Mountain Views News Saturday, February 7, 2026 
88 FOOD & DRINK Mountain Views News Saturday, February 7, 2026 
88 FOOD & DRINK 
Peter A. Dills 

https://
podlink/1116885432 


LOVE IS IN THE AIR… BUT SO IS 
THE RESERVATION LIST 

The Super Bowl is behind us. The chicken wings are gone, the 
jerseys are folded, and now we shift from touchdowns to table 
settings. 

Valentine’s Day is coming. First things first — promise me you 
won’t wait until the last second to make your reservation. Every 
year I hear it: “Peter, we couldn’t get in anywhere!” That’s not 
bad luck. That’s bad planning. 

My dad would’ve said, “The only thing worse than a bad table 
is no table at all.” 

Stay In? Pop the Cork.

If you're staying home, no shame in that game. Grab a bottle of Taittinger Brut La Française, 
pick up some flowers, dim the lights, and suddenly your dining room feels like Paris.
Clean the house. Put the phone away. Play a little music. Romance is about effort — not 
square footage.
And yes, champagne still fixes almost everything. 

Dining Out: Here’s Where I’d Look

Italian & Steak — Always a WinnerColombo's Italian Steakhouse & Jazz Club — old-school charm, red sauce, and that comfortable 
feeling like they’ve been hosting Valentine’s dinners since Sinatra was on the radio.
Taylor's Steakhouse — steak and a martini. Sometimes simple is sexy. The pride of La Canada 

Now let’s talk Sierra Madre. 
Casa Del Rey delivers romance with a little flair. Great margaritas, lively energy, and a patio 
that can turn into something special under the right lighting. Don’t underestimate Mexican 
cuisine on Valentine’s — a good chile relleno and a quality tequila cocktail can absolutely 
set the mood. 

And for a little nostalgic sweetness…
Twohey's Restaurant in South Pasadena brings that comfort factor. Cozy booths, classic 
American dishes, and desserts that practically demand two spoons. Valentine’s doesn’t always 
have to be white tablecloths — sometimes it’s about sharing a slice of pie. 

A Word About Prix Fixe 

Some special menus are fantastic. Others feel like a forced march through dishes you didn’t 
order. If you see $125 per person, make sure you’re excited about what’s coming to the table.
Value still matters — even in love. 

Final Advice from Peter Dills 

• Make the reservation early.
• Be kind to your server — it’s their Super Bowl.
• Don’t overcomplicate the evening.
• And please… don’t be the person calling at 5:30 PM on February 14th asking for 7:00 PM.
Whether you dine out or stay home with a bottle of Taittinger and flowers, the magic is in 
the details. 
Romance, like a good restaurant, is about how you make someone feel. Check out my podcast 
this week I talk with Donna Baker and Her partner Gina Ammon talking Monrovia. 
THE TASTING ROOM 
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 qualityfor 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 wineryis 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 in Sierra Madre. 

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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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