How often is it that we overlook those places right in front of us? For decades, Il Fornaio Cucina Italian in Old Pasadena has been everyone’s special occasion spot—from anniversaries to very impressive first dates to family gatherings and celebrations.
One of more than a score of locations from Southern California to Las Vegas, Il Fornaio (Italian for “The Baker”) Cucina Italian is a bit of a designated landmark throughout the region. Inevitably, in any town or city, you seem to know you’re in the right spot, when, clustered among the busy stores and shops and restaurants near the center of the action, is an Il Fornaio.
We visited the One Colorado location on Monday Valentine’s Day, as part of the property’s weekend-long celebration. Sadly for me, it was a table for one, but that didn’t make it any less special.
The restaurant’s spacious location creates a seemingly vast sea of white linen and shiny flatware and sparkling glasses, creating its own universe of luxury and anticipation.
We began lunch with a basket of fresh Italian bread and a Valentine’s day special, a creamy salmon soup with chunks of lobster. Yes, it was as good and rich and decadent as you would expect. I took my time with that one.
From there it was the Bolognese with linguine pasta, with a traditional meat ragu. Incidentally, Ragu doesn’t mean that stuff you buy in a jar in a supermarket. Ragu is a specific meat sauce and pasta dish served all over Italy, Spain, and France.
I’ve had it in France and Spain. This one will stand up to both.
Dessert was a small silver tray of house specials—cream-filled cannolis, a tiramisu, fruit flavored ice cream and Il Fornaoio’s own version of spumoni. Fortunately, all were sample-sized servings, which we managed to complete most of. There was no room for coffee.
While we were trapped in the middle of a busy news day, Il Fornaio is a place to linger, to sip your coffee or wine, to gaze into someone’s eyes and let the afternoon take you where it will.
Ours took us back to work, happy and full. But more filled with the notion that when we return, it will be at a far more luxurious pace.
Il Fornaio Cucina Italian 24 West Union Street, Pasadena, CA 91103 · (626) 683-9797 . www.ilfornaio.com.
