On the first Thursday of each month Vertical Wine Bistro treats patrons to a free 1 ounce pour of two featured wines. As an added bonus a representative from the vineyard takes on the role of guest sommelier, pouring the wine and describing its origins. At the Tasting Thursday I attended, wines from the Italian vineyard Marchese Antinori were served. Giuseppe Cossu, representative of the winery, s... More »
Surrender to your inner gourmet and take the shortcut to meatball heaven at Porta Via Italian Foods, a stylish deli located in One West California. Co-owned and managed by foodies Victor Ciulla (former Twin Palms CEO) and ex-New Yorker John Weithas, this handsome shop oozes contemporary Italian flavor in every bite of each authentic recipe. At Porta Via, you can have your pick of the most delectab... More »
NeoMeze is a sleek modern restaurant with a big city feel. Entering through the bright orange hallway off of Colorado Boulevard, you feel transported to a restaurant in SoHo. The high-ceilinged lounge has retractable panels and connects to a patio area on Mercantile Place, the pedestrian-only alley way running between Fair Oaks and Raymond. Sitting on black leather seats in the lounge my companion... More »
If you’ve lived in Pasadena for any length of time you’ll remember going to the train station on Raymond and Del Mar to catch a train, see off relatives or just watch the trains go by. For years it was all but lost, sitting empty and forlorn. Not anymore! A new restaurant has taken up residence in this historic building: La Grande Orange Café. The interior of the restaurant is much like I rem... More »
Like its name, Fred’s Mexican Café isn’t exactly authentic Mexican. But when it comes to a kitschy Latin atmosphere, great tacos and a massive margarita menu, it’s the real deal. Open only four months, Fred’s is situated on Old Pasadena’s “final frontierâ€: the corner of Arroyo Parkway and Colorado. Standing in a glass window is a pretty young lady making tortillas by hand. The inter... More »
Chicken Tikka Masala? Yes, it’s good and a great Indian food stand by. But why not try something a little bit different, a restaurant that keeps the menu focused? Akbar Cuisine of India offers a mixture of classic dishes and innovative flavor profiles that will keep the adventurous eater happy. Most Indian restaurants serve food from northern India, because that’s what customers know. But recently... More »
If you get a sudden hankering for a meal of delicious meat, you can’t gone wrong moseying over to the Texas-roadhouse-like Barn Burner restaurant on Fair Oaks Ave. It’s not quite true Texas but it’s danged close – and the portions and flavor are good enough for panhandle chowhounds. Now, I’ve been to Texas and eaten in the roadhouses that Barn Burner emulates and they are similar, but ... More »
Named after the insect whose most notable feature is a greenish-yellow “tail light” capable of producing flashes of light, Firefly Bistro creates “flashes” of California-inspired cuisine. Housed in a large tent, made festive with twinkle lights and paper lanterns, Firefly Bistro recently celebrated its 5th anniversary with an inspired food and wine pairing. As we entered... More »
Food as entertainment? A restaurant that’s fun? That is what Chef De Cuisine Craig A. Strong wants you to experience when you visit his Michelin Star awarded restaurant, The Dining Room at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa. “What we are trying to do is create memories here, and have the restaurant be more than just somewhere to eat, but a place of theater, of elegance, of refinement. But have fu... More »
Is coffee brewing an art or a science? According to Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters, it’s a little of both. David Ross and Ryan Hamlin have started their company with the express purpose of showing us just how good coffee can be. So what goes into the perfect cup? Jameson Brown begins with the best beans from such familiar places as Columbia, Kenya, Mexico and Guatemala and the more exotic Ethio... More »
