WHY Luxe food in a romantic setting, plus a swell private room for a dinner party. Excellent wine list. WHAT Hidden in strip mall, Derek’s is Pasadena’s swank secret. Irish-born Derek Dickenson knows what his upscale clientele craves for dinner, and he delivers the goods: seared foie gras with a kumquat marmalade; fresh oysters; beef [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The signature whole sizzling catfish with ponzu sauce, but don’t stop there—it’s all delicious. For a memorable experience, ask Chef Shiro to surprise you. WHAT Chef Hideo Yamashiro knows his seafood and the menu reflects it, with lots of fresh, interestingly sauced fish offerings. As competition has intensified in increasingly food-obsessed South Pasadena, Shiro’s, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A fascinating cuisine; squint at the menu and you’ll recognize derivatives (or ancestors) of such Indian, Pakistani, Persian and Chinese dishes as pakoras, curries, dumplings, kebabs and pilafs. WHAT An elegant, white-tablecloth restaurant with a restful, welcoming atmosphere, Azeen’s is just a block from the Old Pas swarms. Share a sampler plate of appetizers [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Owner/chef Marshall Blair, ex of Water Grill, is not only adept at preparing seafood (don’t miss the tuna tartare with spiced ginger vinaigrette), but he’s also got a way with meat and pastas, like the dreamy braised Colorado short ribs with polenta and leeks. WHAT Blair’s has everything an L.A. restaurant needs to be [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Some of the best Thai food in the San Gabriel Valley. WHAT Saladang’s dining room is chic and modern—with exposed ducts, colorful table settings and handsome rattan chairs—and its food deliciously fresh and well-presented. The yellow curries, satays, light fried calamari and spinach-and-duck salad are all excellent. The menu is thoughtfully laid out with [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The pastas are terrific. WHAT This is the San Gabriel Valley’s most consistently excellent Italian restaurant, combining warm service, a serious wine list and downright delicious food. Don’t miss the baby lettuces with roasted peppers, eggplant and goat cheese; the black and white tagliolini with scallops and saffron sauce; and the whole grilled branzino. [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY New York strip, spinach with caramelized sweet onions, well-mixed drinks, and, for those who save room, chocolate soufflé. WHAT The setting is retro-modern—rich mahogany, white linens, etched glass, Craftsman-influenced light fixtures—and the fare is reliable comfort food for the captains-of-industry set. Prime steak is a specialty, along with simple and carefully prepared sides (asparagus, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Effortlessly retro steakhouse classics and a bar that’s jumping enough to give sleepy La Cañada an actual hot spot. WHAT This is no poseur steakhouse. Taylor’s, the only branch of the beloved 1953 L.A. mothership, is a genuine outpost of all we know and love about steakhouse ambience and cuisine: red Naugahyde booths, iceberg [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY No-frills home cooking, only you don’t have to do the dishes. WHAT This is the best spot in the north SG Valley for an all-American breakfast: cornmeal johnnycakes, applewood-smoked bacon and the usual egg dishes. Lunch brings simple sandwiches, soups and salads. The Americana theme extends to the décor and the Awesome Dish Root [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Spectacular, if pricey, sushi. WHAT In addition to the familiar sushi and sashimi offerings, chef ‘Crazy Eddie’ Okamoto offers exotic and unusual seafood items imported from around the world. If you’re not on a budget, this is a great west Valley sushi option. 18663 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, 818.343.3470, sushiiki.com. L Tues.-Fri., D Tues.-Sun. MC, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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