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FOOD - DRINK -FUN

 Mountain Views NewsSaturday, July 13, 2024

THE TASTING ROOM


SOCIAL HOUR AT PLATE 38

Nestled at the corner of 
Sierra Madre and Colorado 
in Pasadena, Plate 38 offers a 
delightful dining experience 
with an American menu that 
satisfies both the casual diner 
and the discerning foodie. Under 
the expert guidance of Chef and owner Robert 
Humphreys, this restaurant has carved a niche for 
itself, particularly with its enticing Social Hour 
offerings.

I had the pleasure of trying several items from 
their menu, and I was thoroughly impressed. The 
grilled fish taco, priced at $7.50, was a standout 
with its perfect blend of flavors and textures. The 3 Oz cheeseburger, available for $8.50, rivals the 
best that In-N-Out has to offer, providing a juicy and flavorful bite that will leave you craving more. 
Another must-try is the French tip, Robert's unique take on the Philippe French dip from downtown 
Los Angeles, which is both hearty and delicious.

The drink menu is equally impressive. Plate 38 offers a variety of craft beers, fine wines, and creative 
cocktails. The "Stirred and Strong" section is particularly noteworthy. My friend Michael Ruszczynski 
swears by the Old Fashioned, and I can see why. It's a perfectly balanced cocktail that is both refreshing 
and satisfying. Eric, the bartender, also makes the best martini in town. Daytime patron Steve Jennings 
can’t wait to get off work for a sip of Clase Azul tequila, which speaks volumes about the quality of the 
drinks offered here. During Social Hour, the drink specials are particularly appealing, offering great 
value without compromising on quality.

Chef Robert has ingeniously designed a Social Hour that runs from 3 PM to close on Mondays, and 
from 3 to 6 PM and 9 PM to close from Wednesday to Sunday. The Social Hour menu might be 
considered tapas, with a variety of small plates. This generous timeframe allows guests to indulge in 
discounted drinks and appetizers, making it an ideal spot for both early evening relaxation and late-
night gatherings.

Service: The service at Plate 38 is spot on. The staff will make you feel like a regular in no time. 
From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and well taken care of. The servers were quick to offer 
recommendations and ensured that my dining experience was smooth and enjoyable.

Atmosphere: The ambiance at Plate 38 is both cozy and chic. The decor is modern yet inviting, with 
comfortable seating and tasteful lighting that creates a warm and pleasant environment. Patio dining 
is available, offering a lovely option for those who prefer to dine outdoors. Whether you're there for 
a casual meal or a special occasion, the atmosphere is conducive to both relaxed dining and lively 
conversation. I love the music played here!

Plate 38 is a gem in Pasadena that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great dining 
experience. The combination of delicious food, excellent drinks, and outstanding service makes it a 
standout choice. The Social Hour deals are a fantastic bonus, offering great value and an opportunity to 
enjoy a wide variety of menu items at a reduced price.

In summary, Plate 38 offers a memorable dining experience that is sure to please. Whether you're 
stopping by for a quick drink during Social Hour or settling in for a full meal, you won't be disappointed. 

For those planning to visit with a large party, making a reservation is highly suggested to ensure a 
smooth and enjoyable experience.

Plate 38 (626) 793-7100


HONORING AND SALUTING 
IMMIGRANTS.

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

Every year around the 4th of July, I host 
a tasting that features wines made by 
immigrants. In part, I do this to honor 
my father who immigrated to this 
country from Mexico years ago and gave 
me the amazing gift of being a citizen of 
these United States of America. 

This past week at the Tasting Room I presented a special online tasting to 
honor and applaud the immense contributions made by immigrants to this 
country, and to salute and honor the wines made by immigrants and the 
profound impact that they have on our wine industry. One of my special guests 
was Peter Stolpman - owner of Stolpman Vineyards. Peter spoke of his special 
relationship with Ruben Solorzano who has been Stolpman’s vineyard manager 
since 1994. Peter’s father – Tom Stolpman – helped Ruben obtain legal status 
and become a U.S. citizen. Ruben was born and raised on a small farm in Jalisco, 
Mexico. He first came to the U.S. when he was 19 years old. Through hard work 
and determination, he has become one of the top vineyard managers in the 
country. Matt Kettmann, senior writer at The Santa Barbara Independent and 
contributing editor for Wine Enthusiast, gave Solorzano the nickname “The 
Grape Whisperer” because he is so in tune with the vines. 

During our online tasting, we tasted the La Cuadrilla Red Wine which is a 
special project started by Ruben and Tom over 15 years ago. The profits 
from the sales of the wine go directly to the vineyard crew – the majority of 
whom are immigrants from Mexico. The vineyard crew is employed full-time 
throughout the year, another example of how the Stolpman family recognizes 
and appreciates the profound contributions their workers make to the winery.

