The Dining Room at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa

Chef Craig Strong is an American with a Mediterranean palate, and his Michelin-starred menu at the Langham is, too. His years spent training in Spain shaped his favor for olive oil over cream and butter, evident in such Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as sardines in preserved lemon crust, trio of Colorado lamb with melted tomato ratatouille, and his signature “Spanish Virgin” dessert—yogurt olive oil sponge cake with extra virgin olive oil ice cream (yes, Strong does the pastry, too). As you’d expect at the Langham, the Dining Room is formal and flowery; an enormous central fresh flower arrangement imparts a floral scent to the entire space. There’s wainscoting and nautical art, but cheery blue and green textiles keep it from feeling outright stuffy. The outdoor terrace overlooks the hotel’s expansive garden and grounds, making the Dining Room a culinary alternative to an outing at the nearby Huntington Library and Gardens. If you’re looking for the most serious restaurant in Pasadena, you’ve found it (even stalwarts Maison Akira and Derek’s Bistro aren’t in this league).