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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, February 8, 2025

THE TASTING ROOM


DOMENICO’S RISTORANTE IN 
MONROVIA: THE BEST STEAK 
YOU DIDN’T KNOW THEY HAD

There’s something about an old-school Italian 
restaurant that draws you in—the prom-
ise of hearty dishes, warm hospitality, and a 
menu steeped in tradition. But at Domenico’s 
Ristorante in Monrovia, it’s not just the pasta 
and classic Italian fare that steal the show—
it’s the Certified Angus steaks that leave a 
lasting impression.

Not to be confused with similarly named restaurants in Pasadena and Long Beach, 
Domenico’s Ristorante in Monrovia has carved out its own identity as both an Italian 
eatery and a steakhouse in disguise. The moment I stepped in, I was greeted by 
an inviting atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance between casual comfort and 
upscale dining. A small, cozy bar area offers an excellent spot for a more intimate 
meal, while the main dining room, complete with TVs, provides a relaxed yet polished 
setting.

On this particular evening, I had the pleasure of dining with owner Aner, who took 
the lead in selecting my meal. It’s not every day that you let someone else make all the 
choices, but in this case, I was happy to sit back and enjoy the experience. From the 
first bite, it was clear—this wasn’t just an Italian restaurant serving steak; this was a 
steakhouse hiding inside an Italian gem. Every cut of beef is Certified Angus, cooked 
to perfection, and bursting with flavor.

I’ll admit—it felt a little strange not to order a pizza at Domenico’s. But after this 
meal, I can say with certainty: I’ll be back. The steak alone is worth the trip, and next 
time, I’ll be sure to dive deeper into the menu. What took me so long to visit? I don’t 
have an answer, but one thing’s for sure—I won’t make that mistake again.

And for those who love traditional Italian dishes, rest assured—Domenico’s still de-
livers on pizza and pasta. Whether you’re craving a hearty plate of spaghetti or a 
classic, cheese-laden pizza, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re a steak lover who enjoys a side of Italian charm, Domenico’s Ristorante in 
Monrovia is your next must-visit spot. Come for the pasta, stay for the steak.

Domenicos 236 W Huntington Dr Monrovia


SPARKLING WINE + VALENTINE’S DAY = 
PERFECTION. 

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

Valentine’s Day is next week, and here’s a gorgeous 
sparkling wine from Italy that will guarantee love is in the 
air, as well as in the glass. 

The Gia Labriola Brut “Gia” NV is from the Prosecco 
region of Italy. Prosecco is not on the label since this wine 
is declassified, however, you are getting amazing quality for 
the price you pay. This sparkling wine is a blend of Bianchetta, Perrera, and Verdiso grapes. 
The vineyard extends from the hillside slopes around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene down 
to the banks of the Piave River, roughly 31 miles north of Venice. The Piave river contributes 
calcareous white stones which cover the soil and slowly release at night the heat accumulated 
during the day. This helps grape maturity and retains the freshness of the grapes. All vines are 
farmed under biodynamic principles and the winery is Certified Organic by the ICEA.

Transparent Wine Company collaborates with a rising young cellar master in the 
Venetian Prosecco country to create this unique sparkling wine. They wanted a long aged 
sparkling wine with real depth, and zero sugar. 
Furthermore, this wine comes from a single 
vineyard that is certified organic. A lot of the 
Prosecco in the US market is mass produced plonk 
from chemically farmed vineyards. Those grapes 
are machine harvested and then rushed 
through the wine-making process in a few short 
months. “Gia” is not done this way. Gia is 
special in that it is made from fruit that is hand-
harvested, and the juice is vinified for 1.5 years. 
This results in a uniquely complex, balanced, and 
pure sparkling wine. It’s clean, refreshing, zesty 
and has the right amount of bubbles. Yes, 
this would be a very enjoyable sparkling wine 
to drink on Valentine’s Day, but I know I am going to 
drink this throughout the year!

The Gia Labriola Brut “Gia” NV is available at 
The Bottle Shop for $17.99. Say you saw it 
in the Mountain Views News and get the MVN 
special price of $16.20. Special price good through 
February 14.

Please keep in mind all those who have suffered and are trying to rebuild from the Eaton Fire. 
Visit DeanMadreStrong.com to learn how you can continue to help those impacted by the 
Eaton Fire. 

Until next time – Salud!

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ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown 


MY TOP 3 PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY BOOKS BY 
ALIKI REDDY 

Coming Home: Uncovering the Foundations of Psychological 
Well-being 

You already have within you all that you need for psychological well-
being. In Coming Home you will be gently guided toward your own 
realizations of the fundamental principles that underlie all human 
experience. They will help you realize your spiritual and psychological 
nature and allow you to live in harmony with life more fully. This 
understanding that is known as the Three Principles is now being shared worldwide in the fields of education, 
business, community renewal, policing and criminal justice, addictions, prevention, psychology and psychiatry. 
Coming home is realizing the truth of what it is that is creating all of your experiencing, and then being at ease 
with all the different experiences that life brings you. It is waking up to this always-existing inner world, and as 
you do, you will experience a shift in your level of well-being so that your feelings are uplifted and your thinking 
is helpful and inspired.

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

What would it be like to free yourself from limitations and soar beyond your boundaries? What can you do each 
day to discover inner peace and serenity? The Untethered Soul offers simple yet profound answers to these questions. 
Whether this is your first exploration of inner space, or you’ve devoted your life to the inward journey, this 
book will transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You’ll discover what you can do 
to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness. By tapping into traditions 
of meditation and mindfulness, Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell 
in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and 
self-realization.Finally, with perfect clarity, this book opens the door to a life lived in the freedom of your innermost 
being.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

It’s no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 
over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on a spiritual 
journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the 
discovery of truth and light. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural enemy, 
the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have a pain-free identity 
by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, the author shows how to connect to the indestructible essence 
of our Being, “the eternal, ever-present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth 
and death.”

Books can be ordered at Sierra Madre’s new bookstore “Fables & Fancies” 626-665-8856

-This extraordinary evening will feature Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite, BoJack Horse-
man), Melissa Villaseñor (Saturday Night Live), and Whitmer Thomas (Whitmer Thomas: 
The Golden One, Stone Quackers), with comedian Frank Sriracha as your host. These fearless, 
innovative performers embody the spirit of PDA—where risk, truth, and laugh-ter collide 
to create unforgettable moments.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly toward rebuilding PDA, a space that was more 
than just a venue—it was a vibrant home for artists pushing boundaries and creat-ing new 
forms of theater. This is your chance to be a part of the movement to restore PDA and keep 
its spirit alive!

Tickets are just $35, and we’d love for you to join us for this one-night-only event! Your laughter 
can help rebuild PDA and support the creative community that made it so spe-cial.

Thank you for your support! The Sierra Madre Playhouse team


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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