Restaurants

Pasadena is a great place to live or visit in Southern California: The Norton Simon Museum, the Huntington

Gale's Italian Restaurant and Bar, in Pasadena CA (Patrick Breana)

Library, and the Huntington Gardens add culture to a trip to this part of the San Gabriel Valley. And, of course, no town rings in the New Year like Pasadena. The Rose Bowl Parade is a nationally televised, major event. After a day of museum-going, or parade-watching, a traveler can get hungry. Here are two of Uptake’s recommended best restaurants in Pasadena, California.

Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar, 452 S. Fair Oaks Ave – Here’s a great old Italian restaurant that hits all the right notes. All the classic Italian meals at Gale’s are done to a tee; the sauces are authentic-tasting, and just the right amount adorns the entrees. The prices aren’t cheap, but this is a real restaurant, where real attention is paid to food preparation. Now, Gale’s Restaurant and Bar is no secret. It’s very popular, especially on weekends. make reservations and expect the noise and clatter of a full, smallish restaurant (request seating in the back room if you want a quieter dining experience). If you’re too full for dessert but still want to end the meal on a sweet note, no worries; a little fresh-baked biscotti comes with after-dinner coffee. This is the best Italian restaurant in Pasadena.

Arroyo Chop House, 536 S. Arroyo Pkwy – Now, attentive readers probably figured out that Uptake loves steakhouses (at least good ones). The Arroyo Chop House is

Arroyo Chop House in Pasadena, CA

the best steakhouse in Pasadena. It has all the best qualities expected from a steakhouse: Perfectly prepared, mouth-watering steaks and chops, in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Service is nearly always professional yet friendly, the best fit for an American steakhouse. The prices here are high compared to other restaurants in the neighborhood, and only prime grade meat is prepared. However, this is a great “special occasion” restaurant, from start (get the crab leg cocktail) to finish (the chocolate souffle is out of this world). Bit of advice – the entrees don’t come with sides. You’ll have to order the potatoes au gratin separately. More than just one of Uptake’s top recommended restaurants in the area, Arroyo Chop House was named “Best Restaurant in Pasadena” by Pasadena Weekly for several years in a row.

There is a plethora of good restaurants in Pasadena, many more than can be reviewed in one post. These two, however, are the best Italian and the best steakhouse in town. No hungry traveler will be disappointed at Gale’s Italian or Arroyo Chop House.