The theme of this year’s Rose Parade is “The Magic in Teamwork.” Which is true and strong on so many levels.
Certainly, in terms of the fires that devastated our hillsides, destroying whole communities — bonding and history, futures and dreams all reduced to ashes. Yet, which brought so many together to work, to recover, plan and begin to rebuild. The magic in teamwork in action, on display every day, in so many ways.
According to the Tournament of Roses, the 2026 “theme celebrates the sense of accomplishment in knowing that by working together, we can collectively achieve outcomes so much richer than we can ever experience as individuals.”
And this can be said of restaurants as well, the very essence of highly choreographed teamwork, with the meals we enjoy created by a multitude of individuals (and sometimes, not a multitude, but a handful), each working to make our experience joyful and satisfying.
On New Year’s Day, after the floats have passed by, after the bands, after the dancers, after large chunks of the assembled crowd has decamped for the Rose Bowl … it’s time to eat. And Pasadena — one of the great restaurant cities of the world, with its globe-worthy assemblage of cuisines — is happy to feed you.
The options boggle the senses, from edgy upscale to down-home grab and go. While the happy throngs crowd the freeway, it’s a good time to indulge in one more fine feed before the annual New Year’s diet. (And good luck with that!) Where to go? How about …
Betsy
875 E Mariposa St., Altadena; 626-345-5492; www.betsyaltadena.com
Betsy, which sits some distance up Lake Avenue in an area devastated by the Eaton fire, is a phoenix of a destination — rising from the ashes that once surround it, to feed locals a very personal cuisine, with hope on every plate, and in every bite.
This minimalist storefront isn’t so much a restaurant, as it is a testament to our ability to carry on, despite the odds. Dining at Betsy feels like a communion of survivors. It’s a meal that makes you believe in the enduring strength of the human spirit. There’s a sense of communion among the diners.
Seated at the counter, I exchanged recollections of recent dining experiences with folks sitting next to me, and compared notes on the menu. Which, like the room, is notable for its simplicity. This is a small restaurant with a small menu. Small — but carefully curated. It’s hard not to find something you’d want. And to consider something else that you’ll promise yourself you’ll order next time.
This is food that’s both traditional and modern at the same time. The dishes aren’t especially peppered with obscure culinary nomenclature that has you heading for Google to figure out what the heck exactly you’re ordering. This is a kitchen that doesn’t just toss stuff on a plate and tell you to eat up. There’s care in the creation. And commitment, too. Which you’ve got to have to stand in front of a blazing hearth for several hours every night, charring along with the onions in the vinaigrette that flavor the grilled summer beans.
This must be a great place to sit on a chill day. Warm and cozy. And very well fed.
Deda
55 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena; 626-995-3332; www.dedarestaurant.com
The word “deda” translates simply as “mother” — “a name that reflects not only our roots, but the soul of our kitchen … every dish we serve is inspired by the warmth, generosity and time-honored recipes passed down from Georgian mothers to their children for generations.”
These are dishes with roots in the surrounding lands — and roots only in Georgia as well. To dine at Deda is to travel to Tbilisi, conveniently freeway-adjacent. There’s a sizable section on the menu headed “For the table” (followed, as are all the headings, with the same words in Georgian — a language consisting of round, ornate letters, not one of which is to be found on my keyboard).
These many shared dishes are one reason to show up with a crowd of heavy forks, ready for a serious feed of dishes flame-grilled, seared, boiled, stewed, oven baked, slow braised and simmered.
One could eat solo at the U-shaped bar that dominates the first room of Deda. But that would be to miss one of the most joyous of Georgian customs. It’s called “supra,” generally translated as “Georgian Table.” It’s an ancient tradition where family and friends (along with family of family, and friends of friends) gather for a meal that very likely took days to prepare … and will take hours to consume.
At the head of the table is the tamada — a family elder who leads those gathered in toasts, philosophical observations, and general merriment. The tamada is what we used to describe as a “toastmaster.” The tamada sets the tone for the meal. And thanks to the thriving Georgian wine-growing regions, much joviality ensues.
