Starting 2013: Pasadena. Rose Parade float viewing, House of Basturma and Carmela Ice Cream

Thanks for reading mmm-yoso!!! the food blog.  Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are doing some research for blog posts. Cathy is doing some blogging today.

Well, the first day of the New Year has come and gone and the holidays are almost over (we take down our decorations on the 12th Night after Christmas). The Mister and I had an interesting Day One of 2013 and here's a bit of it. 

We woke early, had a nice breakfast and watched the Rose Parade on television and as the parade ended (10 a.m.) got in the car and started the drive North.  We got to Pasadena, found a place to park just North of Sierra Madre Boulevard and then headed to the mile long fenced in area, where the 42 floats that participated in the parade were lined up end to end.

There were already about 100,000 other people there. 

Here's part of the HGTV float, which won the Grand Marshal Trophy (for excellence in creative concept and design). 

The Trader Joe's entry won the Extrordinaire Trophy (most spectacular float).

Here's some detail of the back end, with the electric beater making a 'meringue' out of egg whites (see the half 'eggshell' with yellow 'yolk'?).  Every inch of every float you see is covered with something that is or was alive- the 'rope' is made of white onions and the 'toothpick frills' are orchids.

The Department of Defense entry, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, won the National Trophy (best depiction of life in the USA, past, present or future) was replicating parts of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., using silverleaf to mimic the bronze of the original sculpture. This float was impressive.

Here's part of the Shriners Hospitals float, which won the Judges Special Trophy (most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact). The teddy bear looks soft and cuddly, even though his body is made of dried straw flowers and the bottom of his feet are dried artichoke bottoms. You can see the louver in his belly, where the 'viewer' sits and communicates with the driver of the float, who is in the back of the float in the dark. 

After more than two hours of braving the crowds, The Mister and I began walking the streets just North of Sierra Madre Boulevard and saw this.  The sign under the 'Chef" is the name of the restaurant- House of Basturma.

Stepping inside, there is a small deli counter and grocery shelving to the left, the area where you order is at the cash register and so is the grill and open kitchen area. There is indoor seating to the right and straight ahead is the outdoor seating and hookah area.

We looked at the small menu, determined the food was Armenian/Turkish/Lebanese, and then ordered and paid.  Soon the chef came out, made our food and brought it to our table.

I wanted to try the babaganouj ($4.50) and we wanted to share a Basturma sandwich ($4.99). The babaganouj was quite a large serving, fresh, not too smokey and not too garlicy-really nice and creamy and just really good. 

Basturma- an Armenian Lebanese pastrami-ish air dried beef.  It's coated in a paste of spices, including cumin, garlic, fenugreek and hot paprika. Sliced thin and then placed on this wonderful plain toasted semolina bread with just sliced tomatoes and pickles was absolutely wonderful.  The bread was crunchy on the edges and soft and flavorful and the Basturma was so darn good. A simple, savory meal to start the year.

When we walked out of the House of Basturma, we turned left and on the same block, saw this signage. We had to stop.

When you walk in, you are there; it's tiny.  The water vessel is in front of you and the available flavors are on the chalkboard to your left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to try two scoops ($4.50) of contrasting flavors and textures: cranberry orange thyme sorbet and the fresh mint with cacao nib ice cream.

Wow.  Distinctive flavors: fresh mint, fresh thyme, fresh cranberry and orange and then biting into the crunchy cacao nibs... delicious and a contrast of creamy, smooth and those nibs.  Simply nice, pleasant and popping.  Really a great find.

Carmela Ice Cream 2495 E. Washington Boulevard Pasadena CA 91104 (626) 797-1405 Website

I hope everyone is having a good year.

Comments

[clayfu]

you were in my hood! Carmela catered our wedding and I am a big fan of the House of b!

[Cathy]

What a small world Clayfu! We just happened to park on Washington- had never been there before- and both places looked good (as did that Armenian Bakery one block West) and were really great finds. I bet you're happy that Pasadena is back to 'normal' and the tourists are gone and things cleaned up. [Congratulations on the marriage!]

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Always love the Rose Parade posts. And this one ends with some good looking food.

[Kirk]

Hey, congrats Clayfu! That's really a neat coincidence.

[caninecologne]

I love your parade float recaps. We woke up late on NYD so this post is the next best thing! Cool to know about 'basturma' and that ice cream place. Must put in my Garmin for future visits.

[Cathy]

Thanks, ed. Both places had really great food. Now that we know they are right up the street from the Pasadena Farmers Market, we'll be stopping and trying more from each menu.
You woke up past 8 a.m. on New Year Day, cc!?!! You obviously don't have dogs. This was another part of Pasadena we hadn't explored and the neighborhood looks so interesting.

[CS]

By coincidence, I'm also an ex-Kama`aina living in SD, though I went to school in Pasadena and return there often. Anyway, when I saw the photo of "SHISH", I immediately thought, "I really hope they stopped next door at Carmela's!" I was very happy when I scrolled down. Glad you enjoyed it!

[Cathy]

Welcome to the commenting side of our blog, CS. House of Basturma as well as Carmela were wonderful to run across and a great way to start the New Year. Since they are right up the street from Pasadena High and the Saturday Farmer's Market, we'll be going back.