One Great Day in One Great Neighborhood!

Pasadena history in a nutshell: Native herding lands; Spaniards build San Gabriel Mission; citrus orchards; winter home for rich midwesterners; rich midwesterners put on Rose Parade to show up snowbound friends back home; snowbound friends move out in droves; Cal Tech founded; Jackie Robinson born; Pasadena becomes a suburb; Pasadena becomes a dump; Pasadena reinvigorates itself; Alhambra teenagers mob The Cheesecake Factory; Pasadena over-gentrifies and over-builds.

The good news for you: Old Town is still worth a trip - and not just for the diagonal pedestrian crossing.The place is packed with great shopping, great eats and great people-watching at its eclectic mix of trendy, funky and chain. And some remnants of the squalor days still remain for you history buffs - Le Sex Shoppe, Crown City Pawn Shop and Freddie’s 35er.Don’t wait until New Years morning to pay a visit.Pasadena is Gold Line close. [Memorial Park Station]. (Toby Muller)

1) Better Than a Burkah Joint: Azeen’s Afghani Restaurant (110 E. Union St.)

Okay, so they’re not great at self-rule, but those Afghanis cook up one hell of a meal. Follow your nose to Azeen’s for some garam, masala, and cardamom aromatherapy. Breathe in and you’ll feel better instantly—even if you were good to begin with. Hands down, this is Pasadena’s best lunch spot. Start with the Aushak – leek-and-scallion-filled dumplings topped with meat sauce and served with spicy chutney. Next, try the Chef’s Combination Platter with Pakawra-e-badenjan – sautéed eggplant, toasty chickpea and ground beef sambosa, and Mantu – steamed meat dumplings with yogurt and vegetables. Also treat your taste buds to the Combination Kabob with lamb and chicken served with brown rice. The Sautéed Butternut squash with Yogurt is a heavenly vegetarian option. Three or four people can easily share two or three dishes for a very satisfying meal. Lunch M-F only 11:30-2:00; dinner daily 5:30-9:30. (626) 683-3310. www.azeensafghanirestaurant.com. (Kat Kittredge)

2) Do the Kids Still Say “Fly”? Sasan at Paseo Colorado (340 E. Colorado Blvd.)

Encouraged by the turnaround that trendy boutiques and eateries brought to Old Town proper, Paseo Colorado replaced the dilapidated Pasadena Mall some years back. Just a few blocks east, the Paseo offers even more in the way of shopping, dining and movies. Sasan is a high-end boutique featuring contemporary styles for a clientele of successful professionals who want to look their best. With an extensive collection of Hugo Boss, Ted Baker and Theory hanging in every corner of the store, you’ll walk out with confidence and sophistication, if not a GQ modeling contract. Owner Fahti Sasan’s vision carries over to a smaller but rapidly growing collection for women that favors a smart and tailored European look. For more information, call (626) 356-389 or go to www.sasaninc.com. (Tenny Hovsepians)

3) Local Color: The Armory Center for the Arts (145 N. Raymond Ave.)

Old Town offers up a surprisingly small selection of art galleries (no doubt priced out of the real estate market). However, as you stroll with your shopping bags and smoothie, rest assured that there is one place to satisfy your craving for the creative.

The Armory Center for the Arts blends offers classes for residents, as well as two unique galleries for public viewing. One gallery showcases local young talent and varies from those with special needs to children in the local school system. (I might add that this was my favorite of the two.) The second gallery shows both solo and group exhibitions in contemporary art and installation. All work is available for purchase. Hours: T-Su 12-5 pm. www.armoryarts.org. (626) 792-5101 (Cate Nelson)

4) Also check out One Colorado Place (behind Victoria’s Secret). The courtyard features installation work from around the world. Currently featured: an array of flags by French artist, Daniel Buren. (Cate Nelson)

Looking for a little something for your sweetheart? How about a photo book of 50s pinup girls or maybe a coffee table book of America’s favorite rebels: Steve McQueen, Montgomery Clift and James Dean. If you’re interested in great T-shirts of vintage era motorcycle culture and the folks who loved it, this is your place. I hate to name-drop, but a certain Mr. Pitt and that handsome fellow from the Foo Fighters have been spotted around town in their Johnson Motors, Inc. garb. The shop is also home to the Bispop Gallery, artist Tim Biskup’s official store. Pick up one of his pop-surrealist prints or vinyl figurines for the collector in your life. T-Th 11:30-6:30, F-Sa 11:30-7:00, Su 1:00-6:00 www.johnsonmotorsinc.com (626)796-5666. (Kat Kittredge)

6) Gettin’ High in Suburbia: Vertical Wine Bistro (Upstairs at 70 N. Raymond)

If you find yourself craving an out-of-the-ordinary experience, climb two flights from Old Town to the Vertical Wine Bistro and get high above the city.There is no swankier spot in all of Pasadena. The concept: wine is the center of a meal, and food is what you think of next. Choose from over 400 bottles or order a flight – two-ounce tastes of three different wines.At $17-$27 a flight, it can be pricey, but all the wines are limited or small production, and you may not have the opportunity to taste them otherwise.Flights are fun to pair with small-plate starters ($7–$13).If your budget’s more limited, head strait for a couple of glasses and a couple of entrées.Or live a little, and order a whole bottle.We liked the Aires de Arosa, Albarino from Spain ($36), the Soft Shell Crab with Polenta ($18), and the Pan-Seared Scallops with morels, asparagus and potatoes ($19).Got the munchies yet? Open Tuesday–Sunday.For hours call (626) 795-3999 or click www.verticalwinebistro.com. (Kat Kittredge)

7) Old School in Old Town: Freddie’s 35er (12 E. Colorado)

While everyone else in town is on line for frozen yogurt, the smart money rounds out the night by washing those cloying oak and fruit notes off their palate with a Bud longneck or Newcastle draft at Freddie’s 35er.Part dive bar, part sports bar, you’ll feel you’ve just walked out of Old Town’s “scene” and into, well, a bar.There’s pool tables, foosball, a juke box, folks drinking untrendy drinks and watching TV....Just like at a bar.If you get laid tonight, it’s cause you got your date drunk, not because she (or he) was impressed with your sophisticated choice of nightlife.And we’ll drink to that.(Hours: Don’t worry, they’re open.) (Toby Muller)

Also visit other Editions of LA2DAY COORDINATES: DOWNTOWN, SILVER LAKE and HOLLYWOOD