Shared Food Passions Give Birth to Gourmet Store-Restaurant

Life indeed is filled with great possibilities.

The Market on Holly, for example, has become one of Pasadena’s noted sources of gourmet foods and specialty retail products.

Who would have thought that chef and co-owner Mary Pat Brandmeyer and owner Marty Davich would meet and find they share common culinary passions and business ideas.  Today, the store-cum-restaurant continues to generate a lot of buzz for consumers who demand more than the ordinary food store and eateries.

“Our vision really is all about good food in a beautiful setting,” said Brandmeyer. “Marty loves to bring in really good olive oils, vinegars, and pastas, and these are the foods that I’ve been (offering) with my catering for years,” added Brandmeyer, describing some of the culinary themes she and Davich both like.

“I like to make food that people would love to eat, and make them want to go out and live their lives,” said Brandmeyer, explaining her culinary philosophy.

“She makes beautiful, very simply presented delicious food,” said Davich, referring to his business partner’s approach to cooking and preparing food. “She takes really good food, combines, and presents it beautifully, and it’s a simple beautiful meal. Mary Pat doesn’t overdo stuff.”

The Market on Holly offers in-house pastries, Danish, muffins, and cinnamon rolls during breakfast hours. “We have a pastry chef who’s 20 years old. She just graduated from the culinary school here in Pasadena. She is extremely gifted, and she makes really good baked goods that people come and get for breakfast,” said Brandmeyer.

The company also offers office lunches and caters to corporate meetings. Corporate clients can choose from the store’s wide selection of gourmet sandwiches, salads, daily deli specials, and desserts.

People who are looking for a place to unwind after a day of work or doing business can come and enjoy the store’s collection of beer and wine. A “special bar menu of cheese, charcuterie, and small plates” makes the whole thing a truly relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Also, the company specializes in catering to parties, both large and small, and offers take-home family dinners including roast chicken, heat-and-serve mac n’ cheese, and various frozen pastas and homemade soups.

“We also have this afternoon event, where people can come and get a cheese plate with some bread, onion, and olive. We have a little sampling bite, small bite menu with some little sliders,” said Brandmeyer. Meanwhile, Brandmeyer said that the store also holds a “taste from the region” event every last Friday evening of the month, during which customers get a taste of oils, cheese, and wine from the region being promoted.

The Market on Holly also offers a selection of preselected cheese, deli specialties, and other retail items for sale by the plate, pound, or platter.

“We are a gourmet restaurant with all kinds of delicious foods, with a little bit fast pace,” said Brandmeyer, describing the store and restaurant that grew from the food passions that she and Davich share.

The Market on Holly, 57 E. Holly Street, Pasadena. Their hours are Monday and Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., they are closed Sunday.  For more information call 626-844-8811 or visit www.themarketonholly.com.