We will be staying at the Hilton in Pasadena for two nights. Any suggestions about restaurants--good food, not incredibly expensive. We will have a car.

there's this great hoagie shop on colorado blvd pasadena eastside. omg, it makes the best pastrami sandwich i've had in socal. sorry, i don't remember the name.

Thanks. Any slightly more upscale suggestions for dinner?

I don't know your definition of "not incredibly expensive," but we like The Raymond on South Fair Oaks.

www.theraymond.com

The last time I mentioned Twin Palms here, I got put on a spit and roasted as it isn't the "finest dining" in the world. I find it sensational in the lower price range (much under $20 an entree). Fantastic rotisserie chicken, nice salads, all in a great, huge patio setting surrounded by open colorful dining areas as well.

Twin Palms is OK. It's just a question of whether you want to "eat" or "dine." Jagjag1, your choice.

There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Pasadena. Just find your way to the corner of Fair Oaks and Colorado and you'll see all kinds of dining places.

There's a Cheesecake Factory, an Il Fornaio, a Hooters that come immediately to mind. There's also a great Argentinian place where they bring you tons of roasted meats.

You are also not too far from some of the best Asian cuisines in the Greater LA basin. There's Ocean Star Seafood on N Atlantic, if Asian and seafood are what you are looking for.

Happy dining!

"Eat or Dine"

Fair enough, but when the poster says "not incredibly expensive" it's hard to know what that means. And when we're talking hoagie shops, Cheesecake Factory, and Hooters -- I think we're well beyond the "FINE DINING" category anyway. I'd put Twin Palms way above any of those options!

The name of that Argentinian place is Gaucho Grill on Colorado.

Here's a link describing Old Town Pasadena and mentioning the names of a few more restaurants:

http://www.seeing-stars.com/Shop/OldPasadena.shtml

Neo: Twin Palms has an up and down history on food, but the prices are always up!

"Slightly more upscale" in my book does not include Hooters, Cheesecake Factory or hoagies.

I would put Gaucho Grill (the Argentinian place) in the "casual dining" category. The food at Ocean Star on North Atlantic in Monterey Park, particularly the dim sum, is very good, but the wait is too long, the service too brusk and the noise level too high for me.

I couple more I can recommend in the "upscale" category:

Cafe Bizou (Cal-French)
www.cafebizou.com

Bistro 45 (more Cal-French)
www.bistro45.com

Celestino (Italian)
on South Lake, a bit noisy, fairly expensive

Five Sixty-One (Cal-Euro)
www.bistro561.com
Interesting, very reasonable prices but can be a little unpredictable; this is the teaching restaurant of the California School of Culinary Arts

Japon Bistro (Japanese)
www.japonbistro.com

If you don't go to the Raymond for dinner, it's great for Sunday brunch. Another good place for brunch is the Holly Street Grill on (surprise!) Holly Street near the Pasadena City Hall.

Thanks. Someone at work suggested Mi Piace. Cafe Bizou and Five Sixty-One look like good possibilities.

there are a ton of restaurants. you probably should decide on type of food first. i recommend taking a look at www.yelp.com and sorting reviews by top rated. then click on Pasadena to narrow down to that area.

Just passed by Mi Piace in the Old Town area the other day - it was packed, which is a sure sign of a good restaurant. They have tables on the sidewalk or inside if you prefer. Bring a jacket...can be a little chilly in Pasadena at night. I vote for anything in old town, that way you can stroll around after dinner and treat yourself to a frozen dessert at 21 Choices There is 1 or 2 hour validated parking in the large structures or metered parking on the street.
I love shopping in Old Town - from Pottery Barn to Tiffany's there's lots to spend your money on!
Let me know if you have any other questions...I'm pretty familiar with Pasadena after living here for many, many years.

Last year we ate at Arroyo Chop House, Celestino's and Tokyo Wako - and an In and Out ( although I am not sure the latter was in Pasadena..?) we enjoyed all of them. You can find web pages/menus / prices for all of them.

Not incredibly expensive is different for everyone. I think Il Fornaio is nice, Arroyo Chop House and their sister restaurant Parkway Grill are both good. Green Street Restaurant is more casual and definitely cheaper, good for salads, soups, bistro type food.

We'll be in Pasadena at the Ritz this weekend. Are you in Pasadena for the game, too?

Pasadena has many fine restaurants. If you enjoy Asian cuisine, you're in a fine town to partake. We enjoy Yujean Kang's in the downtown area. We haven't yet tried 561 but have heard raves from friends.

Cafe Bizou is nice - good food and the wine bar next door is cool. You can get nice wine by the glass and have a cheese plate/bread appetizer first (Heritage Wine Bar).

I alos heard Bizou is good, food & value.

Another suggestion for a night with Flamenco entertainment is La Luna Negra
in Pasadena The Paella is not authentic, however tasty nonetheless.

http://www.lalunanegrarestaurant.com/

TTess-Yes, we're there for the game.

Actually there is a cool new website that let's you assume the reservation of someone else who cannot make theirs for a tiny price.

Me and my wife got day of reservations at Asia De Cuba for 8:30 for $10. Check it out for ideas.

http://www.TablePronto.com

Good luck. Have a great time!

Cheers
Jon