The Divine Dish

Dinner at the New Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse

Posted on Mar 31, 2013 under Archives | No Comment

Last week my friend and chef in training Travis and I visited the brand new steakhouse at  The Langham in Pasadena.  The Royce | Wood-Fired Steakhouse is helmed by Chef Anthony Zappola, who has more than eight years of experience with Tom Colicchio’s Craft Restaurant Group.

The menu features a selection of USDA Prime Cuts, Australian Wagyu and Kobe-style Japanese Beef prepared over a wood-fired grill with White Oak and seasonal wood.  There is also a nice selection of fresh, seasonal seafood, vegetables and side dishes. The blue and white décor reminded us of a less trendy version of The Bazaar’s blanca room.

Here is what we sampled:

I started out with a nice dirty martini, Trav had a Manhattan with extra cherries.  Both were a great way to start off a steakhouse meal.

Our appetizers started off with a nice warm kale salad with smoked bacon and blue cheese and a steak tartar with a tabasco vinaigrette.

Next came two more appetizers, a nice Wagyu beef carpaccio with spicy radishes and seared yellowfin tuna with aged soy and cucumber.

Next came our meat entrees, a perfectly cooked ribeye and our fave of the night – the Wagyu beef brisket with a soy ginger bordelaise.  We both agreed the brisket was the star of the evening.

We also sampled a nice plate of Hawaiian blue prawns with candied peanuts and chiles.

We also sampled a nice plate of vegetables and some homey mac n cheese with tasso ham.

Our last course was dessert.  We chose the chocolate cake with a vanilla milkshake side.  Yum.

The Royce’s Red Wine Room serves as a destination for pre- and post-dinner drinks, with wine tasting classes and a small plates menu.  The Royce also offers a new communal dining experience, perfect for individual diners seeking a more casual spot, and it will continue to feature an exclusive chef’s table for guests to enjoy a multi-course dining experience.  Manager Matt Nathanson was nice enough to show us the awesome wine rooms at The Royce.

The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse is located in The Langham, 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue in Pasadena.  Reservations can be made at 626/568-3900.