2025 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #1, breakfast at Portos

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  There are reasons to get to the restaurants.  Cathy is writing today about the journey back to Portos.

On January 1, 2024, the 2024 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game (Go Blue!) occurred and about two weeks later, planning for the 2025 Tournament of Roses began.

 The new president, Ed Morales, was introduced and he introduced the Theme of the 2025 Tournament.  "Best Day Ever! which guides the design theme of the floats which will appear in the Parade.

Designs were submitted, approved and construction began.  On Saturday, July 13, some floats were tested for mechanics and maneuverability at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale.  This was the first of at least three road tests before decorating, which begins the first Saturday in December.  (You can sign up for decorating floats HERE; The Mister and I have already chosen two dates in December).

 The artist rendition for the 2025 Lions Club International float, "Celebrating a Day of Service" is so cute,!
 Even moreso in real life!  See the slot in the front hill? That is where the "Spotter" sits and can view what is in front of the float.  The Spotter speaks to the driver via a headset and has a set of brakes there at the front, in case an emergency type of stopping is necessary.

 Kiwanis International has the theme "Being Together" and is going to be even more beautiful when covered in natural materials and flowers.  The slot for the Spotter to view is at the top of the honeycomb


 The Service organization of Oddfellows and Rebekahs has their 2025 entry depicted on their website. 
 Here it is in real life!  so vibrant and, again, cute.  You can see the rectangular slot in front.  The Driver, who only follows the 'Rose Colored Line' on the street is situated near the middle of the float.

 The drawing of the 2025 Rotary International float, does not di it justice.
 This beauty is surreal and so detailed; everyone (on either side of the parade route) will see  something different.

 The 2025 entry for the Luthern Hour Ministries and Petal Pushers is going to continue with being the only Christian Themed float in the Parade for the 74th year.   There will be 'stained glass' windows on the church, all created with natural materials.  This float will be magnificent with it's theme "Behold! Jesus the Savior is Born".  The Petal Pushers volunteers assist with decorating about eight floats during decorating days.


 The Fraternal Service Organization of Elks will have another float in the 2025 Rose Parade.
 "Cherished Memories" is the theme.  Remember that all floats must 'fit' down the parade route, so the Elk at the back of the float must be able to collapse down to the maximum allowable size.


 Shriners Children's 2025 float will feature a working waterfall!
 So far, in it's basic stages, I can see that the two parrots will be lifted up to go down the parade route, then lowered as it gets to the tight spots along the route.  

 I have not seen any drawings for the City of Alhambra entry, but it was also  tested on July 13. 

Most road tests at Phoenix Decorating are on the last Saturday of each month, beginning at 6:45.   The Mister and I could not make it this last weekend of July.

 

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So, once we finished with viewing and taking photos, The Mister and I headed south six miles to Portos in West Covina.

 A cortadito ($3.39) was a nice alternative to coffee.  The espresso with sweetened condensed milk really hit the spot.  

 A new beverage is an iced passion fruit, yuzu pear lemonade ($5.45) and we just had to try it.  Topped with edible violas and mint, this was a very pleasant, not overly sweet treat.
 A peach target ($4.55) and a matcha raspberry eclair ($3.90) were our choices to try later that day.  Wonderful crust and pastry and fruit and cream.  Very nice indulgences.
 A walnut-raisin batard ($4.65) is a must purchase item.  Crisp crust, an almost sourdough base and walnuts and raisins; a perfect snack or breakfast.
 Two cheese rolls ($1.19 each).  were enjoyed in the car on the way home.  Crisp and flaky and sugar topped with a whipped cream cheese filling.  Another perfect item.

 We ordered Torrejas (Cuban French Toast) ($9.15), a wonderful  breakfast item, especially with the cream cheese and fresh fruit.
 Instead of an eggy sandwich, we shared a lechon sandwich ($8.69) Roasted pork, so tender and topped with pickled onions, served on fresh, pressed bread that was spread with a wonderful house made chimichurri sauce.   This satisfied the cravings I had for about half a year.

Portos Bakery & Cafe 584 S. Sunset Ave West Covina CA 91790 (626)214-3490 Website

Comments

[kat]

amazed at how much work goes into these floats!

[Som Tommy]

Looks great. I love Porto’s

[Cathy]

Each year the floats are magnificent and most people only see on TV for maybe 30 seconds, kat. It's a complicated process and we enjoy following and sharing it.

It's such fun, ST. We hadn't been to Portos in more than half a year and everything was so good and just right.

[Peter]

Thanks, Cathy -- I always enjoy your Tournament of Roses posts. Amazing all the work that goes into them BEFORE they start gluing on all the flowers! Wonder if Portos will ever open a bakery down San Diego way...

[Soo]

That's great they are hard at work on the floats. The new Porto's drink sounds good.

[Cathy]

We've always been interested in 'how things work', Peter, so to be able to watch the progression is our little 'vacation' that I like to share. Each Portos is run by siblings/cousins and they are in close proximity, to be able to drive and deliver supplies; I think San Diego County is a bit too far, making Portos more desirable'. I like their business model- no wifi and such efficient ordering.

The end of the Tournament is the Rose Bowl football game and the Theme and President for the next year is announced before the end of January, Soo. Designs of floats begins and have to be approved by the Tournament (so there are not 42 floats with giraffes) and construction begins. The new beverage is called Yuzu Pear-adise (I just looked at the receipt).

[Franklin]

The amount of work that happens before we see the floats is amazing. Thanks for letting us know

[Cathy]

Happy to share this interesting aspect of the Parade, Franklin. It's a little vacation day for us to be able to see what's happening and then find an interesting place for breakfast.