750 mL: More than a Fifth of a Good Time
July 10th, 2008
Last night, I went to 750 mL in South Pasadena with Phaithful and StandardPixel as one of them is leaving the country for greener pastures (I’ll let you figure out who is the one leaving). I’ve passed by 750 mL several times in the past and it has always piqued my interest. It is right off the Gold Line Mission station and across the street from the Thursdays Pasadena Farmer’s Market, where I prefer to get my fresh local produce. We finally got a chance to try it out last night.
750 mL is the volume of what a standard wine bottle will hold, and is also referred to as “a Fifth” among hte booze hounds. 750 mL is roughly a fifth of a U.S. gallon. Now, with a name like “750 mL” I’d expect them to have an extensive wine list. Their wine list is actually a lot shorter than I’d imagined, but it looks very well edited. I was not looking to spend a ton of money that night, and settled for a glass of house red wine, $6.
StandardPixel and Phaithful respectively ordered an Arrogant Bastard Ale and a Stella Artois, $6 each. Apparently they both wanted the last Arrogant Bastard Ale and in a fierce thumb wrestle match, Phaithful conceded the title and the right to consume the last Arrogant Bastard on premise to StandardPixel. I just sat back, sipped my red wine as I watched the debacle. Wine and entertainment. Excellent!
We started off with the House Charcuterie for 2, $14. It came with pate, some excellent mustard, lard (which they called “lard-o”). Everything was uber-yummy and it was a really great way for all of us to share.
For entree, I had the Confit Pork Belly with apricots and baby bok choy, $18. Now, I’m half Shanghainese so know my pork fat, and this is good pork fat. It was crispy on the outside but yet soft and moist on the inside. The apricots and the bok choy supplemented this rich piece of meat perfectly.
My dining companions, the thumb wrestling contestants, ordered the Steak Frites instead. I had a taste of it and it was very good as well. If you are in the mood for steak, you will not be disappointed.
For dessert, we shared an apricot cream with mascarpone cheese, and it was interesting. I never had cheese as a dessert before but surprisingly, it worked.
750 mL also serves small plates if you prefer tapas style dining. On a good night, they set out tables on the sidewalk for those who prefer to get a better view of the historic buildings in South Pasadena’s Mission District. All in all, I had a good time and will definitely recommend 750 mL to anyone. I visited its sibling establishment Cobras and Matadors in the Los Feliz neighborhood. I much prefer the setting of 750 mL in ol’ South Pasadena. It feels a lot more quaint and personal to me, and I like the food better as well. Cobras and Matadors has a second location on Beverly Blvd, near The Grove as well.
Click on the menu below to see an enlarged version.
750 mL
966 Mission St
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 799-0711
