Griller141's Profile
Sweet Lady Jane's
A place like this could only exist in LA, where the citizenry seem to have a need to be punished. The ethos of Seinfeld's Soup Nazi has reached its logical extreme here. If only the product were worth the abuse...
It is fascinating to me that this place has managed to put the lie to a thousand customer service training courses. I am very tempted to bring the Disney Guest Services trainers here just to watch their expressions.
Dinner in Pasadena
Madeleine's is Pasadena's most underrated restaurant. It has everything - competent menu, great wine list, good servers, and most of all a grown up, rather romantic room. Not cheap, but for less than Parkway Grill or Derek's you get more.
Best Restaurant for dressed-up date?? (Hollywood)
Dakota is totally underrated for good steaks, good wines, and not outrageous prices in a very seductive venue (The Hollywood Roosevelt).
Three Forks in Claremont?
Tutti Mangia is ok - was there last week. Nothing at all special, but not overpriced and competent. Probably the best Italian in the immediate area, which isn't saying much.
Sycamore Inn is truly a find. No bargain, but truly impressive steaks and a great wine list. The atmosphere is that of a roadside inn of the 1800s, but there is nothing artificial about it - it really is from that era. Better steakhouse fare and service than most places in LA.
Restaurant suggestion for anniversary in Pasadena
Of the choices mentioned in this post so far, I would go with Madeleine's. Very romantic, nice wines, no problems with your price range. Langham will be pushing that limit. You could do the Arroyo Chop House and easily spend $150, but not everyone has the experience Michelle had, especially lately. I would put Red White and Bluez next, but definitely second to Madeleine's for the parameters you list.
Old Town Pasadena has the worst
I can't resist two cents on the Arroyo Chop House. It was for years my fav in the area. Nothing short of incredible service, great food, and a nice room, at least the Arroyo room. S. Irene's zero star (or was it one?) review should have been a warning, but I persisted, loving the big city vibe.
Reality dawned as the service got looser, the prices continued to rise, but most importantly, the food began to agree with Irene's review. A slab of roast beef that was LITERALLY 60% great chunks of white fat ("but prime rib is a naturally fatty cut of meat, sir"), too tough to chew sirloins ("you trade tenderness for flavor, sir") a bone in filet that was twice the price of the bone out filet (prices of specials are never spontaneously mentioned), never an apology, no attempt at satisfaction.
Enough.
Old Town Pasadena has the worst
I have to say that Taylor's, unlike the other places, has kept with the retro image by having retro prices. Nothing wrong with that place. Try the rack of lamb (when they have it). The best $28 deal in the country.
Palate - Food & Wine (a review)
I haven't wanted to say aything bad about Palate, living in the Gleandale area and hoping for something more than Cabinita and Far Niente (no complaints there). I had hoped Palate was going to work out but it hasn't. Wines are reasonably priced but underwhelming. Food looks great on the menu, with clever concepts and descriptions, but never fails to disappoint, IMHO. I have not had any problems with the service, but then again four of us tend to order around $100 in wine. But I have had enough of the consistent let downs in the cuisine, interesting concepts or not.
Old Town Pasadena has the worst
I don't think Parkway has changed much but the times have. For a while in the 90s Parkway out Spago'ed Spago which seems to have started the designer pizzas and multi-surprising ingredient pastas, along with the more-tastes-per-dish-the -merrier era. Spago has matured into a more elegant and refined cuisine while Parkway has not changed at all.
12 miles to the west brings you to Hatfield's, Mozza, AOC, Grace, and almost to Melisse and, yes, Spago.
Old Town Pasadena has the worst
Agree that RWB might be the best place in Old Town at this moment. Which may be a case of damning with faint praise.
I have to respectfully disagree with Parkway. We have gone there ever since it opened (remember Emily's prior?). The food was originally fresh and imaginitave but now seems overly complicated, frequently unfocused, and unsatisfying expecially for the price.
If you want pretty good food go a few blocks to Bistro 45 or Madeleine's. If you want great food go 12 miles to the west.
