Osa Rooftop - Review - Pasadena - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"People love to romanticize the Hollywood Hills, but the San Gabriel Mountains look pretty damn nice from Osa. Located on top of the AC Hotel Pasadena, this string-lit rooftop is a fun spot to unwind after work with beet-infused margaritas, an order of artichoke dip, and sweeping views of the 'burbs. Apart from the juicy cheeseburger, nothing on Osa’s food menu is worth sticking around for a full meal, but book a reservation anyway because people linger here to catch the sunset. And why not? This is the best spot in the SGV to take it in. video credit: Sylvio Martins RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE Food Rundown Cocktails There’s no pool on the AC Hotel’s rooftop, but Osa’s drinks are the kind of fluorescent and fruity cocktails that taste good while roasting in the sun. Get the sweet-smoky, surprisingly boozy Cactus Cooler that cuts mezcal with two types of amaro (heck yeah). PlayMute video credit: Sylvio Martins Queso Fundido Arancini We missed the promised chorizo and poblano chiles in these fried rice balls, but they deliver on the queso that oozes out. Each order comes with three, which is plenty given their black-hole density. photo credit: Sylvio Martins Artichoke Green Chili Dip Artichoke and green chili dip sounds delicious in theory, but this just tastes like artichoke. Nothing wrong with that, though, and they do give you a generous amount of tortilla chips. photo credit: Sylvio Martins Chicken Tacos Osa gets extra credit for adding a thin cheese skirt to these otherwise bland chicken tacos. The flour tortillas taste like supermarket brand and there’s zero heat or acid (or even salsa and limes to add any). Skip. photo credit: Sylvio Martins Osa Burger By far, the best dish on Osa’s menu and also an unexpectedly great burger for a hotel rooftop. It’s one of those cheeseburgers that’s so juicy the drippings run down your arm while eating it. The truffle dijonaise doesn’t taste much like truffle, but it is delicious. PlayMute video credit: Sylvio Martins" - Sylvio Martins