Roxolana

In only its second month in the carefully chosen, prime Old Town Pasadena location, upscale Roxalana is buzzing with diners interested in more than an ordinary meal. Named for the legendary Ukrainian woman who fired European imaginations since her meteoric 16th century rise from harem slave to Ottoman Sultan Suleiman’s influential wife and trusted advisor, Roxalana Restaurant and Wine Bar will both delight and surprise first time patrons, then beckon them back for more, more, more.Greg Napier, the affable and engaging General Manager, moves regularly through the dining room, discussing the menu’s ingredients, preparations and presentations; inspiring patrons to venture further into the restaurant’s sophisticated and polished Ukrainian and European offerings. he cuisine is universally appealing to both first time diners and discriminating Eastern European palates. For those who enjoy a bit of fire with their food, add a little heat with the spicy cayenne tomato sauce crafted in house, fresh, as is everything on the menu.With so many unique menu items to try, like melt-in-your-mouth Golubsty cabbage rolls, perfectly prepared grilled salmon, Eastern European-style raviolis called Vareniki, filled with unexpected ingredients like sour cherry, rich but not overpowering, Borsch with pampushki, a beet and vegetable soup, Olivier mixed meat and fish salad, and so much more, make sure to leave room for unique sublime desserts.