2007 Scam, I mean Taste of Old Pasadena

$25 to eat around Pasadena as much as you want?! And to dip it in chocolate...Old Town Pasadena? Sure, it's a chain junk pile but underneath the corporate facade, there actually are a lot of respectable restaurants around there. And if that wasn't sweet enough, the site made it seem like EVERYONE was participating in this realtor-funded event. I was actually excited over something for something, a rarity nowadays.

Twenty-seven restaurants, in bolded sixteen point font. As if to force the list to barely fit the little leaflet, with such lovable establishments as Hooters, Barneys Beanery and Johnny Rocket's. All with fifteen-twenty minute lines of poor souls waiting to get a different variation of a cold, deep-fried concoction.

I can't say it wasn't a total loss. Here are a brief synopsis--in order of preference--of some surprising samples that were actually scrumptious.

Cafe Bizou: Chicken and Tofu stuffed Mushroom in Balsamic Froth, Salmon And Lobster Mousse Ravioli, Spinach and Shrimp Phyllo Pastry

Barcelona (surprisingly): Seafood Paella, Crab Cake

Sushi Roku (another surprise): Spicy Tuna Hand Roll

Tibet Nepal House:This thin curry with Naan-ish flatbread

All India Cafe: This puffed rice sweet & sour dish with Chicken Tikka Masala

...that was about it. I knew it was too good to be true

In the Midst of Chaos (and still making every meal count!)

Everyone always associates college with an excuse to eat corporate mush, but I beg to differ. Just because you go to college does NOT mean you have to eat the same old food, every single day or not eat at all. In my refusal to be a creature of habit, I strive to stay somewhat adventurous throught my burden: preparing breakfast's the nights before, getting up illogically early to be packing rather gourmet sandwiches, and going out as much as I can humanly afford. If anyone does read this, please accept my apology for the lack of maintenance lately.

Anyways, here a couple of new places that i've sacrificed for in trying:

1) Soul Vegetarian
Strips of tender Pot Roast smothered in a dark savory gravy, crispy crab cakes that are still soft on the inside and--of course-- served with all the fixings; buttery, golden cornbread with a dallop of butter all to smear it with, mashed sweet potatoes spicy enough to catch your attention, creamy coleslaw and an even creamier mac & cheese. All vegan! Yes, even that Pineapple Upside Down Cake!
(thanks Brent)

Soul Vegetarian
4067 W. Pico Blvd (corner of Norton)
Los Angeles CA
(323) 734-4037

2) Shaab Restaurant
By far, the best value in pasadena you can get, seriously. Japanese shabu-shabu, perfected. Be itSeafood (Salmon, Squid, Clams, Mussels) or Beef, whatever you fancy, with plenty of veggies and a duet of noodles (udon and glass) and 8-10 little bowlfuls of that wondrous spicy miso broth (make sure to ask for it) for under $10! It's hard to believe it's actually in Old Town Pasadena where just next to door you would pay 4 times as much for a similar meal. Thank You Shaab, thank you.

Shaab Restaurant
77 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91003
(626)683-1150

AH-JA-JAY CHIQUITITO, 100% ZACATECANO!!!!: Birrieria Chalio

My dad...well, let's just say he's from another time, yeah. Born and raised in the urban and suburban archaic provinces of Zacatecas, Mexico, eating whatever without reallly paying any attention to it. For him, food is just food, no matter what, where or how. And as you can imagine we've had our fair share of fights, arguments and endless disputes because of that. I still don't know how my "passion" for food even got a chance to ember.

Birria Estilo Zacatecas...could I finally bring my dad some joy by maybe, just maybe...showing him that talking, thinking and writing about food is much more que un "capricho" (a whim)?

And for the first time...ever, in my life...I made him happy! "Just like back home" were his exact words. The gamy mutton meat tamed by moist Maguey leaves and the right spices. Baked in ovens to deny the lean meat from toughening up and allow the juices to drip off into the chile-based decoction. Ridiculously Strapping CORN tortillas almost as big as big as the flour tortillas used for standard lonchera Burritos. And most importantly of all...a plate filled to the brim with that soft, fragile stewy meat with no fillers in sight (rice and beans).

AH-JA-JAY CHIQUITITO, 100% ZACATECANO CABRON!!!!! (sorry, ate a little too much of their house made Habanero salsa)

Birrieria Chalio
(323) 268-5349
East Los Angeles
3580 E 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90063