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Mountain View News June 20, 2026 FOOD & DRINKFOOD & DRINK 7 
Mountain View News June 20, 2026 FOOD & DRINKFOOD & DRINK 
Peter A. Dills 
L.A.’s King of Cuisine

https://
podlink/1116885432 


LAST-MINUTE FATHER’S 
DAY IDEA: FOOD, BEER 
AND A BUCKET OF 
GOLF BALLS 

Need a last-minute Father’s Day idea? 

I have one. 

Forget the tie. Skip the crowded brunch. And if you’re reading 
this on Sunday morning wondering what to do with Dad,
don’t panic. 

Head to the local golf course. 


You don’t have to play 18 holes. You don’t have to keepscore. In fact, you don’t even have to be a golfer. 

Here’s my suggestion: Buy a bucket of golf balls, grab somefood, order a beer if that’s your thing, and spend a couple ofhours together. 

I recently found myself at Brookside Golf Course, and it hitme: this might be one of the best Father’s Day ideas in town. 

The restaurant is spacious, with a patio overlooking the driving 
range. There’s a full bar, televisions showing the game—
okay, the TVs are a bit dated—a fake fireplace, and a beautiful 
mural depicting the Arroyo Seco. 
The décor won’t 
remind you of Beverly Hills. In fact, the restaurant 
still has a bit of that old-school coffee 
shop feel. 

And that’s not a bad thing. 

Coffee shops and golf course restaurants werebuilt for conversation. 

I watched golfers hit balls, families gather forlunch, and soccer fans cheer on a match. Nobody 
seemed to be in a hurry. 

That’s refreshing. 

The food? 

I ordered Salmon Tacos, and yes, I’d recommend 
them. Crispy fish, , and a generous portion. 
My only minor quibble was the coleslaw.
As I joked, it was a little like kissing your sister—
perfectly pleasant, just not very exciting. 
The Fish and Chips were another plus. Freshand flavorful, though I think they could use a little secret sauce to take them from goodto memorable. 


But this column isn’t really about fish and chips or salmon tacos. 

It’s about keeping things simple. 

We spend so much time searching for the next big thing, the hottest restaurant, or theperfect gift that we forget how enjoyable simple pleasures can be. 

Food. 

Beer. 

And a bucket of golf balls. 

That’s it. 

A bucket of balls costs less than a fancy brunch. The beer is cold. The burgers are hot. Andif Dad stripes one 200 yards down the middle, you’ll hear about it for the next ten years. 

You don’t have to shoot par. 

You don’t have to order the most expensive thing on the menu. 

You just have to show up. 


My father, Elmer Dills, spent a lifetime 
reviewing restaurants. He taught methat hot food should be hot and cold 
food should be cold. But he also taughtme something more important: restaurants 
are gathering places. Places to celebrate, 
reminisce, and make memories. 

So if you’re reading this on Father’sDay morning and wondering what todo today, I have a great idea. 

Head to the local golf course. 

Hit a bucket of balls. 

Grab some food. 

Have a beer. 

And spend a little time with Dad. 

Sometimes that’s the best gift of all. 


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