In Ración's Kitchen With Teresa Montaño and Loretta Peng

Amy ScattergoodCulture

Roasted squashesRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashesRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne Fishbeinpumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRación's executive chef Teresa Montaño and GM Loretta Peng.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinManzanilla olives at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinSpanish charcuterie at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinJamón ibérico at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinWhite anchoviesRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne Fishbeinmanchego at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinSalt cod fritters at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinBraised beef tongue at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRación's blistered peppers.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinBeer-braised octopus and prawns at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinJohn Dory at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinHouse-made squid ink pastaRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne Fishbeinsaffron at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinChef Teresa Montaño at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRación's dining room.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinA cappuccino at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinPraline semifrio at Ración.; Credit: Anne FishbeinRoasted squashes, chanterelle puree, pumpkin seed emulsion at Ración.; Credit: Anne Fishbein

Ración is a secret-handshake kind of restaurant. You’ll find it by ducking through an unobtrusive doorway on quiet, tree-lined, one-way Green Street, just south of Colorado Boulevard and a block from Pasadena’s main shopping thoroughfare. It’s a place you’d be lucky to come across by accident, an unlikely oasis. It’s also one of Southern California’s surprisingly few high-end Spanish restaurants, where, for the last two years, two women – Teresa Montaño and Loretta Peng – have been creating some of the best food in Los Angeles.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.