Adam, South Pasadena CA
Reviews: 33 (Connoisseur)
City: South Pasadena
State: CA
Birthday: 2/4/1982
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Reviews
A' Float Sushi
Sushi On Boats
"I remember this kind of thing as a kid, and I just loved it at the time. Sushi is deposited on a belt that rolls around the restaurant letting you pick and choose from whatever comes by. Its perfect if you don't know what to order, or you are looking for some extra variety.
Plus there is something just fun about sushi on boats.
As far as the fish is concerned - its ok. They don't exactly use the best stuff if it might float around for a couple of hours. If want a novelty and a good place to bring kids, then this is it - if you want top notch sushi, then you'll need to keep looking." - 2/11/08
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Indian Summer
Buffet Anyone?
"Indian Summer is a place that goes back and forth with me on the favorites list. Sometimes I really crave Indian food (and they are the single option in the El Segundo area), and sometimes I just get sick of it.
As far as Indian places goes this is pretty run of the mill standard fare. They do have a good selection of vegetarian options for those that abstain from meat. Each dish is done just well enough to get by, and just well enough to get me to go back for seconds (What? Its all you can eat).
And then I bounce back and do not visit for a couple of months. I do hear that the place picks up a bit with their dishes in the evening, but I have not yet had the chance to visit at this time." - 12/20/07
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Bistro De La Gare
Little Paris
"For whatever reason, and a reason that I fail to understand, South Pasadena has sprouted up a little French community. There are now 3 solidly good French restaurants in this little town's area. Before you know it we will have Parisian cafe's and berets for everyone. Ok just kidding on that one.
In all seriousness though, Bistro De La Gare is a great dining option, from a pleasant lunch to a dinner date. The ambiance is quite nice, and laid out just as you would expect a high end restaurant - low lighting and pleasant decor. The menu includes an excellent Onion soup and a brilliantly done steak with a green peppercorn sauce. The wine selection is also quite nice, and their sommelier will be more than happy to help you with your food pairings.
All in all its a great little restaurant - and all this comes at a price that wont kill your wallet. It's not going to a burger stand...but its not going to The French Laundry either." - 12/20/07
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Nicole's Gourmet Foods
From Cheeses to Croissants
"Technically Nicole's is more French Grocery store than cafe, but it does both quite well. For reasons that I still do not understand, the tiny town of South Pasadena has become a bit of a haven for French food. It is about the closest to a "Little Paris" that LA has to offer (at least that I know of), and well...to be honest...that makes me very happy.
This quaint little cafe sells a variety of ingredients for French cooking, including an excellent selection of cheeses and breads. They also carry $150 a bottle balsamic vinegar, so depending on the seriousness of your cooking habit, you should be well accommodated.
The cafe itself serves up a nice array of French snacks and sandwiches. I recommend sitting on their lovely patio to soak up a few rays of sunshine. And if you find yourself more in the mood for a truly substantial meal, check out Bistro de la Gare right around the corner. " - 12/19/07
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Havana Sandwich Company
Cuba! Libre!
"Pretty much right in the middle of everything and just a stone’s throw from Main and Grand rests this Cuban café specializing, but not limited to sandwiches. The Havana Sandwich company offers a wide selection of traditional Cuban fair with some not so traditional alternative options. I was a little surprised to see an Italian style deli sandwich listed next to classic such as roasted pork and crispy jerk chicken, but it was quite tasty none-the-less. But of course you come to a Cuban restaurant for Cuban food, and the guys from Havana deliver in spades. I recommend the Roasted Jerk, or the Miami which comes toasted with an optional side of fries, rice & beans & plantains, or a salad. Lunch here will set you back around $8-10 depending on your options – and a half sandwich is generally plenty. Tables are usually easy enough to grab, and I have yet to see a line, but the place has always been around 80% full." - 12/19/07
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Empress Pavilion
Yes, um Dim Sum!
"Empress Pavilion is located on the 2nd (or third I forget) floor of a shopping mall in Chinatown - about a minute off the 110 freeway and a couple minutes drive from Downtown LA. I believe this is the largest dining room I have ever been in - easily the size of a gymnasium - but don't let it scare you the place is packed and the food is fresh.
