Mr. Pasadena

As noted www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com/

This year, more than 40 of Pasadena’s best restaurants offering amazing meals and deals during the 2012 Pasadena Restaurant Week.

This year’s participating restaurants are offering fixed price dinner and/or lunch menu items for visitors. Dinners were three-course meals while lunches consisted  of two-courses. Depending on the venue and menu offered, meals were priced at either $15, $20 or $25 for lunch or $26, $35 or $44 for dinner. (Some prices may vary.) Alcoholic beverages, gratuity and tax were not included in the price unless specified by the individual restaurants in advance.

Pasadena Restaurant Week is an annual citywide event featuring the cuisine of many of Pasadena’s top dining establishments. For individual restaurant menus information and a complete list of participating restaurants click on participating restaurants above.

You can Take the Challenge and vote for your favorites by clicking here.

Pasadena Restaurant Week was conceived to promote Pasadena as a restaurant destination and remind Southern California and our restaurant patrons that Pasadena offers dining experiences to satisfy all tastes at every price range. Participating restaurants will be preparing special meals at extraordinary introductory prices.

Restaurants participating in 2012 include some of Pasadena’s finest and most unique eating destinations such as  1810 (eighteen ten), a/k/a An American Bistro, Bistro 45, Cafe Bizou, California Pizza Kitchen, Cameron’s Seafood, Celestino Ristorante, Clearman’s Northwoods Inn, Clearman’s Galley, El Cholo, The Counter, CREPEstudio,          

  El Portal,Green Street Restaurant, Japon Bistro, Malbec New Argentinean Cuisine, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Noir Food and Wine, Pie ‘n Burger, Quadrupel Brasserie, Robin’s Woodfire BBQ and Grill, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Terrace at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa and Vertical Wine Bistro.

New restaurants offering cuisine for Pasadena Restaurant Week include a/k/a an American Bistro, Haven Gastropub, Kings Row Gastropub, Market on Holly, Pita Jungle, Roxolana, The StillRoom and Toro Sushi Bar and Lounge.                                                                                                                                           

Mr. Pasadena says,

“My friends over at www.blockbeacon.com/pasadenaweek have a gorgeous interactive map of all the restaurants this year.  Please click on the link above and follow along. Cheers to Pasadena and Pasadena restaurants week! You have 3 days left to truly enjoy this amazing event!”

We are a week into what is turning into another great Pasadena tradition.  Several of Pasadena’s finest bars, lounges and restaurants will be offering incredible drink specials all week long (i.e. $1 martinis, $2 beers) as well as incredible deals on their gourmet appetizers and their pub food.  This truly is a signature event to get your friends, co-workers and family out for a few drinks.  It’s not just about hanging out with your crew, it’s about taking part in a Pasadena tradition.

I am also happy to report that this year is even bigger than last year.  More venues equal more deals on drink specials and more incredible gourmet bites. So what are you waiting for? Make a call to all your friends and family and have them meet you in Pasadena for Happy Hour Week in Old Town Pasadena.  You can download and review the Happy Hour Week menus offered by each participating venue below. Download the complete Happy Hour Week schedule for easy reference.

 AND ….Just as a suggestion to ensure that you and all of your guest make it home safe, I am providing the following transportation providers for your convenience. Cheers!

Yellow Cab Company – (626) 390-8294

Limo Cab company – (626) 447-8294

Checker Cab Company – (626) 796-8294

It is hard to believe that it’s been a full year of blogging. Well for that matter it is even harder to believe that there are so many of you that choose to follow me. I am extremely humbled and truly moved. Thank you for following me here, on Twitter and on Pasadena Now dot com. It has been a challenge at times to get out the blog or the article to PasadenaNow.com as fast as I would like, but I have and I will continue to do so as often as I can.  I am surprised that my simple blog about this great city has turned into something even bigger than I originally imagined. 

What are my plans for 2012? Simply put. More.  More tweeting, More blogging and more getting the word out that the city of Pasadena, CA. is a great city that has a lot to offer everyone.  From fine dining and burger joints, sports and entertainment, arts and children’s events there is something here for everyone.  

