Only one thing could make Intelligentsia Pasadena even better: Beer. And Wine. OK, that’s two things.
The Old Town coffeehouse and cafe adds select brews and vino to their list of single-origin coffees and teas this weekend, beginning Friday (10/15). Matt Poley of Heirloom LA–whose homemade ricotta (pictured), charcuterie, pastas and fresh salads led me to call this one of my favorite new spots in the ‘Dena–has upped the ante with his nighttime menu.
A sample of what’s to come:
SMALL PLATES
Grilled Green Asparagus,
Shaved Hard Boiled Egg, Sherry Walnut Vinaigrette
$8
Local Greens Salad,
Orange Segments, Shaved Fennel, Lemon Vinaigrette
7
House Cured Sliced Meats,
Olives, Cornichons, Balsamic Pearl Onions, Toasted Bread
9
Homemade Ricotta, Buratta Goat Cheeses,
Grilled Bread
8
Chorizo and Brioche,
Tomato Spread, Herbed Roasted Garlic
7
Grilled Flat Bread,
Wild Mushrooms, Baby Arugula, Balsamic Onions
9
Seasonal Vegetable Ragout,
Beets, Artichokes, Asparagus
9
Steamed Mussells,
Cherry Tomatoes, Shallots, White Wine
10
Pork and Beef Meatballs,
Roasted Sweet Peppers and Tomatoes, Feta, Cilantro Puree
10
Jidori Fried Chicken,
Potato Salad, Harissa
10
Beef Sliders,
Humboldt Fog Cheese, Crispy Shallots, Romesco Sauce
10
Grilled Tiger Prawns,
Salsa Verde, Toasted Almonds, Smoked Paprika Aioli
12
Grilled Skirt Steak,
Black Lentils, Smoked Bacon, Lime
15
And with that new menu, comes the booze. Beers on tap include Eagle Rock Brewery’s Stimulus, an amber ale made with Intelligentsia’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee (the first taste for the public, all you LA Beer Week peeps), plus Stone Brewing’s Ruination and Alesmith’s XPA.
Matthew Kaner from Bar Covell (another personal fave) consulted on the wines, so now you can get a crisp Albarino from Monterey’s Cambiata Winery with those mussels, or maybe Rail 2 Rail’s Old Vines Zinfandel with the skirt steak.
Can a coffeehouse become the best new restaurant in Pasadena? This is pretty damn close. With a full bar already built in, it was poised to be more than just another cafe–even wine bar–than coffeehouse. It’s more stylish than anything on the block, and definitely brings a vibe we’re not used to seeing in Old Town (finally and thank goodness).
I hope Poley still plans the weekly “whole animal” dinners that he talked about when the cafe opened–tthe third thing that could make Intelli Pas even better.
55 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; 626.578.1270 or intelligentsiacoffee.com
Oh, YUM. When can we meet there?
Whenever you want! Minutes from my house. Damn…People actually coming to eat with me in Pasadena. How exciting is that?!
[...] as drinks, and yes, that’s of the alcoholic variety: They’ve just started serving a well-curated list of beer and wine, with wine chosen by Matthew Kaner, owner of my favorite neighborhood winebar, Bar [...]
[...] is too crowded for the group, so the clan convenes at Intelligentsia in Old Town to sample the new beer and wine list. A lot of people have dropped off at this point, something I don’t realize until I run [...]