03.07.19

PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
Cauliflower Wings
dining & nitelife
directory
Average price per entree
$ up to $10 $$$ $16-25
$$ $11–15 $$$$ $25+
SHANDONG DUMPLINGS
80 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena
626-578-9777
227 W. Valley Blvd, 168 A, San Gabriel
626-308-3777 $
Shandong Dumplings is your Reader Recommended
Winner for BEST DUMPLINGS in the
2018 Reader’s Poll! We have been a cornerstone
in the greater Pasadena community and are well
known for our outstanding cuisine, excellent
service and friendly staff. Recognized for our
modern interpretation of classic dishes and
insistence on using only the highest quality,
freshest ingredients. Open for Lunch and Dinner
daily and until 2am Wed-Sat.
HILL STREET CAFÉ
1004 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge
818-952-1019 hillstreetcafelacanada.com $$
Hill Street Café is celebrating over 25 years of
serving the community quality meals made of
quality ingridients. we want to thank all of you
who stuck with us during the remodeling process
and we want to welcome back everyone else. in
our recent remodel, we have added an outdoor
patio, a bar and more dining area, we have created
a relaxed ambience with a touch of modern but
still retaining our extensive menu, our friendly
service and most important a family atmosphere.
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!!!!!
and we were told to dip it in, mix, then tear off
the bread and dip that into the egg to eat as you
go. While not my cup of tea during dinner time, it
was fantastic — perfectly gooey, cheesy, and the
right amount of filling. They even offer an Ajarski
made with a Portobello mushroom instead of
bread ($5.50) for those who prefer a low-carb or
gluten-free option.
In addition to the Ajarski, to start we ordered
the vegan hot wings ($10.85) thinking they were
going to be cauliflower wings, which was perhaps
our first mistake. It is made of soy and was rather
lifeless (no pun intended). There was no crunch,
no texture, and didn’t make me feel like I could
give up hot wings then and there if that is what
awaited me. Cauliflower wings, on the other
hand, have the perfect consistency and bite to
them that feel like a hot wing without needing to
mock the chicken flavor.
Then came the vegan pizza. I decided to go
with the Vegan Meat Lover ($16.50), because if
I’m going in on the meat alternatives, I might as
well go all out. Pizza Boy’s meat lover comes with
vegan ham, vegan sausage, vegan pepperoni,
vegan chicken, and vegan cheese, all served on
the cauliflower crust I opted for. The various
meat alternatives (the peperoni in particular)
made it all resemble the plastic, toy pizzas that
kids cherish in play food sets. Perhaps it could
just use more flavorful, textured “meats,” a
thicker faux cheese for the price, or perhaps I had
this particular experience because I’m not vegan
and only eat like one every so often. I can’t say,
but what followed — two non-vegan pizzas —
completely turned the night around.
We ordered a medium “create my own pizza”
with half of a Mexican pizza and half Armenian
pizza. The Mexican came with mozzarella,
pepperoni, chorizo, meatballs, Italian sausage
and jalapeños. It was delicious and was my
friend’s second favorite dish of the night.
Greasy, soft and everything you think of when
you envision pizza. My favorite was easily the
Armenian portion, made with fresh tomatoes,
fresh basil and an extremely generous amount of
Armenian feta cheese piled over the top. It tasted
beyond fresh, and while I know the overwhelming
amount of cheese was not as health conscious as
several other items on their menu, I didn’t mind
one bit. It’s the perfect summer time, or any time
pizza to indulge in.
The great thing about Pizza Boy is that they
have it all. Whether that’s pizza or pasta, or even
an array of sandwiches ranging from grilled
chicken breast, Philly cheesesteak and Italian
salami (all $10) to burgers, calzones and steak,
the list goes on and on. There’s a hefty menu for
tried and true vegans, for the health nuts, keto
dieters, low-carb, all-carbs, and those who just
want pizza, wings and beer. Yes, they also serve
beer: Corona, Sapporo, Stella Artois, Heineken,
and Samuel Adams. While I went in with high
expectations for the vegan pizza in particular, I
left with an appreciation for everything that Pizza
Boy offers its customers. And better than that,
you’re not judged on whatever you choose.
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 $$
At Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, our family
has been sharing our authentic Mexican dishes
with the wonderful people of Pasadena since
1977. Guests enter our warm, inviting space and
leave as family -- with plenty of burritos, tortas,
tostadas, fajitas, and more to be had in between!
Our dishes incorporate and pay homage to
the rich flavors of bustling mercados, corner
taquerias, and seaside palapas. So visit us, eat
to your heart's content at our mouthwatering
lunch buffet, sip on a refreshing margarita, and
feel at home.
THE MIXX PASADENA
443 E Colorado Blvd. Pasadena
(626) 500-0021 themixxpasadena.com $$
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!!
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.
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.
12 PASADENA WEEKLY | 03.07.19