Your Favorite Weekend: South Pasadena & Environs

Every Thursday, skip the C-list celebrities and C-list recommendations in the LA Times column, My Favorite Weekend, and check out what real Angelenos have to say on Erin's Kitchen instead. Want to share your favorite weekend? Email erinskitchen [at] gmail [dot] com.

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The creative and crafty Marielle blogs at Chez Shoes. She has the most fabulous shoe collection I've ever seen, great sewing skills, and she can't say no to a burrito.

I live in South Pasadena, and while I love the town, I find the dining options pretty limited. But I'm not a fan of driving, so I like to stick close to home whenever possible. I've found a few standouts in the San Gabriel Valley and Northeast Los Angeles.

Friday dinner: China Islamic in Rosemead. I'm a creature of habit here – I always order the beef with string beans, and the curry chicken. My dining companion swears by the lamb with green onions. If I'm feeling like a splurge, I'll get the shrimp with spicy sauce.

Saturday breakfast: Heirloom Bakery in South Pas, walking distance from home. They do an omelette of the day, and it's always good.

Saturday lunch: Honestly - I probably wouldn't be hungry after that omelette. If I was, though, I'd head to El Huarache Azteca in Highland Park. It's known for huaraches, cornmeal cakes shaped like their namesake sandals, topped with meat, cheese, beans and so forth. But I'm a burrito fiend, so that's what I get instead. Their al pastor is particularly good.

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grilled salmon at Firefly Bistro

Saturday dinner: I'd walk over to South Pasadena's Firefly Bistro. A few faves are the fried chicken, braised lamb shanks, and grilled salmon. But the highlight of the several meals I've eaten here? Definitely the Brussels sprouts. Really.

Sunday brunch: the Meat Lover's Omelette at the Coffee Table in Eagle Rock – it's made with bacon, sausage, ham, and cheese. 'Nuff said.

Sunday dinner: Carne asada at home. I'd head over the bridge to Highland Park and pick up some carne preparada and avocados from El Latino Market. Throw the meat on the grill, make some guacamole, heat up some tortillas and it's an easy, tasty dinner.

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China Islamic: 7727 E. Garvey Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770, 626-288-4246

Heirloom Bakery Café, 807 Meridian Ave., South Pasadena CA 91030, 626-441-0042

El Huarache Azteca, 5225 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042, 323-478-9572

Firefly Bistro: 1009 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030, 626-441-2443

Coffee Table: 1958 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041, 323-255-2200

El Latino Market: 5636 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042, 323-255-0129

Previous Favorite Weekends

October 5, 2006: Colleen Cuisine's Favorite Weekend
September 28, 2006: The Campbells' Favorite Weekend
September 21, 2006: Foodie Universe's Favorite Weekend
September 14, 2006: Atwater Village Newbie's Favorite Weekend
September 6, 2006: Jill and Gavin's Favorite Weekend