450 people were on hand to hear the Green Street Restaurant Vin de Pomplemousse crowned Pasadena's Cocktail of the Year at the Taste of Pasadena and SIP-tember Finale at the Rose Bowl on Thursday, September 25th.
The Vin de Pomplemousse was a very close winner over the Jala-Pena Rita from Ruth's Chris Steak House, Panda Inn's Signature Mai Tai and Clearman's Galley's Orange Julius Martini. In all nearly 300 voters weighed in to decide Pasadena's Favorite Cocktail 2014. The Vin de Pomplemousse was devised especially for the SIP-tember Cocktail Bracket Challenge by Alison Hawkins. The drink consists of Vodka, Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, Olive Heights Grapefruit Bitters.
Dance Syndicate provided entertainment and Pressbox Photobooth had people lining up for Rose Bowl-themed photos. Pasadena Federal Credit Union and Thorson Buick and GMC were on hand to promote their services and products.
In addition to the drink competitors, two dozen Pasadena restaurants, caterers and bakeries provided food samples to guests at the event.
Highlights included the tamales from El Cholo, meatballs from Trattoria Neapolis, pizza from PizzaRev, sake and tastings from Japon Bistro, gazpacho from Celestino Ristorante, pulled pork sliders from Brookside Catering, red beans and rice from Big Mama's Rib Shack, drinks and food from Whole Foods Market and delicious tastings from Osawa Shabu Shabu Sushi. Also popular were fresh pancakes from Du-Pars, lettuce wraps from Panda Inn, Dianne Salad from Green Street Restaurant, bacon brownies from Slater's 50/50, bread from San Luis Sourdough and tastings from The Chefs at Castle Catering and Rose City Catering. Delicious desserts from Yummy Cupcakes, The Melting Pot and Simply Cupcakes of Pasadena were also very popular with guests. Bowlmor's dancing bowling pin was a crowd favorite along with their food samples as were wings from Major Dave's Chicken and champagne from POP.
Restaurants participating were:
- Big Mama’s Rib Shack
- Bowlmor AMF
- Brookside Catering
- Celestino Ristorante
- Chefs at Castle Catering
- Du-Par’s Pasadena
- El Cholo
- Green Street Resaurant
- Major Dave's Chicken
- The Melting Pot
- Osawa Chabu Shabu Sushi
- Panda Inn Restaurant
- PizzaRev
- POP Champagne and Dessert Bar
- Rose City Catering
- San Lius Sourdough
- Simply Cupcakes of Pasadena
- Slaters 50/50
- Teriyaki Madness
- Trattoria Neapolis
- Yummy Cupcakes
- Whole Foods Market
The Taste of Pasadena and SIP-tember Finale will return next year at the end of September.
SIP-tember: a Celebration of the Cocktail is presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. The City of Pasadena and Trusted Choice Agents of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena are generously sponsoring the event.