The cooking here demands abandonment of all dietary considerations. I couldn’t stop eating the house pickle assortment of the crunchy flower bud called jonjoli, along with garlic, red cabbage and peppers. The pkhali mezze — a plate of mchadi (cornbread) chips with spreads of roasted red peppers, beets, spinach, walnuts and garlic. The warm eggplant salad. The lamb tolma — grape leaves stuffed with minced lamb served with yogurt-garlic cream.
Still, appetite must be spared for the khachapuri — a teardrop-shaped pastry found on every table in Deda, described as a “bread boat with molten cheese and an egg yolk center.”
One of the variations comes “topped with an additional layer of melted cheese.” Because in Georgian cooking, enough is never enough. This is a cuisine of abundance. And very tasty it is, too.
Saucy Chick Goat Mafia Indi-Mex
203 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena; 626-391-3600, www.saucychickgoatmafia.com
Saucy Chick and Goat Mafia were the groovy pair of pop-ups, with a cult following, and a major presence at the Smorgasburg pop-up of pop-ups in Downtown Los Angeles. On their own, Saucy Chick is a destination for — obviously — long-brined rotisserie chicken infused with either spices from Mexico, or from India.
Goat Mafia is, just as obviously, a specialist in cabrito — which is to say, billy goat. It’s not as much of a presence on the menu; the only goat dish is a rice and bean bowl topped with birria de chivo. But Goat Mafia’s presence is all over the menu, adding a spicy presence to the Mexican fusions of Saucy Chick.
Star Leaf Asian Cuisine
641 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; 626-345-5371, www.starleafusa.com
Star Leaf Asian Cuisine is a 21st century version of the legendary Trader Vic’s. Which is to say: It’s madcap, over-the-top, extreme from every angle, with a cult following, outlandish cocktails — and some very good food, including a horde of dishes that taste like nothing that’s tingled your senses in the past
Sugarfish
The Commons, 146 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena; 626-298-8386, www.sugarfishsushi.com
There’s an à la carte menu at Sugarfish — three sashimi choices, 13 sushi options, seven non-exotic rolls, either hand or cut. But, I suspect very few order à la carte here — except to, perhaps, enhance the Trust Me menus, of which there are three. There’s the Trust Me Lite (edamame, tuna sashimi; one piece each of albacore sushi, salmon sushi and shrimp sushi; and a toro hand roll), the Trust Me (edamame, tuna sashimi; two pieces each of albacore sushi and salmon sushi; one each of yellowtail sushi and halibut sushi; a blue crab hand roll and a toro hand roll), and the Nozawa Trust Me (the same as the Trust Me, but with a two-piece “daily special”).
The Commons also offers a branch of Philz Coffee, should you need a cappuccino after your sesame noodles with pork or your chicken roll. And though it’s not in The Commons, the best ice cream for miles around is Bacio di Latte (85 W. Colorado Blvd., Old Pasadena; 626-360-0764, baciodilatte.us). So expensive. And so good!
Uovo
The Commons, 146 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena; 626-556-7948, www.uovo.la
At Uovo, obsession with pasta rivals that of many of its equals in Venice, Florence and Rome — if not more so.
There’s a long essay on the flipside of the menu, explaining the Uovo search for the perfect pasta. How it found the wellspring of fresh pasta in Bologna. And realized that the only way to make pasta that good, was to make it in Italy and ship it overnight. Which is declared at the top of every menu.
The result is … amazing, done in three pasta categories — La Pasta di Bologna, La Pasta di Roma and Pasta Classica — mostly in shapes like tonnarelli (akin to spaghetti), flat thin tagliolini and flat medium width tagliatelle. There are lasagna, tortellini and ravioli, too.
The toppings are wondrous; I’m mad for the cacio e pepe with pecorino Romano and imported black pepper. So simple — and so good.
And of course, there are openers and sides — yellowtail crudo, insalata arugula and mizuna, wagyu beef tartare, roasted cauliflower, broccoli and mushrooms. Once again, the menu informs us that “We politely decline any modifications.”
When you have one singular sensation dominating your menu, why would anyone ask you to? Though with a tip of the toque to SoCal, there are gluten-free options. Albeit “cooked in the same water as our regular pasta.”