Providence vs. Patina
There is no question in my mind about the relative merits of these places. Patina can have its occasional acceptable and rare good night. Providence is usually reliable but is by no means in the guaranteed category (but I really haven't found any place in contemporary LA that is these days). Even Spago has faltered lately. I am encouraged by your "best 2 hours of food ever" comment and will be back based on that alone.
There's a new Celestino Drago palce Downtown. I am sure there is a thread on this but I trust Providence people more. Comments?
Puerto Allegre, Pasadena Paseo
Can you tell me more about Woodspoon, Pampas, and Taste of Brazil? Like nearness to Pasadena/Glendale? I am trying to avoid driving long distances to places with good mojitos. And I do think there is such a thing as a meat buzz.
Puerto Allegre, Pasadena Paseo
Have not been lately, but did go to Fogo de Chao in Beverly Hills. More expensive; salad bar nowhere near as good; beef at Fogo is noticeably better, which is saying something, as we had no complaint about Allegre.
There's a place in Old Town Pasadena that has meat orgys once a week - Malagueta. Any experience?
Pasadena Recommendations
Having been underwhelmed with Pasadena in the past two years, here are my best recommendations (they are in many of the other posts in this thread, too):
Red, White, and Bluezz - amazingly good food for a place that calls itself a jazz bar. Venison in a cherry sauce that may currently be the best dish in Pasadena. Lots of interesting cheeses and charcuterie - a rarity in these parts. Wines that are inexpensive and out of the ordinary. Lots of interesting menu choices. Service can get overwhelmed, but an on premises managing partner makes up for a lot.
Madeleine's - romantic, firelit very comfortable main room. Also has a lot of wines but not as good a bargain as R, W, B. Limited menu, but consistent preparations (pork chop in honey lavendar sauce is a standout), great service. You can keep your price point with a little thought and forbearance.
These are the only two places of this type that I currently look forward to returning to in Pas. Other places can be and have been good, but these are consistent. You might also consider Cafe Beaujolais in nearby Eagle Rock.
Pizza In Glendale
Never made it to Capri. Open only in the evenings, I think. Any additional info?
Why all the hype about Palate Food & Wine?
I have been reluctant to say it, so wanting a great place in the Glendale area, but I can't argue with your assessment. Great ideas and really great names on the menu (I love the idea of a pickle of the day and the Porkfolio), but it underwhelms.
The wine list is really interesting and value priced, but the wines are generally on a par with the reasonable prices - not many (any?) are knockouts. And the featured pickled vegetables will ruin any wine.
Service can be irregular but hasn't been a major put off and the owner is always engaging and eager to please.
Maybe this is another example of overhyping - when you expect a lot, a restaurant is always hard pressed to meet it's expectations. But then again, even without expectations this would hardly blow anyone away.
Best L.A. area liquor prices?
I also buy from most of the big places in LA Co., but also from several OC places (esp Wine Exchange) and online. Topline and the similar LA Wine Company in the Marina simply cannot be beat for price. The beauty of Topline is their humility. They simply get the best buys they can find on top rated wines from the Advocate, Spectator and other third parties. There is little of the usual visitation of their taste on your pocketbook. To me this is the ideal place.
Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita
If you really want steak, I don't think you will be happy with Clearman's. Great prices, lots of peanuts (floor is kind of fun for a while), lots of salad included with the meal but the steaks are less than mediocre.
Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita
Agree that once you mention whiskey, casual dress code, and Santa Anita, the Derby is the only place. You will love it, especially if the average age of your group is above 60.
Osteria Mozza / Not-so-Nice-a
I, too, have been through the "are you good enough for us?" routine here. I understand that they need to squeeze every possible dollar out of their tables, and that abusive clients are common. But when a hospitality service like a restaurant can treat their customers with disrespect, it is the fault of the clients who will put up with it. It is not like their food (or wines, despite the occasional success) is so untouchable that it is worth the abuse. This would not happen in NYC or San Fran. We need to stop being so subservient to somewhat better than mediocre restaurants, like this one, before anyone will take this City's dining scene seriously. Why should a restaurant aspire to excellence when they can put profit ahead of customers and still have them mindlessly waiting at the door? In LA the scene is everything. Not their fault... ours. This, too, will pass.
