La Luna Negra
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: (626) 844-4331
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Mills Place
- Hours:
- Tue-Thu 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm
Editorial Review for La Luna Negra – by Al Ridenour
The Scene
Nearly bohemian--at least for Old Town Pasadena--La Luna Negra recognizes tapas for what they traditionally are: well turned-out bar food. The funky loft-like space splashed with color and furnished with thrift store findings creates a mood of casual good times, and on weekends the party atmosphere is further enhanced by flamenco dancers stamping their way around diners' toes.
The Food
Simple pleasures tend to be most reliable, like the classics tortilla paisana served in super-sized wedges or the equally giant prawns, served upended like comic bookends. Artichoke stuffed with bread crumbs, minced olives and garlic drenched with a hedonistic champagne butter sauce is a perfect ice-breaker for first dates or anyone eager to fidget their way to its delectable center. The paella del oceano, a creamy stew of saffron rice, shrimp, scallops, calamari, and green mussels, is also good but not worth forfeiting tapas.
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Insider Tips
Happy HourStop by the bar Tue-Thur to filler' up on $2.50 beers and $3 sangrias from 5pm-7pm.
When to GoDuring the month of your birthday, come in any Tuesday or Wednesday to receive a free glass of sangria. Must show ID.
What to DrinkFrom Tue-Thur you can pick any bottle from their extensive selection of Spanish wines for only $25.
The ExtrasBuy a bottle of wine, and write your name and phone number on the cork for a weekly drawing. Winners and their three guests receive a complimentary sangria and a selection of tapas by the chef, anytime Tuesday through Thursday. Only at the bar.
User Reviews for La Luna Negra
08/22/2008 Posted by melovechocolate
Like another reviewer said, I was also astounded to see this place receive so many great reviews. If you're looking for good food and authentic flamenco dancing, this place is not it. Perhaps it's a good place to hang out with friends/good company if you don't care so much about the food. We on the other hand were hoping for some decent tapas and sangria.I've never had sangria with white wine (I've had my own white wine cooler, but I think sangria was meant to be made with red wine)--it burned down my throat ..! Maybe the red wine sangria might have been better. We ordered several tapas, including the stuffed mushrooms--greasy mushrooms filled with the overpowering taste of low quality, industrial-style chorizo--nauseating! We couldn't finish ONE .Then we ordered the Camarones al Jerez--same thing! Greasy shrimp over some string potatoes served in a POOL of GREASE..We were hungry, so we had TWO..We had both come in with a craving for a nice authentic Tortilla Espanola(how hard is that to make??Honestly! It's like a french bakery with no croissants!!!) and the best they could do was their "Tortilla Paisana". WHEN have you heard of tortillas espanolas with BLUE CHEESE??? It had SO much cheese--it was dripping with cheese--if you're a passionate cheese lover, this one's for you.Another tapa that kind of saved the day for our appetite was the Salmon con espinaca--which actually sounded quite good! We thought this would be the redeemer..To our great disappointment, the pastry was droopy, undercooked--and yes, GREASY. We decided to pick out the salmon and leave that droopy coating on the side. THIS was our dinner..This place would offend a true spaniard, honestly. Our food was absolutely terrible and we couldn't eat it (except for the salmon filling). As for the show, I think we went on novice night. The two dancers were incredibly stiff with dramatic faces as they turned. First time we've ever seen an asian flamenco dancer.We will NEVER come here EVER again!
Pros: Nice place to meet friends
Cons: Bad place to eat
07/15/2008 Posted by Maestra1
Birthday blues had gotten me down. Lucky for me, my friends knew just how to lift my spirits – they surprised me with an outing to La Luna Negra. What a cute, cozy, fun place! We couldn’t stop admiring the decor, the colorful walls, the gorgeous table settings and the general atmosphere of the place. Then came the food... OMG!!! we wished it would not stop coming. Yum, yum! The hostess was very charming and humorous as well and our server was wonderful. Our mini vacation to Spain was complete once the Flamenco show began. It was one of the best birthdays I’ve had. Get in your car and check out this place tonight. Oh, don’t forget to make reservations. Parking is no problem at all.
Pros: Ambience, service, parking
Cons: none
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