Back in 1886, Walter Raymond built The Raymond Hotel in the heart of Pasadena, CA. Tragically, a fire burned the hotel to the ground. Mr. Raymond charged ahead and rebuilt the hotel, and this time, on an even grander scale. Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton were regular guests in the roaring ‘20s. The party came to an end as the Great Depression hit and Mr. Raymond and his family lived in the caretaker’s cottage.

Today, the same caretaker’s cottage that housed the Raymond family till 1934 is The Raymond Restaurant. Oozing with turn of the century charm, it’s a destination restaurant for foodies who crave a taste of the Pacific Northwest. With the perfect blend of classic and avant-garde techniques, Chef Tim Guiltinan focuses on organic and seasonal ingredients. He works hard to maintain relationships with the small farmers and fishermen that provide him with the freshest seafood and vegetables.

Start off dinner with an order the grilled baby octopus with tarragon-infused cantaloupe and Hawaiian hearts of palm and follow up with hand-harvested deep water scallops and Maitake mushrooms. If seafood isn’t your thing, Chef Guiltinan has several carnivorous options. The short ribs are fall-off-the-bone tasty. Braised for 48 hours, they come with grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes.  Pekin duck, beef tenderloin or braised lamb shank will also satisfy your hunger on the deepest levels.

The Raymond Restaurant also serves brunch. Kick off your weekend with an order of freshly baked cinnamon rolls smothered in cream cheese frosting and topped with hazelnuts. Continue on the path to decadence with French toast and caramelized pineapple or savory cheddar and herbs cakes served with a poached egg, no less.

The Raymond Restaurant, 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 441-3136 http://www.theraymond.com/