Cheesesteaks by Matū Opens Today

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that pairs well with your morning cup of coffee.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Cheesesteaks by Matū Opens Today

• Events this Wednesday & Thursday

• Civic News

• Restaurant Spotlight: Nick’s

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Cheesesteaks by Matū Opens Today

The wait is over! Cheesesteaks by Matū officially opens today, January 14, in their brand new Pasadena location, following a soft opening earlier this week on Monday.

The new spot just landed on East Colorado Boulevard sharing a space with HiHo Cheeseburger, and today is its full debut. The menu is tight and very Matū. Think eight ounces of 100% grass-fed Wagyu ribeye and sirloin, Cooper Sharp cheese, grilled onions, and a roasted long hot pepper on a freshly baked sesame roll. There’s also a build-your-own option, plus house-made potato chips fried in Wagyu beef tallow. Beer, wine, and Mexican sodas round it out.

It’s opening day, and this one will be pulling long lines. See the full menu here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Wednesday (1/14/26)

🎹 Music at Noon: Hyewon Chang, piano: Enjoy a midday piano performance by Hyewon Chang, featuring classical repertoire in an intimate lunchtime concert setting. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday, January 14 from 12:10PM–12:40PM

🎬 Films @ Lamanda Park: Watch The Post (2017), starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, in a free afternoon screening hosted by the library. Lamanda Park Branch Library | Wednesday, January 14 from 1PM–3PM

🎭 NT Live: Mrs. Warren’s Profession: Watch Bernard Shaw’s provocative classic in a filmed West End production starring Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter, exploring morality, independence, and social change. Boston Court Pasadena | Wednesday, January 14 at 2PM

🍷 Anayas Restaurant: Winedown Wednesdays: Unwind midweek with live music by Rodrigo and a curated wine selection paired with dinner at Anayas. Anayas Restaurant | Wednesday, January 14 at 7PM

🎶 Wine & Song: Eva Rose King; Jonie: Settle in for an intimate evening of folk songwriting featuring Eva Rose King’s reflective storytelling and Jonie’s heartfelt, roots-inspired sound. Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza | Wednesday, January 14 at 7PM

🎤 Distinguished Speaker Series – Dr. Laurie Santos: Hear Yale professor and The Happiness Lab host Dr. Laurie Santos share practical insights on well-being, followed by a moderated Q&A with the audience. Distinguished Speakers of Southern California | Wednesday, January 14 from 7:30PM–9PM

😂 Comedy Improv Happy Hours: Enjoy a midweek improv comedy show with rotating guest comedians serving up fast, on-the-spot laughs all night. The Mixx Pasadena | Wednesday, January 14 at 8PM

😂 Wednesdays at the DL with DL Hughley & Friends: Catch DL Hughley hosting a rotating lineup of established and up-and-coming comedians in this weekly stand-up showcase. The Ice House Comedy Club | Wednesday, January 14 at 8PM

Thursday (1/15/26)

☕ Meet Me at the Village!: Stop by for coffee, bagels, and conversation at this casual info session to learn more about Pasadena Village and meet community members. Pasadena Village Office Community Room | Thursday, January 15 at 10AM

🖼️ Curator’s Tour | Cha-Rie Tang: 48 Years of Artistic Innovation in Pasadena: Join artist and curator Cha-Rie Tang for a guided tour highlighting fused glass, ceramic tile work, and designs from her decades-long creative practice. Pasadena Museum of History | Thursday, January 15 from 11AM–12PM

💭 Thoughtful Thursdays: Take a midday pause with casual conversation, mindfulness activities, and creative prompts in this relaxed drop-in community session. Hill Avenue Branch Library | Thursday, January 15 at 12PM

💚 Wellness Open House at Collaboratory: Stop by to explore the Wellness Room, connect with community members, and learn about local wellness resources in a welcoming, open-house setting. Eaton Fire Collaboratory | Thursday, January 15 at 3:30PM

🥕 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Pick up certified California-grown produce, grab prepared food, and enjoy live music during this weekly Thursday market. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Thursday, January 15 from 4PM–7PM

🥃 Anayas Restaurant: Whiskey & Mojitos: Enjoy live music by Rodrigo while sipping mojitos and whiskey during a laid-back Thursday night. Anayas Restaurant | Thursday, January 15 from 7PM–9PM

