Openings

Vol. 94 Pairs Wine with McSweetbreads, Now Soft-Open in Pasadena

Lee's McSweetbreads
Lee’s McSweetbreads

Phil Lee, a Glendale native whose resume includes past stints at Water Grill, WP24, and Bashan, writes to tell Grub Street he’s the executive chef at Pasadena’s new vol.94, a wine bar and bistro currently soft-open and planning to grand-open Thursday, November 17th, on Colorado Boulevard right across from Paseo Colorado. So, what’s happening inside of vol. 94 and what will you eat?

Lee’s McSweetbreads

Lee mentions that vol. 94 would like to “join the ranks of some of the best wine bistros out there” with a menu of globally-inspired tapas paired with a selection of international wines. The worldwide reach is best elaborated by vol. 94’s Facebook page, which lists sixteen different influences under the heading “Food Styles,” with burgers, sushi, Basque cuisine, barbecue, Italian, and Korean all sharing space, among the many other included cuisines.

Currently soft-open in a stark white room of dripping chandeliers, black shelves, and simple seating, the restaurant looks like a super-condensed version of Bottega Louie, possibly cross-bred with the spirit of those teensy wine bars run by Santos Uy and company. Early dishes include a PB&J;, which here stands for polenta, bacon, and jam, as well as a mushroom flan, Thai mussels, beef cheeks, smoked trout crostini, gambas, nuts fried in duck fat, and something called McSweetbreads, served with Lee’s house-made honey mustard and sweet and sour sauces. Cheese, charcuterie, and vegetable plates are also part of the menu offerings. An eye-pleasing preview of Lee’s dishes can be seen via Facebook.

Vol. 94, 239 N. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena. 626-356-9494.

Vol. 94 Pairs Wine with McSweetbreads, Now Soft-Open in Pasadena