B5

FOOD - DRINK -FUN

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 17, 2024 


URBAN PLATES A 
MUST TRY

In my quest to keep you, my loyal reader 
educated, we will discuss Organic and Natural 
Wines. Last week I visited the Urban Plates 
Restaurant on South Lake and the lunch crowd 
was dense and there was a buzz in the air. The 
line for your food is similar to Chipotle or a 
cafeteria setting, but that’s all you can compare. 

The task I had while visiting Urban Plates was 
to taste the food and see what kind of wines pair 
perfectly with their “protein” focused menu. 
Some of the food I tasted was the free-range 
chicken, California line caught albacore, and a 
turkey meatloaf that my grandmother would 
have been proud of. I scouted the menu and have a few other entrees I would like to try on my next 
visit; some of them are the sautéed brussels sprouts and organic potatoes. I don’t know about you, but I 
cannot seem to tell a difference between organic non-organic potatoes. However, our generation is keen 
on natural, fresh, farm-to-table food where everyone seems to be a “foodie” and knows what is good 
or not. The menu at Urban Plates has many different healthy options, there is also the not so healthier 
option to choose from as well. One of the not so healthy options that caught my eye was the pork ribs 
and macaroni and cheese, which pairs great with a Stone Pale Ale or the pride of San Diego, the Mission 
Blonde Ale. Each entrée comes with a delicious, perfectly char-grilled focaccia bread! 

As if the food doesn’t sound good enough… the price is just as good. All entrées are in the ten to sixteen-
dollar range and wine ranges from seven dollars and up per glass. The wine list is quite small, about eleven 
or so wines by the glass that are offered but the management informed me that when they receive a request 
for additional wines, they will expand. I spend a lot of time in Santa Barbara and feel I am very familiar 
with the brand, Seaglass Unoaked Chardonnay. It is offered at Urban Plates and will pair great with the 
chicken or albacore. The Pork Ribs will pair nicely with the Cabernet . All in all, great food and a nice 
wine list! 

What exactly is an Organic Wine? Well, the word “organic” has the same meaning as when applied to 
other products of our everyday consumption (i.e. organic poultry or organic produce). Organic wine 
makers use only natural fertilizers and never use pesticides on their vineyards. It is simply a pure and 
natural method of growing grapes and making wine! Personally, I find that there is no difference in taste 
when comparing organic and non-organic wine. However, there is a difference in prices, so if you feel up 
for spending a few extra pennies, give it a taste yourself. Lastly, if you are really into the health craze, I stop 
at my local grocery store each morning for a nice bottle of kombucha; Urban Plates has kombucha on tap! 
Swing by next time you have a chance and try Urban Plates out yourself! 

Urban Plates: 55 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena 

Great for Lunch and Dinner! 

Follow me on Instagram and Tik Tok


THE TASTING 

MEXICAN TEQUILA 
HONORING IRELAND

I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room 
Manager and Wine Buyer at The 
Bottle Shop in Sierra Madre with 
another wine and spirits selection. 

St. Patrick’s Day is this Sunday and 
what better time to tell you about 
a new tequila that we have at The 
Bottle Shop. What? Tequila on St. 
Patrick’s Day? Here’s the story and 
you’ll understand the connection.

Irlandés Tequila is the first tequila 
inspired by Ireland. Irlandés honors 
the Irish San Patricios Battalion who fought alongside the courageous young 
Mexican soldiers, Los Niños Heroes. Of course, the story is a little more 
involved than that. According to award winning author Reyna Grande, the 
San Patricios was an artillery unit composed mainly of Irish soldiers who’d 
deserted the US Army and switched sides to fight for Mexico during the 
Mexican-American War. In August of 1847 at the Battle of Churubusco, 
much of the battalion was captured and most of them were sentenced to hang. 
Mexico has honored the battalion in many ways since that time. In Plaza San 
Jacinto in Mexico City a bust of John Riley - the leader of the battalion – along 
with a plaque listing the names of the 50 members of the battalion who were 
hanged honors the San Patricio Battalion. Time heals all wounds though. In 
1947, United States President, Harry S. Truman, flew to Mexico and laid a 
wreath at the monument honoring the San Patricios Battalion saying “Brave 
men don’t belong to any one country. I respect bravery wherever I see it.”

According to the Irlandés Tequila website, the water that is used in the 
production of the tequila is from the Deep Well in Arandas, Mexico and 
sacred water from the St. Patrick’s Well in Ireland. The Irlandés Tequila uses 
only hand sourced Blue Weber Agave from the renowned Los Altos region 
in Arandas. It is fermented and distilled at the famous Tequila El Mexicano 
distillery with natural, French yeast. Both the Reposado and Blanco are 
double distilled with the Reposado rested in American oak barrels. 

