THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Dining Room Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Dining Room Restaurant Review:

THE DINING ROOM HAS CLOSED AND THE ROYCE HAS OPENED IN ITS PLACE. The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa Pasadena is a landmark, and chef Michael Voltaggio helms its signature restaurant The Dining Room. His extremely creative menu is influenced by molecular gastronomy, a style of cuisine he excelled at in his previous position at The Bazaar by José Andrés. The inventive offerings change often, sometimes even in the course of a dinner as Voltaggio, winner of season six of Bravo’s Top Chef, seeks to constantly improve his dishes. The somewhat plain tableware allows the food to attract diners' full attention. Highlights from his menu have included langoustine with young fennel and lobster mushroom lasagna; Pacific yellowtail sashimi with soy-watermelon, "sea sponge" and smoked egg yolk; and the "Pastrami Pigeon" accompanied by puffed Gruyère cheese, "Brussels-Kraut" and a rye-infused jus. Voltaggio also acts as pastry chef, and his dessert selection might feature a coffee cake with espresso cannoli and passion nitro. The wine list has a decidedly global orientation and offers many selections by the glass, but diners may also be tempted by the variety of beers and specialty cocktails. The Dining Room is scheduled for a sleek redesign by The Johnson Studio beginning in January 2010. With a setting more suited to his cuisine, we expect Voltaggio to develop in time and deliver one of LA’s most exciting restaurants.