Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Mini Foodventure #131: La Grande Orange (Pasadena)

Given my infamous sweet jaws, with weekend brunches it's no shocker that I usually lean towards the more sugary fare of pancakes, waffles and French toasts (maybe with a side of breakfast meat if I'm feeling particularly carnivorous), so it's definitely a surprise when I decide to bat for the savory team when I went to La Grande Orange this past Sunday. The seducer . . .

Tuna Burger + Asparagus
. . . tuna burger ($12), something I don't remember having (or at least, enjoying) since Malibu Seafood Co. Thankfully, this version was just as tasty; cooked medium-rare, it was moist, juicy, possessing all that fatty-fishiness I absolutely adore and the patty was nicely accented with just a little bit of oniony-ness and spices. The generous avocado slices and the southwestern-style sauce/dip were just delightful icing on the cake.
French Toast
Thankfully for my sweet jaws, my brunching companion got sold on their recently-debutted French toast ($11) and I got to indulge in more than a few bites. The French toast here is more like a bread pudding, light and fluffy; my personal preference leans towards a crisper, denser version but this is not too bad, would be better if the cinnamon got toned down a notch. Nonetheless, next time we're definitely going for the lemon ricotta pancakes.
English Muffin
As if there weren't enough carbs on the table, we also shared an order of their famous housemade English muffin for $1.50 (OK, I convinced B.C. to go in on it with me, since I had recently read the Tasting Table rave.) Definitely nice toasted up, chewier and more substantial than most English muffins, this was delicious with the accompanying orange butter and berry jam.

But I definitely feel lucky finding a nosh-worthy fish burger that's way closer to where I work/live, and since it's offered for lunch and dinner too -- that frees up my brunch time once more to discover other sweet treats at LGO. Olive oil cake for AM meal? Why certainly...

La Grande Orange
260 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA
626.356.4444
Website

La Grande Orange Cafe in Los Angeles
La Grande Orange Café on Urbanspoon

9 comments:

SinoSoul said...

The (free thanks to bloggerprom) E.muffins were $2.50/ea at the LGO SanMo locale. Brekkie omelettes were on avg $9-10...

LGO Pas has a lot of fans but... the SanMo pricing borders ridiculous for moi.

That said the muffins would be about perfect for a 1/3 lb patty. Someone should tell Bowery Bar about the baked goods.

H. C. said...

Indeed, there are a few items whose prices I felt were inexplicably high (taco plates around ~$20?) -- and actually I went to LGOSM on their first official opening day, had a few expected hiccups but it's alright.

Actually heading back to LGOSM tonight for a media dinner of sorts -- crossing fingers it'll fare better this time.

jess said...

lemon ricotta pancakes sounds awesome!! i've never seen that on the menu before, and i think i might search for a recipe on how to make them after reading this...

you should definitely submit some of your photos to www.donteatthatyet.com. it's a visual restaurant review site with a template similar to that of tastespotting

Diana said...

I'm been meaning to get over to the SaMo location for the lemon ricotta pancakes. They sound insanely delicious to my sweet jaws.

Good to know about the tuna burger though!

Exile Kiss said...

Hi H.C.,

Thanks for the info on LGO's Brunch. When I went last year they weren't offering it yet. That Tuna Burger looks delicious. :)

H. C. said...

@Jess, actually, a surprising number of restaurants are starting to offer it now (not that I'm complaining yet) -- BoHo, Coral Tree Cafe and now Reservoir!

@Diana oddly enough there's a bit of price discrepancy for the tuna burger -- $12 in Pasadena and $14.95 at SaMo; not sure it's because of pricier rent or other expenses. But yes, it's a delicious fish "burger"

@EK, hope you like it as much as I did :)

Unknown said...

These guys are absolute jerks. It is 10:41 and they are playing music, loud, to the interior patio, the back yard to many, many apartment dwellers, with no customers or potential customers present. It is not attracting any business, just making for a bad living environment for their neighbors. I have called them regularly to complain but the management does not want to be good neighbors.

H. C. said...

@Bob, sorry to hear that (just remembered now that they're situated in a mixed-use complex) hoping your relations with LGO will smooth out soon!

Viagra Online said...

This dishes are great I visited a restaurant where they prepare this plate and the way that it looks it's really appetizing.

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