“Xiomara‘s Mambo may be the single
most seductive drink in all of Southern California”
-S. Irene Virbila, L.A. Times Magazine
Top 50 Restaurants in Los Angeles
-Angeleno Magazine April 2003
Restaurant History and
Biographical Information
Xiomara Ardolina, who was born in Cuba and came to the United States
at the age of 13, has established herself as one of the top restaurateurs
in Southern California. Her first restaurant, The Epicurean in La
Canada, operated for 12 successful years and was considered by many
as the best in fine dining. In 1991, Xiomara relocated her restaurant
to the newly rejuvenated Old Pasadena, renaming it Xiomara. Featuring
French cuisine, within two years, it was recognized as one of the
finest restaurants in the entire Los Angeles area. In her 1993 review
of Xiomara, distinguished Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Ruth
Reichl described the food as “rustic, yet refined” and
noted Xiomara’s graciousness, stating “she is a beautiful
bundle of outgoing energy… and has a knack of putting people
at ease.”
Other critics agreed with Reichl. S. Irene Virbila of the Los Angeles
Times wrote, “I would have to look hard to find such a meal."
“For a refreshing take on Latin flavors”, head over to
this “warm, friendly” Cuban-driven Nuevo latino in Pasadena
where “charming” chef-owner Xiomara Ardolina whips up
“wildly creative and adventurous dishes” (“the roast
pork is excellent’) that are particularly lovely with a couple
of the trademark mojitos”; P.S. “don’t miss the
chocolate bread pudding soufflé.”
Zagat Survey 2003
And Bryan Miller of the New York Times, in addition to praising the
food, loved the ambience, saying, “Xiomara has a cool, jazzy
feeling.”
In 1996, Xiomara, reaching into her Cuban heritage, made a bold and
dramatic change to her menu and began serving Nuevo Latino cuisine,
infusing it with a French technique. And as before, the critics loved
it. Jonathan Gold, in the Los Angeles Magazine, named Xiomara one
of the top ten new restaurants in Los Angeles, describing the food
as “the equal of anything served in the famous nueva Latina
restaurants in Miami and New York” and calling it “the
premier West Coast showcase for Pan-American style cooking.”
Pasadena Star critic, Merrill Shindler wrote, “Xiomara has evolved
into one of the most creative restaurants in Southern California.”
Although Ruth Reichl left to work for the New York Times, she returned
to taste the food at the new Xiomara’s and called the menu “fascinating”,
writing that the “ceviche is as good as any I have tasted.”
Irene Virbila, in her review of Xiomara’s daring change, described
it as “an island getaway… it evokes an intimate supper
club and the lilting voices of Benny More, Celia Cruz and Albita spin
the room into an enchanting island haze.”
In 2001 Xiomara opened Café Atlantic, featuring authentic Cuban
cuisine. Virbila wrote. “Café Atlantic in Pasadena puts
a spin on traditional favorites, refining the tantalizing flavors
of the island's beloved cuisine.”
Most recently Xiomara has opened Xiomara Melrose. This latest restaurant
is a showcase for Xiomara’s “home cooking she grew up
on in Cuba, Miami and New York, Xiomara gives it her own idiosyncratic
spin.”, writes the Los Angeles Times.
Xiomara
Facts
Xiomara Melrose
Latin Cuisine
Address, Telephone, and Fax:
6101 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90038
Telephone: (323) 461-0601
Fax: (323) 461-0131
www.xiomararestaurant.com
Hours of Operation:
Lunch
Monday – Friday 11:30 – 3:00
Dinner
Monday - Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00
Friday - Saturday: 5:00 – 11:00
Sunday - Closed
Seating Capacity: 90 Persons
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