Restaurant Opening: Elements Kitchen in Pasadena

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Aesthetes who attend shows at the Pasadena Playhouse -- along with those who would rather go see ‘It’s Complicated’ at the Pacific Paseo Stadium 14 -- now have a new dining option in Elements Kitchen, which opened this week.

Onil Chibás and Alberto Morales, the chefs behind Elements Catering and Elements Cafe (also in Pasadena), finally have their own restaurant. It’s located in the same gorgeous brick building that houses the Pasadena Playhouse. The restaurant’s hook is that each dish dances around the flavor profile of a single ingredient (or element, aha!). Menu items switch out according to seasonality and include dishes such as triple oxtail consomme, duck confit eggrolls, crispy fried chicken livers and beefsteak tomato tartar.

The wine list, mostly from California, the Mediterranean and South America, was curated by Mission Wines owner Chris Meeske.

The interior of the restaurant contains a large chefs tasting table, a bar and a lounge (although a full liquor license is still pending) and open-kitchen views.

Elements Kitchen, 37 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. (626) 440-0044; www.elementskitchen.com. Hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays, 5 to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 11 p.m. Bar hours: 4 p.m. to midnight. Closed Mondays.

-- Jessica Gelt