11.15.18

• LIFE •
RESTAU-
RANT
Luciano’s
Ristorante
117 W. California Blvd.
Pasadena
(626) 440-0637
Major Cards/
Beer and Wine
THE GOOD, THE BAD,
THE UGLY
CAN ANYTHING BE LEARNED FROM
TV?
P. 13
“LIFE IS NEVER COMPLETELY WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES."- STAN LEE
BULLETIN BOARD
NEWS AND NOTES FROM
OUR COMMUNITY
P. 15
Rigatoni Luciano
FINDING COMMON
GROUND
COMMUNICATING VERBALLY
AND NONVERBALLY REQUIRES
PRACTICE
P. 16
dining& nitelife
Pasadena Weekly’s Dining Directory is a paid advertisement
and is provided as a service to our readers.
To advertise in the Dining Directory, call (626) 584-1500.
Average price per entree
$ UP TO $10
$$ $11–15
directory
$$$ $16-25
$$$$ $25+
ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE
111 North Los Robles Ave. Pasadena,
(626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com $$$$
Alexander’s Steakhouse welcomes you to experience American
steakhouse cuisine with an innovative and elegant global inspiration.
Our menu features Certified Angus Beef from the Mid-West,
corn-fed and dry-aged for 28 days for unparalleled fl avor. We
serve the finest and most luxurious ingredients available including
authentic Japanese wagyu beef.
BONNIE B’S SMOKIN BBQ
1280 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena,
(626) 794-0132 bonniebssmokin.com $$
From Tulsa Oklahoma to Southern Cal. with a touch of New
Orleans soul comes Bonnie B’s Bar B Que Heaven. Our 45-yearold
traditional recipes are made with love. Try our new sweet
pea’s double Fried burger made with our own sauces, soul bowl
and homemade peach cobbler. Voted best BBQ & Soul food in
Pasadena for our ribs, collard greens and Slim's Mac & Cheese.
We are thankful and appreciate Pasadena.
Simply Delizioso
LUCIANO’S RISTORANTE OFFERS TASTY TRADITIONAL DISHES EVERYONE CAN ENJOY
Pasta today is considered as American as cheeseburgers
and hotdogs. It’s on most menus at popular restaurants, a
dish beloved by couples thanks to Disney’s “Lady and the
Tramp,” and my idea of the perfect comfort food to indulge in no
matter the time of day or occasion. While not always authentic,
it can be cooked simply enough for first-timers in the kitchen, inexpensive
enough for college students, and made more elaborate
for formal dinners.
This hasn't always been the case, however. When Italian
immigrants first came to the United States their dishes and
recipes weren’t as revered as they are today. Rather, they were
considered low-class. It wasn’t until the 1980s and ’90s, when
there was an influx of better-quality Italian ingredients available
for chefs and home cooking, that pasta dominated the dining
BY EVELYN GARCIA | PHOTOS BY DANNY LIAO
scene. Luckily for all of us who aren’t Italian it happened quickly.
It’s no secret pasta is one of my favorite meals, although I
refrain from enjoying too often or I’d spiral into a seven-day
binge. I love that different variations of staple ingredients like
pasta, cheeses, tomatoes, vegetables, sauces and spices can
create a plethora of unique and equally amazing dishes and
tastes. It had been some time since I satisfied my craving for
Italian food, so I went in search of a new restaurant to try.
Luciano’s Ristorante was a quick and easy choice, located
off of California Boulevard in Pasadena, across the street from
Huntington Hospital. Upon entering, it’s immediately clear they
don’t shy away from embracing all things traditionally Italian.
Red-checkered tablecloths, kitschy figurines of Italian chefs, a
signed Tony Bennett poster, and large chalkboards displaying
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
CAMERON’S SEAFOOD
1978 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
(626) 793-3474 Camerons4fish.com $$
Since 1984, Cameron’s Seafood has been serving its freshest
seafood, and has become a landmark in Pasadena. Cameron’s
brings the ocean home with their fresh catch being cooked
over mesquite wood grills that burn all day long.Enjoy the very
best Seafood, Steaks, Salad & Pasta! Voted Best Seafood in
Pasadena Weekly for 27 years! Now you can order on-line:
camerons4fish.com.
EL PORTAL
625 E. Green St., Pasadena
(626)795-8553 Elportalrestaurant.com $$
Pasadena Weekly readers have been rewarding El Portal
with the title of Best Mexican Food in the city for years.
This charming little hacienda with brick walls, festive
colors, fi ne art and a California elegant courtyard brings
the authentic cuisine of Mexico and the Yucatan region to
your table.
11.15.18 | PASADENA WEEKLY 11