Review: Lemonade Pasadena

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Rachael

After our afternoon of indulgence at the Dry Bar, friend and fellow blogger Melissa (The Valentine RD) and I decided we needed a little something in our stomach to combat with the high-end champagne we guzzled during our spectacular blow-outs. Lucky for us, Lemonade Pasadena is just two doors down from Dry Bar. Lemonade is one of those places that has been on the ever-growing “to eat at” list, but falls off the radar for one reason or another. I’d first encountered Lemonade at MOCA (The Museum of Contemporary Art), but it was either closed, or just too rich for my blood at the time. To be honest, I can count on one hand how many times I have been to MOCA on one hand and still have fingers leftover. Until Lemonade Pasadena opened up, I wasn’t aware that Lemonade was a chain.

Created by Chef Alan Jackson of The Farm (Beverly Hills) fame, the concept behind Lemonade is “Seasonal Southern California Comfort Food in a fast-casual cafeteria setting.” The fare at Lemonade echos an international influence, and has enough of a variety to please even the most discerning palates (i.e. me). I knew I was going to make dinner, so I opted for the salads – something nearly unheard of for me, and we can probably thank alcohol for lowering my standards. Urp. I mean…Anyway! I went for the “3 portions for $7.50″ under (again, champagne influenced) the thought process $5.25 for 2 portions was too expensive. Then I saw the size of the portions being scooped on my plate and whoops. Two portions would have been just dandy. Verdict: Good bang for my buck!

Arnold Palmer ($3.00)
lemonade, iced tea

I normally don’t purchase soft drinks when I’m dining out, but considering the name of the eatery and the fact that I am obsessed with Arnold Palmer’s. It’s pretty much the only way I can drink iced tea at restaurant, since restaurants serve iced tea with caffeine and I’m sensitive to liquid caffeine. This Arnold Palmer was not only very refreshing, but perfectly proportionate with the lemonade to iced tea ratio.

Orecchiette
cherry tomatoes, broccolini, feta

This dish was not memorable. I picked at it, mostly going for the cherry tomatoes and orecchiette. I’m particular about feta, and if memory serves, the feta in this salad was crumbled so finely I did not have much of an opportunity to examine its texture. It’s not that I wouldn’t recommend this salad, it’s just that it left no lasting impression with me either way.

Soba noodles
kimchi marinated vegetables, toasted peanuts

My favorite selection of my trio. Doesn’t really look like soba, though, does it? Maybe Okinawa soba? Whatever the case, it was delicious. The vegetables were well seasoned, the peanuts just the crunch I needed for texture contrast, and an overall kick of heat that did not take away from the harmony of the rest of the flavors.

Israeli couscous
wild mushrooms, Parmesan, lemon truffle

My least favorite of the trio, though that isn’t to say it wasn’t good, just not to my liking as I initially thought. While I’m a big fan of mushrooms, I think this dish reminded me that it’s only hot dishes where I enjoy mushrooms. Their texture and the overall seasoning, especially the truffle oil, did not do it for me. Upon reflection, I’m not precisely sure why I even gravitated towards it in the first place. Luckily, I traded Melissa this couscous for the remainder of her cake.

Chocolate Snack Cake ($5.00)
chocolate, whipped cream filling

Melissa purchased this slice of heaven for its memory inducing goodness. Moist, fluffy, chocolatey, and sweet without being that kind of sugary that leaves a gritty residue on ones teeth, this cake was the high class escort to the now out-of-business snack cake company’s two-dollar trick.

Overall, I dig Lemonade Pasadena and wouldn’t mind returning to try out their Beef stroganoff, mac n’ cheese, soups and sandwiches. It’s nice to have the option of moderately priced, casual dine-in/take out healthier options (you know, when one actually goes for the healthy options).

Lemonade
146 S. Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
http://lemonadela.com
open daily from 11:00a-9:05p

What’s the Dish: The Rebirth of Red, White + Bluezz

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Rachael

SUMMARY: Following a seven year run, redwhite+bluezz in Old Pasadena is closing its doors end of night on Sunday February 24, 2013, but the rwb experience continues to live on, courtesy of the Playhouse Restaurant Group.
redwhite+bluezz is jazzed to open, reincarnated and ready for business as usual (with some sizzling additions), under new ownership and management, at the landmark Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, and the heart of Pasadena’s arts scene. The refreshed jazz club and 80 seat restaurant will officially open its doors to the public on March 8, 2013.