The Blanco ($49.99) is fresh and vibrant with notes of citrus. The Reposado 
($59.99) has notes of vanilla, spice, dried fruit, and a long finish. Both are 
available at The Bottle Shop. “Sláinte” and “Salud” this weekend with Irlandés 
Tequila.

Join me next Thursday and Friday at The Tasting Room for “Northern 
California Pinot Noir” Tasting.

Until next time – Salud!

Upcoming Wine Tastings – 

3/21 & 3/22 Northern California Pinot Noir

3/23 Spanish Wines with Premium Tinned Fish 
(Conservas)

3/24 Discover South American Wines

3/28 & 3/29 Wines For Easter

TBD April Fresh Shucked Oysters and Champagne!

Scan the QRCode to subscribe to The Bottle Shop newsletter and stay 
informed on our weekly wine tasting, beer tasting, and special winemaker 
events.


Slow-Cooked Lamb 
with Sage and Pearl 
Barley

INGREDIENTS

1 shoulder of young lamb 

4 carrots 

2 stalks of celery 

4 red onions 

4 splashes olive oil 

3 squashed garlic cloves 

12 sage leaves 

8 peppercorns 

1 1/4 cups red wine 

1 1/4 cups chicken stock 

3/4 cup of pearl barley 

salt 

12 fresh almonds 

freshly ground black pepper 


DIRECTIONS

Trim the fat from 1 shoulder of young lamb. Peel, wash, and 
thinly slice 4 carrots and 2 stalks of celery. Peel 4 red onions 
and cut into small wedges. 

Cook the shoulder of lamb

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Heat a flameproof casserole dish 
with a splash of olive oil and brown the shoulder on all sides. 
Take it out, throw away the cooking fat, wipe the casserole dish 
clean, and put it back on the heat with an additional splash of 
olive oil. 

Put in half the vegetables and sweat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring. 
Add 3 squashed garlic cloves, 12 sage leaves, and 8 peppercorns, 
mix well, and return the shoulder of lamb to the casserole 
dish. 

Pour in 1 1/4 cups of red wine and reduce by half. 
Then add 1 1/4 cups of chicken stock, cover the casserole dish 
with a lid, and put in the oven for 2 1/2 hours, basting the 
shoulder from time to time. 

Take out the casserole dish. Remove the shoulder, wrap it in 
aluminium foil, and keep warm. Keep the casserole dish on 
hand. 

Prepare the pearl barley

Shortly before the end of cooking the lamb, put 3/4 cup of pearl 
barley to soak for 10 minutes. 

Heat another casserole dish with a splash of olive oil, put in the 
rest of the vegetables, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Drain 
the pearl barley and add to the vegetables. Stir, season with salt, 
and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Take a ladleful of the cooking liquid from the lamb casserole 
dish and pour it into the barley casserole dish. Let it swell with 
the liquid and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, adding more of the 
liquid as and when it is absorbed. 

Peel 12 fresh almonds and add them at the end of cooking with 
a splash of olive oil. Stir and check the seasoning. 

To finish your dish

Cut the shoulder into large pieces and return them to their casserole 
dish. Add the contents of the other casserole dish and a 
generous twist of freshly ground black pepper and serve in the 
casserole dish. 


SWINGIN' THE DISNEY SONGBOOK

Matt Johnson “a hurricane on sticks” (Los Angeles Times) and the New Jet 
Set (featuring sensational vocalist Adryon de León) will bring “Swingin' the 
Disney Songbook” to Sierra Madre NEXT WEEKEND!

Audiences have described this show as “nostalgic,” “emotional,” and “great for 
everyone.” With multimedia images and vintage film clips, you won’t want to 
miss this heart-warming show:

 Friday 3/22 at 7:30PM

 Saturday 3/23 at 11AM*

 Sunday 3/24 at 2PM

Saturday at 11AM is a kid-friendly matinee: 50min show! Use code “DISNEY10” 
for $10 tickets.

About the Show

Hosted by Matt Johnson, a renowned drummer, author, and music educator, 
this extraordinary performance offers a unique and behind-the-scenes 
look at the unforgettable songs that have become the heart and soul of classic 
Disney movies. From the beloved tunes of "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan" to the 
heartwarming melodies of "Dumbo" and "The Jungle Book," we'll take you on 
a musical adventure through the decades.

Rediscover the Magic

The New Jet Set, a group of virtuosic musicians with charismatic personalities, 
will transport you back in time with their retro-cool interpretations of 
your favorite Disney anthems. Imagine if Walt Disney and Hugh Hefner had 
thrown a jazz party – that's the vibe we're bringing to the stage!

Tickets: $12 - $35

Don't miss this enchanting and nostalgic musical celebration that will delight 
Disney fans of all ages. Get your tickets now and be part of an unforgettable 
experience as we Swing the Disney Songbook with Matt Johnson and The 
New Jet Set at the Sierra Madre Playhouse.

WWW.SIERRAMADREPLAYHOUSE.ORG


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