A Winning Combination at redwhite+bluezz

redwhite+bluezz isn’t your average wine bar.

Like other local wine venues, it’s hip and has a great wine list, but the similarities end there.  Noted local and known musicians infuse the lounge with the best in live jazz and blues.  Flights of wine and cheese allow you to tour the world from the comfort of your table.  The artfully presented food is thoroughly delicious. Paintings by noted artists Michael Hall and Christopher Near adorn the walls.  The location is easy to get to and convenient to the entire Old Pasadena entertainment district.

With its winning combination of great food, fine wine and live jazz and blues performances, redwhite+bluezz wine bar and grill is quickly establishing itself as one of Old Pasadena’s newest top destinations.  Open just a few months has already developed a devoted following.

For years I’ve been looking for an establishment that brought together my favorite things: great wine, cool live music and fine food—a place where you could spend an entire evening enjoying the best entertainment, food and drink. Other places might have had one or two of the elements, but I could never find a place that had it all. So I decided to open it up myself,” says redwhite+bluezz owner André Vener.

But to bring the ambitious project to life, first time restaurant owner Vener needed a winning team.  He realized that his close friends, Sean Tange and Bryan Gallyot, had a combined 20 years in the hospitality industry — ideal resumes of managing partners. Already a veteran in event bookings and ambience, Vener brings ten years’ experience in the music business to the table.

To ensure top tier product and service at redwhite+bluezz, Chef Gabriel Contreras and Certified Sommelier Russ Meek were recruited.

Contreras has honed his skills in successful, high volume kitchens for thirteen years.  Last year he completed his degree at the Cordon Blue Academy, adding French technique and sound fundamentals to an exceptional talent level.  Contreras’ Latin heritage influenced what have become the most popular appetizers and salads.

Topping the popularity list of starters is the “duo beef sliders,” offering a side by side taste of ancho-marinated kobe skirt steak over sweet creamed corn, next to crispy potato sandwiched sage-mandarin short ribs.  The “crab claw seviche” salad rises above the plate with layers of fresh Maryland Crab, avocado, heirloom tomatoes and crème fraiche.  In accordance with the all American redwhite+bluezz motif, Contreras’ entrée list is an assemblage of classic, slow-cooked bone-in steakhouse cuts, augmented by overnight-fresh seafood.  The maple-mustard glazed Halibut hits the place setting of many a satisfied diner, while the Cajun-rubbed Kansas City Strip and the 26-ounce prime rib chop challenge the heartiest appetites.

Very familiar to local diners who love wine and immaculate service, Russ Meek has accrued thirteen years of service and management experience, an in-depth certification in the fields of wine, beer, spirits, cheese, and cigars, and a passion for the ultimate culinary experience for every occasion.  His world-touring wine list, seasoned lightly with well-priced popular labels, is sharply focused on the best examples of winemaking style and flavor enhancing character.  Meek’s wine and artisan cheese tasting “flights” are assembled and paired in an unimposing format, upholding his sound philosophy of making guests feel at home around the finer things.  For guests seeking more academic means for finding and appreciating their favorite flavors and vintages, Meek has been conducting a successful series of “flight school” courses.

They’ve created a place where you can have a class in wine, bring a friend or loved one for an intimate date, or groove to the sounds of blues or jazz.

Vener, former CEO of the California Philharmonic, wanted to continue the philosophy he helped Cal Phil develop—that of combining great music with incredible ambiance and fine dining, but to do it on a different scale and with a different emphasis.  The results are striking.  The historic Edison El Rey building is complimented by deep colors, lighted onyx bars, mahogany fixtures and accents of back-lit stained glass.  redwhite+bluezz boasts more flights of wine and cheese than any other wine bar in the area and has 45 varieties of wine on tap via a state of the art cruvinet system, as well as  top shelf spirits. Award winning Lamill coffees and teas round out the beverage selection.

If dining’s not on your agenda, or if your meal’s over but your night’s not and you’re looking for something else to do for your evening, head on back to Bluezz, the live music venue component of redwhite+bluezz.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights bring out music lovers who are eager to hear the best contemporary jazz and blues performers from throughout the area.  The music starts at 8pm on Thursdays featuring Blues and 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays featuring Jazz.

Want to know more about wine?  Attend Flight School, redwhite+bluezz’ “wine boot camp,” conducted Thursday nights at 6pm by certified Sommelier Russ Meek.  Meek makes understanding and appreciating wines from around the world easy and fun in these two-hour long classes.

Finally, redwhite+bluezz offers a concierge service, an exclusive membership club for wine lovers and extensive community involvement also add to the redwhite+bluezz magic.  From business networking to charity fundraisers, the redwhite+bluezz philosophy is always to bring more to the experience than expected.

For special occasions, private parties or business meetings ask for Linda O’Neill Director of Special Events.  From intimate gatherings of 10 to receptions up to 150 guests in the private dining room with adjacent patio we will customize the perfect experience.

Located at 70 South Raymond Avenue in Old Pasadena, redwhite+bluezz is easily accessible via the 110, 134 and 210 freeways.  Valet parking from Thursday thru Saturday and a parking structure across the street make getting there a breeze.   For more information, or to make reservations, call (626) 792-4441 or visit www.redwhitebluezz.com.