We all have flaws and I am no exception.

Some of us may not be eager to announce them to the world, but I don’t feel that way. I feel that once I tell you my shortcomings that I can start working towards fixing them. With that said, it’s time that I open up and tell you mine. When it comes to reviewing food in the restaurant space one of my biggest flaws is that I sometimes underestimate certain dishes. I don’t do it often, but I have done it more times than I should. Am I judging a book by its cover? Making an assumption based on a description alone? Yes, and a recent dinner from Gale’s Restaurant in Pasadena has shown me the error in my ways.

During our ongoing existence within COVID-19, getting take out has become the norm. I scan across a menu on my phone, place an order, and then grab my food to go. A smile with my eyes to the hostess, a simple “hello”, and a gentle “goodbye” within the few minutes in the space is all I seem to be able to do anymore. This act has become so common place that I store more restaurants in my cellphone than people. If you whispered, “Yikes” when reading that you’re not alone. I did too.

Gale’s, is no exception to this.

After communicating with the restaurant for a while over Instagram, I finally placed an order. Driving it home I nearly buckled it safely into the backseat like a newborn baby. Was I doing the most to keep my dinner safe? Of course, but who doesn’t do that? Once home, I quickly unpacked, plated, photographed, and prepared the food. What I was more than ready to eat was the Tuscan Style Steak ($37), My Brother Jerry’s Tortelloni Bolognese ($21), a side salad, bread, and a couple of biscotti.

Here’s where I made the error.

From placing my order all the way to ending the photography session, I made the assumption that the steak would be the best plate.

I unfairly assumed that the steak would outshine anything else on the menu. That it would taste better than a burger, sandwich, and even the pasta. While that can be true at many other restaurants that was not exactly the case at Gale’s. The cut of steak appeared monumental on the plate and more than enough for one person like myself. Slicing into it (with an appropriate knife not pictured here) gave me a scrumptious cut of meat that oozed in flavor. I enjoyed each tender bite alone or whether I combined it with the light pasta and delicate vegetables. It was truly delicious, but I would soon find that I gravely underestimated the pasta in comparison.

Opposite the steak was the Bolognese. A smaller portion photographed here, the dish was more than enough for two complete servings. In each forkful I had the most perfect pasta shells encompassing chicken and veal all underneath a hearty meat sauce. It was the combination of the meat together in one plate that it was as if they danced in complete harmony together. From beginning to end what seemed like it should be an unadventurous dish was the exact opposite. I’m shocked to say that the pasta was by far better than the steak. Sounds crazy right? But it’s not. It was the kind of warm meal that not only tasted good, but made me feel good. It gave the sentiment of a beautiful end to a long day or a cozy meal with those you love. I couldn’t believe that it won me over far beyond what I presumed the steak would do but it did.

And I’m not mad at it.

While I’ve underestimated a few dishes in my time, doing so at Gale’s Restaurant will serve as the last time that I do it. Getting to experience the exquisite steak was pleasant, but discovering how delicious the pasta was is what made me the most excited. The pasta has easily my go-to favorite of the restaurant. Does this mean I’ll never order the steak again? Absolutely not. Instead, it means I’ll give more attention to other dishes on the menu that I should have. I’ll ultimately become an equal opportunity eater.

Am I free of all my foodie flaws? Of course not, but thanks to Gale’s Restaurant – I’m getting there.

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Address: 452 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: (626) 432-6705
Hours: Monday through Thursday – 11:30am to 8:00pm, Friday and Saturday – 11:30am to 9:00pm, and Sunday 3:00pm to 8:00pm
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