14 PASADENA WEEKLY | <strong>12.13.18</strong>
• LIFE • UNHAPPY HOLIDAYS SENSITIVITIES — POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE — ARE HEIGHTENED DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON “LIFE IS NEVER COMPLETELY WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES."- STAN LEE BULLETIN BOARD NEWS AND NOTES FROM OUR COMMUNITY HOME SALES RECENT HOME SALES IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA P. 17 RESTAURANT REVIEW P. 18 Peking Duck P. 19 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 $$$$ $25+ Shawerma Masters 1802 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 486-2800 shawermamasters.com Me + Crepe 89 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 345-5291 meandcrepe.com ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE 111 North Los Robles Ave. Pasadena, (626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com $$$$ Alexander’s Steakhouse welcomes you to experience American steakhouse cuisine with an innovative and elegant global inspiration. Our menu features Certified Angus Beef from the Mid-West, corn-fed and dry-aged for 28 days for unparalleled flavor. We serve the finest and most luxurious ingredients available including authentic Japanese wagyu beef. BONNIE B’S SMOKIN BBQ 1280 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 794-0132 bonniebssmokin.com $$ 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. Unlikely Duo SHAWERMA MASTERS AND ME + CREPE CREATE AN ADVENTUROUS DINING EXPERIENCE BY EVELYN GARCIA | PHOTOS BY DANNY LIAO I n the last couple of months, Pasadena and its surrounding cities have seen a surge in Asian fusion restaurants. But while Asian cuisine is always welcome with open arms, I was craving something different. With the company of my sister (I seem to have a pattern going with family meals here) we surprisingly and rather quickly agreed to try Shawerma Masters, a new Mediterranean restaurant. Even more surprising, we also decided to try Me + Crepe, thinking we were onto a cool new dessert spot, and discovering they make Chinese-style crepes instead. It was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Located on East Washington Boulevard, right next to Mijares Restaurant, Shawerma Masters has only been open for a little over a month. It is a tiny place, with seating for 16 and one small table outside the restaurant. During dinner, we realized the size was likely why many orders were placed to go. However, for a party of two it was sufficiently comfortable, except for the open door bringing in an evening chill. When asked if we could shut the door, one of the staff members said it would get too hot over the stove for them. While we don’t get freezing temperature, it’s cold at night, so it seems this could present a problem heading into winter, either for cold customers or hot staff or both. Another staff member quickly went over and said he could shut it halfway, which helped. My sister and I immediately noticed the menu not only boasts shawarma among other Middle Eastern dishes, but several types of Mediterranean fare. Most of their traditional dishes come in wraps and paninis, plates, bowls and burgers. We started with the spicy garlic fries ($3.99) which were coated with small chili CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 CAMERON’S SEAFOOD 1978 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-3474 Camerons4fish.com $$ Since 1984, Cameron’s Seafood has been serving its freshest seafood, and has become a landmark in Pasadena. Cameron’s brings the ocean home with their fresh catch being cooked over mesquite wood grills that burn all day long.Enjoy the very best Seafood, Steaks, Salad & Pasta! Voted Best Seafood in Pasadena Weekly for 27 years! Now you can order on-line: camerons4fish.com. EL PORTAL 695 E. Green St., Pasadena (626)795-8553 Elportalrestaurant.com $$ 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, fine art and a California elegant courtyard brings the authentic cuisine of Mexico and the Yucatan region to your table. <strong>12.13.18</strong> | PASADENA WEEKLY 15