Americana at Brand
By Pasadena Independent
Published: Thursday, March 26th, 2009
The Americana at Brand is more than a shopping mall; it’s a getaway.
Covering 15.5 acres, over four city blocks, the Glendale development features more than 75 shops, numerous restaurants, a movie theater, luxury apartments and condos, large water fountains and statues, rolling green lawns, park benches, a trolley and more. It’s kind of a Disneyland for shoppers.
By day the place is quite a sight, but at night it is truly an amazing spectacle of lights, sounds and ambiance. Faux streets are crowded with people, classic American music floats in the air, Vegas-like water fountains dance around statues, and twinkling signs attract visitors like moths to flames.
I was drawn in by the giant, glitzy 1940’s-styled “Americana” sign atop Frida’s Mexican Restaurant on Brand Blvd. It was a sight so inviting I had to park the car and explore.
When I got to Frida’s, a charming red trolley stopped in front of the restaurant and a group of people headed in for dinner. Hungry, I followed. What I found was an exciting dining experience.
Occupying one of the most visible locations at the Americana, Frida’s was designed and built to feel spacious. Wall-less architecture give way to subtle curves leading to both indoor and outdoor seating. From every table, guests can look out upon the bustling plaza or admire colorful Mexican artwork.
And then there is the food, which “incorporates dishes from various regions in Mexico, infusing old world recipes with a modern touch,” says the Frida website. Popular dishes include Tacos Del Guero, Filete Tentacion, Pescado a la Talla and Ensalada de Nopalitos. These sumptuous sounding creations are traditional in Mexico but unique to most restaurants in the US.
A friend and I began dinner with a Frida staple: Tequila. She had a Cadillac Margarita and I had a sipping glass of Maestro Dobel with a side of Sangrita (Tabasco, tomato juice and spices). The latter is a new, high-quality “diamond tequila,” made by carefully mixing three aged tequilas.
We then split a Ceviche Oasis appetizer, with fresh tuna, avocado, sesame seeds and jalapeno peppers and other spices. After this I enjoyed Camarones al Tequila, a beautifully plated concoction of prawns marinated in orange tequila sauce, butter and lime. My friend had Mole Poblano, a chicken breast simmered in a memorable Chile chocolate sauce with asparagus and rice.
After dinner, we boarded the Americana Trolley and rode it through the village to the fountains. Here we found a cozy bench beside a pond and a giant holiday tree, where we watched jets of water delicately dance around a huge gold-leafed statue – a memorial to Americans who fought at Normandy in WWII.
The Americana at Brand is located at Brand Blvd and Harvard St. in Glendale. Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 am – 9 pm; Fri. – Sat. 10 am – 10 pm; Sun.: 11 am – 8 pm. For more information, call 818.637.8982 or visit www.americanaatbrand.com. For more info on dining at Frida’s, call (818) 551-1666 or visit www.fridarestaurant.com.
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