This place is GREAT for brunch or lunch.
This place is a culinary delight. The owner, Onil, graduated from the highly respected culinary arts school in Pasadena. He's extremely nice and always treats us well when we dine there.
The dishes are all creative and unique in a sense. Some are your classics with a twist. The potato chips are made fresh daily which accompanies most dishes.
Here is what I have tried there:
Tuna and Tarragon Panini (One of the best tuna sandwiches I've had. Very fresh and doesn't taste like there's too much mayonnaise in the tuna)
Elements Cheese Steak Sandwich (Good taste. tender beef.)
Their Daily Specials (I've tried many of their special entrees which I dont remember the exact names of the dishes but they were delicious. I recommend trying them as its special for that day or week and its highly creative with different touches of ingredients.)
All their juices are freshly squeezed.
They use to have dinner there but its a small location so they stopped. But I heard they may be moving to a bigger location. Can't wait for that.
- Will L.
I finally made it to Elements for lunch this weekend,
... and it was everything I was expecting and more. So, so, soooooo very tasty!
I had the soft brie and pear panini with arugula pesto mayonnaise served on rosemary currant bread from EuroPane. This was certainly the best sandwich I have had in a long time, if not ever. All of the flavors were distributed perfectly and went together so well. The currants in the bread along with the sweetness of the pears were beautifully complemented by the bite of the arugula.
My friend had the quinoa salad, which she quite enjoyed as well, although not at much as me and my sandwich. Wow, it was so good that I hope I can find the "strength" to try something different on the menu the next time I go. Everything just looked so good, but that pear and brie panini might prove to tempt me every time!
Our service was perfect, and my hibiscus iced tea was thirst-quenching with just the right amount of sweetness for a nice sunny day. I plan to go back as soon and as often as possible. This is a definite gem.
- Shelly W.
BEST MAC N' CHEESE!
When my other favorite Pasadena establishment no longer served their mac n' cheese dishes due to a kitchen fire, I was very disappointed and was on the hunt. Alas I found the next mac n' cheese perfection at Elements Kitchen.
I came here for a late brunch with my bf last weekend and it was wonderful. I persisted to wait for a table inside the restaurant because it was a bit chilly and I'm glad I did because I got to meet the owner, who told us about their upcoming move to Pasadena Playhouse. This place is very cute and I love their fresh cut flowers on each table. It's great to see how much detail they put into the dining environment here.
My bf ordered hibiscus lemonade punch and the soft brie and pear panini with homemade pickles and potato chips. He loved it! The rosemary currant bread made the sandwich hearty and meaty even though there was no meat in it at all. The filling of melted brie with crisp, sweet pears made an interesting texture inside the sandwich, but altogether, it was a creative and satisfying meal. Please keep this item on future menus! Also, the punch was refreshing and very fruity. I wonder if I can take a cup of that to-go next time I pass by!
Back to the awesome mac n' cheese. I ordered mac n' cheese with wild mushrooms and truffle oil. MmMm...it was cheesy, gooey, creamy, and just DELICIOUS! I ate the whole bowl. I also must say that the accompanying side salad was one of the best salads I've ever had. I really dislike eating salad, but the fresh greens and the tangy dressing went very well together. I think I will actually order a salad as an entree here next time. It was that good and remember, I don't like salad and I usually have to force myself to eat it for a healthy diet.
Oh how I wished I still had room for dessert! The creme brulee sounded so good...I'll have to come again, but no complaints here. They also ran out of the French onion soup (soup of the day!). I was so sad, but obviously it was a popular order because they didn't have any more left.
Friendly, welcoming service combined with great gourmet food puts this restaurant at the top of my list of Pasadena favorites. It is worth the visit.
