Top Asian Restaurant in San Marino
Y.our Cafe
2968 Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
This is a newly open mom and pop place just opened 2 months ago near the corner of San Gabriel Blvd and Huntington Blvd. Its near the Trader Joes. Plentiful parking at the back, entrance thru San Gabriel. When we entered the back door, we are greeted cheerfully by Alan, our server and later on by Jaime, who took our orders.We ordered appetizers: Sweet Corn with Cheese and Chicken Tatsura Age.Main dishes: Green American Wagyu Don and Tonkatsu Pork Curry.Dessert: Souffle with Sea Salt Foam.The Chicken Tatsura Age was crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. Piping hot when served with a sweet chili sauce. The sweet corn has a tang like it has a probiotic taste and added with melting cheese. It was a sweet salty goodness that I can probably just eat these appetizers and done with it.But, I need to check their main course. The wagyu don is very tasty. I did a mouthful of rice with every slice of Wagyu and it is very tender. It came with a small green salad with shoyu vinegar dressing and a Tamago. The Pork Tonkatsu Curry is also delicious. The curry served on the side has the right taste, not salty, not bland. The Pork was crispy outside and tender juicy inside. Dipping the pork into the sauce is a perfect combination. I even tried the curry sauce with the Chicken Tatsura Age appetizer and oh soooo gooood!!!The Souffle is melt in your mouth goodness. Sea salt sauce has the right saltiness in it. It also came with fresh fruits. We took home some smoothie and havent tried it yet since we got so full from our meal.I highly recommend this place. Please try this place out and I woud guarantee that you wont regret the visit. Servers are very nice, food are delicious, you wont have problem looking for parking unlike other restaurants. I will definitely come back to try their other main dishes and appetizers.
Jade Court Cafe
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
Upon entering the Jade Court Cafe, I couldnt help but feel a sense of anticipation. The location is stunning - nestled within the Huntington Gardens, surrounded by the lush greenery and calming waters of the Chinese Gardens. Every detail of the garden is intentional and nothing short of breathtaking. However, its the food at the Jade Court Cafe that left me feeling less than inspired.I was disappointed to find that the menu didnt quite live up to the surrounding beauty. As a lover of Asian cuisine, I was excited to try some of the dishes that the cafe had to offer. Sadly, the flavors and execution were a far cry from what I was expecting. The lackluster flavors left me feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had just brought my own lunch instead.Despite the cafes location and ambiance, the food was average at best. The dishes lacked the flavors and intentions that one expects from Asian cuisine. I felt like I was paying more for the location and the view than for the actual food itself.Its a shame that the food at the Jade Court Cafe couldnt quite match up to the incredible surroundings. With so many fantastic Asian restaurants in the 626 area, the Jade Court Cafe doesnt quite make the cut. I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone who is looking for an authentic, flavorful, and satisfying Asian meal.However, if youre just looking for a peaceful location to sit and take in the beauty of the Chinese Gardens, the Jade Court Cafe might be worth a visit. Just be sure to manage your expectations when it comes to the food, and maybe bring a snack to munch on just in case.
Top other services in San Marino:
The Huntington Chinese Garden - Garden of Flowi...
The Huntington, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
At one of the entrances, there is a mini model of an expanse of land. Having not looked at a map, I didn’t believe the model was representative of the garden because it covered so much ground. I thought maybe it was someplace important in China. Wrongo. With multiple buildings, water structures, 1.5 restaurants, and SO MANY BONSAI, this garden is massive. What I thought was a town square in the mini model was indeed the Chinese garden.Then, still having not looked at a map and walking to a distinctly separate area, I thought we had entered the Japanese garden. Asked my companion if he could tell the difference between the gardens (because all gardens look the same…I’m Asian it’s probably fine) he couldn’t but it was because we were STILL in the Chinese gardenThe snack shop was cute and the pretzel croissant was weirdly good.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanic...
