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Mountain View News June 6, 2026 FOOD & DRINKFOOD & DRINK 7 
Mountain View News June 6, 2026 FOOD & DRINKFOOD & DRINK 
Peter A. Dills 
L.A.’s King of Cuisine

https://
podlink/1116885432 


ZELO: 
IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW 

I’ve reviewed Zelo three times over the last decade. Some 
restaurants get one visit and one story. Others earn repeat 
visits because they continue to deliver. With so many new 
residents discovering Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, and the 
surrounding San Gabriel Valley, I thought it was time for 
another look at one of Arcadia’s longtime pizza favorites.
And if you’re supporting my Eat Local campaign, this is 
exactly the type of independent restaurant we’re talking about. 

Located at 328 E Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia, Zelo isn’t 
flashy. It doesn’t have celebrity chefs, valet parking, or a giant 
public relations machine behind it. What it does have is a 
loyal following that keeps coming back year after year for one 
simple reason: the food. 

Owner Mike Freeman brought his Northern California roots and pizza recipe south years 
ago and carved out a niche in the local dining scene. While restaurant trends come and 
go, Zelo has stayed true to what made it successful in the first place—quality ingredients, 
consistency, and a comfortable neighborhood atmosphere. 

What makes Zelo different? For starters, the crust. Zelo’s deep-dish pizza features a cornmeal-
based dough that creates a hearty, distinctive crust unlike anything else in the San Gabriel 
Valley. Some people prefer New York-style pizza. Others lean toward Chicago deep dish. 
Zelo sits comfortably in its own category. 

Over the years I’ve sampled several of their pizzas, but the pepperoni and mushroom 
combination remains one of my favorites. The Corn Pizza has also developed a strongfollowing and has become one of the menu items people regularly talk about. 

One thing that often 
gets overlooked at 
pizza restaurants is 
the salad menu. Don’t 
make that mistake 
here. The beet salad 
continues to be a 
standout, and the 
asparagus salad has 
earned plenty of fans 
as well. In fact, if you 
visit with a group, I’d 
strongly recommend 
ordering both and 
sharing them around 
the table. 
The restaurant 
itself is casual and 
inviting. Families feel 
comfortable here. 

Friends gather around the television to watch a game. The patio remains a popular option 
during Southern California’s near-perfect weather. 

In an era when independent restaurants face increasing competition from national chains 
and rising operating costs, places like Zelo deserve our support. These are the restaurants that 
give our communities character. They’re the places you discover once and then recommend 
to friends for years. 

So yes, I’ve written about Zelo before. 

But when a restaurant remains relevant and continues serving quality food for more than a 
decade, that’s not repeating yourself—it’s recognizing consistency. 

And in the restaurant business, consistency is one of the highest compliments I can give. 

IN SUMMARY 
Zelo continues to do what it has done for years: serve distinctive pizza, excellent salads, 
and provide a comfortable neighborhood gathering place. In a world where restaurants 
constantly chase the latest trend, consistency may be the most valuable ingredient of all.
Miss your favorite local pizza spot? I’m all ears. Leave me a comment and let me know 
which restaurant deserves a visit. For more dining tips, restaurant reviews, food news, and 
stories from around the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, be sure to listen to my podcast, 
Dining With Dills. 

And remember: Eat Local. Support the restaurants that make our communities special. 
www.myzelopizza.info 


THE TASTING ROOM 

THE BEST ROSÉ IN THE WORLD 

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


Domaine Tempier. 
The name bringssmiles to many 
around the world. The 
Rosé they produce is 
considered the best in 
the world. Have you ever had the chance to drink a wine 
that many consider the best in the world? Now you do. 
But you better hurry in to purchase it. 


Domaine Tempier was founded in 1834. In 1936 Lucie 
“Lulu” Tempier married Lucien Peyraud and Lucie’s 
father gave them Domaine Tempier. The Domaine is 
located just outside the village of Bandol. Lucien wanted 
to be a winemaker and so he studied and researched the 
terroir of Bandol and worked at local domaines to gain 
experience. In 1943 he bottled his first wine – a Rosé. 

Lucien was called the Godfather of Bandol and under 
his leadership, Domaine Tempier became a grand cru 
of Provence. Lulu became an ambassador for the estate 
and eventually the matriarch of Domaine Tempier. She 
was a celebrated cook who inspired many chefs from 
around the world including Alice Waters. Kermit Lynch 

– the iconic importer of French and Italian wines – has 
long stated that Domaine Tempier is the cornerstone of 
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. 
Lucien passed away in 1996, and Lulu passed away in 2020 at the age of 102. However, the estate 
still produces great wine under the direction of Daniel Ravier who has been the winemaker 
since 2000. The vineyards are Certified Organic and are practicing Biodynamic. Total estate 
production is only 11,000 cases. The 2025 vintage is 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 20% 
Cinsault. All grapes are harvested by hand and sourced from two estate vineyards - La Bastide 
and La Laidière. The Rosé is made 65% direct press, and 35% maceration. The wine ferments 
and ages 50% in stainless steel tank and 50% in concrete tank for 6 to 8 months. 

What makes this wine so special? It delivers freshness and complexity. Think floral, citrus, 
grapefruit, and herbes de Provence. There is brightness, minerality, and subtle nuances to this 
savory and delicious Rosé. You can put this wine away and it will age beautifully. But who can 
wait? I certainly will not. Yes, this wine isn’t cheap. But isn’t it worth it to splurge on yourself 
and those special to you? And as I said, how often do you get the chance to taste “The Best”? 

The 2025 Domaine Tempier Rosé is available at The Bottle Shop in very limited quantities. At 
this moment, we have only 11 bottles available for purchase. Regular price is $65.99. Due to the 
limited quantity, there is no discounted price, and there is a limit of one bottle per customer. 

Until next time – Salud! 


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