450 people were on hand to see the Green Street Restaurant Vin de Pomplemousse crowned Pasadena’s Cocktail of the Year 2014 at the Taste of Pasadena and SIP-tember Finale at the Rose Bowl on Thursday, September 25th.
The Vin de Pomplemousse was a very close winner over the Jala-Pena Rita from Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Panda Inn’s Signature Mai Tai and Clearman’s Galley’s Orange Julius Martini. In all nearly 300 voters weighed in to decide Pasadena’s Favorite Cocktail 2014. The Vin de Pomplemousse was devised especially for the SIP-tember Cocktail Bracket Challenge by Alison Hawkins. The drink consists of Vodka, Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, Olive Heights Grapefruit Bitters.
Dance Syndicate provided entertainment and Pressbox Photobooth had people lining up for Rose Bowl-themed photos.
In addition to the drink competitors, two dozen Pasadena restaurants, caterers and bakeries provided food samples to guests at the event.
Highlights included the tamales from El Cholo, meatballs from Trattoria Neapolis, pizza from PizzaRev, sake and tastings from Japon Bistro, gazpacho from Celestino Ristorante, pulled pork sliders from Brookside Catering, red beans and rice from Big Mama’s Rib Shack, drinks and food from Whole Foods Market and delicious tastings from Osawa Shabu Shabu Sushi. Also popular were fresh pancakes from Du-Pars, lettuce wraps from Panda Inn, Dianne Salad from Green Street Restaurant, bacon brownies from Slater’s 50/50, bread from San Luis Sourdough and tastings from The Chefs at Castle Catering and Rose City Catering. Delicious desserts from Yummy Cupcakes, The Melting Pot and Simply Cupcakes of Pasadena were also very popular with guests. Bowlmor’s dancing bowling pin was a crowd favorite along with their food samples.
Restaurants participating were:
- Big Mama’s Rib Shack
- Bowlmor AMF
- Brookside Catering
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Celestino Ristorante
- Chefs at Castle Catering
- Du-Par’s Pasadena
- El Cholo
- Green Street Restaurant
- Melting Pot
- Panda Inn Restaurant
- PizzaRev
- Rose City Catering
- POP Champagne
- Simply Cupcakes of Pasadena
- Slater’s 50/50
- Teriyaki Madness
- Trattoria Neapolis
- Yummy Cupcakes
- Whole Foods
The Taste of Pasadena and SIP-tember Finale will return next year at the end of September.
SIP-tember: a Celebration of the Cocktail is presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. The City of Pasadena and Trusted Choice Agents of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena are generously sponsoring the event.
SIP-tember: a Celebration of the Cocktail and the Taste of Pasadena are Pasadena Restaurant Week events presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors are the City of Pasadena, So Cal Gas Company Advanced Meter and Trusted Choice Agents of Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena.
