The great thing about living in Pasadena is the abundance of restaurants we have to choose from, each offering the finest culinary experience.  And, when these restaurants get together and offer us suggested 3-course meals at very reasonable prices… well… that just makes my day!

Pasadena Restaurant Week runs Sunday, March 25, 2012 to Friday, March 30th 2012

In all, nearly 50 of Pasadena’s best restaurants are offering amazing meals and deals during the 2012 Pasadena Restaurant Week. This year’s participating restaurants are offering fixed price dinner and/or lunch menu items for visitors.

Dinners are three-course meals while lunches consist of two-courses. Depending on the venue and menu offered, meals are priced at $15, $20 or $25 for lunch or $26, $35 or $44 for dinner. (Some prices may vary.) Alcoholic beverages, gratuity and tax were not included in the price unless specified by the individual restaurants in advance. Some restaurants are also offering other special deals during Pasadena Restaurant Week.

For individual restaurant menus information and a complete list of participating restaurants visit www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com. Pasadena Restaurant Week promotes Pasadena as a restaurant destination and reminds Southern California and our restaurant patrons that Pasadena offers dining experiences to satisfy all tastes at every price range. Participating restaurants will be preparing special meals at extraordinary introductory prices.

Here are the restaurants taking part :

1810 (eighteen-ten) Argentinean Restaurant
a/k/a An American Bistro
Arroyo Chop House
Bar Celona
Bistro 45
Cafe 140 South
Cafe Bizou
California Pizza Kitchen Pasadena
Celestino Ristorante
Cheval Blanc Bistro
Clearman’s Galley
Clearman’s Northwoods Inn
El Cholo
The Counter
El Portal
Green Street
Haven Gastropub + Brewery
Il Fornaio Pasadena
Ix-Tapa
Japon Bistro
Kathleen’s Restaurant
Kings Row Gastropub
Kingston Cafe
Malbec New Argentinian Cuisine
Maria’s Italian Kitchen
The Market on Holly
Melting Pot
Mijares Mexican Restaurant
New York Deli
Noir Food and Wine
Parkway Grill
Pie ‘n Burger
Pita Jungle
POP Champagne and Dessert Bar
Quadrupel Brasserie
The Raymond Restaurant
Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ
Roxolana
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Smitty’s Grill
StillRoom
Stonefire Grill
Sushi Roku
The Counter
The Terrace at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa
Toro Sushi
Vertical Wine Bistro
Villa Sorriso

To make this an even more fun event, the public is invited to Take the Challenge and vote for their favorites cheeseburger at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com.  Voting opens on Sunday, March 25th, and ends on Sunday, April 1st. Those who Take the Challenge can also sign up to be eligible to win delicious prizes donated by some of our participating restaurants. Noir Food and Wine, Café Bizou, Vertical Wine Bistro, California Pizza Kitchen, Pie ‘n Burger, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Haven Gastropub and POP Champagne and Dessert Bar all donated prizes for the free online raffle.

So eat and be merry Pasadena!  Vote for your favorite cheeseburger and let me know which of these restaurants you tried and what your favorite dish was!