Say hello to the coolest cat in Pasadena. This breezy, A-frame hangout exudes all the feels with serious beats bouncing off exposed brick that stretches from the cheese shop and bar up front, past the open kitchen, and down to the handsome patio out back. All day, guests lounge in the parlor nibbling on cheese and charcuterie. Come night, the kitchen grill roars with life. Cornbread eclair with chicken liver mousse is an easy decision, but choosing between the cavatelli with braised lamb and lamb fat gremolata or the half chicken with smoked jus is no small thing. The latter is brined, steamed, and charred over open flames until the skin is crisp as a chip.
You probably won’t have room for dessert, but order the tres leches with corn pudding, anyway.