Romantic Dates in Pasadena
THE RAYMOND RESTAURANT
1250 South Fair Oaks (Columbia St.) Pasadena, Ca
626 441 3136
The Raymond Restaurant, usually just referred to as “The Raymond,” is Pasadena’s traditional, fail safe spot for a romantic date. It is housed in a secluded craftsman style house that is the only remnant of the long defunct Raymond Hotel. In the summer time diners may eat in the balmy evening among the three terraced outdoor area. In winter, eating by a crackling fire is cozy and romantic. Indoor diners will enjoy the Victorian dÃ?©cor and the quiet of eating in the many small rooms of the house. Candles and soft lighting add to the romantic ambience. The food is a mixture of American and European and, while not adventuresome, it is superb. Only fresh, locally grown ingredients are used and there is an extensive wine list. This is not for the poor in pocket. Entrees start at $20 and when you add in an appetizer, salad, wine and dessert, it gets quite pricey. But the Raymond is meant to be for special occasions.
HUNTINGTON GARDENS TEA ROOM
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, Ca
626 683 8131
Technically the Huntington Library and Gardens are in San Marino, not Pasadena. But Pasadena residents claim this wonder as their own. This romantic date will involve some walking. The gardens feature a wonderful desert garden, but somehow it is not romantic. However, the Rose Gardens and the Japanese gardens are very romantic and a couple can sit on a rustic bench in quiet and seclusion. When they get hungry, they can go to the Huntington Gardens Tearoom, which overlooks 3 acres of rose gardens.
A reservation is a must. This is a high tea to outdo all high teas. Scones and tea are served at your table and then you partake of the central buffet where you may partake of finger sandwiches, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh fruits, seasonal salads, and specialty desserts. You will feel like you are in the middle of a Jane Austin novel except that dress is very casual. Price for the meal is $15 per person and worth every penny.
HAPPY TRAILS CATERING
207 South Fair Oaks
Pasadena, Ca
Something called Happy Trails doesn’t sound very romantic, but wait. They do up a box lunch that you can take for a very romantic picnic date. The box lunch has one entree, one salad, and one dessert, all very delicious and costing $15.50 per person. You pick up your box lunches, drive about five miles to Millard canyon and hike a little ways up the canyon. You spread out your lunch on a large granite stone beside a gurgling stream, arched by sycamores. Civilization has slipped away and you are in a California before the white man came. You uncork a bottle of wine and dabble your toes in the water. Maybe you offer each other bites of food from your hands. Happy Trails has suddenly gotten very romantic.
