The Other Critics

Cache Catches Two and a Half Stars; Noir Brightens Pasadena

Plates at Cache earn Virbila's praise
Plates at Cache earn Virbila’s praise Photo: Cache

Cache “isn’t going to set the world on fire creatively but delivers delicious food at an affordable price,” writes S. Irene Virbila on Josiah Citrin’s latest Santa Monica restaurant offering, while the execution makes up for a menu that at first “looks a little ho-hum.” [L.A. Times]

• Noir in Pasadena “is the last place you would expect to find excellent chile verde, but Beltran’s…is the best I’ve had all year” says J. Gold about the new wine bar from Thomas Keller-trained chef Claud Beltran. [L.A. Weekly]

• At Bistro LQ, “each dish stars at least one ingredient that had us raising eyebrows,” says Los Angeles Magazine about dishes that have “overly deconstructed presentations,” but overall impress with new flavors. [Los Angeles Magazine]

• “Cube has the highest ‘you-can-get-that-here?’ factor of any gourmet shop in L.A.,” promises Jonathan Gold about the imported shopping potential at LaBrea’s multi-faceted cheese and charcuterie store, though he suspects the pizza is frozen. [L.A> Weekly]

• As the food at Porky’s “has come closer to the water, it seems to have become even smokier,” Merrill Shindler notes while telling us his last meal on Earth would be barbecue if given his druthers. [Daily Breeze]

Cache Catches Two and a Half Stars; Noir Brightens Pasadena