E. Washington Boulevard at Hill St.

Cookbooks by Janet Jarvis

1388 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, 91104
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An off-beat used bookstore that sells cookbooks and ONLY cookbooks.  

 Stacked to the ceiling, wall-to-wall you can find pretty much any cookbook known to man. I love this place. Not only because I can spend hours searching for cookbooks ranging from different cuisines, ingredients, time periods, etc., I can do it in the company of a roaming cats (I'm still not exactly sure how many she has...) and a little chihuahua. Although the owner has all of her titles stored online, she is a walking database. Feel free to ask her specifics. I've asked her to find me books relating to Victorian England (don't ask...). She also has a great collection of rare cookbooks. Oh, and don't feel silly if you circle around her checkout stand a few times trying to find a place to pay--you won't find it as her checkout is entrenched in head-high book stacks.

Disclaimer: DO NOT ENTER IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO CATS

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Penny For Your Thoughts 

1365 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, 91104

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Walk into this cafe/antique/gift store and you will feel like you are in the the living room of a friendly relative. You can literally order a cappuccino while browsing through their vintage clothes, jewelry, and other antiques and gifts. The owner is very helpful and friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. There is also nice patio in the back as well as seating areas in the front of the store with close views of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

Paintbox Kids 

1383 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, 91104

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My friend's mom started this place and let me tell you it puts Color Me Mine to shame. It's mainly crafts and other things like that and they do parties and have open studio hours.

Little Bear

 Little Bear 

1855 S. Industrial St., Los Angeles, 90021

  

Opening this Friday!

In case you didn't see this in the downtown news this Belgian style pub is to open this week across from Church and State in the old Royal Clayton's location.

Aardvark Letterpress

Aardvark Letterpress

2500 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, 90057

Photo courtesy of the Aardvark Letterpress website

 For business cards, wedding and birthday invitations, holiday cards etc., Aardvark Letterpress comes highly recommended. The history & process is really interesting, as is the style and craftsmanship.

Bridge!

For all you trump no-trump masters and novices....

West Colorado Blvd.

West Colorado Blvd. 

On a quiet and residential stretch of Colorado Blvd., between Old Town Pasadena and Eagle Rock, you'll find this small stretch of businesses.

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Stoney Point Restaurant 

1460 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 91105

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Step back in time with Stoney Point Cafe. 

If you are reading this blog, I'm almost certain you will be the youngest person in the restaurant. 

Although I would not go here for the solely food per se, the ambiance is what keeps me coming back. I suggest going here for the jazz pianist, souffles (the grand marnier is my favorite), martinis and occasional impromptu bing crosby solos.

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The Little Flower Candy Company 

1424 W. Colorado Blvd.

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You may have seen the Little Flower Candy Company sea salt caramels or fancy schmancy marshmallows at stores around Los Angeles, but you may not have known that the owner also opened this little cafe on W. Colorado. Everything I've had here is delicious, from their sandwiches and salads, to their baked goods and coffee. They also sell cook books, jams, olive oils and other such things.

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The Kitchen for Exploring Foods

1434 W. Colorado Blvd. 

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The Kitchen catering has been around for decades and is located next to The Little Flower Company. Aside from their catering services, they have to-go lunches and dinners.  There is also a gift shop where they sell cookbooks, jams, candles etc etc.. 

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A Suggested Walk

Finally, if you are in this area and are in the mood for a nice walk you can walk about ten minutes East on Colorado and walk across the famous Colorado Bridge, or more locally known as Sucide Bridge. After crossing you can walk down Grand Ave. about a half a block and see the Pasadena Courthouse. You can also walk across Orange Grove to the Norton Simon or walk down Orange Grove a few more blocks to the famous Greene & Green Gamble House.  The Arroyo Seco is also just below the Colorado Bridge and is a nice area to job or walk and will take to the Rose Bowl just North of the bridge.  South along the Arroyo Seco you'll find a fly fishing pond, archery range, and some other trails. 

Beauty Utopia & Bellissimo Cafe & Catering

Beauty Utopia

2501 Colorado Blvd. # E, Eagle Rock, 90041

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Ladies of the east side--forget over-priced mediocre Burke Williams, Beauty Utopia is the place to go.  This hidden gem in a strip mall across from the Eagle Rock mall is very professional, clean and most importantly effective...  I've only had their facials, but judging by those I'm sure everything is good. They use and sell eminence, dermalogica, pca & decleor products and their prices are very reasonable.

Bellissimo Cafe

And, next door you can grab a coffee, dessert or some italian cuisine at this cozy little cafe...

KTCHN 105

KTCHN 105

1250 Long Beach Ave., Ste 105, 90021

"Last Dinner of 2011

This Thursday December 22, 2011

 is the last dinner of the year

To make a reservation just reply to this email. Our website is 

down for construction as we are building new cooking classes, events,

 dinner and brunch schedules. Thank you

for your support, we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Happy Holidays

Chef 

Felix G. Barron, IV"

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Okay, so I'm not going to lie...I was debating whether to post this. KTCHN 105 located in an off the beaten path part of downtown, and as a downtown resident I was excited to discover a new and innovative dining experience (and the food looked delicious). I had brunch reservations (with e-mail confirmation...) for a special occasion and upon arrival the place was closed with not a soul in sight. After about 25 minutes of wandering around and knocking on windows, we decided to call it quits. I left voicemails and never heard back. I felt stood up...

Anyways, enough with that...nobody likes a venting veronica. I've decided to let that one slide because I have heard really great things about this place--food, ambience, experience, service etc...They have cooking classes and depending on what time of the year, they have weekly dinners and brunches (cash only). The KTCHN is located deep in the southern part of downtown's industrial area (just north of the 10 fwy).  From what I saw, the space looked really nice with a big open kitchen/dining space, high ceilings, and an outdoor patio. 

If you don't have plans, tomorrow night is their last dinner of the year and I suggest making reservations pronto!

e-mail: felix@ktchn105.com

Small Adventure

Small Adventure

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Photo courtesy of Small Adventure website

Hand painted and crafted prints, cards, objects & accessories that will make you feel like a woodland gnome on a 'small' adventure. The illustrated cards and the bird call necklaces could make for good holiday gifts...

Along the Arroyo Seco

Arroyo Seco Golf Course
1055 Lohman Ln, South Pasadena, 91030

Snob-free golfing

Buckets of beer and 3-par golfing anyone? This unpretentious 18 hole golf course probably hasn't changed since the 1950s when it opened. There is a putting range, a driving range, a diner & bar along with the course. One of the best parts is the course and driving range is opened until 9pm so you can play at night. Oh, and the fact that it's only $12 for 9 holes or $14 for 18...

San Pascual Stables

221 San Pascual Ave., South Pasadena

These stables are located next to the Arroyo Seco. As these are public stables, you can go visit anytime of the day (I go at night sometimes) and visit with the horses and walk around the facility. Although ten or so minutes from downtown, it's a great place to go to feel removed city life. There is a trail that leads from  the stables and you can take it either north or south along the Arroyo. South you will run into the LA river, and north you will eventually get to the Rose Bowl then the San Gabriel Mountains. You can also take horse riding lessons for $50...

More 'Along the Arroyo Seco' posts to come...