LGO - Le Grande Orange -

Pasadena History at it's Best!!

Wow. As a child I remember hearing the train roar through town. 

Tucked into bed, laying in my room in darkness with the windows open on a warm, Pasadena summer night listening to the distant train before drifting off to sleep. 

Undoubtedly this sound encouraged dreams of adventures to distant lands! 

(I wasn't too geographically savvy back then so as far as I was concerned it was the Orient Express!-possibly inspired by my Mother's Agatha Christie Collection!) 

As I got older, I learned the tradition of leaving a penny on the track, making a wish, taking a few steps back and enjoying the breeze and train thunder as the penny was squished! 

Personally I've enjoyed squishing many pennies on the track 

of the Santa Fe Railroad tracks throughout Pasadena! 

The romance and adventure of trains has always intrigued me 

and while the Gold Line is not nearly as loud, it pleases me to no end when I catch it going by! 

So when the Santa Fe Station was revived and became LGO I knew I would swoon!

Photo of the station in 1936, courtesy of the Pasadena Museum of History.
***  NOTE: The rooftop of the Green Hotel in the background to the right!!

 

 Photo of the station in the 70's!! Again, note the Castle Green in the Background!! (and the 50 years or so of Palm Tree Growth!!

 

So Le Grande Orange became the new tenant in this renewed landmark. My particular favorite things about this establishment are:
1. Beautiful outdoor patio for dining with lights and a fireplace!
2. The open air Bar!!! -- The Otis Bar -- See those 4 openings above in the original photo? Well now they have giant glass sliding doors!!! When it's cold out you may thing they are just windows but look at the track above and it will reveal that during impeccably comfortable weather-they SLIDE OPEN!! A lovely marriage of the outdoors and modern comforts!
3. They use FRESH SQUEEZED orange juice in their libations!! They squeeze it especially for YOUR drink!! May I suggest Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice and Vanilla Vodka? My favorite is a bit of a Creamsicle or 50/50! As always imbibe responsibly and entertain classically!
4. Delicious Guacamole!

The original waiting room of the train station has been turned into the kitchen & dining room!!
*photos courtesy or cruiselinehistory.com


** Bonus Note: The Luggage Room is adjacent but deserves it's own mention!! Keep an eye on my blog!!