STAFF: Aside from newly appointed General Manager Phil Thyen, much of the redwhite+bluezz staff will remain the same.

“It is a privilege to continue redwhite+bluezz’ tradition for great food, wine, live music and service,” said Kelli Breslin. “Like me, many of redwhite+bluezz’ employees have been here for several years, including some since the beginning. We know and care for each other and our guests. It’s great that guests at the new redwhite+bluezz will be welcomed by the same friendly faces they’ve known for years.”

Executive Chef of redwhite+bluezz, Alfonso “Fonzy” Galan, makes a seamless and natural choice to take the helm of the new establishment’s kitchen.

MENU: redwhite+bluezz classics will remain on the menu, but diners will enjoy a new nightly three course Playhouse Special tasting menu in honor of its new location.

NEW ADDRESS: 37 South El Molino, Pasadena CA 91101

NEW HOURS: 5:00pm Tuesday-Sunday evenings. Sunday brunch: 10:30am to 2:30pm.

FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE GO TO: http://www.redwhitebluezz.com

Review: Raymond Restaurant (Pasadena)

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Rachael

The Raymond Restaurant is housed in a small cottage on the border of South Pasadena and Pasadena. It has always piqued my curiosity, and its history has been documented on its website in words that cannot be rivaled:

In 1886, Walter Raymond, a Boston native, came to Pasadena and built The Raymond Hotel – a fabulous sunny destination for Easterners looking to escape harsh winter weather. On Easter Sunday in 1895, sparks from a chimney ignited the roof and the entire hotel burned to the ground in only 40 minutes.

Undaunted, Mr. Raymond built an even grander hotel with 300 rooms, along with a charming caretaker’s cottage. In the early years, Walter and his wife often stayed in the cottage when it wasn’t occupied by special guests. Gracious hosts, the Raymonds entertained celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin, Tom Mix, and Buster Keaton, who visited and filmed in Pasadena in the roaring 1920s.

Sadly, in 1931, the Raymond Hotel was toppled by the Great Depression and the party was over. The hotel was razed to make room for residential development, and Walter and his wife moved into the cottage, where they lived until 1934.

The caretaker’s cottage is now The Raymond Restaurant, and the timeless charm and spirit of this lovely space can be enjoyed by all.

Between the old Hollywood lore, the architecture and the good food, Raymond Restaurant is right in my wheelhouse. One sunny Sunday in late summer, my mom and I finally gave in to our curiosity and decided to go for brunch.

Coffee

Mom can’t go brunch without a good cup of Joe. As I am caffeine avoidance, I cannot speak one way or the other about it. She seemed smitten enough.

Classic Eggs Benedict (15)
side of fruit and potato wedges

Classic Eggs Benedict

To be perfectly honest, I have no recollection about who ordered what because we both wanted the same thing. I’ve a sneaky suspicion that me, the Eggs Benedict fiend of the San Gabriel Valley, ordered this. It is compulsory for me to order Eggs Benedict when I dine out at a new establishment. I recall the double-layer of ham being unnecessary, though the eggs were perfectly runny in the center and the sauce perfectly executed.

Blueberry Pain Perdu with English Bangers (15)

Blueberry Pain Perdu

Grilled English Bangers

A seasonal special, this blueberry pain perdu was not unlike a deep-dish bread pudding. Custard like in texture, its gooey, berry-laden interior hit the sweet tooth just right. The grilled English bangers were heavily seasoned with herbs and spices yet mild in taste. A perfect accompaniment to such a sweet main, allowing the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Mom was hesitant to share.

I’d recommend Raymond Restaurant for a leisure brunch, especially if their seasonal specials tickle your fancy and weather is good enough to sit outside as we did (and let’s be real; chances are the weather will be superb). Now I just need to save my pennies for dinner and a visit to 1886 bar!

Raymond Restaurant
1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Reservations: (626) 441-3136
http://www.theraymond.com
Brunch Hours:
Saturday & Sunday 9:00am – 2:30pm

Event: Fezziwig’s Festive Holiday Tea – A Noise Within

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Rachael

I’m an unabashed lover of Christmas, tea parties and good food. Combine all three of those elements and you have yourself one hell of a party.

Fezziwig’s Festive Holiday Tea

Such a party was thrown by A Noise Within – the only year-round classical repertory company in Southern California – raising $60,000 to benefit ANW’s Classics Live! education outreach programs. The Classics Live! program keeps the arts alive in a budget-cutting time when many of our school-aged children are sorely missing out. Part of the agenda for Classics Live! “…offers a contemporary context for classical literature through student attendance at performances; teaching artist pre-performance workshops in the classroom; fully subsidized tickets with transportation to and from the theatre; post-performance discussions with resident artists; and study guides that focus on making classical texts and performances accessible to the youth of today.”

