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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain Views-News Saturday September 20, 2025 


SANTA ANITA’S OPENING 
WEEKEND: WHERE 
LOCALS REALLY EAT

Skip the guesswork—Peter Dills takes you from 
Sierra Madre mornings to Arcadia nights with his 
tried-and-true restaurant favorites.

Opening weekend at Santa Anita Park—the Great 
Race Place—is a tradition like no other in Southern 
California. The mountains are clear, the horses 
are shining, and the buzz in the paddock always 
feels like electricity in the air. If you’ve been there, 
you know what I mean. If you haven’t, imagine 
the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, and 
yes—yours truly standing along the rail, ticket in 
hand, yelling at the top of my lungs as my “sure 
thing” fades in the stretch.

Win, lose, or photo finish, one thing I never 
gamble on is where to eat. I’ve spent years exploring 
the dining scene around Arcadia and Sierra 
Madre, and I’ve built my own winning trifecta: 
start the day with breakfast in Sierra Madre or Arcadia, 
spend the afternoon at the track, and close 
the night with dinner and a cocktail at one of 
my favorites nearby. Consider this your insider’s 
guide to pairing racing with good eating.

A Winning Start

If you’re heading to the track, don’t do it on an 
empty stomach. My play for a lighter but flavorful 
start is Little Provence on Baldwin in Arcadia. Big 
on taste, their pastries, quiches, and strong coffee 
set you up perfectly for a day of excitement. If you 
want something heartier, head up the road to Sierra 
Madre. Nano Café has been one of my go-tos 
for years—generous portions, friendly staff, and 
the kind of breakfast plates that can carry you well 
into the late Pick Four.

Sierra Madre has always held a special charm for 
me, and if you’re the kind who enjoys a slow, relaxed 
start to your race day, it’s worth a stop. The 
streets are quiet, the parking is easy, and the food 
feels like it’s made for locals. That’s the kind of 
small-town energy I like before stepping into the 
high-stakes rush of Santa Anita.

Where You’ll Find Me at the Track

Here’s a little inside tip: once I’m at the races, I can 
usually be found at the FrontRunner Restaurant. 
It’s perched above the finish line with sweeping 
views of the San Gabriels, and every table has 
its own TV monitor—a handy feature when you 
want to relive a heartbreaking photo finish. But 
here’s the trivia most folks don’t know: the FrontRunner 
has the longest bar west of the Mississippi. 
Yes, you read that right.

And speaking of firsthand experience, on this 
very opening weekend I tried two of the newest 
additions to the menu: a $42 lobster roll and a 
golden crab cake. Pricey, yes—but both were excellent. 
The lobster roll was generously packed 
with sweet lobster meat (no filler here), and the 
crab cake had just the right crisp edge without 
losing its delicate flavor. Consider these a splurge 
that’s worth the bet.

When I’m not hollering at my horse, you’ll find 
me parked here, sipping something cold, enjoying 
the view, and—on days like this—digging into 
seafood that rivals what you’ll find at top spots in 
Los Angeles.

The Turf Terrace is another solid option. Open 
air, lively atmosphere, and a perfect spot to soak 
in the energy of the crowd below. Both of these 
venues give you that “only at Santa Anita” experience, 
and I’ve never had a bad day dining there—
even when my tickets turned into confetti.

After the Last Race

When the final horse crosses the wire and it’s time 
to shift from wagering to winding down, Arcadia 
and Sierra Madre have you covered.

Let’s start with the legend: The Derby in Arcadia. 
I’ve reviewed it before, and I’ll keep reviewing 
it as long as they keep serving steaks this good. 
Once owned by famed jockey George Woolf, The 
Derby is part restaurant, part museum. The walls 
drip with racing history, and the food more than 
lives up to the legacy. I’ve said it before—the Derby’s 
steaks stack up against any in Los Angeles, 
and the Caesar salad deserves its own odds board.

For a flashier option, Benihana is always a crowd-
pleaser. Sure, it’s a chain, but watching a chef flip 
shrimp tails into his hat never gets old. After a day 
of photo finishes, sometimes you want your dinner 
to put on a show too.

And don’t forget Sierra Madre’s own Casa Del Rey. 
This family-run spot has been a staple for years, 
and it’s where I often end up when I want to decompress. 
Jamie behind the bar mixes a margarita 
that I’ll put up against anyone’s, and the patio is 
perfect for trading war stories with fellow racegoers. 
It’s a fitting way to toast the end of a day at the 
Great Race Place.

My Perfect Trifecta

Here’s how I like to play it: breakfast at Little 
Provence or Nano Café, an afternoon at Santa 
Anita (FrontRunner bar included), and dinner at 
The Derby or Casa Del Rey. That’s my version of 
a Daily Double—with a side bet on Benihana or 
Craft if the mood strikes.

So if you see me waving my ticket and muttering 
about my “can’t-miss horse,” don’t worry. I’ve already 
got my dinner plans set.

IN SUMMARY

• Breakfast & Brunch – Little Provence (Arcadia), Nano Café (Sierra Madre)

• On-Track Dining – FrontRunner (lon gest bar west of the Mississippi!; new

 lobster roll & golden crab cake), Turf Terrace

• Dinner & Drinks – The Derby (Arcadia), Casa Del Rey (Sierra Madre), Benihana, Craft by Smoke and Fire

The ponies may be unpredictable, but your dining 
doesn’t have to be. As always, hours and 
menus change—especially on big race days—so I 
suggest calling ahead to any of my selections before 
you go.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Prepare to be haunted in a whole new way. This fall, The Heart Tells Tales, a 
gripping, genre-defying adaptation inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart will debut in 
Los Angeles. Set against the eerie silence of pandemic-era Boston, the play dares to look deeper into 
the psychological toll of caregiving, isolation, and suppressed trauma.

Hi Fi Underground is the production company bringing this powerful story to life. showcasing the 
theatrical works of Omen Kaine, a boundary-pushing voice in modern theater. His first theatrical 
production, Masoch and Desade, debuted on Theater Row in Los Angeles (2019) and later played in 
Brooklyn, New York (2022). Now, he returns with his latest and most ambitious work yet: The Heart 
Tells Tales. 

Local resident Fred Thomas will portray the main character in the show which opens in Los Angeles 
October 23–25, 2025 at Skiptown Playhouse (665 Heliotrope Dr, Los An-geles, CA 90004), followed 
by a New York run November 21–23, 2025 at Under St. Marks Theater (94 Saint Marks Place, 
New York, NY 10009).


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