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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain Views News Saturday, July 26, 2025


THE TASTING ROOM


RESTAURANT WINE LISTS – A 
HIDDEN GEM IN DOWNTOWN 
LOS ANGELES.

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

Prior to going to a restaurant, I usually review the 
wine list, and more often than not, the wine list is 
really underwhelming. I check the corkage fee, and 
I take my own bottle(s) of wine. I don’t understand 
why restaurants don’t put more thought into their 
wine list. With some effort, good wine at good 
pricing is not hard to find. One place that I have 
been going to for years has an outstanding wine list 
– Philippe the Original. Yep, the place famous for 
French Dip Sandwiches has a wine list that puts to shame a lot of other restaurants that don’t 
put effort into their wine list. 

The last time I was there, while I ordered the lamb dip with blue cheese, I reviewed the 
wine board and was so pleased to see some great wines. Bedrock Syrah, Bedrock Sauvignon 
Blanc, Talley Chardonnay, Blood Root Pinot Noir, Tapiz Alta Malbec, Land of Saints GSM, 
and Adelaida Cabernet Sauvignon were some of the wines that stood out on this impressive 
wine list. Were there duds on the list? Yep – the ubiquitous Justin Cabernet Sauvignon stood 
out as a wine that I would never order. However, most of the wines listed were wines that I 
would not hesitate to order at a restaurant. Not only was the wine list an outstanding wine 
list, the by the glass pricing was also very reasonable. 

Next time you are at Philippe’s, make sure to peruse the wine list. You will be very happy that 
the management at Philippe’s took the time to construct a well-thought-out wine list. And 
you will be left to wonder why more restaurants don’t do the same. 

Philippe the Original is located at 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA. 
It has been around since 1908 and serves the best French Dip Sandwiches 
anywhere. Kudos to Phillipe the Original for such an innovative, 
interesting, and exceptional wine list!

Join my G-Rated Wine & Social Club to know which other restaurants offer superb wine 
lists. You’ll also receive my newsletter with reviews of great wines that I taste all the time. 
Email me at glira@gratedwine.com and you can read about these wines and other incredible 
wines. 

Until next time – Salud!

DID SOMEONE SAY HAPPY HOUR?

MERCADO SOUTH LAKE

Mercado on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena is the go-to spot for an exceptional Happy Hour 
experience. With a perfect blend of affordable drinks, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere, 
Mercado offers great value and a memorable time.

Mercado’s bar area is stylish and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a relaxing Happy Hour. The 
contemporary decor, warm lighting, and vibrant energy make it an ideal spot to unwind after a long 
day or kick off an evening out with friends.

HAPPY HOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Running from 3 PM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, Mercado’s Happy Hour features a fantastic 
selection of discounted drinks and appetizers that cater to a variety of tastes.

Drinks:

• Tecate Beer: A classic choice for beer lovers, offering great value.
• Mercado Margarita: A refreshing blend of premium tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave, this 
margarita is a crowd favorite and a great deal during Happy Hour.
• House Wine: Red and white options available, perfect for wine enthusiasts.
• Draft Beers: A variety of local and imported beers on tap, ensuring there’s something for 
everyone.
• Specialty Cocktails: Creative cocktails featuring seasonal ingredients and unique twists on 
traditional recipes.


Appetizers:

• Lela’s Ground Beef Tacos: A must-try, these tacos are packed with flavor and perfectly 
seasoned ground beef.
• Lobster Taco with Mexican Slaw: A delightful combination of succulent lobster and fresh 
slaw, offering a unique and tasty option.
• Carnitas Tacos: Ideal for sharing, these tacos are a winner with their tender, flavorful pork.
• Vegan Choices: Mercado also offers many vegan options during Happy Hour, ensuring 
there’s something for everyone to enjoy.


Service

The service at Mercado is consistently excellent, with attentive and knowledgeable staff. General 
Manager Glenn is often present, ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and well-cared-for. His 
dedication to hospitality enhances the overall Happy Hour experience.

Patio Dining

One of the highlights of Mercado is its inviting patio. Equipped with misters to keep the area cool, the 
patio offers a pleasant outdoor dining experience, even on warm days. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy 
your Happy Hour drinks and appetizers while taking in the fresh air.

Final Thoughts

Mercado on South Lake Avenue excels in creating an outstanding Happy Hour experience. With 
its inviting atmosphere, fantastic drink specials, delicious appetizers, and exceptional service, it’s a 
prime spot in Pasadena to relax and enjoy some quality time. Whether you’re a fan of Happy Hour or 
simply appreciate a well-crafted drink, Mercado is sure to impress.

• Address: 140 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena
• Phone Number: 626-345-5778



ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 


THE WRIGHT BROTHERS 

by David Mccullough

Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize David McCullough 
tells the dramatic story-behind-the-story 
about the courageous brothers who taught the 
world how to fly: Wilbur and Orville Wright.

On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of 
North Carolina, two unknown brothers from 
Ohio changed history. But it would take the world 
some time to believe what had happened: the age 
of flight had begun, with the first heavier-than-air, 
powered machine carrying a pilot. Who were these 
men and how was it that they achieved what they 
did?

Far more than a couple of unschooled Dayton bicycle 
mechanics who happened to hit on success, 
they were men of exceptional courage and determination, 
and of far-ranging intellectual interests and 
ceaseless curiosity, much of which they attributed 
to their upbringing. The house they lived in had 
no electricity or indoor plumbing, but there were 
books aplenty, supplied mainly by their preacher 
father, and they never stopped reading.

When they worked together, no problem seemed 
to be insurmountable. Wilbur was unquestionably 
a genius. Orville had such mechanical ingenuity 
as few had ever seen. That they had no more than 
a public high school education, little money and 
no contacts in high places, never stopped them in 
their “mission” to take to the air. Nothing did, not 
even the self-evident reality that every time they 
took off in one of their contrivances, they risked being killed.

In this thrilling book, master historian David McCullough draws on the immense 
riches of the Wright Papers, including private diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, and 
more than a thousand letters from private family correspondence to tell the human 
side of the Wright Brothers’ story, including the little-known contributions of their 
sister, Katharine, without whom things might well have gone differently for them.

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