Feast Yourselves At Ninth Annual Taste Of Pasadena

Prepare your taste buds, Pasadena. The ninth annual Taste of Pasadena is set for May 1.

Taste of Pasadena invites roughly 15 local restaurants to prepare menu highlights, set up a decorative booth and serve their food to the 300 guests in attendance.

While some restaurants have been part of Taste of Pasadena since the beginning, there are many new additions this year.

Sam & Maggie’s Dockside Grill, a new waterfront restaurant in Pasadena that will open in May, will offer menu samples. Harley Walker, the front of house manager, said Pasadena is full of loyal people who, for many generations, have been born and raised in the town.

“We wanted to get our name out in the community and let as many people know about us opening up this restaurant as we could,” Walker said.

At Taste of Pasadena, Sam & Maggie’ Dockside Grill will serve “traditional Chesapeake fare with a Caribbean flair,” Walker said.

Another new addition to the event is Primo Pasta Kitchen. Co-owner Eric Schlueter said the Pasadena Business Association does a good job with the events it puts on.

“It’s a good way to reach people locally, and it’s a fun event,” Schlueter said.

Primo Pasta will offer a taste of its tomato bruschetta.

Fifer’s Craft House is also joining Taste of Pasadena this year, and it will distribute samples of craft beer.

Fortunately for attendees, there is no limit to how many times you can visit each restaurant at Taste of Pasadena. This is something unique to Taste of Pasadena, as similar events often bar patrons from going to each vendor more than once, said Sandi Parrish, the executive director of the Pasadena Business Association.

“We figure it’s a compliment to the vendor if somebody comes back a second time, and the vendors feel the same way,” Parrish said. “They don’t want us to limit it.”

In addition to the food they bring, each vendor is asked to decorate their booth. At the end of the night, judges announce which restaurant had the best presentation. To help decorate the tables, Maher’s Florist provides flower arrangements as centerpieces.

Another draw to the event is that attendees can meet the people in charge of their favorite restaurants.

“Our citizens like the fact of going into places knowing who they’re dealing with,” said Lisa Hart, a Pasadena Business Association board member who chairs the Taste of Pasadena. “It’s always nice to know the owner and the managers. That’s who comes to these. They’re out there shaking hands, letting folks get to know them a bit. It’s a real family atmosphere.”

So far, vendors include Angels Food Market, Bella Napoli, Beefalo Bob’s, Kurtz’s Beach, Mutiny Pirate Bar & Grille, Primo Pasta and Sam & Maggie’s Dockside Grill.

“You get filled. If not, you’re doing it wrong,” Hart said.

The Taste of Pasadena will be held May 1 at Kurtz’s Beach from 6:00-9:00pm. Tickets are available online and cost $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. The ticket includes all tastes and beverages with the exception of the cash bar.