Avanti Cafe - Pasadena

Greetings foodies! I cannot believe it has been five (yes FIVE) months since I posted a review.  My apologies -- I changed jobs and moved from downtown LA to the wonderful and fabulous Pasadena.  Believe me when I tell you, I have certainly eaten (a lot) since May, which would explain my ever-expanding girth, but thanks to some clever undergarments, I still look about 130 lbs (but trust me, I'm a lot fatter with my clothes off).  Today I sampled "Avanti Cafe", which is a grueling 45 second walk from my office...yes, life is tough.  Here is Avanti, at 111 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

Avanti specializes in wood fired gourmet pizza.  The sign outside the store says they are the best pizza in Pasadena, and legendary food critic Elmer Dills says "I Agree" (rest in peace Elmer).

Guess what?  Elmer was right!  The food is utterly fabulous.  Regular readers of this blog (and I sincerely thank both of you) will remember that when I was located on the West Side, I regularly dragged along dined with my friend Kimberly.  Now I am several miles away, I have two new guinea pigs lunch pals, my co-workers Jennifer and Socorro, and WOW what a lunch!

Here is the Linguine Carbonara: Linguine topped with prosciutto ham, shitake mushroom and parmesan cheese and garlic in an alfredo cream sauce - to DIE for!! I also loved that this is a huge dish and its only $12.95!

Just in time to mop up the cream and garlic sauce, some complimentary garlic bread rolls arrived.

Pesto Pasta Fettuccine! Pesto sauce with basil, pine nuts and garlic in a cream sauce.  Again, well done Avanti on the portion size and only $11.50.  

In the age old tradition of saving the best until last, I give you the mouth-watering Glazed Apple Pizza. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven.  What could be more delicious that roasted baby garlic, glazed sliced apples, roasted peeled red peppers, gorgonzola cheese, leeks and roasted almonds. Thank you!!  We ordered the small one which was $10.50.  Lord have mercy, it was a thing of beauty...

Being the team-spirit co-workers that we are, Jen, Socorro and I grabbed our plates and filled up on each of the three dishes. Here is my plate:  Paging LA fitness, is my treadmill ready?

Here is a quick glance of the interior of Avanti.  Its very light, airy and comfortable.  Socorro and I are also curious what olive oil they use at Avanti, (because it is fabulous) but no amount of spying or scoping yielded any results.

Another quick interior shot I took:  Avanti received the prestigious and highly-coveted Elmer Dills "thumbs up".  Quite right too!! 

I would definitely concur with their own sign: 

The food at Avanti is fantastic, and wonderful value for money. Both of my thumbs are in the "up" position! I highly recommend you try this place.

You can reach Avanti at 626 577- 4688
http://www.avanticafe.com