Pat at Eating LA recently discovered the future home of Noir Café & Wine Bar, down the block from The Ice House comedy club in Pasadena. I contacted owner Mike Farwell to learn more. Farwell opened Red Carpet Wine Bar in Glendale, Wine Bar 112 at Restaurant Halie and co-created Vertical Wine Bistro in Old Town Pasadena. Now he’s building a new wine concept that centers on Pinot Noir. “I always felt Pinot Noir was the best wine by the glass,” says Farwell. “My first concept was to only serve Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but that’s risky. Our first name was Pinot Noir Wine Bar.” Farwell decided to set up shop in Pasadena since he lives there and loves the atmosphere.

As for the food and drink, Farwell said, “Noir Café & Wine Bar will emphasize local fresh cuisine and a wonderful selection of wines. It will be the best Pinot Noir list anyone has ever put together.” Farwell and his team want the food to be light. To help execute his small plates concept, he’s already spoken with three chefs about consulting: Octavio Becerra at Palate Food + Wine, Barbara West of Barbara’s at the Brewery and Andre Guerrero of Max and The Oinkster.

Farwell hired architect Steve Dahl and designer Jane Burbank to mold the former home of the McDuffie Liz consignment shop. The décor will be “New Orleans eclectic,” with warm colors and a large patio to help enjoy fresh air year-round.

Farwell hopes to open Noir Café & Wine Bar by April 1, 2009.

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1. kim gallego, November 30, 2008:

   Wow–what a fresh and exciting idea! We get our hair done at Alex & Friends Hair Studio around the corner and can’t wait to make Noir part of our Pasadena experience!

2. Christian, March 30, 2009:

   inspiring menu?

   http://www.thecrepevine.com/menu.html
   http://www.winebarnoir.com/PDF-downloads/Menu.pdf

3. Mike Farwell, May 21, 2009:

   Hello, I will send an email with updates:
   NOIR
   40 North Mentor Avenue
   Pasadena, CA 91106
   626.795.7199
   MENU: http://www.winebarnoir.com/menu.html
   Our chef is Claud Beltran, and we’ll be opening in late June or early July if all continues well

4. Sandra, May 26, 2009:

   Wow
   can hardly wait. maybe i will just skip the salon and go to the winebar.

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass.