Pasadena’s Pause Fails to Make a Go of It

R.I.P. Times Three: There must be something in the water. Local restaurants are dropping like flies. Pause, the restaurant strewn with restored Wurlitzers and Coke memorabilia, abruptly stopped serving at 42 S. DeLacy Ave., Pasadena. Owners Dale Chang and Randy Moore didn’t want to speak on the record, but their restaurant consultant told us, “It was all financial.” The owners are considering selling the name, concept and hardware as a package. (Pause had been open only 3 1/2 months, so it takes the flash-in-the-pan award away from Legacy, which survived a mere five months on Sunset Boulevard.). . . Cienega, Jon Fernow’s restaurant at 730 N. La Cienega Blvd., stopped serving dinner after 18 months in business and now handles only catering calls. The decision is up in the air as to whether Fernow and catering partner Laurie Ringer will keep the building for private parties. You can still book it to cater functions by calling (310) 358-8588. . . . And Paio, the tiny restaurant run by chef Alisa Reynolds and her partner Natasha Foy at 2520 Hyperion Ave. in Silver Lake, has also closed. The reason may have to do with the loud, uncomfortable dining space.

New Post at Posto: Posto in Sherman Oaks has a new chef, Steve Samson. (His Italian friends call him Stefano.) Born in the Valley, he studied Italian history and culture at the University of Venice in Italy. After graduating from culinary school in New York, he cooked in restaurants in Italy before family friend Piero Selvaggio, owner of Valentino and Posto, set him up with jobs at Valentino and Valentino Las Vegas. At Posto, Samson is turning out traditional Italian dishes. “My mom is from Bologna,” he told us, “so I think the greatest influence on my food is Bolognese.” Some of the dishes on his new menu, which debuts next week, are gnochetti di ricotta (smaller and lighter than potato gnocchi) with ragu Bolognese and quail al mattone (grilled flat under a brick). He also will offer a mixed seafood grill and risotto with clams and mussels. Says Samson: “I really don’t want a pretentious or arrogant menu.”

* Posto, 14928 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 784-4400.

Dining Dads: We can’t tell you what to give dear old Dad on Father’s Day, but we can suggest some places to feed him.

Le Meridien is putting on a Father’s Day brunch in the Lounge and Garden from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The buffet includes barbecued beef brochette, corn on the cob, warm potato and sausage salad and strawberry shortcake. Live music will also be provided. The price is $50 per person.

* Le Meridien at Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 246-2100.

The Regent Beverly Wilshire is offering fathers a chance to win dinner for four in the Dining Room. All Pop has to do is eat in the Lobby Lounge Sunday between noon and 8 p.m. He can order from the regular menu or a la carte specials such as Porterhouse steak with truffle hollandaise.

* The Lobby Lounge of the Regent Beverly Wilshire, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 275-5200.

The Ritz Restaurant and Garden is giving fathers who dine there this Sunday a $20 gift certificate for a weekday lunch at the restaurant. The Father’s Day Champagne Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dishes include a rock shrimp gazpacho laced with tequila, chicken Viennese with mushrooms, lump crab cakes and brandied cherries jubilee for $29.50 per person.

* The Ritz Restaurant and Garden, 880 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach; (949) 720-1800.

Griff’s,in Merv Griffin’s Beverly Hilton, is serving a champagne buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday. There will be stations for sushi, appetizers, salads and desserts. Entrees include made-to-order omelets (lunch only) and rack of lamb with rosemary sauce. The price (lunch or dinner) is $45, $15 for children under 12.

* Griff’s, Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 285-1268.

The Enterprise Fish Company is giving every dad a Siamese fighting fish in a glass bowl to take home. (They’re not recommended for grilling, by the way.) If you’d rather honor Dad on Monday or Tuesday, take advantage of the $19.95 king crab special.

* The Enterprise Fish Company, 174 Kinney St., Santa Monica; (310) 392-8366.

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Angela Pettera can be reached at (213) 237-3153 or at pettera@prodigy.net