Nice meal at Red White and Bluezz in Pasadena
Went last night and was impressed. Much to my amazement, this is one of the best restaurants in Pasadena at the moment.
First, the music is actually a plus. Subdued, relaxed jazz is a great accompaniment to dining. You can listen seriously if you want or you can safely ignore it and still hold a conversation with your tablemates without raising your voice.
Service is fine and reasonably knowlegable.
Wines are thoughtful, reasonably (not cheaply) priced, with a great by the glass selection, many tasting flights, and freely offered gratis tastes.
Charcuterie/fromage plates are great. You can choose among several meats, including Spanish and Italian delicacies, plus probably 20 cheeses for ~$15 for any three. Other apps are fine but less unusual.
Got the venison - extraordinarily tender slices bursting with flavor that puts steak to shame; sauce had great depth to match the meat, with deep wine reduction plus maple plus currants. Amazing match with a good Syrah.
Chicken is ok. Vanilla sauce was unusual, but who orders chicken at a place like this?
Steaks are fine. Pork chop is truly huge and tender with, as noted, a pink center. Trichinosis is said to not be a problem at this time in this country...
No room for dessert.
Ran about $65 apiece, with two glasses of wine and two courses each. Beats most of our recent dining adventures in Pasadena, including recent trips to Bistro 45, Maison Akira, and Derek's. Madeleine's is probably a little better, but if you like soft music this is the place.
Nice meal at Red White and Bluezz in Pasadena
Nice review. Thanks.
Where/what is "Lou"?
Would the music be annoying for someone who likes to eat and likes to listen to music, but not together?
Steak in LA
This is an age old question on this Board and I have decided that the answer depends on what you mean by "good". No one place has everything and it all depends on what you want. It has come to the point where asking where the best steak is is little different from asking who has the best food. I think there are four major definitions:
1. 1950s clubby alcoholic boys' night out steak. Lots of fun, things just keep coming and you'll remember your dining partners with great fondness (Dal Rae, Arroyo Chop House).
2. Traditional thick juicy meat heaven. May not be much else, and rarely a bargain, but if it's soul satisfying steak you're after, pay the man and enjoy (Arnie Morton, Mastro's).
3. Duded up meat or lots of sauces where the kitsch is the thing. Maybe you don't really like beef, but the occasion is the thing and you want something different (Ruth's Chris, Nick and Steph's).
4. A Hound experience. Steak is boring and you want to see how interesting cow can be. Lots of flavor and interesting textures, but not traditional steak (Cut, Three Forks, Fogo de Chao).
There are innumerable additional categories (bargains: Taylor's, Damon's; atmosphere: Dakota [IMHO], Saddle Peak; wines: Pacific Dining Car) but I think these four are the major classes.
I welcome comments and additions.
Puerto Allegre, Pasadena Paseo
Thant's one of the most amazing riffs I've seen recently. I now feel like I know something about a liquor I didn't even know existed. Thanks for the education. I may get back to Fogo just to try that.
Great Dinner @ Bashan [w pics]
Thanks for the info. I will give it another chance in a week or two. Missed Rosso's party.
Great Dinner @ Bashan [w pics]
Quite the breathless reply. Your enthusiastic loyalty will prompt another try, especially to look for the new entrees. Can you tell me what the corkage policy is? A reasonable fee will prompt me to raid my cellar and use Bashan as a place to celebrate special bottles. I would so like to have a destination nearby. Glad hear that Verdu actually prospered there - I did not have that impression - and left to build on their success.
Puerto Allegre, Pasadena Paseo
'splain me about cachaca. I gather it is a wine. Why should I get it and what it is like?
Puerto Allegre, Pasadena Paseo
Nice exposition on this type of dining. Thanks.
I was surprised after reading Fogo de Chao reviews and after the quality of the Allegre salad bar (simply amazing) that Chao was limp, tired looking and uninspired. I expected more. But then again, I wouldn't have been able to sample all the meats if the salad bar had been irresistible.
