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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, October 4, 2025


DINING AT OSA ROOFTOP – 
AC HOTEL, PASADENA

By Peter Dills, L.A.’s King of Cuisine

This one (type) has been a long time coming. I wrestled 
with the thought of writing a review about the brand-new 
AC Hotel in downtown Pasadena, home to the rooftop bar 
and restaurant known as OSA. Why the hesitation? Because 
if I can’t thoroughly endorse a place, I usually prefer to 
move on. But with a $220 bill staring me down, I figured 
my readers deserved the facts.

First Impressions

The hotel itself is part of the Marriott family, sleek and 
modern, with the OSA bar perched on top offering great 
views of Pasadena. And it really is a view worth talking 
about. The atmosphere is cool, even a little hip — the kind of spot that feels right for a first 
date, a sunset cocktail, or just catching a game on TV with a friend.

We grabbed a couple of bar seats, greeted by a friendly-enough bartender. His shirt was 
untucked, his look a little unshaven. Maybe that’s the style these days, maybe it’s “on brand.” 
I just know it wouldn’t fly at the Langham down the street, but hey — this isn’t the Langham, 
and it’s not trying to be.

Drinks & the Curious Case of Coors Light

I started with a lager and some peanuts — gooey, but not bad. At hotels, $12 for a beer is just 
the going rate. What caught my attention was seeing Coors Light on the menu. So I called 
my friend Ronson, a loyal Coors Light fan, and he joined me. He ordered one. The bartender 
shrugged. “We don’t have it.”

Now, this is a brand-new hotel. The menu can’t be that outdated. When asked why it’s printed 
if it’s not stocked, the bartender gave a genuine answer: “Oh, ask me if you have questions. I’m 
not sure what’s going on with the menu.” Points for honesty, I suppose.

Dinner at the Bar

We stuck around, enjoying the football game on the TVs, and ordered steak frites. For those 
unfamiliar, that’s steak with a side of fries. How was it? Let me use a word I lean on when I’m 
not overly excited: it was fine. Not bad, not great — just fine.

The manager was “around,” but never came by our table. My business card was offered, but 
no acknowledgment came. That’s not a crime, of course, but a simple hello goes a long way, 
especially at a place trying to establish itself.

The Vibe

Here’s what I did notice: the staff genuinely seemed to like each other. Shadow boxing, 
hugging, high-fiving — they were having fun. Not necessarily the refined service you’d expect 
at a higher-end property, but maybe that’s the AC Hotel culture.

In Summary

OSA is a rooftop bar with a great view, a lively atmosphere, and staff who clearly enjoy being 
there. If you’re looking for Langham polish, you won’t find it. If you’re looking for a casual 
night out in Pasadena with a decent drink and plenty of people-watching, you might just enjoy 
it.

Think of it as Pasadena’s new social perch, not its crown jewel. And for me? Well… that’s over. 
Now I can keep searching for that jewel. It’s going to be fine.

AC Hotel corner of Madison and Colorado Pasadena

Check out my weekly unedited podcast or email me thechefknows@yahoo.com Hope to see 
you at the Chili Cook-off


LOS ANGELES, CA — Prepare to be haunted in a whole new way. This fall, The Heart Tells Tales, a 
gripping, genre-defying adaptation inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart will debut in 
Los Angeles. Set against the eerie silence of pandemic-era Boston, the play dares to look deeper into 
the psychological toll of caregiving, isolation, and suppressed trauma.

Hi Fi Underground is the production company bringing this powerful story to life. showcasing the 
theatrical works of Omen Kaine, a boundary-pushing voice in modern theater. His first theatrical 
production, Masoch and Desade, debuted on Theater Row in Los Angeles (2019) and later played in 
Brooklyn, New York (2022). Now, he returns with his latest and most ambitious work yet: The Heart 
Tells Tales. 

Local resident Fred Thomas will portray the main character in the show which opens in Los Angeles 
October 23–25, 2025 at Skiptown Playhouse (665 Heliotrope Dr, Los An-geles, CA 90004), followed 
by a New York run November 21–23, 2025 at Under St. Marks Theater (94 Saint Marks Place, 
New York, NY 10009).


An Evening With Cole Gallagher

Thursday Oct 16th, 2025 at The Sierra Madre 
Playhouse Cole Gallagher and his amazing band 
will be Rocking Sierra Madre.

Get ready to be serenaded by his soulful voice and captivating 
stage presence. This in-person event promises to be a 
memorable experience for all attendees. Don't miss out on 
this special evening filled with great music and good vibes! 

A WORD FROM COLE'S DAD:

 This is my 23 year old son Cole. He was born and raised in Sierra Madre Ca and also South 
Pasadena Ca. At age 12 his Aunt B gifted him a guitar and he’s never put it down since. By age 
13 he was writing his on music. The countless hours spent working on his art has been been 
mind blowing but he has done it and continues to do so . All that time has earned him a few 
things like having his song mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine. Have the honor of recording 
with Jason Isbell’s band The 400 Unit. Having future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David 
Hidalgo of Los Lobos agree to record with him. He has had the amazing opportunity, granted 
by Bruce Springsteen to record and release one of Bruce’s previous unreleased songs. These 
past six months he has finished up recording his first full length album. These recordings took 
place in Sierra Madre Ca., Nashville Tn and Muscle Shoals Al. These three sessions included 
musicians from Sturgill Simpson band, Shooter Jennings band and St Paul and the Broken 
Bones. This Album Cooks! My son now lives in Nashville. 

But…..

On Thursday Oct 16th, 2025 at The Sierra Madre Playhouse Cole Gallagher and his amazing 
band will be Rocking Sierra Madre. This is an all ages show! Bring your family bring your 
friends!! I guarantee you’ll be blown away!!! PS.. Oct 16th is his Birthday!

Here’s the Link 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-cole-gallagher-tickets-
1712752210969?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com