The grand Langham Huntington Hotel sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, tucked away from L.A.’s freeways in an oasis of green. Originally opened in 1907, the landmark building and its 23-acre grounds were once a winter resort for wealthy escapees from the cold of the East and Midwest. More than a century later, the hotel still radiates classic elegance, but with an easy-going feel. My suite had French doors that opened to a terrace overlooking a garden with a misty sunrise view of towering palms beyond, and throughout the main building there are serene spaces to read, write, or enjoy a glass of wine. The gracious and attentive staff makes the mood feel relaxed, refined. Before dinner, I wandered the grounds with a glass of champagne, ambling through the old Japanese gardens and over the “picture bridge” (which bears old painted murals of California), and wandering by an organic kitchen garden and a snail farm where the chefs raise escargot.
There’s a lot of good food at the Langham for a hungry guest to choose from: The Royce, the hotel's main restaurant, offers a seasonally-driven surf-and-turf New American steakhouse menu, with dishes like wagyu brisket in a soy and ginger bordelaise sauce and blue prawns with candied peanuts and chiles, all prepared on a wood-fired grill. A lounge in the lobby hosts afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, tarts, and scones with Devonshire cream and, on Sundays, a chocolate fountain. A gastro-pub called the Tap Room serves craft cocktails and upscale comfort food (lobster mac & cheese; Kobe beef sliders with bacon-tomato jam). In the end, I went for a table at the Terrace restaurant, which serves bistro-style fare, where I devoured an entrée of pan-roasted sea bass perched atop a sweet corn tamale in romesco sauce and piled with crisp sea beans.
On the way back to my room, I passed a writing desk in the Club Lounge where I spotted an antique typewriter that belonged to Ernest Hemingway. A note advised that should guests feel the urge to peck out a letter, the hotel would mail it anywhere in the world: one last delightful step back in time for the road. —Barbara Ries
Dog Haus: Upgrading the ballpark classic, this California-based chain (two out of the three stores are in Pasadena) offers dogs like the “Sooo Cali,” an all-beef skinless dog served on a King hawaiian roll and topped with arugula, diced tomato, crispy onions, spicy basil aioli, and avocado. 105 N Hill Ave, Pasadena; tel: 626/577-4287; 93 E Green Street, Pasadena; tel: 626/683-0808; doghausdogs.com
Marston’s Restaurant: The location in a converted house makes for a homey environment and, even better, down-home food. Rated the “Best Breakfast in California,” customer favorites include the macadamia nut pancakes, sourdough french toast coated in cornflakes, and the andouille sausage omelet with black beans and cheddar. 151 E Walnut Street, Pasadena; tel: 626/796-2459; marstonsrestaurant.com
Old Pasadena Walking Food Tour: Explore historical Pasadena while sampling some of the best foods the district has to offer. Tastings include Oaxacan and Peruvian food, Italian gelato, and olive oil. While you eat, you’ll be greeted by the merchants and learn a bit of the background behind the delicious samples. Melting Pot Tours; tel: 800/979-3370; meltingpottours.com
There’s a lot of good food at the Langham for a hungry guest to choose from: The Royce, the hotel's main restaurant, offers a seasonally-driven surf-and-turf New American steakhouse menu, with dishes like wagyu brisket in a soy and ginger bordelaise sauce and blue prawns with candied peanuts and chiles, all prepared on a wood-fired grill. A lounge in the lobby hosts afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, tarts, and scones with Devonshire cream and, on Sundays, a chocolate fountain. A gastro-pub called the Tap Room serves craft cocktails and upscale comfort food (lobster mac & cheese; Kobe beef sliders with bacon-tomato jam). In the end, I went for a table at the Terrace restaurant, which serves bistro-style fare, where I devoured an entrée of pan-roasted sea bass perched atop a sweet corn tamale in romesco sauce and piled with crisp sea beans.
On the way back to my room, I passed a writing desk in the Club Lounge where I spotted an antique typewriter that belonged to Ernest Hemingway. A note advised that should guests feel the urge to peck out a letter, the hotel would mail it anywhere in the world: one last delightful step back in time for the road. —Barbara Ries
IN THE AREA
Mignon Chocolate Boutique: If you’ve ever wanted to eat like a royal, head to Mignon, a Tehran-based chocolate company and favorite of Iran’s royal family. You really can’t go wrong with any one of these all-natural, preservative free chocolates, but try the ginger with sea salt, a dark chocolate shell filled with chocolate ganache and topped with lime-infused sea salt. 6 East Holly Street, Pasadena; tel: 626/796-7100; mignonchocolate.comDog Haus: Upgrading the ballpark classic, this California-based chain (two out of the three stores are in Pasadena) offers dogs like the “Sooo Cali,” an all-beef skinless dog served on a King hawaiian roll and topped with arugula, diced tomato, crispy onions, spicy basil aioli, and avocado. 105 N Hill Ave, Pasadena; tel: 626/577-4287; 93 E Green Street, Pasadena; tel: 626/683-0808; doghausdogs.com
Marston’s Restaurant: The location in a converted house makes for a homey environment and, even better, down-home food. Rated the “Best Breakfast in California,” customer favorites include the macadamia nut pancakes, sourdough french toast coated in cornflakes, and the andouille sausage omelet with black beans and cheddar. 151 E Walnut Street, Pasadena; tel: 626/796-2459; marstonsrestaurant.com
Old Pasadena Walking Food Tour: Explore historical Pasadena while sampling some of the best foods the district has to offer. Tastings include Oaxacan and Peruvian food, Italian gelato, and olive oil. While you eat, you’ll be greeted by the merchants and learn a bit of the background behind the delicious samples. Melting Pot Tours; tel: 800/979-3370; meltingpottours.com
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