South Pasadena is a foodie's dream. And if you live in the Mission West District (or take the Gold Line and get off at Mission Station) you're actually within walking distance to several epicurean delights including Bistro de la Gare, Brigante and this magical looking spot called Firefly Bistro. Those twinkly lights will draw you in -- but you'll stay for the food. I don't know of another place with a menu that offers grilled plum glazed quail salad as well as Parmesan Tabasco hominy grits. The husband and wife chef team of Paul Rosenbluh and Monique King is the creative force behind the bistro's unique dishes. They're also co-owners of the restaurant, along with Monique's stepfather Carl Weintraub who also happens to be the bistro's maitre D'. (Paul also once served as sous chef at the now closed Coyote Cafe in Austin, Texas -- a favorite restaurant in the town where I grew up.)Go anytime for a cozy evening of good food -- but don't miss jazz Wednesdays or blues brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
18 comments:
4 sum reason I thought these people (chefs & owner) were associated with the De La Gare Bistro. No?
I wanna call this a kiddie pix, no disrespect intended at all, or a high class pyrotechnics fireworks store! A little magic in this shot!
Fireworks? Now, my doggie ears are hurting.
Howdy little K9 Cafe. NOpe, you can learn more about this team at the Firefly website. Bistro de la Gare is also a hubby/wife creation-- they used to own a restaurant in Eagle Rock. The owner there is named Eric, I believe, but my addled 2:00AM brain can't remember any more than that. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
What would say "Firework" ? Surprising...
The twinkly lights are very inviting! The food sounds heavenly...it would be difficult to leave such a magical place.
I'm liking the looks of this place !! Parmesan Tabasco grits. I am all about that.! Whhoooo eeeee!
Oh that is fabulous. Not even reading the text you wrote and I know it is a special place. It almost makes me think of an old movie during the Christmas season and there is a tree lot off to the right. I love the twinkle of lights at night. Firefly - what an awesome name for a restaurant. Another must on my next visit. :~)
South Pas must be one of those spiritual vortex points that attracts good energy and vibrates it back... this photo, like many others you have shared with us, makes me want to move to your neighborhood immediately!
Beautiful composition, too, with the balance of the lights, the sign, and the diner silhouettes separated so we can see into the beckoning entrance.
I see the lights, I see the party lights!
The photo makes Firefly look like an exclusive Hollywood haunt where only big names and the very rich can get in! Haven't been to Firefly. It used to be called something else, and I went there once.
The owners of Bistro de La Gare used to own Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock, I believe. Strangely, when they decided to move to South Pasadena, they didn't keep the Beaujolais name. Strange because Beaujolais had a good reputation. Not only that, they sold the name Cafe Beaujolais to new owners in Eagle Rock. So Cafe Beaujolais still lives in Eagle Rock but with new owners, and Bistro de la Gare is "really" the old Beaujolais with a new name.
Ooh, pretty, pretty lights! [claps]
The menu sounds so interesting! I love it when chefs experiment and create fabulous dishes. Book me for a jazz Wednesday!
waouhh, c'est déjà les décorations de Noël ;o)
waouhh, is already Christmas decorations ;o)
Parmesan Tabasco hominy grits, now that sounds like something I would like. This place looks very inviting.
South side of El Centro near the library?. I think their property line buts up against the mine in HP.
those grits and a can of suds sounds like heaven to me!
Laurie,the owners (plural) of Bistro de la Gare are a husband and wife team, Elda and Eric. I was delighted to re-connect with Elda recently when we were there for Jim's birthday. Elda surprised us with two complimentary glasses of delicious desert wine! A note on Judy's comment...if you go to Firefly, invite me! I haven't been yet.
I remember seeing lots of firefles at dusk, growing up in Austin. We called them lightening bugs and I would sometimes catch one and put it in a jar. Your photo expresses the magic of that childhood memory.
Cool. I love walkable neighborhoods and neighborhood haunts.
Hi everyone,
SOunds like we're all in agreement about those parmesan tabasco grits!
SHanna and Mister Earl, thanks for the info about Bistro de la Gare. I never went to Cafe Beauj. in Eagle ROck but if it was anything like the Bistro, no wonder you liked it so much.
PA, yep, it's on El Centro near the library. But there are a bunch of houses behind it, extending down to Huntington and beyond and a lot of South Pas to the West. Are you near the Ostrich Farm? You and Shanna are HP neighbors, BTW...
Steve, I love the walkable neighborhoods, too. Santa Monica and Venice Beach are that way on the West Side, Pasadena and South Pas have it covered on the East. As for the rest of LA, there are pockets of walkable streets but a WHOLE lotta driving going on...
THanks, everyone. See you guys tomorrow!
I walked by Firefly last night and yes they are my neighbors in that the back of both our HP properties line up somewhat.
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