09.20.18

PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
•RESTAURANT REVIEW•
Shrimp & Pork Wontons with Spicy Sauce
dining & nitelife
directory
Average price per entree
$ up to $10
$$ $11–15
$$$ $16-25
$$$$ $25+
TOM'S FAMOUS FAMILY
RESTAURANT
1130 E. Walnut St. Pasadena
626-577-7717 tomsfamous.com $
Please come and enjoy homemade
breakfast lunch and dinner all made from
scratch and FRESH. Nothing is ever served
or made from a can. We pride ourselves as
being the cleanest store with the best quality
food and BEST service in town. Thank
you PASADENA!!!!!
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HIKARI SUSHI
2064 Verdugo Blvd. Montrose
818-957-1800 Hikarisushiglendale.com $$
Hikari Sushi in Montrose is open for business
to serve you fresh sushi, with a variety of
rolls. We are the first All You Can Eat Sushi
Restaurant in the City of Glendale. Please join
us! We are looking forward to serving you!
KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANTS
88 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena,
(626) 568-9310
3539 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena,
(626) 351-8963
kabukirestaurants.com $$
When you walk into a Kabuki you won’t be
overwhelmed with Asian decor and music.
What you will encounter is a casual atmosphere
with today’s hottest music playing,
people smiling and our friendly staff welcoming
you through the doors. Look for the Red
Mask. Come eat, drink and have fun!
MARGARITA’S
155 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena
(626) 449-4193 margaritaspasadena.com $$
At Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, our family
has been sharing our authentic Mexican
dishes with the wonderful people of Pasadena
since 1977. Guests enter our warm, inviting
space and leave as family -- with plenty of
burritos, tortas, tostadas, fajitas, and more
to be had in between! Our dishes incorporate
and pay homage to the rich flavors of bustling
mercados, corner taquerias, and seaside palapas.
So visit us, eat to your heart's content
at our mouthwatering lunch buffet, sip on a
refreshing margarita, and feel at home.
TOPS WALNUT
1792 E. Walnut St., Pasadena
(626) 584-0244
topsburger.com $
At TOPS on Walnut & Allen, we maintain the
original taste from 60 years ago. My father
wanted to create food as close to homemade
as possible. Our primary goal and focus is
on taste, quality, freshness, cleanliness in
our service and experienced staff. Most of
our staff have been with us for more than
twenty years. We invite you to come to TOPS
on the corner of Walnut & Allen and taste the
difference! Meet our staff and experience
what quality service should be. The same
quality service that has made us #1.
WE OLIVE
32 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-787-1000
weolive.com/Pasadena $$
We Olive Pasadena features an array of olive
oils, vinaigrettes, dips, and other one of a
kind flavors and offers complimentary Olive
Oil tastings.
We now serve lunch & dinner! Enjoy the
summer evenings on our We Olive Patio!
Happy Hour M – F 3:30 – 7pm! Enjoy cheese
and charcuterie and California small patch
wine. Shopping for a gift? Check out our
wide selection of customized gourmet gifts.
Located in Old Pasadena right next to free 90
minute parking.
ZELO GOURMET PIZZAS
328 E. Foothill Blvd.Arcadia
626-358-8298
myzelopizza.info $$
It’s the cornmeal crust that makes this pizzeria
stand out from the rest. This locally owned
establishment’s signature dish is the fresh,
corn, balsamic-marinated, oven-roasted red
onion pie. Zelo Pizzeria has expanded the
dining room to better serve you, so come in
and give Zelo Pizzeria a try.
VERTICAL WINE BISTRO
70 N. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 795-3999
verticalwinebistro.com $$
Set above the streets of Old Town Pasadena,
Vertical Wine Bistro offers a warm, inviting
dining experience with an elegant and
comfortable atmosphere. Our Chefs use only
the freshest ingredients when designing our
menu. We offer a wide selection of beer, wine
and hand crafted cocktails. Tuesday - Sunday:
5:00pm til Close - Happy Hour (Tues-
Fri): 5:00pm - 7:00pm – Closed Monday
WORTH THE WAIT
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method is rumored to take months or even years to
perfect.
My dining partner and I were seated within 45
minutes and quickly decided what to order on our
first round: Crab and pork xiao long bao ($14),
chicken wontons with spicy sauce ($10.50) and
noodles with spicy sauce ($9). Having tried the
sauce before, we knew it was a must-have. It pairs
perfectly with any wonton and has a kick that
doesn’t overpower any of the other flavors. The
chicken wontons, which were labeled “new,” were
not your typical bland chicken menu option. They
were juicy and, although less flavorful than the
pork, worthwhile.
The crab and pork were packed with flavor using
the proper soy sauce and vinegar ratio, as well as on
their own. Servers walked briskly around the dining
area with towering stacks of bamboo baskets in
which the dumplings are steamed, and anticipation
quickly built in the few seconds as we wondered
whether the delicate treats they carried were headed
for us or a fellow patron.
Before we ordered anything else I decided to
try their yuzu margarita ($13) made with honey, a
unique take on a classic drink. Yuzu has a tarter
taste than a traditional margarita, yet when mixed
with sweet honey creates a perfect balance. They
also serve a variety of green and black teas,
including honey, mango, lychee and passion fruit
($4.25). Lemonade and smoothies are also on the
menu in similar flavors for $5.
Of their vegetarian options, we settled on
a simple vegetarian dumpling. It comes in a
green skin, as if to remind you there is no meat
inside, but is great whether or not you abide by
a vegetarian diet. Is it worth ordering for true
carnivores? Probably not, but it’s good to know
a flavorful vegetarian wonton is out there that
consists of more than cabbage and carrots.
The staff at each location I have visited is
always energetic and happy to help guide you
through the menu. It was because of them that I
felt compelled to try their chocolate mochi xiao
long bao ($8) for the first time, and my life has not
been the same since. Dumplings are amazing to
begin with because of the delicious, doughy skin,
and, if pork or crab weren't enough, one bite of
these and the burst of chocolate that melts in your
mouth definitely will be. It may have become one
of my favorite desserts. The order comes with five
dumplings, which can be shared but reasonably
acceptable to eat on your own, if you ask me.
Other must-try items include the braised beef
noodle soup ($9.75), shrimp and pork shao mai
($7), chicken fried rice with a choice of white
rice ($9.50) or brown ($10.50), and shrimp fried
noodles ($12). While we saved ourselves for the
dumplings, the cucumber salad ($5.25) was both
spicy and vegetarian friendly, and the sautéed
string beans with garlic ($10.25) were a great
starting point for those of us in it for the long haul.
If you haven’t yet braved the long wait for a
table, just know that the culinary payoff at Din Tai
Fung will make it well worth any inconvenience.
12 PASADENA WEEKLY | 09.20.18