Alexander’s Steakhouse (Pasadena, CA) [2]

Alexander’s Steakhouse
111 N Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
Dining date: 1/27/17

I’ve been to Alexander’s Steakhouse in San Francisco and Pasadena a few times and have had a few good meals here. This latest visit was prompted by DineLA restaurant week, in which the restaurant was offering six courses for $115. One of those courses, the steak course, offered an option of an 18oz dry aged New York strip or 3oz of Kagoshima wagyu. This tasting menu provided quite a bit of value (compared to regular pricing) and an opportunity to try a little bit more of the menu here.

fried polenta crouton parmesan

hamachi shots dashi / avocado / ponzu

dry aged tataki pickled garlic / charred onion ponzu / black garlic

octopus calabrian chili / honeynut squash / ink crumble

tartare of beef marrow cream / smoked carrot / bleu cheese

beef chawanmushi marrow / negi / shaved beef

little gem & romaine anchovy miso dressing / furikake / fennel / squid ink croutons

chicken fried sweetbreads miso marrow caramel / caper wasabi powder / pickled buddhas hand

kagoshima japanese a5 wagyu bordelaise

milk chocolate namelaka pretzels / stout caramel/ malted barley ice cream

mignardises

The meal at Alexander’s was reliably good. The tataki and chawanmushi were probably the favorites from the first few courses. The tataki had plenty of Japanese accents with a vibrant charred onion ponzu. The chawanmushi was rich in savory flavor, contrasted by fresh green onion and tender slices of beef. The wagyu was a highlight, of course, with its luscious layers of fat dispersed among the muscle fibers. I savored every bite. While I usually love a big steak, it was kind of nice to have a smaller piece of meat to slowly enjoy. I’m not sure I would’ve been able to eat the 18 ounces NY strip with the rest of the 5 courses. I’ll be back, especially if they repeat this type of promotion.