Chef Hugo Molina brings fine dining to Seta in Uptown Whittier

Prior to the opening of Seta in Uptown Whittier just a year ago, folks in the San Gabriel Valley area had to flock to Old Town Pasadena for their fine dining fix. But now they can just head over to the exquisite Seta restaurant and lounge. Seta embodies contemporary elegance, while providing amazing cuisine under the direction of renowned chef Hugo Molina, former chef of Pasadena's acclaimed Parkway Grill restaurant, elevating Old Town Pasadena as a premier spot for fine dining. Now Seta's owners, brothers Javier and Jeen Jimenez, hope he can do the same for Uptown Whittier, and he is well on his way.

Infusing his talent to combine cuisine from different cultures, like Latin and Asian, into a modern American one, chef Molina creates a culinary experience that leaves you wanting to come back for more. The appetizers alone will satisfy your quest for perfection, but you won't want to stop there, so make sure you don't allow yourself to get too full no matter how good they are. The Lobster Crepe, for example, is so delicious words cannot do it justice. You have to try it for yourself...filled with generous amounts of lobster in an exquisite sundried tomato sauce and lemon creme fraiche wrapped in a perfectly fluffy crepe. The Dungeness Crab Cake with Lobster Brandy Cream is one of the best crab cakes I've ever tasted with big lumps of crab and not too fried. The Oaxacan Chicken Quesadilla with Cuitlacoche Sauce is not your usual quesadilla...it looks more like a piece of art and tastes like one too, packed with tons of flavor in a scrumptious chocolate sauce, similar to mole. Chef Molina also highlights his talent in the Seta Roll, which is not your average sushi roll either. This roll packed with fresh tuna with a kick brings sushi up to a whole new level. This roll just explodes in your mouth with flavor...it's dynamite!

Okay, now let's get to the main course. You can't go wrong with anything you order at Seta, but one of the most popular dishes and rightly so, are the Day Boat Diver Scallops, large and fresh from Maine, wrapped in Applewood Bacon in a delicious Moro Blood Orange-Champagne Beurre Blanc sauce. They come with a Wild Mushroom Risotto, which is amazing. The Mexican Corvina Sea Bass with Shrimp Mashed Potatoes is also an excellent choice. There is also Alaskan King Salmon on Cedar Plank served with Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes.

If you want meat, Seta offers a variety of steaks and chops, including Filet Mignon, Dry Aged New York, Bone-In Rib Eye, Pork Chop and perfect for spring, New Zealand Lamb Chops, which are delicious and come with a generous amount of meat on the bone. You have your choice of rubs for each one, including smoked salt, mexican adobo, and four pepper garlic, among others. You also have your choice of sauces, such as cabernet reduction, foie gras port reduction and green pepper corn sherry cream. You also have a choice of sides, from truffle mash potatoes to jalapeno cream of corn. There is also Seta Mac and Cheese Gratin, which could be a meal in itself, it's so good. I would have to say it's the best mac and cheese I have ever had and I'm not usually a fan. It comes with three cheeses and it's baked to perfection.

The food is all so good that you have to be careful to not indulge too much that you don't leave room for dessert. The Intense Chocolate flourless molten cake is divine, and the Tangy Lemon...lemon cheesecake is incredible, my favorite...a perfectly light cheesecake with a refreshing lemon flavor atop a flaky almond cookie...yum!

For those watching their wallets and want to make it to Seta for dinner, Seta offers an incredible promotional dinner menu from Sunday to Wednesday from 5-9 pm. It's three courses for just $20. That's a great way to try out the restaurant for the first time, so no excuses.

Seta also offers a fabulous lunch menu, which is very affordable, and has paella for only $12. And let me tell you, chef Hugo Molina makes the best and most authentic paella I have had in L.A. His father is from Cadiz, Spain, so he knows how to make it just right. He only uses Spanish rice and adds no coloring, using only azafran to give it its unique flavor and color. You have to check out Seta for the paella, as well.

Seta also has Happy Hour, or as they call it Cocktail Hour, Monday to Thursday from 5-9 pm. And if you want a longer night, there is a DJ after 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays in the Seta lounge. It's definitely a good time. You can also have private parties at Seta in the private dining area. Seta is located at 13033 Philadelphia Street in Uptown Whittier. For more information, you can call them at 562-698-3355 or visit www.dineseta.com.

More information on hours:

Lunch:
Monday thru Friday - 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Dinner:
Sunday - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Monday thru Thursday - 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday thru Saturday - 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Cocktail Hour:
Monday thru Thursday - 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Late Night Lounge:
Friday thru Saturday up until 11:00 PM