Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, March 3, 2018

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 3, 2018 9FOOD & DRINK Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 3, 2018 9FOOD & DRINK 
TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dillsthechefknows@yahoo.com 
FOOD NETWORK STAR DUFF GOLDMAN OPENS 
DO-IT-YOURSELF CAKE DECORATING STUDIO 
IN PASADENA CREATIVE NEW HOT SPOT FOR 
BIRTHDAY PARTIES, FAMILY OUTINGS AND TEAM 
BUILDING ACTIVITIES 

TRIED AND TRUE NIKKI C’S 


I wrote this article some five years ago and not 
much has changed - trust me friends that is a good 
thing! I stopped by for tacos on Tuesday and was 
very pleased with my decision not to go anywhere 
else. 

Nikki C’s, named after the owner’s daughter, is 
a small restaurant which possesses a large appeal. 
Over the years, the restaurant has gathered a large 

faithful following 
among racetrack 
enthusiasts, local 
neighbors and a slew 
of regulars from 
all parts unknown. 
It offers an Italian 
menu with an old 
American flair. The 
restaurant is softlylit and has almost 
a club feel about it. 
The bar was recently 
upgraded with new 
TVs, and many of the 
patrons find Nikki 
C’s as attractive and 
satisfying as Cheers 
did to Norm. Most of 

the regulars eat at the 
bar, and it appeared 
to me that they felt as at ease as if they were in 
their own home enjoying a meal.

For this visit I decided to sit in the dining room, 
which is quaint (or in American-speak “on the 
small side”). I wanted to get a better idea of their 
selections, so I decided that I would get half-orders 
of appetizers and entrees to try more dishes and get 
a better idea of what they have to offer. For starters, 
I had the Blue Cheese Wedge Salad. It is comprised 
of a crisp cut of lettuce topped with bacon bits and 
blue cheese dressing. This is one fantastic dish that 
I will order every time I come to this restaurant. I 
stuck with appetizers for our next course, a seared 
Filet Mignon on toast with a touch of avocado and 
feta, a gold medal winner for this critic. During 
the meal I enjoyed a Cadillac Margarita; I missed 

the ice float, though. Well, that’s just how I enjoyit. Okay, entrée time. You have to have lasagna at 
an Italian restaurant, don’t you? Nikki C’s brought 
back a forgotten memory of a place that I went 
to in Hoboken, NJ on a rainy day. It has enough 
cheese to satisfy any cheese lover and flavor that 
would make your mama lift her fork approvingly. 
My friend and political pundit, Madd Maxx, had 


the Cioppino Pasadino that he swears is the best 
in town and has enough shelled fish to feed an 
army. Our host Nikki got wind that there was a 
big-time food critic in the stable (I asked where?)
She brought me a portion of the Tuscan Osso 
Bucco (Pork Shank) - for it will be well worth the 
full course on my next visit. Since I wasn’t drivingI ended the night with a martini at the bar -- tasty, 
and at good price I’ll stick around and have two. 
Dessert, I am full! 
Nikki C’s 470 S. Rosemead Blvd. Pasadena (626)
792-7437 

Dining with Dills on AM 830 KLAA at 5 PM 
Sunday www.peterdills.com

As always double check menu prices on line- I 
wasn’t able to reach owner for post interview. 

Pasadena, CA: Duff 's Cakemix (“DCM”) is a doit-
yourself cake and cupcake decorating studiowhere the customer is the artist. The companyrecently opened its second location just south ofColorado Blvd on the corner of Dayton and DeLacey. A soul-nourishing escape from the hustleand bustle of modern life, DCM is a space forspontaneous creative outings, birthday parties,
team building activities, corporate events, andcharity events. Customers select from an offeringof pre-baked cakes and cupcakes, build their kitswith colorful frosting, fondant and candies, andthen bring their creative vision to life.

Regardless of skill level, Team Duff is there toinspire the super hero cake decorator in all ofus, à la the artists featured in Duff ’s TV series, 
Ace of Cakes. Guests walk away with a delicious,
one-of-a-kind creation to enjoy at home withfamily or friends, or to share as a personalizedgift. When it comes to design, the sky is the limit

-from pop culture inspired rainbow unicorns,
and holiday themes, to any special occasion,
from bachelorette parties to graduations. TeamDuff can also bring the party offsite to privateresidences, offices or public spaces. Customerscan walk in or make reservations in advance, 
which are encouraged on weekends and holidays.
In addition to serving as a venue for all kinds ofcelebrations, the studio hosts an on-going array 
of cake decorating classes, workshops and kids 
camps.

