I haven’t posted since last summer. This place isn’t in Downtown. So it must be great.
Hello Enthusiasts –
I want to post more often. I really do. And there are some spots Downtown, both old and new, that deserve some love. I’ll get there.
But, as has often happened in the however many years I’ve been doing this, sometimes I eat somewhere and all off a sudden, telling you about it feels mandatory. And sometimes I try to weave it into some larger narrative about Los Angeles or Downtown or whatever … but sometimes, it’s just that good. Like, after not posting forever, and always thinking I should, I actually get home, sit down, and write a post. This is one of those times.
First, context. (Side note: context always matters. Especially when it comes to restaurants. Which is why I HATE pictures of food. Like, what does this tell me? That the dish *looks* a certain way? So what. So unhelpful. But I digress). Anyway … a couple fellow Enthusiasts and I were going to see a talk at the LAIst studios in Pasadena, and we want to grab dinner beforehand. We search Google maps and find this spot called Henry Parson’s Project around the corner. (Never underestimate the power of a good name). Click on the link. Their home page has this quote: “If I’m here and you’re here, doesn’t that make it our time? – J. Spicoli.” (I’m not going to explain this to you. Google it if necessary). This is promising. They say their food ‘leans Southern’ but has a multitude of influences. I love Southern food. Great. But they do a lot of catering, so it’s not always open and doesn’t totally have a regular schedule and, when it is open, is only open on weekends. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Who knows. We choose it mostly because it’s a short walk to our evening plans, and it has a good name, and I like Southern food, and … Fast Times references.
We sit down, cute spot, kinda random interior, charmingly off kilter. They have a 5 course tasting menu, which is interesting because it for sure doesn’t give off “tasting menu” vibes. We sheepishly say we’re interested … but we have one vegetarian and one pescatarian in our group. They ask the kitchen – sure, no problem. Wow. Props to start with. Nobody in Southern California is that flexible (turns out the chef is from Minnesota, which might explain it).
And, without doing the annoying dish by dish thing, I will only say that we then have one of the better meals I’ve had, certainly at that price point (5 courses was $75. What??), in a very long time. The shrimp and grits, with locally sourced grits and spiced prawns, were unimaginable. The spicy catfish on a bed of a corn-like dish that the chef said was “New Orleans meets elote” was a flavor bomb. A dessert of sticky toffee cake with popcorn ice cream could have been over the top but was rich and balanced. The service was perfect – we said we needed to be out by 6:45, and they reminded us when we had 6 minutes left. Actually, the *chef* reminded us because he was doing most of the service.
No, this food isn’t super extra fancy or some obscure cuisine or off the beaten path. It’s an actual restaurant, and not some pop up you have to chase on Instagram. You can actually get a reservation (though if this blog post seems interesting at all to you, I suggest you go because I can’t imagine this place will retain its “hidden gem” status for long). But the meal and, just as importantly, the entire experience was phenomenal.
So. This is straight up proselytizing. Henry Parson’s Project in Pasadena. Next time you want great food served with intentionality and heart in a charming atmosphere with friendly, unobtrusive service that will make you look at each other and go “holy crap, this is really good” … this is that kinda place.
Happy travels.
Henry Parson’s Project
541 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena
(626) 755-0518
Resos on Open Table