We joined Dr. Mrs. Altadenablog in a rare adults-only evening, and thought we'd stick close to home and explore our town. Our first stop was Bulgarini Gelato, where owner Leo Bulgarini was himself constructing a horseshoe-shaped bar as part of his establishment's refurbishment. His plan, he told us, was to add tastings of combinations of wine, food, and gelato to his usual artistic gelato creations. There was a pallet's worth of fresh peaches stacked outside, which he said a crew of ten was going to turn into exquisite gelato over the next few days, as they fully ripened. The smell was wonderful, and the gelato of course beyond description. After the World Cup (and they will host viewings on his large-screen TV), Bulgarini will start up their summer Italian dinner-and-a-movie nights. This place is a finely-polished gem.
Then we paid our first visit to the Altadena Ale House, and were delighted to meet so many friends already there, including Altadena Above It All's Debbi Swanson Patrick, Charles Thomas, executive director of Outward Bound Adventures (almost still fresh from his meeting with President Obama) and his lovely wife Sharon Sand, president of the Altadena Library Foundation; and Altadena Town Councilman Ken Roberts and his lovely wife Regina Bette, COO of FIve Acres. Hosts Judah and Gail Casburn have created a warm English pub atmosphere in the middle of a sometimes-questionable neighborhood. But we'll be back for our next adult-only evening out!
