An Oasis in Pasadena

The name Oasis Café might prompt most people to keep on walking by, but truth be told this is a farm to table neighborhood gem mistakenly named like an airport restaurant in the Bahamas.

The food is “contemporary American” and very well priced, made even more so with a travelzoo voucher 🙂

Here is a look at my 4 course meal at the Oasis.

Greens—Heart of Romaine, Parmesan Croutons, Figs and Anchovies

I’m always a fan of the anchovy but have never seen it paired with a fig. Very nice improvement on what is basically a Caesar salad.

Appetizers—Squash Blossoms

A new edition to the mention, but a little too fried for my taste.

I also would have loved to try the: Pork Belly, Molasses, Mustard, Rainbow Radish

Entrée—Hanger Steak Confit Potato, Broccoli Rabe, Horseradish Crème Fraiche

A simple dish but cooked and salted exactly to my liking!

Mary’s Farm Duck Breast Roasted Root vegetable, Fig and Balsamic Glaze

A recommended entrée for being more tender than most, but if you can only choose one I would go with the hanger steak.

Dessert—Crème caramel served in a mason jar

OMG To die!! Might even be better than the budino at Mozza…

Note to all diners-this restaurant is BYOB sans corkage fee for now, but they seem to have a bar just waiting for bottles in the back. Be sure to go prepared or you might have to rely on a good Samaritan to share their bottle of wine with you!

PS-I was that good Samaritan 🙂