Pasadena Playhouse District’s Blog

Come to Elements on Sunday, February 21 from 3 to 5 pm, for complimentary wine, cheese & hors d’uvres, as we honor three artists whose art is very significant to Elements Kitchen: Karen Sikie, Gwen Samuels & Steve Shea.

The reception, hosted in Elements Bar, and is free.

All three artists to be honored have work currently on display in Elements Kitchen, and in the Elements Hallway Gallery.
Please RSVP to 626.440.0044.

The Elements Hallway Gallery is a space dedicated to displaying art by artists whose work amplifies an energy and spirit conducive to Elements Kitchen. All art displayed in the gallery is offered on consignment.

For more information, or to inquire about the art or the artist, please contact the Elements Food Group at 626.440.0001.

Every Wednesday, the Elements Kitchen chefs will invent several very exciting tapas-style dishes, all focused on one special ingredient. For the full bar menu, click HERE.

This week’s ingredient…AVOCADO!

All dishes are $5; No two dishes will be alike; and there’s no telling what the flavor combination will be. Dishes are served from 5pm on, exclusively in Elements Bar. No reservation necessary.

Elements Kitchen
37 S. El Molino Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
ph 626.440.0044

Come; bring your friends! You won’t want to miss it.

For the full bar menu, click here.

Sunday, February 21 or Saturday, February 27
11:00am-1:00pm
$45 per person, per class (price excludes tax and gratuity)

Join us for an exciting cooking class from the kitchen of Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine! This month, we are showcasing our classic Hawaiian Fish recipes as well as Sous Chef Christopher Eddy’s personal creations. You will learn where to buy fresh fish, how to select it, different preparation styles and cooking techniques. Of course, our guests will get to enjoy all preparations along with non-alcoholic beverages and everyone will be provided with a recipe take home packet. This will be an event you don’t want to miss! Please call to make your reservation today.

Roy’s Pasadena
641 East Colorado Boulevard
626.356.4066

Literaries Who Lunch presents Chris Bohjalian discussing and signing Secrets of Eden

Thursday, February 11, 2010, 12:00pm

Location: Vroman’s Bookstore: 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91101

From bestselling author Bohjalian (Midwives, The Law of Similars) comes an elegant meditation on domestic violence.  While social issues are at the heart of many of Bohjalian’s novels, this is his first to come directly from reader feedback to his previous work.  Drawn from stories readers told him of their own lives, Secrets of Eden is a literary thriller and a haunting testimony to the inner complexities of life.  

Literaries Who Lunch is free and open to the public.

For more information, click HERE.

With elements from all over

The food is American melting pot. The location is alongside a just-closed landmark. By Jessica Gelt

If you’re mourning the closure of the Pasadena Playhouse, take solace in the fact that there is still a good reason for you to keep visiting it: a new restaurant called Elements Kitchen.

Open for only a couple of weeks, Elements is a sophisticated restaurant with a grown-up design scheme that is tucked into the side of the historic Spanish colonial building occupied by the Playhouse. The restaurant is the joint effort of executive chef Onil Chibás and chef de cuisine Alberto Morales, who also run Pasadena’s Elements Catering and Elements Café.

With Elements Kitchen, they have stepped squarely into the world of fine dining. And they’ve done it with creativity and verve.

Chibás describes the menu as New American, adding that, for him, that term translates to international flavor. “When I think of America I think of the melting pot,” says Chibás, who is of Cuban descent. “These are all flavors and foods and cultures that I’m excited about.”

To that end you’ll find Vietnamese steamed sablefish in a pho broth with mushrooms, fresh mint and cilantro; marinated flank steak tacos with homemade kimchi; crispy fried chicken livers with onion gravy; and kabocha squash and miso risotto with edamame and marinated tofu.

The star of the menu may be the braised Wagyu beef cheeks with homemade porcini fettuccine in a delicate Zinfandel sauce. The meat is so tender it almost melts in your mouth. It’s a warm, hearty dish that comforts on a chilly night. Try it after the beefsteak tomato tartare.

To read the rest of the review, click HERE.

Valentine’s Day Promotions

Ready for Cupid? The Playhouse District can help you get ready for his arrival. Whether you are on the search for the perfect gift or in the mood for a romantic evening of dining the District has everything to help you celebrate the most romantic day of the year!

UNIQUE GIFTS

Shopping for the woman/man that has everything? Visit our museum gift stores and Vroman’s that carry great one-of-a-kind gifts.

www.pacificasiamuseum.org

www.pmcaonline.org

www.vromansbookstore.com

THEATRE

Surprise your sweetheart with theatre tickets! Both the Boston Court and Furious Theatre have affordable 2010 Season packages and a great, exciting line-up of world premiere plays.

Boston Court, four plays for $100

www.bostoncourt.com

Furious Theatre, three plays for $75

www.furioustheatre.org

RESTAURANTS, VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIALS

Elements Kitchen, 626.440.0044

Fine Food, Fine Romance
Fine Food, Fine Romance —Valentine’s Prix Fixe at Elements Kitchen
When the day segues to night, spend the evening at Elements Kitchen for a very special 4-course, prix fixe dinner and wine pairing.
www.elementskitchen.com

El Portal, 626.795.8553

Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner and Live Music

Dine at El Portal and explore their special Valentine’s Day menu featuring their delectable Mexican food and live music. Complimentary roses will be given to all female attendees.

www.elportalrestaurant.com

Maison Akira, 626.796.9501

Valentine’s Day Sunday Champagne Brunch.

Join Maison Akira for a delicious feast including prime rib beef, sushi, poached

salmon, salads, french cheeses,

petit fours, tarts and much more.

www.maisonakira.net

Roy’s, 626.356.4066

Four-course dinner

This Valentine’s Day, come to Roy’s,

and indulge your senses with a spectacular, one-night-only four-course dinner, featuring a host of unique selections made exclusively for this special night.

www.roysrestaurant.com