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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

 Mountain Views NewsSaturday, October 5, 2024


LOCAL FLAVOR AT ITS FINEST: 
CASA DEL REY MEXICAN

For those of us lucky enough to call Sierra Madre home, 
Casa Del Rey Mexican has become a beloved spot for 
fantastic food and dare I say even better margaritas. 
While my dad might have poked fun at the term “world 
famous,” there’s no denying that Casa Del Rey holds its 
own locally—and who knows, maybe one day it will earn 
that world-famous title.

Casa Del Rey is more than just a restaurant—it’s a 
family-run establishment where attention to detail and a 
dedication to great food take center stage. Jamie, the co-
owner and bartender, runs the show with passion, and 
her parents, Donna and Ed, have trusted her to lead the 
way. This hands-on approach from the family is felt in 
every bite.

Speaking of bites, the food here is simply top-notch. The chile verde is nothing short of incredible—tender pork 
in a sauce so flavorful, it practically sings. It’s a dish that I can’t recommend enough. If you’re a taco lover, their 
hardshell chicken tacos are also a standout. When my friends Billy and Sara Meyers joined me, we all gave them 
six thumbs up—crispy, flavorful, and packed with tender, juicy chicken. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want 
to come back again and again.

But it’s not just about the main dishes. As any Mexican food aficionado knows, you can judge a restaurant by its 
chips and salsa. Casa Del Rey passes with flying colors—crispy chips and salsa with just the right amount of heat 
and flavor to get your meal started off on the right foot.

And let’s not forget the margaritas. Jamie, who is also the restaurant’s bartender, is a true artist behind the bar. Her 
margaritas are as much a part of the experience as the food itself, crafted with precision and care. If you appreciate 
a well-made drink, you’ll find yourself coming back for another round.

For those who enjoy 
dining outdoors, Casa 
Del Rey’s patio is the 
perfect spot to relax, 
enjoy the warm weather, 
and soak in the vibrant 
atmosphere. Whether 
you’re having a casual 
family meal or meeting 
friends for drinks, the 
ambiance is as inviting 
as the food is delicious.

In a town full of local 
favorites, Casa Del 
Rey Mexican stands 
out as a must-visit for 
anyone looking for 
an exceptional meal. 
It may not be “world 
famous” yet, but with 
food like this, that day 
may come sooner than 
later. 

31 N. Baldwin Sierra 
Madre (626) 355-6060


THE TASTING ROOM

THE PERFECT RED

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

It must take a lot of confidence to call one 
of the wines you make “The Perfect Red.” 
This winemaker knows what he’s doing 
and can walk the walk. Let me introduce 
you to The Perfect Red – not your 
grandpa’s big ass Cabernet Sauvignon – 
but an updated, refreshing, clean, natural 
Cab that will make you think again about 
Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Broc Cellars is a Berkeley-based winery founded in 2002 by owner and winemaker 
Chris Brockway. Chris is into low intervention winemaking. Only native 
fermentations and organically grown grapes are used in the winemaking. His 
farming methods include using cover crops to improve soil health which helps 
to increase water retention. All of this increases the biodiversity around the 
vineyard which is very beneficial to the grapes. Don’t even think he mows the 
crop cover or plows it; he instead uses sheep to help manage the crop cover and to 
fertilize the soil. Chris uses native yeasts and 
bacteria that exist on the grapes, and he never 
adds sulfur during fermentation. Sometimes 
they add very minimal sulfur during bottling 
depending on the vintage.

All these practices produce a very tasty natural 
wine. The 2022 Broc Cellars “The Perfect 
Red” is fresh with a nice spine of acidity and 
brightness. The alcohol level is lower than 
Cabs back in the day when big ass, high 
octane Cabs were popular. It’s juicy with notes 
of black and red berry. The wine is a blend of 
75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet 
Franc. You get a little spice/pepper along with 
very subtle tobacco leaf. It’s a lighter body 
wine that has low tannins, and drinks very 
easy. I serve this with a bit of a chill. 

So, if you’re looking for a fresh take on Cabernet Sauvignon, naturally made, tastes 
delicious, and isn’t the old style of high octane, high alcohol, slap you in the face 
Cabernet Sauvignon that grandpa used to drink, this is the Cab for you! Don’t wait 
too long to get it, Chris only made 753 cases of this Perfect Red!

The 2022 Broc Cellars “The Perfect Red” is available at The Bottle Shop for $28.99. 
Say you saw it in the Mountain Views News and get it for $26.99 through Monday, 
October 7th.

Join me this Sunday at 3pm for three special sparkling wines. They will cool you 
off and quench your thirst during this latest heat wave. Remember, it’s always 69 
degrees in The Tasting Room! Next Thursday and Friday, I will be pouring Cabs 
and Cab Blends. 

Until next time – Salud! Scan the QRCode to sign up for our newsletter. 


COUNTDOWN TO ¡PASAJE!

T-MINUS ONE WEEK TO OPENING NIGHT

We’re just one week away from the 
world premiere of ¡PASAJE!, and 
excitement is building! Opening 
night is already sold out, but you 
still have the chance to experience 
this extraordinary production 
on another night. ¡PASAJE! is a 
heartwarming and power-ful new 
musical about family, identity, and 
the complexities of cultural heritage. 
Written by J. Quiroz, with music by 
multi-GRAMMY Award winner 
Asdru Sierra, this show takes you on 
a journey with Andy, a young man 
traveling from Flagstaff to South 
El Monte, where he uncovers long-
buried family secrets.

The show beautifully weaves 
together themes of Latinx identity, 
belonging, and the deep connections 
that bind generations. With 
stunning music, vibrant characters, 
and an inspiring story, ¡PASAJE! is a 
celebration of the Latinx experience 
that will resonate with audiences from all walks of life. Don’t wait too long—tickets are flying, and 
you won’t want to miss this groundbreaking production!

¡PASAJE!

Weekends October 4 - November 3rd

Showings at 4PM & 8PM

Tickets $12-45


ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown 

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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