Straying from "the usual": Thaitalian and the Alcove Cafe

Thai and Italian, how does that work you say?

Very Nice Actually

As for the latter...not so much unfortunately.

I understand how it can be hard to stray from your "usuals" every once in a while, sometimes we need some security in our lives. But there are so many great options out there, but along with those oppurtunities come great risks. Sometimes the oppurtunity cost is great as in Thaitalian in Pasadena, but more often, it is dissapointing as in the Alcove. (I usually don't thrash on places or write about bad experiences since stuff happens sometimes but just to prove a point...)

Thaitalian...man, a Squid Ink Risotto with a Thai Basil Seafood Stir-fry, a tart, authentically fish-y Tom Yum soup packed with cubed veggies. This was just one of those meals, the creamy, pallid pitch-black Risotto actually Al Dente, circling around tender mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, scallops hell....i even swear their was one of those chewy "veggie shrimp" that they serve at those vegetarian chinese places. With my new veneration for bivalves, probably my new current "favorite dish" at the moment. They also have curry Pasta, Pizza and Mozzarella Egg Rolls if you're into that sort of thing.

Alcove on the other hand...*sigh*. I was dissapointed with this place, it was good....but just not as good as i expected. It sounded so promising. Don't get me wrong, i'm willing to come back and get their juicy Lamb Burger again with a cup of their Immortal Tea blend but maybe I'll go somewhere else for dessert, somewhere where they actually bake their Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons on premises. A cool place to hang out for wine, coffee, tea and conversing though.

Thaitalian
49 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-585-8808

The Alcove Cafe
1929 Hillhurst Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-0100