11.01.18

dining & nitelife
directory
Average price per entree
$ UP TO $10 $$$ $16-25
$$ $11–15 $$$$ $25+
PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
•RESTAURANT REVIEW•
The “Original” Loaded Hash Browns
HIKARI SUSHI
2064 Verdugo Blvd. Montrose
818-957-1800 Hikarisushiglendale.com $$
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 fl avors 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.
SHANDONG DUMPLINGS
80 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena
626-578-9777
227 W. Valley Blvd, 168 A, San Gabriel
626-308-3777 $
Shandong Dumplings is your Reader Recommended
Winner for BEST DUMPLINGS in the
2018 Reader’s Poll! We have been a cornerstone
in the greater Pasadena community and are well
known for our outstanding cuisine, excellent
service and friendly staff. Recognized for our
modern interpretation of classic dishes and
insistence on using only the highest quality,
freshest ingredients. Open for Lunch and Dinner
daily and until 2am Wed-Sat.
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!!!!!
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.
THE MIXX PASADENA
443 E colorado Blvd. Pasadena
(626) 500-0021 themixxpasadena.com $$
The Mixx Pasadena is a modern bar/lounge/
restaurant with live entertainment 5 days a
week. Our menu hits the spot whether you’re
in the mood for a savory munchie, a full lunch/
dinner, or a decadent dessert. Come to The
Mixx to unwind for happy hour or a lively
hangout…we’re the perfect spot!!
WE OLIVE
32 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-787-1000 weolive.com/Pasadena $$
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.
THE RIGHT MOVE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
cinnamon roll pancakes ($9) — three pancakes
filled with cinnamon-brown sugar puree and
pecans, topped with sweetened cream cheese
and powdered sugar. One bite and I was taken
back to my childhood; splitting a Cinnabon at
the mall with my mother after a day of errands
and shopping, although these pancakes are the
gourmet version of that. The sweetened cream
cheese was perfection, but we ordered the coconut
syrup (for a 50 cent upcharge) which took the
pancakes to a whole new level. I’ll admit I am not a
huge fan of coconut. But now I will be having this
syrup each time I return for breakfast, it was that
good. Chocolate chip pancakes were my favorite
“indulgent” flavor up until cinnamon roll so easily
took the cake.
After splitting our pancakes, we wanted to
give their pizza a try, as they appeared to be a
crowd favorite on Yelp. Lucky for us, we each
got to choose a flavor because their pizzas can
be ordered with split flavors. We chose the
“El Pollo Alfredo,” made with chicken, garlic,
spinach and a house-made alfredo sauce, and
“The Mexican,” made with chili verde (pork in a
green chili sauce), mozzarella, cilantro, jalapenos,
red onions and green onions, topped with sour
cream. A forewarning: The Mexican is pretty spicy
(we had to remove a few jalapenos to eat it at a
more comfortable level of spiciness), but it was
otherwise delicious. The dough is soft and crispy
on the edges, the slices a perfect portion, and the
medium was the perfect shareable size, unless like
us you order a few pancakes to start and have to
take a couple of slices home.
All of their pizzas can be ordered as deep dish
($2 upcharge), gluten free ($15 for a 10 inch), or
as a calzone ($10). There is also a “Create Your
Own Pizza” option on the menu, offering a little
something special and customizable for everyone.
While there weren’t many other people dining,
possibly because of the game, the food took longer
than we’d be accustomed to at other restaurants
but didn’t mind. We knew everything is made fresh
to order, as their menu warns of this for patrons
who may not be as patient.
Our friendly waitress explained the small
bar we had stumbled upon earlier is part of
their restaurant, called Tiki, and drinks can be
ordered from their menu while in The Pan. They
offer happy hour every day from 3 to 7 p.m. on
beers, wine, and mixed drinks which allows
customers to buy a drink and get their second
half off. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the
drink menu for brunch lovers is that they offer
bottomless mimosas for $16, for a full hour, at any
point in the day. That’s right — mimosa lovers
don’t have to try and beat the Saturday rush at
noon and instead can make their way much later
in the day, on a Tuesday if they please. Personally,
I think it is genius and, in combination with the
hour cap, must help alleviate long waits on the
weekends with their limited space.
The Tiki also offers interesting tropical mixed
drinks like Polynesian Paralysis made with
whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, pineapple
juice and simple syrup ($9). Not all of their other
locations serve alcohol, so it’s nice to have the
option close to home. The Pan also has specialty
drinks, like an array of smoothies, shakes, and
frappes, and flavored lattes and cappuccinos.
The Pan has such an extensive menu there were
several items that I was already looking forward to
trying by the time we paid the bill. Their variations of
loaded fries include carne asada fries ($12), pastrami
fries ($10), and chili cheese fries ($9). Several other
specialty pancakes, like the “Best Ever” banana
pancakes ($9) as recommended by our waitress, and
the pineapple upside down pancakes ($9) are sure to
be amazing.
It seems as though The Pan has it all figured
out, and in an area like the one they’ve chosen as
their home in Pasadena, it’s important. Customers
walk in expecting good food and good service, and
they possess both of those things tenfold.
14 PASADENA WEEKLY | 11.01.18