When dating websites describe the ideal place for a first date, you'd have to imagine Pasadena's Ración would hit most of the requirements. Located in a quiet stretch of Old Town, Ración feels like something you'd stumble into on a San Sebastián vacation. The dining room is dark and romantic, and the artfully plated tapas and glasses of sangria are surprisingly affordable. More importantly, Ración is that rare Spanish restaurant that delivers on its promise. The salt cod fritters perfumed with lemon zest are light and airy; the pintxos topped with braised tongue are as rich and tender as roast beef; the ocean-scented squid ink fideuà is liberally studded with fresh mussels. The paella deconstruida, a pan of crispy rice studded with lobster and giant prawns, gets a tableside pour of bouillabaisse broth, which should impress your seafood-loving date more than a bouquet of flowers ever could. 119 W. Green St., Pasadena; (626) 396-3090, racionrestaurant.com. Lunch: Tues.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner: Tues.-Thurs., 6-10 p.m.; Fri., 6-11 p.m.; Sat., 5:30-11 p.m.; Sun., 5:30-10 p.m. Tapas $7-$15; entrees $15-$36. Beer and wine.

 

Besha Rodell's Introduction

Anne Fishbein's Photography

The Google Map

 

The 99 Essential Restaurants List:

A-Frame
Alma
Angelini Osteria
Animal
Attari Sandwich Shop
Bäco Mercat
Bar Amá
The Bazaar
Bestia
BierBeisl
Bludso's
Cacao Mexicatessen
Canelé
La Casita Mexicana
Cemitas Poblanas Elviritas
Chichen Itza
Chung King
Cole's
Coni'Seafood
Cube Cafe & Marketplace
Din Tai Fung
Eva
Father's Office
Fred 62
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Go's Mart
Il Grano
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Hatfield's
Ha Tien Quan
Hawkins House of Burgers
Hayat's Kitchen
El Huarache Azteca
Huckleberry
The Hungry Cat
ink.
Jar
Jitlada
JTYH Heavy Noodle II
Kang Ho Dong Baekjong
Kiriko
Kiyokawa
Kogi Truck
Krua Siri
L&E Oyster Bar
Langer's
Little Dom's
Lucques
Ludo Truck
Lukshon
Mariscos Jalisco
Matsuhisa
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Milo and Olive
Mo-Chica
Musso & Frank
Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa
Nickel Diner
Night + Market
Oinkster
Osteria Mozza
Pann's
Pa-Ord Noodle
El Parian
Park's BBQ
Philippe the Original
Picca
Pink's
Pizzeria Mozza
Playa
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
R&R Soul Food
Ración
Red Medicine
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Rivera
Rocio's Moles de los Dioses
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Savoy Kitchen
Sea Harbour
Shanghai No. 1 Village Seafood
Soban
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
The Spice Table
Superba Snack Bar
Tacos Leo
The Tasting Kitchen
Tavern
Tsujita LA
Vincenti Ristorante
Wurstküche
Zam Zam Market

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