition among the city employees who entered and City ManagerGabe Engeland now has a new nameplate on his desk which identifies him as the, "2017 Best ChefAt City Hall". Engeland's chili was good and spicey! City staffer James Carlson also was a runner 
up in the main competition. The guys at city hall proved one thing.....they sure can cook! 

The event, formerly known as the Boot Skootin' Boogy, is the brain child of Kiwanian Joe Pergolaand over the last six years has raised thousands of dollars to support the Paul Magaris GrantFund which provides financial support to the community's youth activities. 

The Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club was founded in 1927 and is a part of Kiwanis International. The 
SM Club is celebrating its 90th year. It's motto is, "Serving the children of the world, one child, 
one community at a time. In addition to the individual grants, the group also supports the 
city's Halloween Contest, Christmas Trees in Kersting Court, the Huck Finn Derby, the Library's 
Summer Reading Program (Sierra Madre Public Library) and much more! 

Stop by The Lodge any Tuesday at noon and learn more about Kiwanis and listen to the GuestSpeakers on a wide variety of topics. ,

 Photo courtesy of F. Arizmendi 


Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, And Catering 
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