Seafood lovers in Pasadena have a new hotspot to explore, as Pez Coastal Kitchen opened its doors to the public on Thursday. Helmed by the culinary power couple Executive Chef & Proprietor Bret Thompson and Lucy Thompson-Ramirez, this upscale eatery promises a sea and farm-to-table dining experience with the freshest seasonal California cuisine, What Now Los Angeles reported.
Ambition isn't lacking when it comes to this new venture, led by a team bringing together top industry professionals including Director of Operations Chris Mesa and General Manager Brittany Player, while Bar Manager Mike Dane shakes up the scene with his curated cocktail program. Having made their mark with Pez Cantina and LA Burrito Co., Thompson and Thompson-Ramirez are expanding their culinary legacy with this innovative approach that includes both traditional and unexpected treatments of seafood, according to their official statement. Chef Joe Gillard, known for his creativity, joins Executive Chef Bret Thompson in the kitchen, making sure that their focus isn't just on the fresh catches but also on the specialized techniques like curing, smoking, and dry-aging that set their fare apart.
Offering a peek into what’s being served, Executive Chef Bret Thompson told What Now Los Angeles, “I’m excited to serve seasonal cuisine with a big seafood nuance. We will be showcasing shellfish towers like you might see in the streets of Paris at the brasseries. We’ll also be doing whole fish fries, and we have a massive open ice area where guests can see all the fresh seafood we will be serving each night including whole fish, shrimp, oysters, sea urchin, and whatever is in season.” From their Chilled Seafood Tower to Whole Fried Fish and Spaghetti alla Chitarra, the menu suggests a feast best enjoyed shared amongst diners.
The physical space of Pez Coastal Kitchen complements the cuisine. The historic building, erected in 1896, now sports a California-Mediterranean coastal atmosphere thanks to the redesign by Margee Drews Design. Plush greenery and grand Mediterranean arches shape romantic Havana-style fans, set against sleek wood tables and plush booths, fitting the vision of a coastal escape nestled within Pasadena's cityscape. A prominent cocktail bar and open kitchen complete the setting, where guests can admire the fine art of mixology and culinary preparations.
Located at 61 N. Raymond Avenue, Pez Coastal Kitchen is set to be a new culinary landmark in Pasadena, with dinner service available Wednesday through Sunday. It's not just about the ocean's bounty here; meat and poultry also feature on the menu, alongside unique smoked and cured options – a nod to sea-cuterie.
For those who love winding down with a fanciful drink, the bar stands ready with choices from the Matcha Sour to the signature Happy Wife, Happy Life. And when it comes time to sweeten the deal, desserts like Warm Chocolate Butterscotch Peanut Butter Cake with honeycomb ice cream await to cap off the night. In the heart of Pasadena, Pez Coastal Kitchen extends an invite to indulge in gastronomic delight while soaking in the ambiance of seaside dining, minus the sand.
