Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INEXPENSIVE
Du-par's Restaur ant & Bak ery
TRADITIONAL AMERICAN/BREAK-
FAST It's been called a “ culinary wax museum,” the last of a dying br eed, the kind of
coffee shop Donna Reed took the family to for blue-plate specials.This isn't a trendy new
theme place, it's the real deal—and that motherly waitr ess who calls ev eryone under 60
“hon” has probably been slinging hash here for 20 or 30 years. Du-par's is popular among
old-timers who made it par t of their daily r outine decades ago, sho w business denizens
who eschew the industry watering holes, a new generation that appreciates a tasty, cheap
meal . . . w ell, everyone, really. It's common kno wledge that D u-par's makes the best
buttermilk pancakes in to wn, though some pr efer the eggy, perfect French toast (extra
crispy around the edges, please). M outhwatering pies (blueberr y cream cheese, coconut
cream, and more) line the front display case and can be had for a song.
12036 Ventura Blvd. (1 block east of Laur el Canyon Blvd.), Studio City.
&
818/766-4437.
www.dupars.
com. All items under $11. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 6am-1am; Fri-Sat 6am-4am. Free parking.
147
7
PASADENA & ENVIRONS
EXPENSIVE
Bistro 45
CALIFORNIAN/FRENCH All class, yet never stuffy, Bistro 45 is a
favorite among P asadena's old guar d and nouv elle riche. The r estaurant's warm, light
ambience and gallery-like decor are an unexpected surprise after the ornately historic Art
Deco exterior, and pr ovide a r omantic backdrop for o wner Robert Simon's award-win-
ning cuisine. The seasonally inspir ed menu changes fr equently; dishes might include
braised veal short ribs with Asian five spice, rock shrimp risotto with saffron, pan-roasted
monkfish with garlic polenta, r oasted veal loin filled with R oquefort, Fanny Bay oyster
salad, and Nebraska pork with figs. For dessert, try the “chocolate soup,” a creamy souf-
flé served with chocolate-kirsch sauce and vanilla ice cream. The knowledgeable waitstaff
can answer questions about the ex cellent wine list; B istro 45 appears r egularly on
Wine
Spectator
's Best Of lists, and hosts special-event wine dinners.
45 S. Mentor Ave. (btw. Colorado Blvd. and Green St.), Pasadena.
&
626/795-2478.
www.bistro45.com. Res-
ervations recommended. Main courses dinner $17-$36, lunch $13-$33. AE, DC, MC, V. Tues-Thurs 11:30am-
2pm and 6-9pm; Fri 11:30am-2pm and 6-9:30pm; Sat 6-9:30pm; Sun 5-9pm. Valet parking $4.50.
6
The Raymond
NE W AMERICAN/CONTINENTAL With its easy-to-miss
setting in a sleepy part of Pasadena, the Raymond is a jewel even few locals know about.
This Craftsman cottage was once the caretaker's house for a grand Victorian hotel called
the Raymond. Though the city has grown to surround it, the place maintains an enchant-
ing air of seclusion, romance, and serenity. In 2005, the classic restaurant got a face-lift,
as did the haute American- and E uropean-inspired menu, which changes seasonally . A
typical dinner may star t with a pancetta-wrapped shrimp appetiz er tossed in an orange
reduction sauce, follo wed by roast Long I sland duckling with raspberr y port sauce and
the coup de grâce—chocolate M oelleux soufflé cake with a melted chocolate center
served with vanilla ice cream. Tables are scattered throughout the house and in the lush
English garden, and there's plenty of fr ee, nonvalet parking (you won't find
that
on the
Westside).
Note:
If you're a fan of finger sandwiches, afternoon tea (a gr eat excuse to
drink champagne under the sun) is offer ed Friday through Sunday from 1:30 to 3pm.
