Oasis Café is All About Freshness

Most foods we consume these days have been seasoned with preservatives, treated with chemicals, genetically altered, and generally tweaked to make it all seem fresher than it really is. Not surprisingly, these treatments have long-term negative effects on health and on environment. What is answer? Eat locally.

Food from the local farmer’s market would ensure that what was put in the body does not contain harmful chemicals and does not contribute to global warming, plus it helps the local economy as well. What about when eating out? How to continue to eat green when restaurants don’t usually advertise the food sources?

Oasis Cafe at 34 S. Raymond Ave., is a contemporary restaurant that serves one of the best in California cuisine. The thing that makes it stand out though, is its emphasis on seasonality, partnering with local vendors to provide the restaurant with the freshest ingredients.

“What I’m trying to achieve mainly is to bring a new, fresh style over to Old Town Pasadena. The main thing I’m trying to emphasize is a farm-to-table experience and concept. So I’m really adamant on helping out the local community,” says Eric Chang, owner of Oasis Cafe.

Food fresh from the farm is prepared and served on Oasis tables “literally, on the day of,” says Chang. No one can’t get any fresher than that.

The kind of food served in Oasis, Chang explains, is listed as “New American. But I would probably say its closer to California Cuisine. Its American food with a little bit of California flair I would say. We have a blend of American food with Asian, with Mexican style ingredients also.”

The idea for Oasis came to Chang when he realized, “I really want to provide something new to Old Town Pasadena, California flair and also the freshness in ingredients.”

Chang adds, “I tested out several different chefs before I made my decision and my background for the most part is in business development where we create different projects, whether it’s for a different restaurateur or different business owner,” says Chang.

“So this project,” he continues, “I really like, because of the fact that I was creating it in Pasadena and also because the concept that we’re building here, I really strongly believe in. So I wanted to actually go ahead and move forward and operate and open and own this one project on my own.”

Oasis Cafe is currently expanding its services, Chang says, “We’re in the midst of getting our beer and wine license right now. ” Additionally, once the license has come in, Chang mentions that Oasis might offer live entertainment as well. “We’re thinking maybe have a jazz night or acoustic night,” he adds.

To learn more about Oasis Cafe, visit http://oasispasadena.com or call (626) 535-9700. Or  can email info@oasispasadena.com for more information.