As far as dim sum goes there are better places out there - but these guys are fast and drive those little carts around so you can pick and choose. Very nice for a newbie that isn't sure what to order.
You can grab a solid bite here for around $10 a person, and I mean you will be very well fed for your dollar. " - 12/12/07
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Versailles Restaurant
There are better locations.
"I am a big fan of Versailles as they do a pretty mean roast chicken and slow cooked pork, but for whatever reason this location is really lacking. I think my biggest problem was concerning the service which was unhelpful at best.
If you are going to try a Versailles (and I recommend you do) go up to Venice, or La Cienaga as the experience is much better. " - 11/27/07
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Tarasco Mexican Food
Tasty
"Yes it is. Try the chicken fajitas.
While this place may not be the fanciest Mexican in the Southland, for the $$ you will spend, it is a real treat. Cheap, fast, and tasty - no complaints from me on this one." - 10/2/07
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Piccomolo Italian Ice Cream
Gelati in Pasadena?
"When it comes to Ice Cream - or rather gelati more specifically, I can be a bit discerning, a bit picky, perhaps to the point of arrogance. Some would say I am this picky regarding all of my eating establishments...and honestly perhaps this is true. However if there was ever a genre of cuisine that I have been consistently unhappy with in the U.S. it would have to be Italian food (both dinner and dessert). I have had the good fortune of spending time in Italy, and enjoying the great Gelati offerings of Venice, Florence, and Rome. Is this as good? No of course not - but it might just satisfy you long enough until you catch your next flight to Europe's "Kicking Boot"
That being said, you can imagine my delight to see that Gelati - and the art that makes up this perfect desert appears to be gaining traction in California. Piccomolo may be a chain establishment (though I have only been to this location) but it serves up some delicately flavorful options. They have a selection to choose from and whether your poison be chocolate, peach, coconut, or hazelnut they can satisfy you nicely. In addition to your ice cream options they appear to offer yogurt, in the PinkBerry style. There was, I am sure, no accident in this. While I did not sample the yogurt, I would not be surprised to find it an excellent competitor to the now cult chain of PinkBerry.
The last item I should mention is that the service here was just wonderful. My party and I arrived 5 minutes after closing - the doors were locked and the attendant had already washed the scoopers. With just a little pleading (it was our first time there) we convinced him to reopen just for us. The majority of places I know of in Los Angeles would never do this, and I wholeheartedly appreciate what this guy did for us.
Give them a try - I am sure you will not be disappointed. " - 9/10/07
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The Vegan Joint
From the Spirit of a Carnivore
"The title of course is meant as a disclaimer for this review. I am in fact a carnivore...or perhaps as close as you can get to being one. Another way of saying this is that I truly do enjoy meat and cooking with all the great gifts given from the animals.
As such I have remained skeptical of Vegan food - both from restaurants and as a culinary movement. The biggest reason is because so often Veganism attempts to mimic meat in some way. I am sorry but your attempts at soy beef just do not fly. So I am sure you can imagine my doubts about eating at this place, only doing so at the persistent encouragement of a good friend.
Well I must fully admit that I was wrong about Vegan food - and I owe it to eating here. My friend promised me the food tasted exactly like its meat counterpart - and if it wasn't exactly the same, it was 98% there. I chose the Thai yellow curry, while she had the pad thai. I tasted both, and not only was it incredibly similar to its meaty cousin, it may have in fact been better.
A combination of fantastic flavors and well cooked vegetables made this a surprising find. I would happily return, as well as recommend it to any carnivore friend. I think this place as an easier time as Thai cuisine is more easily adapted than say a Rib-Eye steak joint, but still they appear to take pride in the freshness, the flavors, and the quality of their food - and it comes through very well.
" - 9/6/07
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Corner Bakery
Quick Snack?
"Its an ok place for a quick sandwich or maybe a salad. This place is a chain, and is thus run like one, but my be a touch above the average other places out there." - 9/5/07
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Joey's Smokn' Barbeque
Ooooooooh Bar-B-Que
"Gotta love those North Carolina style pulled pork sandwiches. I have yet to try anything else at this place, but I am looking forward to going back very soon." - 8/29/07
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Good Stuff
Time to Live Healthier
"In these fat times of whoppers, chili cheese combos and super-sized pizzas, its a bit refreshing to see a healthier alternative. There are there only so many friend foods and burgers I can consume before giving in to fatigure (and possibly some kind of organ failure).
