avivale's Profile
Old Town Pasadena?
Noir Food and Wine. Smaller plates, great wine, very nice covered patio.
Maybe not as Chow-ish, I had some nice Mediterranean tapas at Pita Jungle. I like their "healthy" tagline.
And don't forget Daisy Mint for great Thai food.
Vertical Wine Bistro Pasadena - Laurent Quenioux Exec Chef - anyone been lately?
We gave Vertical another try a week or two ago. Were surprised how full the dining room was on a Tuesday night. The menu had changed since our last visit. The appetizers still don't excite me but some of the new entrees sounded very nice. My husband tried the lamb with papparadelle which was excellent with a deep meaty taste. Think short ribs. I had the chicken and orange tagine-- served with flair in a covered tagine. It's flavors were muted compared to the lamb. Past that, it was a generous portion, healthy and tasty with zucchini, fennel, quinoa, and a nice broth. The chicken was a bit hard to eat because there were wing and leg pieces with skin and bone-in.
With no appetizers, salads, or dessert, our meal still came out around $100. Af that price, I wish the food and/or experience felt like more than it is.
I'm looking for Indian food in Pasadena - with good service and decent food
My husband and I have lately been visiting Sitar Indian Cuisine when we've been craving Indian food. It's a few blocks west of Lake. Not spectacular, but everything we've tried has been pretty tasty. I like the lamb korma and the naan.
And, though we haven't been in a while, there was a mom and pop Indian place on the north end of Glendale (towards Montrose) that we also liked. If only because it literally felt like someone's Indian mother was cooking dinner for us! My Web research tells me that the restaurant I'm thinking of is India's Flavor.
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India's Flavor
3303 N Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208
Sitar Indian Cuisine
618 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
Jerusalem bagels
I'm going to have to check out that Night Toast Cafe. The "Tunisian Toast" on the menu-- that sounds like the real deal.
Dog-friendly brunch spots?
Ocean View Bistro in Montrose welcomed our dog onto their large patio. The restaurant owners also own Andersen's Pet Shop nearby, so I'd count Ocean View as HIGHLY dog-friendly.
We also like to get brunch at Le Petit Beaujolais in Eagle Rock, where our dog is always offered a water bowl. However, there are only a handful of sidewalk tables and can be all taken on a nice day, often by other dog owners.
Recently I was surprised to find a "dog menu" on a local restaurant's website... but now I can't remember where I saw that??
Vertical Wine Bistro Pasadena - Laurent Quenioux Exec Chef - anyone been lately?
We were there back in January for a cassoulet night. The food was delicately and excellently prepared, and of course very delicious. A light salad, properly dressed, topped with a runny egg. Rich cassoulet with flavorful beans, duck, sausage, and a third bit of meat. I can't remember dessert... And being a wine bar, there were plenty of wine choices.
I haven't found a chance to return but really want to. I too am interested to hear others' experiences.
ISO romantic restaurant in Pasadena area
Haven't been to Luna Negra in a couple of years, but it's a big open room and can get pretty noisy when crowded.
After hearing good things about the newish Noir Food and Wine, my husband and I finally made it over and have had two great experiences. The first time we went on a Sunday evening, when they (often) serve a prix-fixe dinner for $39, wine included. It wasn't crowded, and as the sun went down the small room became rather romantic and we spent nearly 3 hours over a wonderful dinner. (Our second visit was for a Saturday afternoon wine tasting, which we followed up with an improptu early dinner at the bar.) I liked the service, too, it was casual in a good way: like we belonged, even though we had never been there before.
I also have a soft spot for Red White and Bluezz. There's always live jazz, I do like the food, and feel comfortable in the dining room with big windows looking out on Raymond and Green Streets. If only dinner were less expensive, we'd go much more often.
Yeah, right now I can't really think of anywhere in Pasadena that's romantic AND inexpensive...
Capri Eagle Rock-post Kitchen Nightmares
My husband always liked to get take-out pizza from Capri. We haven't tried the post-Ramsay pizza yet, but we did stop in for a dinner: spaghetti and meatballs and the (meat) lasagna. We both thought the lasagna was excellent. The single portion came baked in its own ceramic dish. I liked that it was cheesy and decadent in all the right ways but didn't feel too "heavy".
Italian spot in Los Feliz, Glendale or Pasadena?
We always enjoy Briganti in South Pasadena. Their enclosed brick patio is a pretty spot to sit over a meal.
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Briganti
1423 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
My newest addiciton
In Israel it's called a "Jerusalem bagel". Sesame seeds included.
My newest addiciton
When I lived in the neighborhood a few years ago, I'd always take home a bag of their fresh-baked, thick and chewy pitas.
Lukshon - Perceptor's Photo Report
My Yiddish upbringing has had me wondering the same thing ever since the restaurant name was unveiled.
WIFES BIRTHDAY...ROMANCE
I'll throw in Maison Akira in Pasadena. For my husband and I, this has always been a special and romantic destination. I think because it's so quiet, unhurried, and formal in an old-fashioned way.
In case you're not familiar with the food, Chef Akira is Japanese but trained in French cooking. So the very fine menu has elements of both. I always get the miso marinated sea bass, which the menu proudly notes was served to the Emperor and Empress of Japan when they came through town in 1994. The restaurant also offers small plate versions of most of their dishes, so you can sample different things, and they offer a couple of tasting menus.
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Maison Akira Restaurant
713 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101
where to buy canned Thai curry paste outside of Thai Town?
Well that sure would've been convenient. Thanks for reporting back.
where to buy canned Thai curry paste outside of Thai Town?
