Founders Tavern & Grille | 8125 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena 410-544-0076 | founderstavernandgrille.com
Amidst the sprawl of a busy Pasadena patch along Route 2, there is a surprising gem, which has the allure of a tavern one would find in a colonial city like Williamsburg or, even, Philadelphia. Founders Tavern & Grille was born from a love of history, which owners Steve and Janet Sumner envisioned as an eatery representing the founding fathers of 1776.
As you enter the spacious bar area, the suspended wooden American flag representing the 13 original colonies draws the eye and amplifies the patriotic feel. The decor is casual with lots of reclaimed wood and a wall created from pallets by local firefighters who became the restaurant’s building partners. Even the Mason jar water glasses are a throwback to times past, when the atmosphere was and is Americana-friendly, rather than hokey.
Steve brings his diverse career backgrounds, first in sales for IBM software and then commercial Italian baking, together for friendly front-of-the house hosting and made-from-scratch rolls and pizza crust. Meanwhile, Janet excels in the interior design and marketing of the business.
Our delightful waitperson, Kristen, greeted us with the proclamation that Founders is, indeed, a made-from-scratch restaurant with everything possible sourced locally and GMO-free. With fresh, homemade sauces, dressings, and desserts, nothing is frozen. In fact, there isn’t even a freezer on the premises.
Artisan whiskey barrels line one of the walls of Founders Tavern & Grille. The bar prides itself in offering a large assortment of whiskies; several flights are featured monthly, including a whiskey distilled specifically for Founders. There is even a separate menu for whiskey flights. They are equally renowned for outstanding martinis and handcrafted drinks, using fresh herbs and just-squeezed juices. Founders’ Rhubarb and Rosemary is a favorite libation, so my friend decided to have a go at it. What an outstanding infusion of distinct, clean tastes! Tanqueray gin, fresh squeezed grapefruit and lime, rhubarb bitters, rosemary simple syrup, and an aromatic fresh rosemary sprig. A perfect cocktail of healthy deliciousness!
To start, we agreed to share the Pear and Walnut Salad, which the chef obligingly split for us in the kitchen. The spinach and romaine greens were a perky, complement to the fresh pear, candied walnuts, and feta crumbles. The balsamic vinaigrette is very tangy and served on the side so you can add to your liking.
Founders emphasizes farm-to-table freshness, local growers, natural ingredients, and house-made dough for breads and pizza. Homemade dough! How could we not sample a small bread loaf with honey butter? So scrumptious! Lured by the excellent bread, we wasted no time ordering a pizza as an appetizer. The menu lists eight specialty pizzas; we chose the Young Gardner. The spinach, mushrooms, onion, and red and green peppers were fresh and the pie was tasty with red sauce, mozzarella, and a nice sprinkling of Parmesan shavings. The pie was reasonable at $14 for a 12-incher. We took home most and it was great as a reheat.
Known for its homey food, Founders’ creativity shines with some very clever names: Presidential Plunge, The Bunker Hill, Salem Fish Fry, and Louisville’s Famous “Hot Brown.” Now this Hot Brown is truly a dish to reckon with and apparently many folks have: roasted turkey breast, sliced tomatoes, Mornay sauce, and topped with sharp cheddar, Parmesan, Founders’ slow-cured bacon crumble, and parsley. Served over country white toast and baked in a cast iron skillet—whew. We didn’t think we could manage it tonight. I had heard raves about the Yankee Pot Roast, which has become a standard on the dinner menu and my friend had to give it a go. Beef roast is tenderized by slow roasting, with root vegetables, onions, and thick natural jus gravy, served over red skin mashed potatoes. The portion of meat was oh-so-tender, and carrots adorned the dish. The mashed potatoes were very good, with or without the gravy...old fashioned delicious.
Though Kristen raved about the fried chicken (which is hard to find an excellent version these days) named The Third Maryland Regiment fried chicken, after some of Anne Arundel County’s Revolutionary War soldiers, we decided to save it for our next visit when we bring the grown young men in our families. We opted for the slow roasted entrees. Nothing reminds me more of my grandmother’s kitchen than a one-pot meal on a winter day, other than some good old-fashioned barley. The Hunter Stew was a satisfying dish of comfy wholesomeness. Boneless chicken thighs and pearly barley risotto were perfectly roasted in a red wine tomato sauce, further enriched by ample mushrooms, red and green peppers, and onions. Topping the entree were crisp thick bits of bacon, fresh chopped herbs, and shaved Parmesan, which added a gentle boost of deliciousness. This one-pot was right-on for an evening and good conversation.
And extra kudos to Founders for their Potomac Catfish dish—the delicious, but invasive, blue catfish, which has found its way to our waters. Restaurants are helping to control this fish when they add it to their menu. Here, it has a southern Creole treatment over wild rice.
A kids’ menu draws families here, along with the offerings of pizza and sandwiches on the dinner menu, which keeps the casual tavern character well balanced.
We were happy to share the classic Tiramisu for dessert, a recipe passed down from Steve’s mother. The sumptuous moist classic arrived in a small mason jar with the indulgence of rich mascarpone, ladyfingers dipped in a mixture of espresso and liqueur, and topped with cocoa powder. Translated as “pick me up” or “cheer me up”…it certainly did!