La Cuadrilla Red Wine 2022 is 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 
and 5% Sangiovese. The wine shows notes of red berry, dried flowers, spice, 
and cigar box. It’s bright on the finish with freshness and acidity. This wine is 
consistently one of the best value wines around. 

I encourage you to pick up a bottle of La Cuadrilla this weekend and raise a 
glass to the immigrant winemakers, vineyard crews, and others who work hard 
to put good food and good wine on our tables to enjoy. It would be impossible 
without them. 

La Cuadrilla Red Wine 2022 is available at The Bottle Shop for $25.99. Say you 
saw it in the Mountain Views News and get it for $24.99 through Monday, July 
15.

Coming up at The Tasting Room – 7/13 Blind Tasting with Raul Garcia. 7/18 
Natural Wines (That Actually Taste Good.) 7/19 Blind Tasting with Wendy 
Roberts. Reservations are recommended, walk-ins welcome based upon 
availability. Scan the QRCode to sign up for our newsletter with more details. 

Until next time – Salud!


TEX-MEX SKILLET POBLANO DIP


INGREDIENTS

5 medium poblano chiles (about 1 lb. total)

2 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup chopped scallions (from 4 medium scallions)

1/4 cup sour cream

1 tsp. ground cumin

3/4 tsp. kosher salt

1 large garlic clove, grated (about 1/2 tsp.)

8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided (about 2 cups)

Tortilla chips

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

Preheat oven to broil with oven rack about 7 inches from heat source. Coat a 
medium (10-inch) cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet with cooking spray; set 
aside. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Step 2

Arrange chiles on prepared baking sheet. Broil, turning occasionally, until 
blackened all over, about 10 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven; reduce 
oven temperature to 350°F. Wrap foil tightly around chiles, and let stand 10 
minutes.

Step 3

Unwrap chiles. Rub off skins; cut stems from chiles. Slice chiles in half lengthwise; 
scrape out seeds. (Discard skins, stems, and seeds.) Cut halves lengthwise into 
thin strips; cut strips into 1-inch pieces.

Step 4

Stir together cream cheese, scallions, sour cream, cumin, salt, and grated garlic in 
a bowl. Stir in chiles and 1 1/2 cups of the Monterey Jack. Spread dip into prepared 
skillet. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack over dip. Bake, uncovered, at

350°F until bubbly, about 25 minutes. 

Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Courtesy of Southern Living


ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 


THE YEAR OF LIVING CONSTITUTIONALLY: 
ONE MAN'S HUMBLE QUEST TO FOLLOW 
THE CONSTITUTION'S ORIGINAL 
MEANING By A.J. Jacobs

 The New York Times bestselling author of The Year 
of Living Biblically chronicles his hilarious adventures 
in attempting to follow the original meaning of the 
Constitution, as he searches for answers to one of the 
most pressing issues of our time: How should we interpret 
America’s foundational document?

 A.J. Jacobs learned the hard way that donning a tricorne hat and marching around 
Manhattan with a 1700s musket will earn you a lot of strange looks. In the wake of 
several controversial rulings by the Supreme Court and the on-going debate about 
how the Constitution should be interpreted, Jacobs set out to understand what it 
means to live by the Constitution.

 Jacobs tries to get inside the minds of the Founding Fathers by living as closely 
as possible to the original meaning of the Constitution. He asserts his right to free 
speech by writing his opinions on parchment with a quill and handing them out 
to strangers in Times Square. He consents to quartering a soldier, as is his Third 
Amendment right. He turns his home into a traditional 1790s household by lighting 
candles instead of using electricity, boiling mutton, and—because women were not 
allowed to sign contracts— feebly attempting to take over his wife’s day job, which 
involves a lot of contract negotiations.

 The book blends unforgettable adventures—delivering a handwritten petition to 
Congress, applying for a Letter of Marque to become a legal pirate for the government, 
and battling redcoats as part of a Revolutionary War reenactment group—with 
dozens of interviews from constitutional experts from both sides. Jacobs dives deep 
into originalism and living constitutionalism, the two rival ways of interpreting the 
document.

 Much like he did with the Bible in The Year of Living Biblically, Jacobs provides a 
crash course on our Constitution as he experiences the benefits and perils of living 
like it’s the 1790s. He relishes, for instance, the slow thinking of the era, free from 
social media alerts. But also discovers the progress we’ve made since 1789 when 
married women couldn’t own property.

 Now more than ever, Americans need to understand the meaning and value of 
the Constitution. As politicians and Supreme Court Justices wage a high-stakes 
battle over how literally we should interpret the Constitution, Jacobs provides an 
entertaining yet illuminating look into how this storied document fits into our 
democracy today.

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