🎭 NT Live: Inter Alia: Watch Rosamund Pike star in Suzie Miller’s new play examining modern motherhood and masculinity in this filmed West End production. Boston Court Pasadena | Thursday, January 15 at 7PM

😂 Matthew Broussard: Catch sharp, smart stand-up from Matthew Broussard, blending self-aware humor with clever takes on math, culture, and everyday absurdities. The Ice House Comedy Club | Thursday, January 15 at 8PM

Save the Date

💎 Pasadena Bead & Design Show: Explore a curated marketplace of beads, gemstones, artisan jewelry, textiles, and creative supplies from hundreds of makers and designers. Pasadena Convention Center | Friday–Sunday, January 16–18 from 10AM–5PM

🏊 FREE Lap Swimming Friday: Enjoy free lap swimming and fitness center access as RBAC marks the one-year anniversary of reopening after the 2025 res. Rose Bowl Aquatic Center | Friday, January 16 from 9AM–11AM

🛍️ 1042 Flea: Nothing Over 25: Shop vintage, art, jewelry, handmade crafts, and more from 40+ vendors, with $5 bins, $10 racks, and everything capped at $25. 112 E Colorado Blvd | Saturday, January 17 from 11AM–4PM

🎶 Power Up Altadena!: A family-friendly festival featuring live music from Bobby Bradford & Dwight Trible, Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Rhythms of the Village Family Band, Earthseed Band & The Whispering Giants, plus art, workshops, and emcees Medusa & Myka 9. Westminster Presbyterian | Saturday, January 17 from 11:11AM–4:44PM

🎶 Howie Sings the Great American Songbook: Enjoy classic standards in the Sinatra tradition with Howie and the Mike Saul Jazz Quartet—plus Hawg Heaven’s well-known cheeseburgers if you stay for dinner. Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastro Pub | Saturday, January 17 from 7:30PM–9PM

🎉 Pasadena Neighbor Day – Main Event: Celebrate community with live music from Licata Brothers, Nina Lares’ Yacht Rock Singalong, The Nextdoors, and Jason Heath & the Greedy Souls, plus an official community toast and raffle prizes benefiting local nonprofits. Wild Parrot Brewing Company | Sunday, January 18 from 2PM–7:30PM

🏃 Rose Bowl Half & 5K: Take on either the half marathon or 5K at this annual race that includes a finisher medal, event shirt, and a run around the iconic stadium. Rose Bowl | Sunday, January 18 at 10AM

🎭 A Cabaret Soirée: Altadena Music Theatre hosts its first public gathering since the fires, featuring a screening of Cabaret and a piano bar finale celebrating resilience through the arts. Manoukian Performing Arts Center | Sunday, January 18 at 6PM

🧧 Lunar New Year at Norton Simon Museum: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with family-friendly gallery activities and hands-on crafts inspired by art, movement, and Lunar New Year traditions. Norton Simon Museum | Wednesday, January 21 from 1PM–3PM

🦸 Pasadena Comic Con: Spend the day exploring pop culture with celebrity guests, artist booths, panels, toys, and collectibles in a family-friendly convention setting. Pasadena Comic Con | Sunday, January 25 from 10AM–5PM

🍔 Pasadena Cheeseburger Week: Celebrate Pasadena’s claim as the birthplace of the cheeseburger with a citywide week of signature burgers and special creations honoring Lionel Sternberger’s 1924 invention. Pasadena (citywide) | Sunday–Saturday, January 25–31

🛍️ 1042 Flea: Nothing Over 25: Shop art, jewelry, vintage, plants, totes, and more from 45+ vendors, with everything priced under $25. CTRL Collective | Saturday, January 27 from 11AM–4PM

📚 Rare Books Pasadena: Browse rare and antiquarian books from dozens of booksellers from around the world as this major book fair returns to Pasadena across two venues. Raymond Theatre | Saturday, February 21 from 10AM–6PM & Sunday, February 22 from 11AM–4PM

Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if something is sponsored!