A State-of-the-Art Theatre
credit: Michael Gutstadt

Held within its state-of-the-art venue in Pasadena, the Fezziwig’s Festive Holiday Tea was catered by Peggy Dark of The Kitchen for Exploring Foods. Based in Pasadena (I write with a prideful smile only another San Gabriel Valley resident understands), The Kitchen offers both catering and gourmet-to-go cuisine. Their spread was impressive, and I am not shamed to admit I made numerous return trips to the buffet to make sure I sampled everything thoroughly.

Like these open-faced shrimp sandwich bites – garnished with dill

Normally, when I attend fundraisers it is well attended by board members, sponsors and devoted patrons. The same is true of Feeziwig’s Festive Holiday Tea Fundraiser, however, I was tickled to see that a handful of guests brought their children along.

A Noise Within board member Terri Murray and Abigail Cahill
credit: Jamie Pham

Sponsor Wells Fargo representative Diana Rodriguez with daughter

You know I also appreciate individuals who go all out flaunting their style:

A Noise Within Company member Allison Elliot

A Noise Within Company member Diana Gonzalez-Morett

Following the tea, guests were treated to a matinee performance of the immortal A Christmas Carol. Easily my favorite Christmas tale, it surprised me to realize I’d never seen a live theatrical adaptation of the Charles Dickens class. It was all the characters I love come to life – wildly different than my usual annual viewing of film adaptations.

Geoff Elliott (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Deborah Strang (Ghost of Christmas Past)
credit: Craig Schwartz

The Cratchit Family – (l-r) Marie Sullivan (Cratchit Twin), Jack Elliott (Cratchit Twin), Stephen Rockwell (Bob Cratchit), Dámaso J. Rodriguez (Tiny Tim), Jill Hill (Mrs. Cratchit), Brendan Haley (Peter Cratchit), Diana Gonzalez-Morett (Martha Cratchit) and Georgia Miller (Belinda Cratchit)
credit: Craig Schwartz

I know what you’re thinking; Rachael, stop teasing us! Kids, charity, artsy good times, Yuletide cheer, it’s all well and good, but you know why we’re here! Yes, my impatient ones, let’s get down to why you’re really here: hardcore food porn!

Roast beef and herbed cheese sandwiches

Salmon on miniature Corn Muffins with creme fraice & lemon zest

Egg Salad Sandwiches with finely chopped pecans

Shrimp with Lemon

Chunky Crab Dip with Crackers

Pavlova (my favorite dessert of the day!)

Trifle

Sticky Toffee Pudding

I don’t mind confessing that this was definitely my favorite holiday party of 2012! Gourmet British inspired fare, tea, champagne, art, goodwill unto mankind, friendly faces everywhere and a Dickens of a good time.

A Noise Within
3352 East Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
91107
626.356.3100
anoisewithin.org

The Kitchen
1434 West Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
91105
626.793.7218
www.thekitchen.net

What’s the Dish: Pasadena Cheeseburger Week 2013

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Rachael

It’s that very special time of the year when all of Pasadena goes bonkers for burgers. Time to drop the diet – or better yet, incorporate your healthy eating by finding healthier alternatives from the participating restaurants!

A Little Cheeseburger History: Sponsored by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Cheeseburger Week commemorates teenaged Lionel Sternberger’s culinary experiment in the early 1920s at his father’s restaurant, The Rite Spot on West Colorado Boulevard. Legend has it that young Lionel Sternberger burned a hamburger and, to cover his error, added a slice of cheese to the burger then served it to a delighted customer. Either that or a hobo, wanting a little extra protein, asked the kid behind the counter to add cheese to his $0.15 hamburger and the rest is culinary history. The Rite Spot’s Aristocratic Burger was a favorite with customers for decades and was priced at that same $0.15 for twenty years.

VOTE: The public is invited to take the Cheeseburger Challenge and vote for their favorite cheeseburger at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week. Voting opens on Sunday, January 13th and ends on Monday, January 21st. Cheeseburger Challenge categories include Favorite Burger Restaurant, Favorite Lunch Counter Burger, Favorite Sit-Down/White Table Cloth Burger, Favorite New Burger Restaurant, Favorite Beer and Burger, Favorite Sliders and many other categories.

