9

FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, December 21, 2024


PROPERLY PERFECT: 
A Local Hideaway 
Worth Savoring

There’s a certain charm about 
a place that feels just right—
the kind of spot where the 
barstools are as inviting as 
the dining chairs, and the 
martinis arrive as crisp as the 
commentary on the game 
playing on the nearby TV. 
For me, The Proper in La Cañada 
checks all the boxes of 
what I call proper dining.

Years ago, The Proper made a name for itself with its extensive selection of gins. 
While the new ownership has kept a few of those old favorites, the heart of the 
restaurant has shifted to something more: a true local hideaway. It’s a place that 
feels like a blend of Stoney Point, Smitty’s, and Houston’s—classy yet approachable, 
elegant yet comfortable.

If you’re starting your evening here, I suggest kicking things off with a classic 
Caesar salad or their delightful deviled eggs. On my visit last week, I indulged in 
the Scottish salmon. Cooked to perfection, it came paired with creamy mashed 
potatoes that transported me straight to a little slice of heaven in the foothills of 
La Cañada.

And let’s not forget Happy Hour, which runs from 4 PM. It’s a must for those who 
appreciate a great deal without sacrificing quality. For just $20, you can sink your 
teeth into The Proper Burger, served with your choice of beer or house wine. Sit at 
the bar, and you’ll likely meet Cameron, always armed with a smile and a creative 
drink idea. The service is a standout feature, with Manager Ashley roaming the 
room, making sure every guest feels like a VIP.

The crowd here is what truly sets the tone—friendly, familiar, and undeniably 
proper. Whether you’re a creature of habit like me, perched at the bar with a martini 
in one hand and an eye on the big game, or seeking a full dining room experience, 
The Proper delivers. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t just welcome you in 
but invites you to stay awhile.

In the end, The Proper is more than just a name—it’s a promise of an experience 
that feels, well, proper.

The Proper in La Canada on Foothill

Join me this Saturday for my radio show on 870 AM KRLA

CROISSANT & CHOCOLATE 
BREAD PUDDING

INGREDIENTS

Unsalted butter for the baking dish

6 large egg yolks

2 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

6 croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 pound)

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into chunks

DIRECTIONS

1.Heat oven to 375° F. Butter an 8-inch square or other shallow 2-quart baking dish.

2.In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg. Add 
the croissants and chocolate and mix to combine. 

3.Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake until set and a knife inserted in the 
center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. 


RT ROGERS BREWERY - SIERRA MADRE

RT Rogers Brewing will be hosting a Christmas jazz performance by Jim Wright 
and Jim Miller this month on two nights. Wednesday December 18th and Saturday 
December 21st.

These two musicians were regular performers at Cafe 322 playing jazz with the 
Fuzzy Logic Boptet many years ago, and Mr. Wright plays twice monthly at RT 
Rogers Brewing on a regular basis, playing his tap-guitar, which allows him to 
play bass and guitar simultaneously. 

Mr. Miller will be on the drums.

These experienced musicians will play jazzy Christmas tunes, and some jazz 
standard favorites.

There is no cover, and the performances are from 6:30 to 9PM.

RT ROGERS IS AT 38 E. MONTECITO ST. SIERRA MADRE

ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown 


THE NEWS -

THEUNIS BATES EDITOR-IN CHIEF 

“THE WEEK” 

All across America people are turning off the news. 
Some of them are liberals still traumatized by the 
election, for whom the idea of hearing about President-
elect Trump’s latest All-CAPS pronouncement 
is just too triggering. Some are right leaning 
bros, who believe that traditional media outlets 
have become too woke and that only moon landing 
skeptical podcasters can be trusted to tell it like 
it is.

But a good number of those tuning out I’m confident, 
are doing so because they feel like the firehose 
of breaking news is drowning them. It is our 
curse to live in interesting times-just consider all that’s happened in the past few days. There was 
an attempted coup in South Korea; a resumption of civil war in Syria; a U.S. president pardoning 
his prodigal son, after repeatedly promising not to; and a whole convoy of Trump related 
happenings, from his nomination of a MAGA vengeance artist as FBI director to his suggested 
annexation of Canada.

In normal times, any of these stories would dominate the headlines for days. But these are interesting 
times, and so each shocking development gives only a brief moment on the chyron 
before being pushed aside by yet another world-shaking story. We are not designed to cope with 
such an onslaught, and so our caveman brains tell us to seek safety or at least to switch off CNN, 
delete that news app, and take up whittling or some other adrenaline reducing activity. Such a 
flight response is understandable but not conducive to a healthy democracy, which requires an 
informed citizenry.

Yet being informed is not the same thing as being overloaded. Fewer of us would suffer from 
news fatigue if we weren’t being blasted from all directions and at all hours with news alerts and 
updates: On our phones, home screens, in our email inboxes, on our never ending social media 
feeds, and even on TVs at the bar. No news is bad news, but too much news is simply exhausting.

 
SSiieerrrraa MMaaddrree WWoommaann’’ss CClluubb 
WWiisshheess YYoouu AA VVeerryy 
Since February 1907 – 117 Years of “Living the Volunteer Life” 
Member of General Federation of Women’s Clubs cfwc.org & gfwc.org 
SierraMadreWomansClub.org 
Facebook/SierraMadreWomansClub 355-4379 
Rent Our 1914 Historic Essick House 355-4379 . 
Wistaria Thrift Shop No Donations til 1/3/25. Please. 
Merry Christmas
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