STILL OPEN. STILL PASADENA.
This April, construction will begin on the long-awaited North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, a 19-mile route connecting the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. Passing through four cities and five neighborhoods, it will link to the Metro A, B, and G Lines as well as Metrolink, adding 22 new stations (in addition to bike lanes and other pedestrian improvements). When the BRT project is finished, traveling from Pasadena City College to the NoHo Arts District will take about 67 minutes, cutting today’s transit travel time in half.
The first two stations to break ground, Holly/Arroyo in the heart of Old Pasadena and Colorado/Lake 1.3 miles to the east, will move more than passengers. They’ll also open the door to a vibrant mix of shopping, food, and culture that reflects the way Pasadena, one of Southern California’s oldest communities, continues to evolve.
When it comes to food, this stretch of Colorado Boulevard never disappoints. Lunasia Signature, at 865 E. Colorado Boulevard, is the refined evolution of Lunasia Dim Sum House, which has served the Los Angeles community since first opening in Alhambra in 2009. The new Pasadena location — the brand’s signature outpost — is a modern Cantonese dining experience rooted in tradition and elevated through thoughtful design and hospitality. Inspired by the ritual of yum cha, the menu features delicate dim sum, premium seafood, and chef-driven specialties: truffle sui mai, spicy chicken soup dumplings, squid ink scallop dumplings, black pepper lobster tail, and lemongrass lamb chops. The banquet hall space features elegant lanterns, orchids on the tables, and a grand piano. “We’ve been lucky to serve the Los Angeles community for over 15 years,” says Patrick Broderick, the company’s marketing and development director, “but we’re trying to elevate a little bit further by increasing the level of service and care that our customers are going to experience, as well as clarifying the menu and allowing there to be a space for new innovation and excitement.” Recognized by the Michelin Guide, Lunasia Signature draws diners from across the region — and the room has the kind of energy that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel like a celebration.
Tibet Nepal House, a 26-year-old Himalayan institution currently run by two Nepalese transplants, is a peaceful sanctuary in a bustling business district. Inside, prayer flags and handmade “Yeti feet” decorated by local children hang from the rafters, giving the space a calming, personal feel. Many restaurants do a good Chicken Tikka Masala, but this one is truly special. Around the corner, the Pasadena location of Chado Tea Room offers over 200 teas as well as a British-style high tea with scones, clotted cream, and cucumber sandwiches. On a hot day, the “Hawaiian cocktail” (served iced) hits the spot with its mélange of pineapple, papaya, mango, and hibiscus. And a short trip east toward the future Colorado/Lake station brings you to Chamo, an intimate Venezuelan arepa spot where owner Yesika Baker serves her mother’s recipes with a personal touch. The protein-packed pabellón arepa — shredded beef, black beans, white cheese, and plantains — is a meal unto itself, and a recent Los Angeles Times Food section shoutout has been sending new visitors through the door ever since.
Next, hit the shops. Homage is an eclectic gift boutique owned by jewelry designer Jill Pearson. Pearson and her husband, a retail consultant, operate a “mom and pop” in the truest sense of the word. Walk inside, and you’ll find jewelry and ceramic art by a dozen different artists, many of whom live in neighboring communities such as Altadena, Sierra Madre, and Glendale. “Coming from jewelry design, I understand what it’s like to be a local artist putting your work into a store,” Pearson says. Her shop, in many ways, is an incubator: an homage to creativity.
Next door, Commune Records is a bright and airy shrine to vinyl. Northern California native Jeff Gardner opened the shop three years ago after a long career as a guitarist and touring musician. He’s been collecting records since his teens, and his omnivorous taste shows in the selections: Thee Sacred Souls’ self-titled debut album, Rosalia’s Lux, Lou Donaldson’s classic Blues Walk. “I love Pasadena,” Gardner says. “It’s walkable and has vintage charm.”
It’s a small preview of what the NoHo to Pasadena BRT project promises. It offers faster connections and less traffic, but also new visitors, discoveries, and opportunities to experience the neighborhoods along the route.