 Not only I am going to get word out about Pasadena via the internet, I am also committed to taking it to the streets. That’s right there will be times this year that I will leave the confines of the city and attend other events in and around Southern California to promote Pasadena to all that will listen.

Why go to city events not based in Pasadena  and blog about them?  Because it’s about getting the word out and reminding people that Pasadena is not just about the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl, but it’s THE destination for all things fun and entertaining.  Also I do realize that you can blog every day, but unless you head to the street you may not be able to reach everybody. 

 Thank you for all the great comments and letters that you have sent it has motivated me to do more for you and more for the city of Pasadena.   It has been a great deal of fun to serve as an unofficial spokesperson, town crier and ambassador to Pasadena. Even so I am in awe of your participation. I blogged about the events but it was you who showed up. You came to  truck rallies and you joined me at new restaurants and tequila tastings. It is an amazing feeling knowing that I made your day or gave you a great way to enjoy the weekend or introduced you a new place to grab a bite where you are now regularly. 

So cheers to you and cheers to a new year ahead!

Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena January 15 thru 20

Ah yes! The all American Cheeseburger. It was back in 1920 when Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have invented the cheeseburger at the age of 16 when he was working as a fry cook at his father’s Pasadena, California sandwich shop, “The Rite Spot,” and “experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger.

Next week Pasadena chamber of commerce presents Pasadena Cheeseburger week. So come and celebrate the birth of the Cheeseburger.  Not just burger joints, but a variety of restaurants will be putting their very own spin on the American Classic. That’s right some of Pasadena favorite eateries such as Gales, Crepe Studio, Lebanese kitchen and Toro Sushi Bar will be celebrating by giving you their take on the cheeseburger. 

Personally I am a traditionalist, but hey let’s live a little next week and become adventurous for once.  Here is the list of participating restaurants:

Participating restaurants:
A/K/A Bistro - 41 Hugus Alley
Beckham Grill – 77 W. Walnut
Burger Continental – 535 S. Lake
Clearman’s Galley – 7215 N. Rosemead Blvd.
The Counter – 140 Shoppers Lane
CRÊPEstudio – 99 E. Union St.
The Dog Haus – 104 N. Hill St.
Dog Haus Biergerten – 93 E. Green St.
El Portal – 695 E. Green St.
Gale’s (lunch only) – 452 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Green Street Restaurant – 146 Shoppers Lane
Jersey Mike’s Subs – 122 S. Lake Ave.
Kings Row Gastropub – 20 E. Colorado Ave., Ste. 120
Lebanese Kitchen – 1383 E. Washington Blvd.
Lovebirds Cafe – 921 E. Colorado Blvd.
M Local Mediterranean Grill – 105 N. Hill Ave.
Magnolia Lounge – 492 S. Lake Ave.
Noir Food & Wine – 40 N. Mentor Ave.
Pie ‘n Burger – 913 E. California Blvd.
POP Champagne & Dessert Bar – 33 E. Union St.
Quadrupel Brasserie – 43 E. Union St.
Red, White + Bluezz – 70 S. Raymond Ave.
Soleil at the Sheraton – 303 Cordova St.
Toro Sushi, Bar, Lounge – 2675 E. Colorado Blvd.
Vertical Wine Bistro – 70 N. Raymond Ave.
Yahaira’s Cafe – 698 E. Colorado Blvd.

For more info, visit the Pasadena Restaurant Week website

” Catch the Holiday Spirit in Old Town”

From STAFF REPORTS
Published: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 10:24 AM  www.PasadenaNow.com

Old Pasadena celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with free, family-friendly, holiday activities throughout the district starting the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.  There will be a magical tree-lighting ceremony, 20 tons of snow, festive live music, Santa’s arrival and much more!

The fun begins at 4:00 p.m. with Old Pasadena’s own winter wonderland located on Holly Street between Raymond and Fair Oaks.  Kids can play in 20 tons of snow, see live reindeer fresh from the North Pole, ride a holiday choo-choo train and enjoy live music in this spectacular children’s winter playground.  Children are also invited to create their own holiday crafts at a free craft area hosted by The Armory Center for the Arts.

