Over the course of the fall and into the new year, Conrad and I watched the progress of a new restaurant in town called Pez Coastal Kitchen. Its predecessor in the space had been a popular burger joint, and though we never went to the burger place, we were surprised when it closed up shop. And we were worried for our friends at Maestro when we heard that the new place was going to be tequila-focused and fine Mexican dining.
The new place opened about a month ago, and it's been busy every time we walk by. We actually had plans to go there with friends a couple of weeks ago, but they made the reservation at the wrong restaurant, and we ended up enjoying pizza at U Street instead. But last night, the three of us and Natasha headed over to Pez with a correct reservation in hand.
It was kind of funny, sitting in a window seat, watching the Saint Patrick's Day foot traffic head past. More than a few wandered into the restaurant, and I saw a number of them realize that it was perhaps a little more refined and not as sports bar or Irish pub as they might want. The clientele on a Sunday evening - including us! - was decidedly older, too, though a number of folks (including Natasha) were dressed in green somehow.
Here's what I liked about Pez:
- The drinks. I had a cocktail called the Thai Dye, a concoction of gin, mezcal, Lillet, cucumber, lime, and basil oil.
Delicious. I had a second. Conrad ordered a Last Word, and they made it with yellow chartreuse. We weren't mad about that, but we did ask if that was the case, and the manager who had checked on us and our drinks got them to make him a new one (and comped the old one). Van's first cocktail was an interesting one with coconut cream in it, and then he had a very dirty martini made with vodka (as listed on the menu, not of his own devising), and it was perhaps too olive-y, but I think it would have been fine to have the martini first then his second drink. - The food that I had. Sweetbreads frito misto?
Yes please! Nice to see sweetbreads on a menu, and I thought it was a good appetizer all together. I also enjoyed my spaghetti with clams and mussels and an uni nage.
I spooned up all the sauce. I also liked the bread we ordered.
No desserts for us - we were satisfied - though the options all were appealing. - The setting. They did a great job of the space, and it has a terrific corner location. I had been worried about noise levels, but we found it quite easy to hear each other. I'd like to try sitting at the bar for happy hour some time as well.
What I think needs a bit of work:
- Some of the other food. I didn't try the crudo or ceviche that Conrad and Natasha had, but they seemed fine. Conrad's fish was cooked marvelously well, but he found the risotto a little rich. I tasted both, and I loved the fish, but Meyer lemon is a bit much sometimes, and I get what he means about the risotto. A good dish, but perhaps needing a tweak? Van had an endive salad that he said was good but I didn't try. I did try his ribs, though, and I think they showed that Pez is a seafood place. Very very smoky, and a hint of some sort of fuel after-taste to them. They came on a bit of radicchio but could have benefited from a different side or two. Also, they were advertised as baby back, but the fattiness and the cartilage I encountered have me thinking they were St Louis cut. I wish Van had asked them for wet wipes or a finger bowl as well - they were quite a mess for him to eat, which is fun in the moment but when you are done, not so much.
- The service. The manager/bar director/a little of everything stopped by a few times, and we chatted with him, asking how it was going. The restaurant has been popular, and they appreciate that, but they also know they have to get people to come back, not just try it once. Smart! So I hope they'll pick things up a little. We had a reservation at 6, and the entrees got to us at about 7:25. Natasha called it leisurely and was unbothered, but there were gaps of time in getting things. There were other small things as well. The hostesses had that unfortunate attitude you see at so many restaurants nowadays, as if they're doing us a favour by entertaining our reservation. By contrast, our waiter and the bar manager guy were both hospitable. When we arrived (on time) we had to wait several minutes to be seated. And then when we were, they didn't have menus for us until another table was done with them. Just print up more menus, people! That set me on edge a little, expecting a not great evening, but - the lags in service aside - it got better.
Verdict: I'd go back. It's a nice option for seafood and for a little more fine dining in Old Pasadena. I'd also recommend it to friends. They'll figure out the kinks and work on them, I'm pretty confident. So then, welcome to the neighbourhood, Pez. May you fit in well and find success.
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