Indian Restaaurants in Pasadena
ALL INDIA CAFÃ?Â?
39 South Fair Oaks
Pasadena Ca 91101
626 449 5954
Located in the heart of Pasadena’s Old Town, the All India CafÃ?© has a modest exterior that gives no hint of the riches within. As its name suggests, the All India CafÃ?© features the cuisine of many different areas of India. Once seated you can take the edge of your hunger by sampling a bread that resembles a corn tortilla. It is even broken off and dipped in a sort of a salsa.
But the bread is much richer tasting that a tortilla chip and the sauce, while spicy, is very different than salsa. The menu is large and much of it may be unfamiliar but the friendly staff will explain it to you and make suggestions.
There are many selections for meat eaters and vegetarians and all of it is delicious. This is the best Indian restaurant in Pasadena and it may be the best Indian restaurant in the Los Angeles area. Prices are modest and parking is validated for one hour.
AKBAR CUISINE OF INDIA
44 North Fair Oaks
Pasadena Ca 91103
626 440 0309
The Akbar is about one block north of the All India Caf�© and is located under a parking garage where the restaurant will validate two hours of free parking. The Akbar tends to specialize in curries and its menu has a handy one through five-hotness meter for the curries. Their chutneys are also outstanding. Service is very good and your waiter will explain any item on the menu. If you are a curry fan, the Akbar has more curries than does the All India Caf�©. Prices are modest.
SITAR
618 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena Ca 91101
626 449 5954
I thought long and hard before I decided to include the Sitar. When it is good, it can’t be beat but when it is bad it is horrid. When it is bad, service is almost none existent and food arrives cold. When it is good the food is to die for. Service is always erratic and your waiter seems to go into meditative states where he will stand against a wall, staring off into space and ignoring your obvious needs. But he can also be very friendly and very helpful in explaining the menu and making recommendations. In fact, he can plan out a whole dinner. The saffron rice and a dish with peas and mushrooms are just amazingly good when served when still warm. The secret to good dining at the Sitar seems to be to eat when business is slow, say around five to six. They also have a lunch buffet but I haven’t tried it so I can’t say if it is good or bad. Prices are moderate. The Sitar is located in Pasadena’s theater district. A plus is that it has its own handy free parking lot that is located beside the north part of the Pasadena Playhouse. Eat at the Sitar when you are feeling especially calm but also adventuresome.