Read more: Rose Parade 2026: Your guide to every float, band and equestrian unit — in order
Going to the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game — or both — on New Year’s Day? There are many options for dining out in Pasadena and nearby, says restaurant critic Merrill Shindler. (File photo by Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)Bistro 45
45 Mentor Ave., Pasadena; 626-795-2478, www.bistro45.com
Robert Simon’s longtime flagship restaurant, a destination for those looking for fine dining, in a casual setting.
Dog Haus Biergarten
93 E. Green St., Old Pasadena; 626-683-0808, www.doghaus.com
Indoor and outdoor, this super casual beer-and-dog hangout offers just that — exotic wieners, and crafty local beers, with the big game on the big screens.
Gus’s Barbecue
808 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena; 626-799-3251, www.gussbbq.com
A longtime favorite, offering classic ’que right off the Arroyo Parkway.
Gyu Kaku
70 W. Green St., Old Pasadena; 626-405-4842, www.gyu-kaku.com
You cook your own food over blazing coals at this Japanese yakiniku chain, where the meats and veggies can be very tasty, as long as you don’t reduce them to charcoal.
Il Fornaio
One Colorado, 24 W. Union St., Old Pasadena; 626-683-9797, www.ilfornaio.com
Longtime Italian food favorite, with branches throughout town, offering freshly made pastas and pizzas, and, as the name suggests, lots of good breads.
Lunasia Dim Sum House
239 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; 626-793-8822, lunasiadimsum.com
Satellite of one of Alhambra’s best dim sum restaurants, offering dumplings and noodles all day long, saving you a trip south to the many Chinese restaurants along Valley Boulevard.
Marston’s
151 E. Walnut St., Old Pasadena; 626-796-2459, www.marstonsrestaurant.com
The destination of choice for the biggest breakfasts in town. Amazing salads as well.
Mi Piace
25 E. Colorado Blvd., Old Pasadena; 626-795-3131, www.mipiace.com
One of the most long-lived of our many fine Italian restaurants, busy for lunch and dinner, with a menu of creative Cal-Italian cooking.
Parkway Grill
510 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena; 626-795-1001, www.theparkwaygrill.com
The Smith brothers’ most enduring creation, rightly referred to as the Spago of Pasadena.
Pez Coastal Kitchen
61 N. Raymond Ave., Old Pasadena; 626-210-0775; www.pezpasadena.com
Named not for the kid’s candy called Pez, but for the Spanish word that’s an abbreviation for “Pescado” is a “fish house” — eclectic with a Latino spin — that doesn’t even bother with a name on the monthly menu. All it’s got is a stylized cartoon fish. Followed by a menu of seafood dishes found nowhere else in town. This is a fish house that exudes modernist creativity. Pez brings us back to the modernist elegance of steelhead trout rillettes, and seared bluefin tuna. It can dizzy the tastebuds in a nonce.
Ramen Tatsunoya
16 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Old Pasadena; 626-432-1768, www.tatsunoyausa.net
The ramen place of choice, for those who feel the need to do some serious slurping.
The Raymond
1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena; 626-441-3136, www.theraymond.com
In a Craftsman cottage that was formerly the groundskeeper’s home for the long-gone Raymond Hotel, old school Pasadena dining in an elegant space, with a wondrous garden.
Saladang/Saladang Garden
383 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena; 626-793-5200, www.saladang-thai.com
In a city of many Thai restaurants, the Saladangs always stand out from the crowd with their true Bangkok cuisine.
Sushi Roku
One Colorado, 33 Miller Alley, Old Pasadena; 626-683-3000, www.sushiroku.com
Trendy sushi chain, with exotic rolls and exotic cocktails to go with the rolls.
True Food Kitchen
168 W. Colorado Blvd., Old Pasadena; 626-639-6818, www.truefoodkitchen.com
Branch of healthy living guru Dr. Andrew Weil’s good-for-you restaurants, with a fine outdoor patio on Colorado Boulevard, and a menu of guilt-free dishes that will heal what ails you.
Union
37 E. Union St., Old Pasadena; 626-795-5841, www.unionpasadena.com
Probably the most creative, edgy restaurant in Pasadena — brilliant cooking in an understated setting.
Merrill Shindler is a Los Angeles-based freelance dining critic. Email mreats@aol.com.
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