Zona Rosa Caffe

06/01/07

Best of City Search???

by gustomc at Citysearch

Ok, so I had read the reviews and most seemed positive, so seeing as I only live about 15 minutes from this place, I decided to give it a go. I had driven by it before, and it looked kind of like a "hole in the wall" kind of find, so I was kind of excited. That's just what I was looking for.

My wife and I went on a Friday night, and there were 4 people in the upstairs and 2 people sitting outside. We came in and were perusing the menu. I remembered reading some reviews about the Zona Rosa Cappucino, but I was debating because I usually just go with a double-shot of espresso. My wife said she would go for the double shot, so I went for the Zona Rosa Cappucino.

For the coffee illiterate, a cappucino is supposed to be 1/3espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and a 1/3 foam. The Zona Rosa Cappucino was described as also having Mexican chocolate, and whipped cream, which is really more of a mocha than a cappucino, but whatever.

Anyway, my wife's double shot of espresso came out. Good, light-brown colored crema, but with a burned aroma. It had a mildly burned taste, and filled a ~4oz cup.

Now, as for my "cappucino...." Picture a clear glass about 6 or 7 inches tall, with a consistent brownish-white color..... no foam at the top..... no whip cream.... I was thinking to myself, " Did I order the Zona Rosa LATTE sans whip cream?"

Anyway, the ambience of the place is okay, if a bit quiet. Cool art upstairs, but I'd recommend sitting outside. As for the coffee.... well, if you're looking for good coffee.... look elsewhere. If you like Starbucks style, extra burned coffee, maybe this is the place for you. It's got a great location, next to the playhouse, so if you're looking for a place to kick-back before the play, maybe give it a try.

• Pros: Location, Ambiance...
• Cons: Burned Coffee, Drip out of Dispensers...

06/25/07

Best Coffee Pasadena

by rharvey at Citysearch

Zona Rosa Caffe in Pasadena has Eclectic mexican decor with drinks with a twist mexican hot chocalate,iced cap ,red eye expresso shots and hello dolly cookies/brownies my fave.Good place to relax and drink a cup or come thursday night for the free musical entertainment ,in the now found out area of the playhouse district

04/12/07

It's a nice place yet the coffee is no good

by skywalker00 at Citysearch

The coffee is the worst I have ever had in my life, it taste like dirt ....please invest the money in the Java guys!

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: Parking

Savor the flavor of Latino culture and coffee in the heart of the Pasadena Playhouse District.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Named after a bohemian enclave in Mexico City, this lively cafe is the centerpiece of the Pasadena Playhouse District. The two-story, vibrantly colored coffeehouse is a hub for local intellectuals, artisans and coffee connoisseurs. The menu features Mexican chocolates and South American coffee beans, as well as house favorites drinks like the Zona Rosa cappuccino and Zocalo Con Plato, a chocolate and banana ice blend. Il Fornaio provides the baked goods like chocolate croissants, muffins and scones.

07/15/06

best coffee

by dogdropping at Citysearch

omg this place rocks!!!!!! great atmosphere... very good service...clean!!!! the best coffee ive found in LA!!!!

• Pros: AMBIENCE....SERVICE
• Cons: PARKING

04/15/05

Zona Rosa Cappuccino!

by artc at Citysearch

This place rocks! Friend of mine told me about Zona Rosa Caffe and the mexican chocolate drinks they have. Let me tell you, the Zona Rosa Cappuccino is the best drink I've had in Los Angeles period! This coffee house is a cool place to hang with friends. The music and art are refreshing, you feel like your not in Los Angeles.

12/08/04

Simply wonderful!

by el at Citysearch

Zona Rosa Caffe really is the best coffeehouse in town without a doubt! They have the most incredible mexican hot chocolate along with those Il Fornaio bake goods, just yummy! They should be in the Best of City Search's coffee as number #1 in my book.

• Pros: great staff, latin music playing, nice interiors

06/14/02

Awesome Cappucinos

by breakbeat_addict at Citysearch

This place is great. Excellent coffees, great atmosphere, cushy upstairs lounging. I highly recommend it, but not to too many people, I don't want to lose one of my hangouts. My tip: get the Zona Rosa Cappucino, it's very rich and worth every penny. The caffeine quotient alone will keep you up and chatting for hours on end, and with the Spanish dance music they frequently play, you've got plenty of audio fuel for your conversation fire.

• Pros: Private location, Cozy lounge area, Great design
• Cons: A little pricey, Long wait sometimes

06/13/02

Mexican Mocha Heaven

by SantaCruzSlug at Citysearch

Probably one of the few places in Pasadena that you can get your hands on a good mexican mocha drink. Though the chairs out front look about as comfortable as a iron fence, the service is great and the theater/jazz scene provides a interesting flow of customers.

note: Try venturing up the narrow staircase, they have a spacious seating area upstairs.

• Pros: Mexican Mocha

05/23/02

finally, good drinks...

by vani at Citysearch

Being the kind of person that loves the coffeehouse atmosphere, I am always thrilled to find somewhere like Zona Rosa that actually has good drinks! They're caramel drinks are the best, in my opinion, and I love the fact that they have a great selection of non-coffee beverage for those hot afternoons. My personal fav is the Orange 50/50. :o) They have these incredible rosemary bagels with cream cheese, too. Hard to find anywhere else.