Down Under Dining

Looking for a participation dining experience that truly rocks? Welcome to Boomerock, a little piece of the Australian outback newly opened in Old Town Pasadena. Here’s how it works. You are hungry. You walk into the cavernous restaurant and hit two zucchini-shaped sticks together to summon your server.

You order your main dish--fish, chicken or beef--and in the time it takes to open the refrigerator, it is delivered to you--raw.

Fortunately--and this is the fun part--you have already been equipped with all you need to cook your meal. That is to say, you have your Boomerock--a slab of black lava rock preheated to a sizzling 700 degrees. (Do not be afraid: The Boomerock tray keeps you from getting burned as you grill your food to perfection.)

While your meat cooks, you can wander around to view (and if you have the means, purchase) the aboriginal icons and objets d’art that decorate the walls. Don’t you want your own didjeridu?

Despite the hot rocks and some fiery Tasmanian dipping sauces, the restaurant is kid-friendly. A quiet corner behind the maitre d’ holds dozens of stuffed koala and kangaroo toys, and children ordering from their own menu eat free every Wednesday.

Boomerock can also be an educational experience. You’ll likely learn at least one new aboriginal word--”boorala” (translation: wow).