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
I came here with my parents on Good Friday. We purchased tickets in advance online and arrived just after 1pm. The line to get in was out the door and ridiculously long. There was a person (Im assuming a volunteer?) Out front answering questions, but he wasnt directing us on what to do, if we had to stand in that line to purchase tickets or what. They could used more queuing stantions and signage so the line didnt cross a driving lane in the parking lot... not very safe.After waiting in line for AGES in the direct sun, we got to a ticket counter to scan the QR code from our tickets we purchased ahead of time and thats literally it. Then we had to get those same tickets scanned again before entering the facility. I think the first line and scanning was a HUGE waste of time and patience because what they did at that counter was done later as you enter past the shop and restaurant. Super inefficient and completely unnecessary. Whoever thought of this process needs to be fired immediately and rethink their life choices. Why should I have to stand in line at the ticket counter when I already bought tickets? And why scan my tickets there when theyre just going to scan them again at a mobile cart anyway? They didnt even give any information at the ticket counter. It was such a stupid process. Seriously, if the gardens werent so spectacular, my overall rating would be very different. Ok, rant over... now onto the good stuff!We decided to stick to the gardens this visit and bypassed the art galleries. We wandered into the camelia garden and while we were a little late for peak bloom, there were still plenty of very pretty flowers. We wandered into what I think was the Shakespeare garden (maybe?) and then headed to the conservatory. My dad is super into orchids and he had read about a huge one they have and really wanted to check out their orchid collection, but the conservatory we assume the orchids were kept in was closed. Boo. But... the huge orchid he really wanted to see was on display in the Chinese garden and we happened to stumble upon it (again, they need better information on where to find things). Hooray!The gem of this place is the Chinese garden. It is spectacular! The architecture and landscaping are incredible and could transform you to Shanghai. I wish there was more information available to tell you what everything symbolized. There was a pamphlet box near the entrance, but only a couple of pamphlets in Chinese were left, so maybe they typically have information available. Photos do not do the Chinese garden justice. It is really beautiful here. There is also a restaurant and a grab & go place where we got some much-needed cold water.The Japanese garden is nice, but a little sad in comparison with the Chinese garden and other Japanese gardens Ive been to. The two big features are the pond with the half-moon bridge and weeping willow, and the sand garden. I feel like they could do more with the ceremonial tea house, but it was nice that they included one, as is customary in most gardens in Japan. The bonzai collection (in both the Japanese and Chinese gardens) is outstanding! I wish the signage was a little better. It would be really cool to know the type of tree and how old it is.My other favorite garden was the desert garden. So many succulents and cacti were in bloom! It was beautifully done and very nice to wander around before heading out.Their gift shop is really great. Lots of great finds - something for everyone! It was clean and well-organized.Overall, a very nice day. If they fixed the entrance line situation it wouldve been a full 5 stars.
The Huntingtons Rose Garden Tea Room
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
The policies and organization at this place are a disaster and I would give 0 stars if I could for wasting our time. I tried to make a reservation online and there were zero slots months in advance at different times throughout the day, so we figured it was malfunctioning and we would walk in on the day of.I asked if I could be added to the waitlist, but I was told to look at a menu beforehand. I told the host I had read the menu online and that yes, I would like to be added to the waitlist, and she just... started talking to another customer? This happened to other people as well, so it seems like they have a bizarre policy about forcing people to read menus. Meanwhile, other people are coming in and getting on the waitlist ahead of us while were being told to wait. Finally, were number 7 on the waitlist, and we walk around a bit nearby because it seems like theyre not allowed to give anyone an initial estimate of the wait time when even knowing 5/30/60ish minutes would help.We return an hour later to check on our spot and are told were second in line, great. Another 15 minutes go by and then a host tells us were now fifth in line because the system is malfunctioning and put us in the wrong order? At this point were fuming. Instead of just putting us next in line, theres still dozens of people who somehow got reservations being seated right away, and a person ahead of us who definitely wasnt the person we saw get added to the waitlist right before us. The host tells us theres only one table available if we want outdoor seating and to argue amongst ourselves for who gets it, which makes everyone uncomfortable until the host says shell figure it out herself and seat us... in 15 minutes.I told her in advance that Id like a shaded spot outside; they give that spot to the person ahead of us (that isnt even supposed to be ahead of us), and put us in a spot with the sun beating down on our backs and tell us itll be another 15 minutes to get a different table. The final straw was when I put a white napkin on my lap and the server anxiously begged me to let her change it to a black one to match my black clothes even though I said the white one was fine... because theyre really strict about that?The next time a server came around, we told them we were leaving, because after waiting for one and a half hours and dealing with so much nonsense, we didnt want to spend $150 on this restaurant.I dont know what kind of management is running this place and berating their servers for this napkin policy, but these policies are ridiculously rigid to the point where customers are burderned with managements issues and the entire structure is falling apart. Management, if youre reading this and you blame or fire a server or a host for this bad review, you are missing the point and treating your employees poorly. Also, stop bullying them about napkin colors, because nobody gives a sh*t if their napkin matches their pants. The employees were kind, and if the service isnt great, its because theyre understaffed and stressed by working with tight regulations and malfunctioning tech. Yall need to get it together and restructure your conditions to allow for more flexibility for your workers and your customers.I hardly ever leave a negative review, and this essay isnt coming from an entitled Karen... Im happy to give second chances when something goes wrong, but when something goes wrong at every possible opportunity, seven strikes and youre out.
