(April 10, 2008) -- The streets of Old Town Pasadena and the cramped La Luna Negra are two different kinds of busy. On the sidewalks of Colorado strangers rush by, bumping you in the shoulder, beggars reaching out their hands. You try to strike a conversation with your companion to ignore the guilt you feel for not sparing some change, but you find yourself competing with tasteless music blaring out the windows of cars stuck in traffic. One street south, you step into La Luna Negra and are teleported to a busy Spanish dining hall.

The loud chitchat and decorations will overwhelm you at first, but you will soon find that in the busy room with closely packed tables, no one is in a rush, not even the hostess. Let’s just say if you’re starving, La Luna Negra is not the place for you. It’ll take 40 minutes for the food to reach your table –that is, if they don’t forget the straws. But it’s all part of the intentional unhurried feel of the restaurant (except the part about the straws).

The goal of the staff is to celebrate

tapas, Spanish delights that range from appetizers to meals. Not only does the restaurant successfully provide delicious tapas, but it also manages to capture the mood that comes with Spanish dining. The unhurried service encourages conversation while the red and golden lights highlight the artwork on the walls painted by local artist Romi Bagh. The restaurant further celebrates Spanish culture with Thursday through Sunday Flamenco shows, and Friday and Saturday late night band performances.

Most importantly, the menu offers food for all types of people. From cold plates to hot plates to entrees, La Luna Negra offers many choices, including many vegetarian options. Their signature saffron dish will most likely be recommended by the waiter and for good reason. With the perfect balance of flavors, the dish is a delight. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and the restaurant, so don’t hesitate to ask for their advice.

La Luna Negra is located on 44 West Green Street, Pasadena. Open Tuesday through Sunday, it offers

tapas with prices ranging from $4-$15 and entrees from $20-$30. While the food is good, the portions are small and weekends cost an extra $25. So if you want to leave the restaurant with a full stomach and catch the entertainment, you should leave with an empty wallet.