Racion

I love tapas. I love Spain. What Racion is what I call Cal-Pas. Cal-Pas meaning California-style tapas. The experience is upscale feeling, but, don't let that stop you from dining here. I saw someone stroll in in a t-shirt and shorts. The service is very attentive and super friendly. Our server was very professional and knowledgeable in the dishes and also the wine. She was well trained and able to answer all my questions. chicken croquettes - **** beef tongue - **** sangria - **** seasonal short ribs - **** wine from Jumilla region - **** All dishes were outstanding -- four stars out of four! If you're searching for tapas, I highly recommend trying Racion interpretation of tapas. My dining companion left feeling very satisfied with our meal. Items were of course sharable, so I recommend ordering several dishes to share at your table. Thanks Jonathan Gold for 101 Best Restaurant recommendation. A superb dining experience!

Weekday night and the place was about 1/3 full. Atmosphere was bright, clean, and not too stuffy. Service was attentive. However, there was a long wait time between dishes. Food was well prepared and had great flavor. The small plates seemed to be more refined than other Tapas places I've been to. Portions are small, but the free bread is excellent. Lamb meatballs: 4/5 Squid ink pasta: 4/5 Squid stuff with duck: 4/5 Cured salmon: 4.5/5 Spanish custard with pistachio: 4/5 Free bread: 5/5 Sangria: 3/5 Parking: meh (it's old town Pasadena)

DE-licious! The food is delicious, but the portions are tiny. Tiny, but very impressionable. It has been a few weeks since I feasted on TWO portions of lamb meatballs and I have yet to stop dreaming about them. The sangria is very smooth and equally delicious. Do yourself a favor and order a carafe. One glass is simply not enough. Despite the delicious, bite-sized pieces of heaven. One of the real reasons I love Racion is because it is economically-sustainable restaurant. I love supporting small businesses who pay their employees fairly. It is a win-win. GREAT food and a wonderful atmosphere.

A wonderful tapas style restaurant in the heart of Pasadena. The restaurant features a clean design and a unique wine rack. Definitely order the seared scallops in oyster chowder - they're the best scallops I've ever had!

Although I can't say that Racion is the best tapas I've had, I am definitely giving this place a thumps up. Racion is great in that it's authentic but with small flares of fusion incorporated in some of the dishes. I also love the relaxing yet slightly romantic ambiance. I was at Racion with a large party so I got to try a lot of dishes. I especially enjoyed the Squid Ink Pasta, the Manchego Cheese Plate. Braised Octopus, Chicken Croquettes, Crispy Prawns and the Conserva aka Charcuterie Plate. The Braised Octopus especially stood out to me. The octopus was amazingly tender and delicious. It was interesting to see crispy fried prawns and langoustines in X.O. sauce since those are something you would expect to see on an Asian restaurant menu. I really enjoyed the prawns but did not care of the langoustines. They have a small wine by the glass selection but a big wine list by the bottle. Most if not all of their selections are Spanish wines. Our waitress was very knowledgeable on all the wine options they offer along with the dishes. She was very good at describing the flavors and texture of each dish. She was also very patient with us since it's our first time there in answering all of our questions. The dishes came out in reasonable amount of time in a nice progression. I would recommend this place for a visit. It is located on Green, a little away from the bustling of the main portions of Old Town Pasadena. You can either find free street parking after 8pm or park on the structure on Delacey, which is 90 minutes free.

Excellent Valentine's Day menu. Had some cod fritters, sardines, scallops, pork with lobster tail. Yum! The sangria was also excellent---I think I would come back just for that!

Great wine program and an awesome tapa selection. Charcuterie and cheese program was great. Ordered the following: Chicken croquettes White anchovies Charcutterie Beef tongue Octopus Shishito peppers Spiced beets Everything was great.

Basque style tapas, quite different from what you might expect in most other tapas restaurants. Staff is friendly and helpful, and a good selection of Spanish wines.