Michael Roberts Likes the Look of Pasadena’s Palms

“I think the new economics are that people don’t mind spending money,” says chef Michael Roberts, “but they are not interested in a chef working out ideas and doing experimental things on them . People want food to be solid and steadfast--with no surprises.”

And Roberts feels many of those very people live in Pasadena. That’s where the former Trumps chef/co-owner plans to open his next restaurant. “I think restaurants are appreciated out there,” he says.

While Roberts has yet to raise any money toward the project, he says he’s “gotten farther with this idea than any others.” A couple of developers have even secured a six-month option on a corner lot in Pasadena’s Old Town. Since there are two 200-year-old palm trees on the site, Roberts plans to call the restaurant . . . Twin Palms.

The menu will feature slow-cooked French food. “It’s what I wanted to do at Trumps to save that location,” he says. But in order for the food to work, it needs to be cooked in small batches, and turned over quickly. “Otherwise,” he says, “it’s no different than the food served on steam tables in cafeterias.”

DEEP SECRETS: Cafe Morpheus (formerly Asylum) in Beverly Hills, which was slated to open last December, has finally opened. But the big news is the restaurant’s mysterious back room, which won’t be accessible to most diners. According to an insider, you have to walk down a side alley to the left of the restaurant, then buzz an intercom to gain entry. “It’s unbelievably pretentious,” says the source. “Someone behind the door asks for your name, and if they recognize your voice, or you are on the guest list. Only then will they let you in. They have millions of dollars in art on the walls in there, very sexy Francis Bacons and Gustav Klimts.”

Owner John Thomas refused to talk about his back room. “I’m not saying it’s not true,” he says. “But I am not going to discuss Asylum, I am committed only to Cafe Morpheus right now.”

CHEF UPDATES: When last we heard from Vaughn Allen, he had just left Melrose Place (after eight weeks) for a new beat as co-chef at Tatou. That was November. Allen (who cooked at Restaurant Muse and Asylum before he went to Melrose Place) has since left the Beverly Hills restaurant/nightclub and is currently cooking at the Hollywood Canteen. Meanwhile, Jose Noel (former line cook at Campanile) has taken over Allen’s duties at Tatou. . . .

At the busy Monkey Bar on Beverly Boulevard, Sam Marvin (he was a former sous-chef at Patina) has been hired to run the kitchen while Gordon Naccarato--he owns the Aspen restaurant Gordon’s--commutes between the two restaurants during ski season. . . .

Is Jean-Pierre Bosc, who recently left Castel Bistro in December to “pursue other opportunities,” about to start cooking at Lunaria, Bernard Jacoupy’s West Los Angeles bistro/jazz club? “I need a professional with me to run the front of a restaurant,” says Bosc. “That’s why it didn’t work out at Castel. At Lunaria, the owner is there all the time. I hope we can work something out.” (Jacoupy did not return telephone calls.)

RESTAURANT SHOPPING: Since Broadway Deli’s sudden closure after two months in Encino, several restaurateurs have shown interest in the vacated space, including the management at Tribeca, El Cholo, Ruth Chris’ Steak House, Cha Cha Cha and Crocodile Cantina.

“It’s a big restaurant, but that doesn’t seem to frighten anyone,” says a source.

“It’s not a high-traffic center,” says El Cholo’s Ron Salisbury, who has been scouting the San Fernando Valley for restaurant locations. “There are mostly women’s clothing stores, and those don’t bring in a lot of customers like a bookstore.” Salisbury wants to open a downscale version of El Cholo, “a Daily Grill type of thing,” he says, “but with Mexican food.”

OLI OVER?: Although it’s been closed since the holidays, a spokeswoman for Oli Ola says the Pacific Palisades Tuscan trattoria will definitely reopen . . . but with a new format. The main thing is the installation of a pizza oven. “You’re dealing with the coastal commission,” she says. Still no word on when it will reopen.

LOVE PORTIONS: Is it because the restaurant is located on the site formerly occupied by Romeo & Juliet? Is it because the restaurant opened so close to Valentine’s Day? Whatever the reason, 435 North in Beverly Hills is celebrating its first anniversary by offering a candlelight dinner for two for $28.50. The prix-fixe dinner includes three courses, coffee and a glass of wine. It will be available through the end of this month.