Participating Restaurants:
a/k/a An American Bistro
Beckham Grill
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Burger Continental
Cafe 140 South
Central Park Restaurant
Clearman’s Galley
Clearman’s Northwoods Inn
The Counter
Crepe Studio
Dog Haus
Dog Haus Biergarten
El Portal Restaurant
Gale’s (lunch only)
Green Street Restaurant
Haven Gastropub
Il Fornaio
IX-tapa
Japon Bistro
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Kings Row Gastropub
M Local Mediterranean Grill
Magnolia Lounge
The Market on Holly
New York Deli
Noir Food and Wine
The Original TOPS
Pie ‘n Burger
POP Champagne & Dessert Bar
Real Food Daily
redwhite & bluezz
Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Happy Hour menu)
Slater’s 50/50
Soleil at the Sheraton
Three Hundred Pasadena (300 Pasadena)
Togo’s (Green and Lake)
Toro Sushi Bar and Lounge
Trattoria Neapolis Italian Restaurant and Bar
Umami Burger
Vertical Wine Bistro
Villa Sorriso
Yahaira’s Cafe

FOR MORE INFO ON MENU & CHEESEBURGER WEEK SPECIALS, PLEASE VISIT www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com

I’ve picked three places from the list above and look forward to sharing my findings with you!

Showcase: Slater’s 50/50 (Pasadena)

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Rachael

With Umami Burger and Burger Haven recently opened, staples like Jake’s Billiards, Stout Burger slated to join us, and now Slater’s 50/50, Pasadena is hot real estate for burger joints. I first found out about Slaters 50/50 not from their PR firm, but a friend from high school who landed herself a job as hostess. So I got to go to two preview eat ins. Score.
Let’s dive in.

Vampire Dip
Roasted garlic, cheese & artichokes. Served in a sourdough bread bowl with fried pita chips

Hot, cheesy, garlicky, bready goodness. If you’re going to order anything, order this and get some drinks. Heaven.

Fried Bacon Mac n’ Cheese Balls with Tapito Ranch

Surprisingly, these was light and completely void of grease. They did not sit heavily in my stomach (to be fair, I only ate two to save room and not be a complete glutton) nor were they overwhelmingly bacon-y, which is a good thing in my book.

There is a fixed menu and a You Design It menu, with options for beef, chicken, turkey, vegetarian and bacon-beef patties. My guest chose to order from the fixed menu, while I went with the custom menu.

World’s Greatest Turkey Burger
Smoked gouda, baby greens, red onions, portobello mushroom cap, creamy pesto sauce, honey wheat bun

I’m unsure if it was indeed the “world’s greatest” but it certainly did hit the spot for my guest. Particularly, she enjoyed the inclusion of smoked gouda, mushroom and pesto. I should mention that each burger size is to your preference, though the meat (or non-meat) is weighed after it is cooked. She could only devour half of her 1/3rd lbs. burger, though, due to the amount of food we were eating.

Customized Cheeseburger
Patty: Fire Beef (beef mixed with various roasted peppers and hot seasoning)
Bun: White Brioche

Avocado Mash – Grilled Pineapple – Imported Swiss – Baby Greens – Grilled Onions - Sautéed Mushrooms – Garlic Aioli

I love customizable burgers. Love them. Burgers can always been adjusted, to a degree, and not many burger joints offer as much as the eateries that cater to a customizable menu. So when I find myself with such a menu before me, I go to town and usually stick to my absolute favorites, listed above. The cheese is the only variable that can be swapped out for another; everything else stays. I stick with the fire beef patty (as I had previously eaten with an Old Timey Burger during my first preview lunch; even the fixed menu items can be adjusted!) because I like a good, spicy kick that won’t overwhelm the other components of my burger. Like my guest, I saved half of my burger to eat for lunch the next day as it is easy to overeat at a place like Slater’s.

Milkshakes

My guest and I opted for milkshakes as our dessert. She went for a peanut butter chocolate combo, the simplicity of which I now envy as my milkshake was fumbled not once, but twice. I ordered a toasted marshmallow & Nutella combo, the latter of which the milkshake machine operator must not be familiar with Nutella as he kept putting Heath Bar in my milkshake. It was not a big deal, but I just wanted to put it out there as a lesson: If you don’t know, ask. Don’t guess.

Banana Nutella Bread Pudding

The couple next to us ordered the Banana Nutella bread pudding. Ironically, when I first tried this dish back on the first, first “family and friends” tasting with my friend this dessert was amazing. Sure, it was a lot less visually appealing, but I’ll take supple, squishy bread pudding over this denser, drier version any day.