CIVIC NEWS

City Council Moves Forward on Housing Site and Police Parking

The City Council approved moving forward with talks for a large affordable housing project on city-owned land at North Lake Avenue and Villa Street. The plan would redevelop the site into a mixed-use project with at least 200 homes, most of them affordable, along with space for health and mental health services. While most of the Council supported the move, Councilmember Steve Madison voted no, saying the process lacked transparency and came after Los Angeles County backed out of a planned partnership.

The Council also approved extending a parking agreement that provides 100 parking spaces for Pasadena Police Department employees near police headquarters. The one-year extension increases the contract cost and keeps the parking in place through the end of the year, as the city has not yet secured a permanent replacement after the closure of the Holly Street Garage.

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

Nick’s Pasadena

by Peter Dills, Local Food Dude ([email protected])
Listen to the ‘Peter Dills AKA LA Foodie’ podcast here or SoundCloud here.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of dining and reviewing Nick’s on Lake Street in Pasadena, celebrating a friend’s birthday with my group of close friends—fondly dubbed the “Glory Days Gang.” Recently, I decided to revisit the restaurant and see if it still held the charm and quality I remembered. Spoiler alert: it did.

I often remind my radio listeners about my rule of thumb: don’t order seafood on Sundays or Mondays. Why? Many restaurants get their deliveries on Thursdays, meaning the seafood might not be at its freshest by the end of the weekend. Well, my rule was put to the test when my friends ordered sea bass and halibut, and I couldn’t have been more wrong—the seafood was excellent, fresh, and perfectly prepared. Nick’s proved that rules are made to be broken.

Brett, one of my dining companions, ordered the Caesar Salad, which was a highlight of the entire meal. The romaine lettuce came as full leaves—a presentation I personally love. While the dressing was on the milder side, it complemented the salad well, making it a solid choice.

For appetizers, the shrimp taquitos were a standout, combining crispy texture with flavorful shrimp that set a great tone for the meal. As for my own entrée, I chose the baby back ribs. Now, I’m typically hesitant to order ribs at a non-BBQ-specific restaurant, but Nick’s delivered. The ribs were tender, well-seasoned, and reminded me of the quality you’d find at Houston’s—a high compliment in my book. The side salad here is called the Petite Bistro, still scratching my head on what was in it, but it was a solid 9 in my book.  My friend seated just next to me raved about the meatloaf, which was hearty and satisfying.

The wine list at Nick’s is another highlight. I browsed through it and was impressed by how reasonably priced it was—both by the glass and by the bottle. It’s rare to find a balance of quality and affordability, but Nick’s manages it seamlessly. With food in the $20-$40 range, the overall value is excellent, especially for the level of service and attention to detail.

Speaking of service our server, was attentive and professional, adding to the experience. And while the gin martini I ordered was only half-filled (a minor quibble), it was mixed to perfection and left me pleasantly surprised.

Nick’s on Lake Street remains a top-tier dining option for those in the Pasadena area. From the excellent food to the stellar service, it’s a place that deserves a spot on your dining rotation. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a night out, Nick’s delivers quality and consistency in every bite.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

78 🌡️55 |☀️| 💨 NE 6 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 26 (Good)

Thursday

77 🌡️ 51 |☀️| 💨 N 4 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎹 Music at Noon: Hyewon Chang, piano: Enjoy a midday piano performance by Hyewon Chang, featuring classical repertoire in an intimate lunchtime concert setting. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday, January 14 from 12:10PM–12:40PM

🎶 Music in the Chinese Garden: Enjoy unamplified live music on traditional Chinese instruments as a solo musician performs while visitors stroll through the garden. The Huntington Botanical Gardens | Wednesday, January 14 at 1PM

🎷 World Jazz Night: Catch a live jazz set with Quinn Johnson on keys, Kevin Axt on bass, and Chris Wabich on drums. Club 1881 | Wednesday, January 14 from 8PM–11PM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee leads an evening of jazz standards with his trio. Edwin Mills | Wednesday, January 14 from 6PM–10PM

🎷 Doug MacDonald: Jazz journeyman guitarist Doug MacDonald brings his warm, swing-forward approach to classic standards. Edwin Mills | Thursday, January 15 from 6PM–10PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who thinks a sandwich cut diagonally tastes better than a sandwich cut straight down the middle.

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