Where to eat while in Pasadena, CA?

[juliagulia]

Hello! I've been a lurker for a long while and finally
decided to decloak to ask for help....My family and
I will be spending a couple of weeks in Pasadena, CA
and we need suggestions on restaurants that are family
friendly and not too expensive. We will be lodging on
Robeles(?) ave. and plan to walk to most places during
the week while my husband is attending a conference.

Thank you.
:)

[gardenmom]

I haven't lived nearby for years, but my favorite breakfast/lunch place was Marston's at 151 E. Walnut (626)796-2459. It is still going strong (according to my sister.) It is in a cute cottage surrounded by a flower garden, and both breakfast and lunch are delicious and made with love by the chef/owner Otis Marston (who has a cookbook too). Check out their website: marstonsrestaurant.com. You won't be walking distance, but close.

You will be close-ish to a great walking/shopping/eating district on Colorado Boulevard.

And if you and the kids need an activity for the day, there is a world class garden, library, museum with a great new kid's garden at Huntington Library, and they serve good lunches in the cafeteria and yummy high tea (need reservations) .

Enjoy the area! There is lots to do and see.

[juliagulia]

Thank you, Gardenmom! Marston's is EXACTLY the kind of
place I was looking for and we will more than likely
visit a few times based on what I saw of the menu..can't
wait. Thank you, too, for the kidfriendly suggestion. My
daughter will love the Huntington library-we both will.

Loretta

[FoodiefromSoCal]

Yes, Marston's is absolutely fabulous (I'm from Alhambra, one city away). Their portions are huge, so you can probably get away sharing an entree and a side/dessert with another. Also, there's often a wait so be sure to keep a flexible schedule around it.

If you're into afternoon tea (with mini-sandwiches, scones, and cakes galore)---check out Chado Tea Room on Raymond (http://www.chadotea.com/) I went there this Sunday and it was a very good (and filling experience). It's $15 per afternoon tea per person (or you can order stuff a la carte) and they have over 200 varieties of tea to choose from (horrible for an indecisive diner like me).

I'd also recommend the Yard House (on Paseo at Colorado Blvd., http://www.yardhouse.com) during their Happy Hours because their appetizers are tasty and half off during that time (and you don't even need to order anything alcoholic to enjoy the discount). Their tower of beer-battered onion rings with ranch & chipotle sauces is definitely worth a try... though probably not calorie friendly.