FOOD REVIEW
I believe that food is a sensuous and entirely subjective experience. The restaurant biz is one of the most difficult acts to pull off, and any reviewer’s experience is entirely his or her own and may not be your experience. Read restaurant reviews with an eye to some detail on the writer’s favorite dishes and to get a general picture of the place, but if a place sounds good to you at all, go try it for yourself and have your own experience. We are never in the same place in the river twice, and what one person enjoys one day may not fit so well with his or her tastes/needs on another day, so how can we imagine that another person’s perspective on something incredible like a meal out can reliably serve as a compass for our own experience to come? That being said, support our local restaurants and bon appétit!
~ Julia McWilliams
Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena (Photo – Staff, ©ColoradoBlvd.net).
The next time you want to thank a friend for some priceless favor that he or she tries to shrug off as just part of being a friend, a trip to Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena might be the way to do it!
By Julia McWilliams
This restaurant under the auspices of local chef, Claude Beltran, opened on April 9, 2015 on Washington Blvd., just west of Hill in Pasadena. Hours are dinner only, Tuesday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. It’s a lovely spot for casual dining in an ambiance that says “special treat.” There are two large rooms, with a bar towards the back of the main dining room. The bar is set back from the diners, and there is a feeling of separation. A glorious, large, one of a kind rustic chandelier graces the main dining area; sconces provide the light in the smaller dining room, separated by rustic doors used as decorations on the wall. The floor is concrete; the furniture simple but comfortable, and overall, one feels relaxed, unhurried, and welcome. I didn’t sit on the outdoor patio, but I imagine that in summer it is delightful. There is a free parking lot adjacent to the restaurant, and this being situated in a mostly residential neighborhood, it’s quiet and peaceful. Despite its newness, at 8 p.m. on a Thursday, the place was buzzing, at least 4/5 full of happily chatting diners.
The menu here is seasonal. Even if an item is so very popular that it seemingly has to stay, it will be given a fresh approach. If I may start with dessert, our server shared with us, after we were raving about the Lark Bakery delight, that this popular choice was previously served with a caramel sauce, but for spring a citrus note was added, and the folks in the kitchen at Bacchus’ Kitchen added their own orange marmalade touch. The flavor of the ginger, the texture of the cake, firm enough to take bites without the little rectangle toppling over, and the freshness of the whipped cream made even me – who always goes for crunchy if I have a choice – swoon. While we are on desserts, there are at least a half dozen wonderful and varied choices, and this Thursday evening, there were also two spring inspired in house desserts added to the list.
We started off with appetizers, sized generously. My friend wasn’t feeling 100% so we went for the comfort of heirloom tomato risotto ($13). The server asked if we’d like to add some burrata cheese ($4 extra), and how glad we were that we did. The creaminess of the risotto, hearty but not heavy, paired with the melting cheese, and some arugula for a little “bite,” was grand. I, who was a rabbit in my last life, got the house salad of greens with a generous sized artichoke (cooked and cooled) with a nice firm texture, cut into quarters. Great accompaniment. My only suggestion would be that had the server told us there was arugula with the risotto, we might have thought about something other than the lettuce salad. On the other hand, we were so sufficiently filled up by the hearty risotto that I’m not sure we would have had room for the main course if we’d had a second appetizer heavier than salad!
Bacchus’ Kitchen (Photo – Staff, ©ColoradoBlvd.net).
I really wanted us to order two main dishes so we could try more things, but we both got fixated on the Greek burger ($16), and being my friend wasn’t feeling up to snuff, we decided to just share one burger (the server confirmed it was a very generous portion), accompanied by house made French fries with house made ketchup. The kitchen divided the meal for us, and our half portions filled the plates. I don’t allow myself French fries very often so it was a treat, although I would have preferred a thicker cut fry. That being said, the fries were crisp and not greasy and the portion was more than ample for sharing. The burger itself was a combination of ground lamb and beef, accompanied by pickled red onion, tomato, feta, romaine lettuce, tahini, and chimichurri on toasted ciabatta. Yum. Other choices for main course included fish (grilled swordfish that night; $26 or pan seared scallops $25), pork (achiote pork tenderloin medallions;$26) beef (filet mignon; $30), and pasta as well. The preparations were fresh and original, and the selections aimed to satisfy a wide range of tastes.
There is wine by the glass and bottle with not your everyday selections. Our server was very helpful with wine selection and the pour was generous. There is also artisanal sodas, beer and aperitif/dessert wines, along with coffee and tea.
Our server had a lot of tables to take care of, and didn’t check in with us as often as we might have expected. That being said, we lacked for nothing, and when she did check in, she was helpful and informative and engaged. Another server who brought an item to the table was also warm and friendly, and the gentleman who cleared the table interacted with us as well. We felt welcome.
Additionally, I’d like to point out that not only are you supporting your local talent when you go to Bacchus’ Kitchen, but it, too, buys locally. On the evening of my visit, those fellow community businesses included Seed Bakery, Foothill Coffee Roasters, and Contessa Chocolate Collection, among others.
I want to make clear that I’m a moderate priced eats kind of gal. I love going out, but I’m not comfortable with $45 steaks al a carte or a $35 piece of fish. That’s a treat for a special occasion in my budget class. I’m also big on sharing because I just can’t eat giant portions. My honey and I have had wonderfully satisfying meals for $30 out the door, tax and tip included. That being said, if one wanted to visit Bacchus’ Kitchen and spend a little less, there are three choices of charcuterie platters ($15-$16) or combine sides of grilled veggies and bacon friend rice (each $7). Either choice paired with a glass of wine or beer to share would get you out the door with a light meal in a great setting for around that $30 mark.
But there are always occasions that deserve a little upgrade, a going out of the everyday experience. Thanking a friend who has done you a priceless favor is one of those occasions. Next time you want to give yourself or a friend or loved one a little “special” attention, Bacchus’ Kitchen would be a wonderful place to show your affection.
Bacchus' Kitchen 1384 E Washington Blvd Pasadena, CA 91104 (626) 594-6377
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