Event attendees are invited to then head over to One Colorado at 6:00 p.m. to see Santa arrive to light the gorgeous 35-foot Christmas tree with the regal assistance of the 2012 Rose Queen and her Royal Court.  Throughout the evening, One Colorado will host a special holiday choral performance and sing-a-long.  Everyone is asked to bring an unwrapped toy or book for the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys toy drive, which benefits children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Children and adults who donate an unwrapped toy or book will receive a free photo with Santa at One Colorado from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., on November 25 only.  The joyous evening also includes the arrival of Santa’s own personal mailbox straight from the North Pole.  All season long, children can write their holiday wishes to Santa and he will respond on his personal stationary.

Pasadena’s largest holiday celebration is a free community event presented by Old Pasadena Management and One Colorado.  The Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys is presented by the Pasadena Star News and the Pasadena Jaycees.

For more information call 626-356-9725 or visit www.oldpasadena.org.

Mr. Pasadena says “Well I guess you can’t say it never snows in Pasadena.  Catching this holiday treat is a must! In a city that really doesn’t see snow and now to be blessed with 20 tons of snow is almost a Christmas miracle. Plus I truly love the appropriateness of the event.  The snow and the tree lighting all takes place the day AFTER Thanksgiving. All too often retailers can drive Chrisitmas décor to be up and on display the day after Halloween. One Colorado and Old Pasadena got it right. Let Thanksgiving be a time for thanks instead of a speed bump on the way to black Friday. So enjoy your turkey and give thanks this Thursday. I’ll see you all Friday in the snow!”

 All the best to you on this holiday season,

Mr. Pasadena

Just in time for your holiday shopping,  OSKA is having their grand opening at One Colorado this Friday (11-11-11).  OSKA is an international clothing collection known for exceptional fabrics, colors, quality and construction.  Pasadena is the first and currently only West coast retail store. This Munich based clothing collection, took their time and looked around for their Los Angeles based location including the Americana in Glendale, but felt much more at home here so I want to make sure that you go out and give them a big DENA welcome. At least go in and say “Hi” to my friends Kelsey and Annie or shop online @ http://www.oska-pasadena.com . 

Of course, now all I see in my head are the Pasadena women falling in love with OSKA and all their husbands, boyfriends and significant others upset with Mr. Pasadena for recommending such a high end shop.  So let me tell you what I am going to do. Some friends of mine are coming from Orange County to open their second gastropub here in Pasadena. Yes, some time later this year they are going to open HAVEN @ 42 Delacey Avenue. All you have to do is leave me a comment about how upset you are about how much your wife/ girlfriend spent and we will schedule a time to meet off line at HAVEN. You bring that outrageous receipt from OSKA and we will run up an equally offensive tab. First round is on me. Payback can be fun as well as fair play!

Today Armando Ramirez celebrates his birthday! In order to pass on the prosperity Armando and the Ramirez family are graciously donating 10% of total sales of their 3 restaurants (El Portal, Yahaira’s and Vanessa’s) to the fight against breast cancer.  That’s right instead of accepting gifts for his birthday he is inviting everyone to stop by enjoy some great food and leave knowing that you helped make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. 

I asked him what was it that made him come to this decision to give back so generously.  Armando said, “My family and I have not been directly been affected by this, but I have friends that have been faced with this disease. Some have fought and won and others were not so lucky… So I asked myself what I can do to help. Knowing this was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the fact that my birthday is in the same month,  I felt this was an opportunity to give back to my friends and to all of our patrons that have fought and that continue to fight this disease.”

Knowing Armando this isn’t a flashy gimmick to get people in the door.  Especially since Dia de los Muertos (A Mexican holiday like Halloween) is so close he could have run specials around that instead. 

My feeling is this; this is the perfect opportunity to help the fight against breast cancer. You don’t have to buy specially marked products, go online and give your credit card number, or walk a 10k. All you have to do today is stop by El Portal, Yahaira’s or Vanessa’s for lunch or dinner and eat some great Mexican food and after you pay the bill you should feel full. Full from the food and full of the great feeling that you get knowing that you contributed to a great cause simply by going out to dinner. 

El Portal … 695 E. Green Street Pasadena, CA. 91101

Yahaira’s …698 E. Colorado Pasadena, CA. 91101

Vanessa’s… 696 E. Colorado Ste 17 Pasadena Ca. 91101