My friend, the hostess, is a vegetarian and recommends the following menu items for any vegetarians wary of paying Slater’s 50/50 a visit:
Eat Your Veggies Burger (vegan patty tastes like a well seasoned latke; garlic aioli can be omitted to make this completely vegan); substitute any burger patty for the vegan patty or a portobello mushroom. Natalie recommends the Flamin’ Hot Burger with the latter. Nice and spicy!
Other veggie options include, Sun dried tomato pesto mac & cheese, Slater’s house salad and most appetizers (we both recommend the sweet potato fries!). If you order the regular fries keep in mind the ketchup has bacon in it. They offer regular ketchup and other sauces. Don’t be afraid to tell any of the servers that you’re vegetarian; they’re very accommodating!

PROS of Slater’s 50/50:
- The new staff is very courteous, accommodating, and informative.
- The accommodating menu that makes it easy for everyone with every palate range to find or create something they will like.
- While very meat-centric, my friend who works there is a vegetarian and has come up with many different veggie-friendly combinations of food and has written them out specifically for this blog post in an effort to welcome more vegetarians.
- Good place to watch sports.
- 100 beers on tap. Yeah, you read that.

CONS of Slater’s 50/50:
- The intense information overload they impose on their patrons via hostesses and servers. Both have to give guests the spiel of the “signature 50/50 burger” and whatever daily specials are going on. In one breath, right as customers sit down. It’s tiresome. If I were calling the shots at Slater’s 50/50, I would really think long and hard about why this is necessary.
- Too much food. Although, pro for everything being ala carte.
- Very loud with about a dozen or so big screen TVs. This is not the place to take a date unless it is centered around sports.

Information overload aside, I think Slater’s 50/50 is off to a good start: good food, variety and a pleasant wait staff are typically the key ingredients to stay a float. I predict they will thrive in an already burger-heavy area and be strong contenders come the next Pasadena Cheeseburger Week.

Slater’s 50/50
61 North Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 765-9700
http://slaters5050.com
Happy Hour:
Mon – Fri: 3pm – 7pm
Everyday: 10pm – 1am
Get 50% off well drinks, house wine and select appetizers and beers.

FTC Disclaimer: The food was on the house, but all opinions and wording are my own!

Oktoberfest at Kings Row Gastropub (Pasadena)

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Rachael

Oktoberfest Weekend - Kings Row Gastropub, Pasadena

Oktoberfest at Kings Row Gastropub in Old Town Pasadena came and went over one whirlwind weekend filled with food, music and a lot of beer. I only managed to squeak in a brief visit Sunday late afternoon, after coming home from the Luxury Chocolate Salon. After all of that sweetness, mom and I were desperate for something savory. This is how our conversation went down:
Mom: “I am hungry, but it’s so hot so I don’t want anything heavy. Just something to snack on.”
Me: “OK. Did you know Kings Row is having a two-day Oktoberfest with cheesy meatballs, bratwurst and pretzel bites?”
Mom: “LET’S ROLL!”

That is how most of our food-related conversations wind up.

So we went over, entering through the patio where they had a table set up to explain Oktoberfest: For $15, you get a Kings Row commemorative mug, a Lederhosen Oktoberfest Kings Row shirt, and your first beer fill of 16oz. It was a bit convoluted, so I am going to gank a direct quote from their official blog: “$2 tickets will be sold and used for purchasing food, of for filling your mug. The $2 ticket is worth a 4oz pour and you can use as many as you want.”
I was only there for the food. Luckily they had ala carte deals wherein I had to pick what I wanted to eat from the special Oktoberfest menu, pay the man at the table, and he dispensed the amount of tickets that I would then take to the buffet set up inside and exchange said tickets for food. It was a little chaotic and unnecessarily complicated for my liking, but whatever, it went down smoothly in the end. Just a couple extra steps to get to my food. Mom wanted a drink, though, and had to order from the bar to get the drink and then pay at the Oktoberfest tables to obtain her tickets for food. Still with me?

Oktoberfest Grub

They had the food wisely set up inside the air conditioned room. I just handed the tickets to one of the boys manning the food, said which food I wanted and it was handed right to me. Viola.

Pretzel Bites ($4)
beer mustard | beer cheese dips

The pretzels themselves were tasty but could have been softer on the inside; one of the downsides of keeping food heated is that food can dry out and the edges of the pretzel bites were dried out. Luckily the dips were there and I was surprised to find that the beer mustard outshone the beer cheese, which wasn’t as smooth as it could have been; as if ingredients were separating.

