Pasadena Recs

I'm heading west for a few days for a wedding and need some recs for Pasadena.


Any "hidden gems" here?

Since the Lovely Dining Companion lived in South Pas for many years (and I visited her regularly for a portion of them), I am sure we can gin up a couple of places but before we start going through the list, any preferences, discinclinations, etc.?

One place I will recommend unreservedly, though we haven't been for a while, is Trattoria Tre Venezie, a place specializing in the far less frequently encountered cuisine of northeastern Italy, as in former Austro-Hungarian Empire. As I recall, the chef had a one-star place in his hometown (outside Venice) for a long time. I'll check my notes to see if I can recall what we had but I recall two things with no hesitation at all: the flavors were unusual and the place absolutely charming. One of the best meals I had during all my many visits and very high on my list for our next return.

Trattoria Tre Venezie
119 W Green St
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-4455

Oak Tree Inn -- Cantonese seafood. A search for "Pasadena" will get it.

Ah shnoogers! Just spent the last little while reading the Chowhound LA board and there seems to be a consensus that very recently--the end of last summer/fall--the original chef was replaced at Tre Venezie and the quality has declined, um, precipitously. Phooey!

Still, there's quite a bit on Pasadena and it will be a good, more up-to-date resource. I'll also check with LDC for the names of a few places I do remember (like the Tibet Nepal House, or was it the Nepal Tibet House?).

Thank you, gentlemen. My daughter and I will be on our own for a couple of lunches and dinners so I appreciate all recs. We both like "LTH"-like places

In downtown Alhambra, there is a pretty good Cuban place creatively called "Cuban Bistro". The menu is more spanish Caribbean than Cuban exclusively. It has been several years since I have eaten there. But, in the past, it has been quite good.

http://www.cubanbistro.com/menu/DinnerMenu.pdf

Gypsy Boy wrote:Since the Lovely Dining Companion lived in South Pas for many years (and I visited her regularly for a portion of them), I am sure we can gin up a couple of places but before we start going through the list, any preferences, discinclinations, etc.?

One place I will recommend unreservedly, though we haven't been for a while, is Trattoria Tre Venezie, a place specializing in the far less frequently encountered cuisine of northeastern Italy, as in former Austro-Hungarian Empire. As I recall, the chef had a one-star place in his hometown (outside Venice) for a long time. I'll check my notes to see if I can recall what we had but I recall two things with no hesitation at all: the flavors were unusual and the place absolutely charming. One of the best meals I had during all my many visits and very high on my list for our next return.

Trattoria Tre Venezie
119 W Green St
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-4455

About a year and a half ago, I had one of the best pastas I've ever eaten here.

I'll second JeffB's recommendation of Oak Tree Inn and share the address and telephone #:

Oak Tree Inn (323) 682-2882
1315 S Fair Oaks Ave.,
South Pasadena, CA 91030

We enjoyed an exceptionally fresh (delivered by the fishmonger that morning and dispatched immediately before cooking by the chef) whole "snow fish" luncheon that was marvelous. Not inexpensive, but worth it. The other dishes, whose names I cannot recall, were also very good but this fish was the star of the meal.

I would dine there again if possible!

Davooda

ding tai fong is a 10 minute drive. not really "hidden", it's usually packed and sometimes with a long wait. But really tasty soup dumplings.

1088 South Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
(626) 446-8588‎

It's been about 5 years or so, but our buddy took us to Euro Pane Bakery in Pasadena before we spent a lovely day at the Huntington Gardens. It's a little sandwich shop and pastry place --nothing too special in terms of decor. But I had one of the most amazing egg salad sandwiches there. Heavenly. And then I gobbled up a lemon curd tart that made me very happy. IIRC the owner was a Vietnamese woman who had worked at LaBrea Bakery . . . anyhow, you might check it out if even for a light snack or meal.

bjt


Euro Pane
626-577-1828
950 E Colorado Blvd # 107
Pasadena, CA 91106

Going to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Short trip, we will not have a car and are looking for any upscale restaurant recommendations for New Years Eve. There are some nice reliable restaurants there such as Roy's, and Ruth's Chris but we would prefer somewhere that is not a chain.