374233 Fri Feb 23 11:46:44 -0800 2007 11 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2322739 So I just moved to Pasadena and am new to the area. I want to go somewhere for dinner tonight that has good food but is also a good bar scene. I've been to the Yard House before and wasn't impressed, but I heard Old Town is kinda cool. I'm kind of tired of sushi and my boyfriend said that he wants steak tonight. Can anyone recommend a place? Fri Feb 23 11:46:44 -0800 2007 74773 Karebear 1 2323154 Maybe JJ's Steakhouse. Food's better at Arroyo Chop House, but it's not in Old Town. Fri Feb 23 13:10:10 -0800 2007 2322739 10332 mc michael 2 2324168 no contest, i don't eat meat but like their bar, drinks, fresh fish, and... those homemade chips with a nice martini are excellent after a long week. Sis-in-law always gets their filet and never has any leftovers for my dog tho' she's quite the carnivore, so not sure her tastes are that discriminating. You'd think being related to Arroyo C.H. their'd be some osmosis with the steaks, guess not. Fri Feb 23 17:42:53 -0800 2007 2323154 15170 Local 3 2324179 oops,, above meant in regards to Smitty's not JJ's. Fri Feb 23 17:47:48 -0800 2007 2324168 15170 Local 1 2323481 Magnolia on Lake - Great small plate stuff, fantastic burger, great french fry trio. Very lively bar scene, which is it's main draw. They play good music and the service is friendly. Magnolia (626) 584-1126 www.magnoliaonlake.com 492 S Lake Ave Pasadena, CA 91101 Fri Feb 23 14:13:40 -0800 2007 2322739 10631 jeffro 2 2323595 Totally suggestion, Jeffro! Magnolia is one of my favorite bars in Pasadena (of couse there aren't many good one to choose from.) Fri Feb 23 14:39:10 -0800 2007 2323481 71058 Bella79 1 2323523 Smitty's on Lake. Fri Feb 23 14:23:19 -0800 2007 2322739 15170 Local 2 2323905 I like Smitty's but I have not been thrilled by the steaks there. Fri Feb 23 16:06:30 -0800 2007 2323523 10332 mc michael 1 2323544 I'd suggest you do your bar-hopping in old town, and your dining elsewhere. Like arroyo chop house. Fri Feb 23 14:27:49 -0800 2007 2322739 15848 ozzygee 1 2323640 Bar Celona has decent enough food and is on one end of Old Pas, allowing you to traipse over to the other end. Villa Sorriso is run by the same owners, and has a Cal-French flair as opposed to tapas and a wine bar. My favorite restaurants in the area are JJ for an upscale steakhouse, Cafe Santorini for a casual Mediterranean dinner, and La Luna Negra for Spanish food, especially when a flamenco band is playing. There's lots of bars, and probably the most fun is Union Cattle just for the scene. Fri Feb 23 14:50:06 -0800 2007 2322739 50350 SauceSupreme 2 2323942 I second La Luna Negra for pitchers of sangria and a great vibe. Also, and these recommendations are made strictly on drinks and social factors (not food and ambiance), I like to hop around to a few bars on the same night- maybe start with a drink at Twin Palms, migrate to Club 41 for their cheesy 50s style band and bizarre mix of twenty-somethings and middle-aged folks who like to dance and then maybe over to Union Cattle for a change of scenery and back to Twin Palms (yes, sometimes I drink a lot, but hey - I can stumble home from these spots!) And you can always start a card at Barney's (the original location by Barnes & Nobles)- when you drink every beer on the card you get your name on a plaque on the wall- great bar food too! Fri Feb 23 16:17:14 -0800 2007 2323640 14123 ciaobella 1 2323944 Vertical Wine Bistro www.verticalwinebistro.com Fri Feb 23 16:17:25 -0800 2007 2322739 11583 ipsedixit