Funny you ask, because I also live in Eagle Rock and have been looking into where to buy Thai curry paste. I figured I'd just head over to Thai Town (it's not THAT far away...). I also plan to check Seafood City, but being it's a Filipino store I'm not sure they'll carry Thai ingredients.
With my Daisy Mint fix just a couple of miles away, though, it's not terribly urgent that I cook Thai at home. Sounds like you've got it nailed down, though-- I'm impressed.
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Daisy Mint
1218 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Restaurants/lounges/bars with inside balconies
Xiomara has an upstairs with a wrought-iron railing overlooking the main floor-- is that a balcony? I'm not sure what's up there, though, if it's additional seating or a private room of sorts?
I was sad when Xiomara decided to convert from Cuban to "California" food, not sure I'd drive out of my way for that.
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Xiomara
6101 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Valentine's Dinner Restaurant Needed - < $100
I'm fond of Taste on Melrose. It's cozy and romantic, the food is always good, and the Valentine's menu at $55/person isn't too(?) out of your price range.
Your Favorite Pasadena Bistro?
Except for Cafe Beaujolais, I've never tried the places on your list... due to mixed reviews I've read here on CH and around the web.
My favorite evening out in Pasadena is generally Red White + Bluezz. Vertical Wine Bistro is on my radar again, too, with the arrival of Chef Laurent Quenioux. We went for his Sunday night cassoulet dinner a few weeks ago and it was spectacular.
We also enjoy Briganti in South Pasadena-- lovely enclosed patio, and Gus's BBQ though that's not exactly a bistro.
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Vertical Wine Bistro
70 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
Briganti
1423 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Leonidas Old Town - no more leonidas chocolate!
Well that's too bad. Thank you for doing the legwork for us.
Leonidas Old Town - no more leonidas chocolate!
If you're open to trying another chocolate shop in Old Town Pasadena, there's the little-noticed Mignon Chocolate just a few blocks away on Holly. I only tasted a small sample once and have been meaning to go check out the rest.
panini sandwich
I am fond of Panini Garden on Main Street in Santa Monica.
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Panini Garden
2715 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
NEED: Gingerbread Cookies iced, Soft, chewy, spicy gingerbread men
I got a really nice gingerbread man last week at Technique Cafe in Pasadena. It's attached to Le Cordon Bleu school. The gingerbread man was 6 or 8" tall, glazed, then iced with a cute smile and decorations and three M&M buttons. He was soft, chewy, and spicy. Mmm. Mr. Gingerbread Man came prettily wrapped in a plastic bag tied with raffia.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay thread - 4th Quarter 2010 [OLD]
Yes!! The Yogurt Star cookies are my favorite TJ item. Perfectly bite sized and they come in cheery colors. Even just the idea of them makes me happy.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay thread - 4th Quarter 2010 [OLD]
Yes I like the peppermint hot cocoa very much, too! I use it to make a peppermint mocha latte.
Places to eat by yourself
Picking up on the "nothing better to do" part of the question... I'd suggest something with an entertainment element. Like a place with outdoor seating and good foot traffic, for people-watching, e.g. Main Street or Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. Or, a place with live music, such as Red White and Bluezz in Pasadena.
Alain Giraud at Cheval Blanc: Anyone been?
I'll follow up to my own post by saying I'm glad I went.
My husband and I had the rather creative "Town and Country" eggs appetizer, two brown eggshells with a sophisticated egg mousse in one (the "Town") and a chunkier egg-and-bacon mixture in the other (the "Country"), along with two thin strips of brioche toast. We also tried the crab salad with citrus and apple appetizer. We thought that would be a salad topped with crab meat, but rather it was the tuna salad kind of salad. Excellent crab and a nice-sized portion, though my husband wished there was more apple flavor.
For our entrees, my husband had the grilled lamb. The lamb was sliced into thin slices and served over even thinner sliced potatoes. He ate every bite. I had the beef tenderloin with mushrooms and black truffle sauce. Sorry, I'm no truffle connoisseur, but I completely loved the deep mushroom flavor and the very delicious, tender beef.
We both ended up having dessert... For me, the light "Gaviota" sundae of sliced strawberries with malt ice cream was perfect after the heavy meat. My husband enjoyed his "chocolate and hazelnut crunch", two strips of rich chocolate mousse on a crunchy hazelnut cookie-- which he thought tasted like a Twix bar.
We brought our own bottle of wine and lingered over our meal. The bar area was noisy but the restaurant was not particularly crowded. I don't know how many of the diners were there specifically because of Alain Giraud, as we were. The chef was certainly in the house, back and forth between the kitchen and greeting people at some of the tables. As we, regrettably, never made it to Anisette, we appreciated that a taste of the Westside came to our neck of the woods.
Sufganiyot (Israeli Jelly Donuts for Chanukah)
I don't know any specifically, but your best bet is probably a kosher market or bakery. Just remember they close early on a winter Friday.
Where to find a great cup of hot chocolate? Weho, Hollywood or Los Feliz preferred
I personally LOVE the hot chocolate at Urth Caffe. Good foamy milk and not overly sweet. I used to live a block away from the Urth in WeHo and I'd walk over at 11 pm and sip a hot chocolate before bedtime. It was the perfect way to end a day.
Alain Giraud at Cheval Blanc: Anyone been?
Alain Giraud is guest chef-ing at Cheval Blanc in Pasadena this week. Has anyone been? How was it? I just made a reservation for Friday night and would love to hear anyone else's experience.
