Pasadena Magazine is the bi-monthly magazine of Pasadena and its surrounding areas – the diverse, historically rich and culturally vibrant region that includes Glendale, the Eastside of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley all the way to Claremont.
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/648495
FROM A TO Z THE BEST EATERIES IN THE AREA D I N I N G G U I D E Alhambra ∑ Charlie's Trio Cafe (ITALIAN) This casual mom-and-pop eatery serves up all the traditional Italian favorites. The generous portions sizes and adjacent sports bar make it a great choice for the entire family. √ L-D daily. √ 47 W. Main St., 626.284.4943, charliestriocafe.com. $ Chengdu Taste (CHINESE) San Gabriel Valley foodies in the know rave about this local spot specializing in spicy food from the Szechuan province. Delectable rarities for the brave diner include lion fi sh and pork knuckle. √ L-D daily. √ 828 W. Valley Blvd., 626.588.2284. $$ Diner on Main (AMERICAN) A 1950s style diner with a classic American menu. They've got hand-dipped shakes for the kids and martinis (not shaken) for the grown-ups. √ B-L-D Sun.-Thurs.; B-L Fri.-Sat. √ 201 W. Main St., 626.281.3488, dineronmainrestaurant.net. $$ Fosselman's (ICE CREAM) Quality ingredients and a variety of inventive fl avors have earned this institution a loyal following since it opened in 1919. √ L-D daily. √ 1824 W. Main St., 626.282.6533, fosselmans.com. $ Grill Em' All (AMERICAN) This heavy metal-themed joint used to be one of the busiest food trucks in town. They serve burgers like the "Dee Snider" with peanut butter, strawberry jam, bacon and Sriracha and the "Napalm Death" with pepperjack, pickled jalapeño, cream cheese, jalapeño peppers and habanero aioli. √ L-D daily. √ 19 E. Main St., 626.284.2874, grillemallburgs.com. $$ Twohey's Restaurant (AMERICAN) A San Gabriel institution since 1943. Fresh, quality, comfort food in a family friendly atmosphere. LA's best hot fudge sundae! √ B - L - D daily. √ 1224 N. Atlantic Blvd., 626.284.7387, twoheys.com. $$ Wahib's Middle East Restaurant (LEBANESE) Enjoy the fl avors of the Mediterranean in this traditional Lebanese dining room. You can try a little bit of everything at the lunch or dinner buffet. Complete the experience by lounging on the outdoor patio with a hookah. √ B-L-D daily. √ 910 E. Main St., 626.281.1006, wahibmiddleeast.com. $$ Altadena ∑ AltaEats (GLOBAL) French-trained chef Paul Ragan takes your palate around the world with his small gourmet bites. The innovative presentation is as unexpected as the offbeat pairings of ingredients. √ D Thurs.-Sat. √ 1860 N. Allen Ave., 626.794.1162, altaeats.com. $$ Amy's Patio Cafe (AMERICAN) This community cafe has a generous selection of traditional and tasty brunch fare. The zucchini bread is a favorite. √ B-L-D Thurs.-Sat.; B-L Sun.-Wed. √ 900 E. Altadena Dr., 626.798.4737, amyspatiocafe.com. $ Bulgarini Gelato (ITALIAN) Husband and wife Leo Bulgarini and Elizabeth Foldi serve up delicate scoops of heaven at this award-winning gelateria. √ Dessert daily. √ 749 E. Altadena Dr., 626.627.7640, bulgarinigelato.com. $$ The Coffee Gallery Backstage (CAFÉ) Coffee is just an excuse for good conversation; live music and comedy is at this hub for aspiring creatives. √ Coffee and snacks daily. √ 2029 N. Lake Ave., 626.398.7917, funkylittlecoffeehouse.com. $ El Patron (MEXICAN) Don't be deceived by the worn-down exterior, this hole-in-the wall serves up some mean tacos. Try the tongue if you're feeling adventurous. √ B-L-D daily. √ 2555 Lake Ave., 626.296.2818, elpatrononline.com. $ Fox's (AMERICAN) This neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot feels like home sweet home. Nothing you haven't seen before on the menu--just all the sweet and savory classics that will entice you to take one more bite than you should. √ B-L Tues.-Sun. √ 2352 Lake Ave., 626.797.9430. $ FEBRUARY 2016 97 DIRECTORY the AMARA CHOCOLATE & COFFEE This cozy chocolate and coffee café is situated on busy Raymond Avenue, but once you set foot inside the shop, you'll feel worlds away from Pasadena. "Being from Venezuela, my approach to coffee is very different. Coffee is not just a drink to fuel your work day or to please your palate, is a space for conversation, to take a personal moment, to do a little people watch, to take a deep breath...I wanted a café where I had great quality food and drinks in a relaxed environ- ment, that if I'd close my eyes I wouldn't know if I was in Paris, Caracas, Rome or New York. I knew that there were others that felt like me and they would frequent that café," explains Amara Barroeta, owner of Amara Chocolate & Coffee. She was right, having been in business for four years, many Pasadenans fl ock to the café for a daily dose of caffeine, or for a caloric splurge, Amara's supremely decadent churros—made fresh to order, slightly crunchy with soft, doughy insides and lightly coated with sugar. The churros are delicious on their own but when paired with one of the gourmet dipping sauces (including both milk and dark chocolate, house made Guava sauce, dulce de leche, just to name a few) or thick sipping hot chocolate, the combination is earth shattering…and award-winning. Barroeta notes, "We sent our delicious dark and rich Venezuelan sipping hot chocolate blend to the International Chocolate Awards this year and we won Bronze medal as best hot chocolate! We are proud to say that in Old Town Pasadena people can have one of the best hot chocolates in the world!" B-L-D Tues.-Sun., 55 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105, 626.744.1765 or amara- chocolate.com. -S.S. directory_Feb16.indd 97 1/20/16 3:17 PM