Screw Top or Cork ?
There was a wonderful eatery in Old Pasadena called “Pop”, and they’d specialize in (drum roll) sparkling wines and champagnes. They seemed to do quite well with “mouse*” crowd. The story here was: sometime back, under different ownership, they were open Wednesday through Sunday. I asked the then bartender/sommelier Raphael what they did with the opened bottles of sparkling wine after closing on Sunday? He said they poured it all out in the sink. Having grown up in a waste-not-want-not household, I shook and quivered at such a thought. We made a deal on the spot that I could come in on any Sunday night and for $15 (friends included) drink what otherwise would be thrown away.
Read full storyMore than Just A Pizzeria
Off I went to re-visit the Luggage Room – since it did make it to the 10-year mark, bravo!! The Luggage Room has evolved in more than just a pizzeria, but for my budget it’s pizza. Many of you have calendars to remind you of holidays, birthdays, and meetings. As I mentioned last week, writers have unusual calendars for National Food weeks and months. If you get on Santa's bad list, you may just get one of these peculiar calendars for Christmas. Guess what the National Food for October was? Times up… Pizza! If you got that one right, you may keep reading. If you missed that answer, you need to go back and start at the beginning of the article.
Read full storyNational Sandwich Day
If You like the article please subscribe to my Podcast !! Peter Dills. I hope you know that we are just a few days away from National Sandwich Day (November 3). Do Foodie's look at this as our Christmas? With a beautiful package all wrapped and ready for eating. As a little kid I marked my calendar! Last week I visited Connal's on E. Washington and this past week I visited an old friend. You know it's always my intention to give you the best of the best. There are so many restaurants in the area. I stumble upon a few and you my readers e-mail me some from time to time and I even scour Facebook to probe the internet for terrestrial treasures.
Read full storyOne Good BBQ Joint in Arcadia
Long before the internet my father, Elmer Dills, would go into a restaurant and steal a copy of the menu for the restaurant he was reviewing. Why? Simply so he could remember all the dishes that were offered and their prices so he could ensure that his article was correct.
Read full storyBest Burger In Pasadena
The day the earth stood still, was about fifty years ago, that must have been when Pie N' Burger was first opened. This is the quintessential Hamburger Stand in Pasadena. For my memory they tried a few other locations, but the Pasadena stood the test of time. Why? above average grub and some real how you doin... Darling type service. The owner "Mike"started working here as a cook and is a Trojan fan, so we'll go right to manager "Stephanie" (Normas Daughter) sweet lady that runs the place like it was her own. They tell me that Steph drives up to Sierra Madre at least three times a week to Taylor's meats and buys the trimmings for those delicious burgers. , Is it the best burger in Pasadena ? Arguably so says this restaurant adventurer. The burger is oh so juicy, and unlike the other over ten dollar burgers I have fallen in and out of love with up the street on Lake Street his one is consistent!!! The cheese can be upgraded/added for a little a bit more.
Read full storyGerlach's Liquor Store
It’s time to give the small retailer some love and affection. Fred and Lewy Fedial have owned Gerlach’s Liquor store in Pasadena for many years. I think when I was a student at nearby Blair High School is when they took over. These guys truly know their wines. Recently I talked to owner Fred on how they buy wines for their limited space and how they can compete with the big box boys. Fred told me straight out they can’t compete, but where else can you go where the owners have gone to over 500 wine tastings and their knowledge of wines is available on a day to day basis? I asked Fred to give me a stand-out good value wine. I was told that when they do find a wine that they can personally recommend they simply buy more of it so they can pass the savings on to their customers.
Read full storyThe Mai Tai ... How and where
Remember the story of Dom Perignon tasting stars and for his brother monks to come quick to taste this wonderful champagne? Many dishes, drinks and even the Sunday Brunch orientation have come in question. Just the other day I asked Paul Little President of the Chamber of Commerce of Pasadena was the cheeseburger really invented in Pasadena. Time has a nice way of making stories better; let’s not muddle the truth with the facts or something like that. The Mai Tai is one of my favorite drinks done right it is the perfect afternoon drink. The Mai Tai was said to be invented in the 40’s in Tahiti by Trader Victor Bergeron (Trader Vic’s Restaurant) Vic's story of its invention is that while his guest were sipping his drink one of his guests yelled “wonderful” translates to Mai Tai in Polynesian. but others have also taken credit for this rum based drink.
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