German Meatballs with Cheese Sauce and Brussels Sprouts ($6)

What makes these meatballs German remains to be seen, but what does make them a fantastic choice is that delicious cheese sauce. Tender, moist meatballs in a decadent cheese sauce that is so far removed from nasty ‘Velveeta’ cheese sauce it would make the latter criminal – ah! So good. The Brussels sprouts were a bit of a disappointment, though, and more bitter than they ought to have been with minimal seasoning. My mom did not care for them, either, but did like the meatballs.

Bratwurst ($8)
mashed potatoes | gravy | beets

I was too blinded by the pretzels and meatballs to notice the bratwurst, which I have already had previous experience with and I got to say – it still holds strong and true as one of the greatest strengths Kings Row has in its wheelhouse. My mom was not about to share more than one bite, so I had a bit of everything on my fork and yes, from meat to veg, this was the powerhouse dish of the Oktoberfest menu.

German Riesling ($10)

I didn’t catch the precise specifics of this drink, but my mom was very pleased with its refreshing crispness. Not as sweet as most rieslings, this wine was just want she was craving to quench her thirst on a hot Sunday afternoon.

It’s a shame that Oktoberfest at Kings Row was limited to just LA Beer Week, but after the kinks have been ironed out, I predict an even greater Oktoberfest is in the works down the line for Kings Row Gastropub.

Kings Row Gastropub
20 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, 91105
http://www.kingsrowpub.com

Sneak Peek: SIP-tember Cocktail Challenge Finals in Pasadena

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Rachael

WHAT: Pasadena’s SIP-tember Cocktail Bracket Challenge

IN A NUTSHELL: The SIP-tember cocktail bracket challenge is a six week long competition among Pasadena Chamber of Commerce member restaurants and lounges. Competitors are serving drinks that are paired against each other in a competition. 64 cocktails, ranging from drinks specially concocted for the competition to margaritas and sangria, began the competition that lasts six weeks and culminates in the live taste-off of the four drinks that win their bracket.

WHO: The eight finalists still in the running through Sunday are:
· Gale’s Restaurant: Berry Cooler

· Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Broad Street Hurricane

· California Pizza Kitchen: Top Shelf Long Island Iced Tea

· Magnolia Lounge: Vinnie Chase

· Bar 1886 at the Raymond: Orange Grove Cocktail

· Toro Sushi Bar Lounge: Finding Nemo

· El Cholo: Watermelon Margarita

· Gale’s Restaurant Basil Lemon Martini

Four of these drinks will advance to the live SIP-tember Cocktail Bracket Challenge Finale. Patrons have until Sunday the 23rd to vote at: http://www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com/

FINAL SHOWDOWN DATE: September 27th

FINAL SHOWDOWN PLACE: Paseo Colorado | 280 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena

FINAL SHOWDOWN TIME: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

FINAL SHOWDOWN BONUS: Attendees at the SIP-tember Bracket Challenge Finale will be able to taste culinary treats from Real Food Daily, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Haven Gastropub+Brewery, Stonefire Grill, El Cholo, Noor Restaurant and Ballroom, California Pizza Kitchen, King’s Row Gastropub, Arclight Cinemas, Toro Sushi and more.

FINAL SHOWDOWN PRICE: $15 per person (includes food & drink tastings) 21+ for cocktail sampling.

image and info courtesy of Paul Little | Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

What’s the Dish: Cousins Maine Lobster move in with Mixx Lounge, Pasadena

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Rachael

WHO: Cousins Maine Lobster

WHAT: Popular food truck Cousins Maine Lobster is turning brick and mortar and taking up shop inside Live Mixx Lounge in Old Town Pasadena!

WHERE: 115 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91105

WHEN: Friday, September 21st. Food will be available 10:00a-9:00p

MENU INCLUDES: Maine Lobster Rolls (mayo dressed), Connecticut Lobster Rolls (butter/lemon), Lobster Mac and Cheese, California Lobster Tacos, Crab Salad Rolls, Split Maine Lobster Tail, Lobster Cobb Salad, Mina’s Maine Fried Clams, Lobster BLT, New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Bisque.

MORE INFORMATION, including Cousins Maine Lobster Truck schedule, is available at the Official Cousins Maine Lobster Website.

images and info courtesy of Bread & Butter PR

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adventures of a food loving, globe-trekking geek girl extraordinaire

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