Kittys Cafe
2506 Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
Kittys Cafe is a Taiwanese style eatery in the north side of the SGV. We stopped by to grab a quick snack. This used to be Copycat Cafe as a heads-up for those wondering.When you come inside, youll notice a retro look as there are things that still are in transition from Copycat. But that doesnt mean that the food itself was solid. We ordered a set of popcorn chicken for the road and after about 10 minutes, we got our bag full of popcorn chicken goodies. The chicken was delicious - not too crispy and super flavorful. Had a slightly sweet flavor and was nice and hot. The only thing that wouldve helped would have been some sweet and sour sauce.At least on the weekend, theres plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. The owners are super nice. Know they commented to us that they have been having a tougher time during the pandemic with some lost business around town so they could definitely use the help!
New Moon Restaurant
2148 Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
We have been loyal customers for more than a decade. And the food here has always been excellent. But, unfortunately, we wont be ordering again. The prices have skyrocketed-- $20 for a single entree. Which would even be fine-- we know prices for food items have been going up. But when you are then nickel and dimed on rice-- our order was delivered without rice-- and when the portions are as small as they are, you feel like youre being taken for a ride. It is quite frustrating. I hope they figure out whatever is happening..but doesnt feel like the same service as in the past.
Julienne Fine Foods And Celebrations
2649 Mission St, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
French country themed small breakfast/lunch restaurant in tres chic (tres WASP except for the wealthy Asian population this very beautiful, but very Conservative area has deigned to let in) San Marino.It is charming. The food is good. The prices moderate. The store connected to the restaurant sells to-go sandwiches, salads, pastries, and cookies. The store also sells very, very expensive French-themed gifts, books, kitchen linens, soaps, candles, etc. It is fun to shop, but bring your wallet full of cash or credit cards if youre planning to buy any of the gift items. It is on a par with Lincoln in North Pasadena, although the menu specials at Lincoln are more inventive. You can get a fairly inexpensive breakfast if you order off the a la carte part of the menu. And they poach their eggs unfailingly to YOUR specifications. All in all I recommend this little cutie for its charm, ambiance, pretty good food, and intimacy. It is small so it is not a place for groups.
Colonial Kitchen
1110 Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
We have been loyal customers of Colonial for many years. Unfortunately, we recently had dinner after not having visited for some time and were quite disappointed. Several red flags regarding the food and service.I was told by the waitress that the previous owners retired and apparently the business was passed on to some relatives. The entire restaurant was empty during dinner time except for a private party the owners were a part of. The staff appeared uneasy and could not clearly answer our questions about the dinner menu.The food we ordered was basic. Upon receiving our bill, I noticed we were overcharged for two items—$13.00 for a kids grilled cheese that was listed on the menu for $9.00 and a chicken plate that was $20.00 that should have been $16.00…all listed prices on the menu.When I asked the waitress about the overcharge, she acted confused and almost as if she didn't know how to make the correction. When she finally adjusted the bill, she still overcharged on my credit card. When I tried to explain to her that she still overcharged me, she acted confused again. At this point, I said I would just pay the bill and leave 0 tip that she could take from the overcharged bill. The “new” owners came out to stare but never assisted. In fact, the male owner just stared at me and never answered when I inquired if he was the new owner. Very sad that this occurred. We really have fond memories of this place. Sadly, we will never come back here. Another great Mom and Pop restaurant bites the dust. Whatever you do, don't eat here. They will try to rip you off. We paid $64.00 for a chicken sandwich, children's grilled cheese, a lousy, fried chicken tender plate, and 3 drinks. Not worth $20 dollars for the whole dinner. It was terrible!!
Noodle World
932 Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
Awesome Asian fusion restaurant. In a quiet area, outside the crowded downtown, very easy parking right in front of the restaurant, almost never waiting line unlike the 2 other restaurants of valley & Pasadena. They have classical asian food as well as fusion items. At a very reasonable price (about 10 per dish) and fast service, portions are generous, I never came out hungry. Try the sirarchagetthi a dish based on spaghetti and seafood with a unique sauce with sriracha. They also have drinks, try their Thai iced tea (also available with coffee).