On the new location, founder Duff Goldman 
said, “I couldn’t be more excited to bring mypassion for sparking creativity in others to 
Pasadena. Old Town is the perfect mix offamily-friendly culture and entertainment. Weare thrilled to join this vibrant neighborhood.”
Duff is a chef, baker, cake decorator, and Food 
Network personality. He is currently the leadjudge on the Baking Championship TV shows. 

About Duff ’s Cakemix: Duff 's Cakemix is an 
entertainment retail business, offering cake andcupcake decorating experiences in a branded,
upbeat and vibrant atmosphere. The company’s 
mission is to empower creativity and foster 
shared, multi-generational social experiences. AtDuff ’s Cakemix, we believe there are artists in all 
of us, and that cake decorating is an act of love,
especially when done with or for others. Theworld wants to create, the world needs to create, 
and more than anything, the world needs cake.
We’re here to help.
The business has been featured in a variety ofmedia including: The Today Show, Good Day LA,
Forbes, LA Times, People Magazine, Pop Sugar,
Bon Appetit, Keeping Up With The Kardashians,
Real Housewives, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. 

MOVIES AT THE PLAYHOUSE! 


Yes, for the first time in many years. The SierraMadre Playhouse has a large screen and is excitedto inaugurate it with our third annual showing ofthe “Wild & Scenic Film Festival,” which is puttogether by the Mono Lake Committee. The Sierra 

Madre Energy, Environment & Nattural ResourcesCommission has worked with Mono Lake and The 
Sierra Madre Playhouse to bring these films here onSaturday, March 10 at 7:00. Go here to buy tickets:
http://monolake.org/wildandscenic/ 

FREE EVENT! DINNER WITH FRIENDS AT 
SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE ON MARCH 26


 Sierra Madre Playhouse continues its Off the Page series of free staged readings withPulitzer Prize-winning Dinner with Friends on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. ScottAlan Smith will direct. 

Two married couples have been best friends for years. Karen and Gabe, international foodwriters, are giving a dinner for Beth and Tom, which he doesn’t attend. It emerges from theheartbroken Beth that he has left her for another woman. Gabe and Karen are almost as 
crushed, having expected “to grow old and fat together, the four of us” and the shock causesthem to take a long, hard look at their own marriage.

Donald Margulies is the playwright. His Broadway credits include The Country House,
Sight Unseen, Collected Stories, Time Stands Still, Brooklyn Boy and What’s Wrong with ThisPicture? He teaches at the Yale School of Drama. 

Director Scott Alan Smith is the Associate Artistic Director of The Road Theatre. His 
directing credits include Melissa Arctic, Sovereign Body, That Good Night, Lady, New YorkMets, So Nice to See You and The Petoskey Stones. He is also an actor. He received an MFAfrom the American Conservatory Theatre.

 “Monday, March 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra MadreBlvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind the venue. Reservations are notnecessary. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. Website: www.sierramadreplayhouse. 
org

“Margulies writes about relationships with such intelligence and spiky humor that hiscomedy-drama…becomes something quite wonderful”—Time Magazine.

…full of life, warmth, laughs and wisdom…” —N.Y. Daily News 


March17-18,2018March17-18,2018SierraMadreWistariaFestivalSierraMadreWistariaFestival2018SierraMadreWistariaFestivalSATURDAY,MARCH17–18,2018SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018 — St. Patrick’s Celebration 
Noon TO9:00P.M. —Green LivingExpo, Beer Garden andGem CityJazzcats.No vine viewing on Saturday 
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2018 — Wistaria Vine Tour 
9:00A.M. TO5:00P.M. —TAKESHUTTLETOTHEHISTORICWISTARIAVINE! 
$12 ADULTS $7 SENIORS & CHILDREN 6 -16 
Purchase tickets in Sierra Madre at 
The Bottle Shop Savor The Flavor Bean Town 
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