B and I went to Elements Kitchen again last month. Definitely try this place if you want to be in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, yet don't want to bother with mediocre tourist food. It's really a gem in a tangle of tourist traps like the Cheesecake Factory and A'Float Sushi. They have outdoor seating, but I recommending asking for a table inside.I wouldn't say the menu is exceptionally innovative. Rather, it's simple food, done well and prepared with an attention to detail.
I really liked my quinoa salad. Toasted pistachios and fresh oranges flavored the quinoa with a delicate sweetness. It was delicious. I'll probably have to resist the urge to order this dish next time so I can try something new. 
The Mac and Cheese with Truffle Oil was definitely not the highlight of the meal, but I can't really say it was bad. The truffle oil was a bit gimmicky since it really didn't do much for the dish in terms of flavor. There was an initial aroma, but that's about it. The sauce was also too runny for my tastes. Still I'm sure some would prefer its lightness to a traditional, heartier mac and cheese.
B got the Chicken Escabeche, which is a sandwich of white wine cured chicken, pickled carrots, jicama, red onions and sriracha mayonnaise. I had a bite and I remember it being delicious.(Random note: I like the pickles ~ they taste and look homemade.)
Now for the criticism... when they say Elements kitchen, they're not kidding. It's literally a kitchen with space for two small tables (seats 4-6 total, I think). While intimate, pint-size restaurants are usually right up my alley, I think size is a limitation here. Even under the inviting yellow umbrellas, I was much too hot sitting outside to enjoy my food. January in L.A. might as well be June in L.A. The intense sun exposure and noisy Fair Oaks traffic made it difficult for me to concentrate on my food.
In short, I'm sure Elements has a few kinks to work out since it is relatively new and in transition. The waitress told us they were moving to a new location (hopefully with better seating). Who knows? It might change a lot over the course of the next few months, so I'll have to wait and see. Overall, it's a refreshing and much needed change to Old Town's restaurant repertoire.