Enter Good Stuff - which adequately named is reasonably good stuff. At least definitely in the health department. Good Stuff offers a medley of options, and is the perfect place for a quick lunch. Grab anything from a veggie wrap to a Cobb salad. I strongly recommend their veggie chili, as they do a great job it.
And if you find yourself really needing something a little more fried, a little more greasy....and well a little more bad for you - well they have a few items tucked away just for you. I can see you eying that bacon & avocado burger...yep, I definitely can." - 7/30/07
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Mama's Brick Oven
"Because you are simply not going to find better New York style pizza in any restaurant in Los Angeles." - 7/30/07
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Richmond Bar & Grill
"Richmond Bar and Grill is one of the better places to get yourself a burger in the El Segundo area. A down to earth interior and friendly staff makes this inexpensive eatery a must stop off for the local office dwellers.
Give it a try!" - 7/29/07
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El Segundo Fish Company
City By the Sea
"While El Segundo really is right on the waterfront (with its very elegant oil refinery and water treatment plants I might add), it has very few seafood restaurants. Actually now that I think about that, maybe all the industrial construction is the very reason for this.
Anyway back to the restaurant at hand - the El Segundo Fish Company is not actually a wholesale fish market (which the name and outside may lead you to believe). In fact its good old fashioned Fish and Chips - plus a medley of other delicious treats. Good for the lunch crowd - not the gourmet. Give it a while and let me know what you think. " - 7/29/07
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Japon Bistro
Sushi & Sakes Galore
"This little gem could possibly be the most under appreciated sushi restaurant in the Pasadena area. Tucked into what basically accounts to a strip mall, this joint is easy to miss. Long, narrow and dark, it is not exactly inspiring to those more accustomed to the bright and flashy chains that have popped up all over Southern California.
But yet, this places has more soul, and it resonates from the dark hardwood, to the very serious chef behind the bar. Its not as foreboding as oma kasi, so you can order the standard fair, but if you came all this way, shouldn't you try something new?
Check out the fish specials on the back wall. There were at least 3 types of fish I had never even heard of before - each one delicious in its own particular way. I used to believe myself somewhat an advanced sushi eater, but there is a world of fish out there that I have jet to try, and Japon Bistro opened my eyes to this.
And then there are the Sakes - and while sake has never been an area I can claim expertise, I figured I was at least well versed in the subject. The Bistro introduced me to the decadence of unpasteurized (aka super fresh) sakes, that brought forth such beautiful hits of melon, tea, and flowers. How the wine masters have managed to bring forth though flavors from rice, I will never know. But trust that the experience is well worth it.
" - 7/29/07
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C & O Cucina
Big and Italian, like me (and the rest of my family) =D
"This place is quite sizable, and by that I not only mean the location, but also the portions. When you order pasta at this place, I am pretty sure they just throw a box in the boiling water just for you. Whats a pound of pasta between good friends right?
In all seriousness, you could easily eat one meal for two people. I ordered the Chicken picatta once and it literally had three chicken breasts on the plate. I have a healthy appetite, but that was a little extreme even more me.
The food is decent and the atmosphere is nice. If you are looking for easy Italian this is the place to go, but the caveat is that like most Italian restaurants in LA - they never live up to the real thing.
I am still looking for the place that will replicate Firenze, Veneto, and Roma for me - so if you find it in LA, but sure and let me know." - 7/29/07
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Empanadas Place Argentinian Food
And Only Empanadas
"Tucked away on Sawtelle and Venice near Culver city sits this little hole in the wall joint. I would have missed it if not for my friend recommending the place.
They carry around 20 different types of empanadas (for those of you that do not know, and empanada is a fried pastry dish filled with various meats or vegetables normally - you can think of it as kind of like a giant deep fried wonton).
They are fast, cheap and tasty - definitely a good spot to grab a snack, and you'll want to try out some of their sauces too. Awesome." - 7/29/07
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