The Slaw Dogs meet The Gastronomer

I like the Slaw Dogs – the new gourmet hot dog stand on Upper Lake Avenue here in Pasadena. Been there a couple times since they opened last month.

I also know Catherine de Gastronomer, my favorite food blogger friend who happens to live/work here in Pasadena while finding time during her days off to travel the world to bring me back her food discoveries!    Even gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches: which is what she, me, and couple other foodie friends tested last week in Pasadena. But, she’s getting married soon, to a Cal Techer who appears to be intelligent.  So her daze of wining, dining, and traveling may soon have to give way to sitting & staying at home more!!  Making sure the new hubby is happy, of course.     

 

Then again, I actually expect her to one day be a full-time professional food/restaurant writer. Maybe LA Weekly?  For starters.  Seriously.

But before that day comes, here is her current restaurant review on the Dogs of Slaw. I have my own opinion on this joint & food, naturally, but her review on this new place is nearly identical to what I would say.  So, without further ado, please take note of Catherine’s take on the Slaw:

 

In between consulting with a hair and make up gal who charged $400 for her services and visiting a bridal store that threatened a $100 rush fee for simple alterations, I gladly dug into some (relatively) cheap hot dogs at The Slaw Dogs. After being gouged left and right, the gourmet wiener shop felt like a sanctuary where brides-to-be could be properly fed without being nickel and dimed. What a relief. (Read More here)

 

 

 

Oh, btw, I did offer to do Catherine’s hair & make-up for half the price quoted above.  I’m still waiting on her response.

I’ll add this re Slaw Dogs.  If they ever get their weak link fixed (no bun intended) – the bun, then they truly can say as a reviewer in LAist.com wrote last month:   “Hot dog stands across Los Angeles should be shaking in their boots right now. Ray Byrne of The Slaw Dogs in Pasadena has taken hot dogs to a whole new level!”  and  “Little does Pink’s know it, but there’s a new sheriff in town. Move over, little dog. The big dog’s movin’ in!”

 

For more appetizing restaurant reviews, particularly located outside of Pasadena, please check into Catherine’s Gastronomy blog. She’s a sweetheart with a tasty palate.

 

 

I Have to Run. Suddenly Hungry for Some Reason.  Hmmm…Well, Stay Thirsty My Friends!

 

Euro Pane Bakery & Cafe II

Well, I’m told it’s become widely known on the internet and from there down to the street, so no reason for me to hold off any longer getting my spotlight out for those locos still out of the light:

 

Apparently a new Euro Pane Bakery & Cafe will soon be opening in the Paseo Colorado shopping district!

 

People have told me “it’s on the internet”, “customers are talking about it”, “it’s all on Twitter & FaceBook!”, etc.

No doubt it would certainly be a real coup if the new and “very posh” Montana Residences were able to lure French pastry chef/owner Sumi Chang to finally open up another Euro Pane! Plus, it should bring more shoppers across to that section of Colorado Boulevard.

Fine. It’s probably gonna happen. And, Yes, the name went up in lights a couple of days ago, however,… may I temper everyone’s enthusiasm just to say that until the doors open for business – nothing has changed!  There is still only the original Euro Pane near Lake & Colorado, and no other.

Of course many of us wood love to have a new Euro Pane.  But, I’ll believe it only when I actually see it open for business.

 

 

 

For many of us it’s been a little unpretentious hangout for the Pasadena community, offering quality French pastries, great Jones Roasters coffee, tasty sandwiches, and just an intangible comfort vibe, etc, etc. All at relatively low prices for the excellent quality you receive.  Like many small business owners in this industry she has put in long days & early hours to establish Euro Pane as one place in Pasadena you should visit.  Yet, it may not please everyone and eateries shouldn’t have to.

 

 

At the moment, however, the cafe is empty, dark, and the doors are locked.  Hopefully that will change soon.

 

 

 

Ok, I Gotta catch some sleep. I’ve said enuf about this!  Let’s Just Wait & See…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Writing Project

I know some of my readers are writers among the character mix of this weblog. Others may be eaters, like me. Whatever,  you are, I hope you know I’m always thinking of y’all.  Not a year goes by when I’m not.  Like the other morning when I saw a stack of these bulletins at my fav cafe, Euro Pane:

 

 

 

Since food/restaurant writer Jonathan Gold is connected with this project, my guess is he asked to leave these flyers at the bakery cafe.  Or another writer did, since they regularly make a pitstop here to refuel their coffee tanks & experience, et al.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Therefore, a few of you writers may know about this already. If not, consider this just me looking out for your best interests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My experience is writers take their writing very seriously, or liberally with a stiff upper lip. You can also identify them since they are usually the silent type on one hand, the non-stop talkers on the other, or the anxious on the other foot. Yet, if you see someone who appears homeless or shaveless – that could also be a writer. Butt remember: theirs is a dangerous, if not vital, job. Someone has to do it.  Anecdotal evidence, I know.

Nevertheless, I hope this information is a heads up for at least 1 or 2 of you writers out in the blogosphere, and the resta us who aren’t.

 

 

Gotta head out!  Stay Thirsty My Friends…

 

Congratulations & Happy Birthday!

 

 

We interrupt this blog to bring you breaking news!

Quick shout outs to a couple of loco blogger’s:

First, to Stephane de Altadena via France & his wunderful wife on the birth of their new baby son yesterday! My message to them was: you are now officially adults and mature!! (You know how these creative/artistic types can bee!)

Stephane is a true Mickey Mouse of an artist. He creates art nearby here at Walt Disney. He has also recently started taking photos in addition to his sketches, drawings, and paintings. However, no cigars for you Steph. Instead I’ll get you a pain du chocolate croissant & macaron from French bakery Euro Pane. I hope he knows what that is!

Besides, being just a nice guy, Steph is probably also exhausted or just stressed-out right now.  Well, That’s Life. Welcome to The World!

 

 

 

Next shout out goes to Catherine de Gastronomer!  Maybe my most favorite food blogger:  it helps that she lives & work in Pasadena.

Happy Birthday to her – Today!

Whereas I like to stay near Pasadena to eat out, her routine is to go out of the area to bring back great restaurant reviews! However, just the other day I did treat her to an early birthday meal at The Counter, here in Pasadena.  We loved the place, didn’t we CD!? Didn’t we??

More important than CD’s eye for good food and well developed tastebuds, is her sweetheart and smart brain. For example, she founded the Eat My Blog (EMB) charity event. The first was a big success in West Hollywood last year! Stay tuned for EMB2 in a few months if you’re interested in participating

 

 

Do you remember your child’s day of birth? What do you want for your next birthday gift? 

Wait, I need to seek some shelter from this latest storm! That’s enuf of these two.  As I was saying before the interruption, someone celebrating their first day on the planet and another, celebrating her…ahem, I just remembered something:

 

Gotta Eat!  It’s that time of the day.  Stay Thirsty & Hungry, My Friends!