Elisa & Austin
Elisa & Austin
While You're in Town
Things to Eat
The Cellar: A Wine Library
26 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
626-578-9156
The first time Austin was visiting LA, Elisa was searching around on Yelp! and found this place that called itself "a wine library". Needless to say, Austin was intrigued. When they went there, they found the atmosphere compelling, the charcuterie board (the "Beethoven board" as they call it there) delicious, and the wine to be far better than they had expected. They had an amazing time, even though they were severely under-dressed!
Julienne
2649 Mission Street, San Marino, CA 9118
626-441-2299
A classy brunch place that's closed on Sundays? Better believe it! And it's Elisa's favorite restaurant in San Marino. Every single item on the menu is fantastic. Have you ever had creme brulee french toast? Of course not, but doesn't it sound amazing? One thing to note: if you don't get there really early, you should be prepared to wait.
Din Tai Fung
1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
626-574-7068
This Michelin star restaurant hails all the way from Taipei. Don’t scoff at the fact this place is a chain. In Taiwan, people wait in line for hours to enjoy their Xiao Long Bao (pork soup dumplings).
Mi Piace
25 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
626-795-3131
This place is Elisa’s go-to eatery when she’s in the mood for upscale Italian. Pizza or pasta, you ask? You can go either way. You can’t go wrong here!
The Raymond 1886
1250 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
626-441-3136
Named after the Raymond Hotel that opened in 1886, this New American restaurant is probably the best restaurant in Pasadena. Their dinner and cocktail menu rotate, in accordance to the season. If you have the wherewithal, make a reservation and COME HERE!
The Original Phillipe
1001 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles CA, 90012
213-628-3781
Boasts LA’s Famous French Dipped sandwich! According to legend, a worker accidentally dropped a slice of French bread into the Au Jus while making a traditional French Dip sandwich. Hence, THEIR sandwich was born. Get it double-dipped or wet!
Ana Maria's
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-620-0477
Located in LA’s Grand Central Market (Stall C-9), this one’s easy to miss amongst the hustle and bustle of the city’s largest and oldest public market. Kill multiple birds with one stone: swing by Angels Flight, visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s old office building, traverse the maze that is Grand Central Market and grab a Gordita at Ana Maria’s! You’ll be tempted to get one of their tacos or burritos. Do not! Just thinking about their slow-cooked tongue stuffed in deep-fried goodness makes my mouth water.
Young Dong Tofu House
927 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
925-551-0825
Feel like Korean food? At Young Dong Tofu House, you’ll get the best Korean food in the area. Specializing in hearty tofu soup cooked with your choice of pork, beef, clam, squid, you name it, they serve this Korean staple so bubbling hot, it cooks the egg you crack in it. Try their Soondoobu with their varied delicious Banchan (Korean side dishes)!
Lawry's: The Prime Rib
100 La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
888-552-9797
You might be familiar with their spices, but if that's all you know them for it's about time you're introduced to one of the best prime ribs you'll ever have! Afterwards you should check out Beverly Hills if you feel up to it, but that's (far) less important.
Sugar Fish
146 S. Lake Ave #108, Pasadena, CA 91101
626-298-8386
You might have had "sushi" before, but if you haven't had Sugar Fish sushi you probably haven't been doing it right. This hot new chain has several locations in the LA area and we can almost guarantee you'll be impressed. We will warn you, however: they don't take reservations and they get extremely busy so be sure to show up early!