{"id":1302,"date":"2014-11-04T13:49:19","date_gmt":"2014-11-04T20:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jodijacksonshollywood.tv\/?p=1302"},"modified":"2014-11-04T19:58:25","modified_gmt":"2014-11-05T02:58:25","slug":"dinner-at-the-raymond-1886-oct-26-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jodijacksonshollywood.tv\/dinner-at-the-raymond-1886-oct-26-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Dinner at The Raymond 1886 \u2013 Oct. 26, 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

My first trip to this lovely bungalow restaurant was earlier in the year, things have changed a bit, but the vibe is still fun and frivolous. The customers next to me said, this place has the best drinks in all of Pasadena, and boy were they right.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what I tried:<\/p>\n

Cocktails:<\/p>\n

Walter\u2019s Last Sip, 100-proof bonded apple brandy, spiced green apple shrub, bitters. Served frozen-cold in a flask with a side of pecans. This is the most fun cocktail ever!! For me it was way too strong to drink, but it is such a great premise. It is served in a paper bag in an old whiskey bottle type flask, with an ashtray full of candied pecans. So Walter was the original owner and he died broke so this is a take on a bum drinking alcohol out of a paper bag, how do you say hysterical!!!<\/p>\n

Ay Papi, Plata tequila, mescal, honey, lime, and homemade tamarind syrup. Shaken and served on a large rock with chile salt. Ok Jennifer Lopez or not, I loved this drink. It\u2019s sweet; it\u2019s sassy, but mostly very drinkable.<\/p>\n

Lebowski Achiever, A re-engineered White Russian, with vodka, Galliano Ristretto, stout, and topped with a layer of cream. I guess I am not that open minded, because I could not stomach the stout flavor that permeated the whole cocktail, no thanks.<\/p>\n

Indian Summer, Plata tequila, lime, agave, fresh watermelon juice, cilantro, and jalapeno. Shaken and served down on a rock with chile-salted watermelon chunks. This cocktail was equally fantastic, kind of like the Ay Papi, but with lovely watermelon juice. This one is very quenching, a true winner.<\/p>\n

Viognier, Cambria, Santa Maria Valley, CA. This wine is very light and fruity; it paired great with the sticky potato.<\/p>\n

Sauvignon Blanc, Atalon, Napa, CA. I especially liked his wine with the oysters; it just went great with the brine and saltiness of the oysters.<\/p>\n

Pinot Noir, Byron, Santa Maria Valley, CA. I would drink this with the duck; it has a great full body, and would add so much to the great flavors in the duck.<\/p>\n

Pinot Noir, A Cote, Central Coast, CA. This one as well is a good pairing with the duck.<\/p>\n

Cabernet, Los Vascos, Domaines Barons de Rothschild, CL. What a great pair with the short ribs, it hits all the right notes.<\/p>\n

Cabernet, Monument Ridge Stonestreet, Alexander Valley, CA. Got to do this with with the short ribs as well.<\/p>\n

Quick Bites:<\/p>\n

Small Farm Massachusetts Oyster, Habanero-Horseradish Oyster Sauce. These are very fresh and light; the heat from the habanero adds another element.<\/p>\n

Sticky Potato, Sesame, Korean red chili, scallion, cilantro. These are so sticky and gooey; the potatoes are the perfect pairing with the sauce.<\/p>\n

Starters:<\/p>\n

Steamed Blue Mussels, Angry lady sauce, Chinese sausage, Thai chili, toasted bread. These are the bomb, just take my advice and order them!!<\/p>\n

Fijan Albacore Tataki, Meyer lemon, marinated fennel, charred green chili, togarashi. The albacore is very flavorful, and fresh. The accompaniments make it very different.<\/p>\n

Roasted Scallops, Black olive paint, orange, cultured cream, grape, and fennel salad. A very lovely rendition of a great scallops dish.<\/p>\n

Entrees:<\/p>\n

Short Rib-72hr braise, Liquefied potato, haricot vert, radish-onion-carrot slaw. They are tender and moist and just the best short ribs your going to find on earth.<\/p>\n

Roasted Duck, Haricot vert, smoked onion, hazelnut, \u201cFlavors of the Forest\u201d. This is a very hearty, mellow dish, with lots of woodsy flavors. It is different, but very delicious!<\/p>\n

Dessert:<\/p>\n

Strawberries n\u2019 Cream, Rose scented vanilla custard, glazed strawberries, almond meringue & cr\u00e8me fraiche ice cream. This is truly an amazing accomplishment, wow. The strawberries are so sweet and juicy. The meringues are light and fluffy, this desert is just so amazing.<\/p>\n

This restaurant is very quaint; it\u2019s just the best place for a romantic dinner. Or in my case I watched the World Series from the bar and listened to all of the hooting and hollering from The Raymond\u2019s baseball fans. Which ever is your pleasure; The Raymond will make you very happy. The next time you\u2019re in Pasadena, or a doing a staycation make The Raymond part of your repertoire.<\/p>\n

The Raymond 1886
\n1250 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
\nPhone:(626) 441-3136
\nwww.theraymond.com<\/p>\n

\n\n \t

\n [Show as slideshow]<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t