Pasadena Dining

 Derek's Bistro
 181 E. Glenarm, Pasadena 626-799-5252 This is one of Pasadena's premier dining spots, featuring exceptional California-French cooking at prices that are not too hard to swallow.

 Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.
 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena 626-449-0052 The main attraction here is the handcrafted beer, produced in huge vats displayed behind glass at the end of a mile-long bar.

 Houston's
 320 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena 626-577-6001 This restaurant accommodates every occasion -- from power lunches to family snacks to hot dates -- with a variety of appetizers, oversized salads and all-American beef dishes.

 Islands
 3533 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 626-351-6543 When you want to meet friends for food and drinks in a casual atmosphere, any one in the chain of Islands restaurants fits the bill.

 JJ Steakhouse
 88 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626-844-8889 While this place often goes unmentioned during debates over the merits of Ruth's Chris' and Arnie Morton's, JJ is clearly one of the better steakhouses in the L.A. area.

 Moose McGillycuddy's
 119 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626-304-9955 One of Pasadena nightlife's most reliable establishments has a relatively low-key evening in store--that is, if five big-screen TVs, 27 smaller ones and a restaurant filled to capacity fit your definition of low-key. No free drinks or other giveaways here, but with a dance floor, live music and DJs spinning tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s, it's still a sizable bargain.
 

 Nonya
 61 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena 626-583-8398 This restaurant features Chinese cooking embellished with the spices and flavors of Malaysia.

 Ocean Coral
 2475 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626-449-8018 This is a comfortable neighborhood restaurant, where the walls are decorated with classic Chinese prints and the tables are illuminated by floral-patterned silk lanterns.

 Spring Garden Restaurant
 187 N Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena 626-796-2531

 Yamaha Restaurant
 325 N Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena 626-351-0560

 Yujean Kang's
 67 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena 626-585-0855 In a cozy, bistro-like setting, Yujean Kang's menu doesn't read like any other Chinese restaurant's. As an appetizer, he offers playful miniature dumplings, about the size of a fava bean, drizzled with a sizzling hot chile oil. Don't forget a big bowl of Northern-style wonton soup for the table, laden with pork wontons.
 

 Oaks on the Plaza
 191 N. Los Robles, Pasadena 626-792-2727 This hotel dining room serves good contemporary California food.

 Spencers
 70 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena 626-583-8275 Opened in 1995 by staffers of long-gone restaurant the Chronicle, Spencers still relies on many of the old establishment's devotees but finally seems to be establishing it's own identity.

 Stoney Point Bar & Grill
 1460 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626-449-9715 Stoney Point Bar & Grill is a neighborhood watering hole, with regulars crowding the prominent bar.The adjoining green-and-white dining room is cozy and relaxed.

 The Grill
 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena 626-585-6240 Whether it's for romance or business, this place is extremely reliable if your mission is to impress. Offerings have included crayfish served with fideus (broken pasta cooked like risotto) and a bouillabaisse sauce, a chilled eggplant and tomato terrine, and a seared foie gras set off with a vanilla sauce and Asian pears.

 Thirteen Elephants
 53 E. Union St., Pasadena 626-844-0268 Among the scores of restaurants lining the streets of congested Old Pasadena, Thirteen Elephants is unique, even beyond its distinctive name.
 

 Bice
 260 Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626-793-0468 In opening the Pasadena Bice, unlike at their Beverly Hills locale, the Bice Group didn't go in for the grandiose. The menu under chef Julian Baker adds some California-influenced dishes to the Milan restaurant's classic northern Italian fare.

 Celestino
 141 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena 626-795-4006 There's a sense here that the food is taken more seriously than at some other Pasadena trattorias.

 Domenico's Ristorante and Billy's Dugout
 82 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 626-449-1948 Aside from serving some of the best Italian dishes in Old Town Pasadena, Domenico's also has an on-site sports bar...

 Gale's
 452 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 626-432-6705 The thin-crusted pizzas at Gale's, particularly the pizza bianca, are among the best in the Rose City.

 Greco's On Green
 1065 E. Green St., Pasadena 626-795-9615 Transplanted from a less-traveled part of town, this popular trattoria has taken over the digs previously occupied by Hugo Molina's eponymous restaurant.

 Trattoria Tre Venezie
 119 W. Green St., Pasadena 626-795-4455 Italian restaurants in Los Angeles tend to be Tuscan because that's the one region everybody knows. But in Pasadena, Trattoria Tre Venezie swims against the tide. Unusual pastas, a veal bollito misto, fish in agrodolce and seductive desserts that go beyond the usual tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake are among the creative offerings.
 

 All India Cafe
 39 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 626-440-0309 Enjoy a spirited culinary journey with dishes from Bombay and beyond.

 Cameron's Seafood Market
 1978 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626-793-3474 This sprawling 300-seat seafood restaurant is a delightful discovery.

 Fish Mama
 711 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite D, Pasadena 626-799-3613 It's South Pasadena's own hipster-style fast-food grilled fish restaurant.

 McCormick & Schmick's
 111 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 626-405-0064 If the mere thought of a tie makes you gag then stay far away from McCormick & Schmick's, the after-work gathering place for yuppies of all ages.

 Scampi Restaurant
 40 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena 626-568-4959 Despite its less than ideal location, the locals have already made Scampi one of their favorites.
 

 El Portal Restaurant
 695 E. Green St., Pasadena 626-795-8553 The menu here is diverse, recognizing Mexico's distinctive regional cuisines, from the mole of Oaxaca to the seafood of Veracruz.

 El Super Burrito
 3631 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena 626-792-4482

 El Taquito Mexicano 2
 467 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena 626-577-3918

 El Toreo
 21 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena 626-793-2577

 Ernie Jr's Taco House
 755 Linda Vista Ave, Pasadena 626-792-9957