Comments on: Is Beacon Really #1?

By: Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:33:08 +0000

I am visualizing Lake Ave. near Wild Oats and can’t see any Japanese restaurants. Now I’m curious and will have to drive by. Btw, I never liked Chinois, either. Went there a few times, never saw the appeal. The food is absolutely mediocre. Wolfgang Puck picks up the duck from Chinatown for $15 and serves 1/5 of it for $25.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 22:57:22 +0000

You’re right, Maison Akira is on Green. I just didn’t correct Eric, because although Akira is not the Pasadena restaurant I was thinking of, he’s right about the cod there being good.

Thanks for the tip about the green beans. I’ve never tried that salad myself (and doubt I ever will now). I get the feeling at Beacon that there are only a few winning dishes, and add on inconsistent service, then there’s no real incentive for repeat visits, as Maxmillion suggests. Like I said in the post, I enjoyed my visit to Beacon in general, but it is overrated.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 22:09:52 +0000

Maison Akira is on Green Street, and not near Wild Oats at all. As to Beacon, I’ve been there many times for lunch, and am so under-impressed. They have a salad with green beans. The green beans were (and I’m sure still are) undercooked. Green beans need to be cooked, for god’s sakes, I hate it when green beans are undercooked in a restaurant’s furious attempt to serve “fresh” styled food.

By: MaxMillion

MaxMillion — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 22:34:52 +0000

Re-read this post, but I still don’t wanna go back there.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 03:24:27 +0000

I feel your pain, Max. The first time I tried to go to Beacon, it was closed. When I did finally make it, as you see in my review above, I didn’t get great service from my waiter. The problem with service there, I think, is that it’s not very consistent. If you’re lucky, you get somoene good who is willing to tell you they’ll be closing soon or will let you in at 2:01pm. Most of the time, you just get mad.

I know Beacon’s a pain in the neck, and there are definitely better restaurants worth a long drive. Still, if you ever happen to be in the area, don’t discount Beacon (assuming it’s actually open). The black cod in miso and kakuni udon are worth trying… no matter how bad Beacon’s manners are.

By: MaxMillion

MaxMillion — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 02:45:48 +0000

Called Beacon just before 1pm on Saturday, Oct 22nd, asking if I needed to make a reservation for two for lunch today. Was told walk-ins would be fine.
Shortly thereafter, drove about 40 mins from the Valley and was shocked to see a ‘closed’ sign on the door! (A few people were still dining inside).
“We close at 2pm.” My phone read 2.01pm. I kid you not.
Yet on Citysearch it states they are open till 2.30pm!!
She went off to consult with the kitchen, but the answer remained “Closed.”
By now, I was furious. “We called ahead! We just drove 40 minutes. Couldn’t someone have said something when we phoned?!”
Honestly, I didn’t expect a ‘cafe’ to keep restaurant hours. And who closes at 2pm? On a weekend, when there are so many shops and shoppers around the Helms area?
Don’t think I’ll be returning.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 13:15:53 +0000

That japanese restaurant in Pasadena is Maison Akira. And yes that dish was great.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 16:13:05 +0000

Sarah - You always take such great photos of food, even when they only taste okay. I’m glad you liked the miso black cod, too.

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 18:02:35 +0000

pauline - i feel the same way you do about beacon. it’s not bad food. in fact, it’s pretty much okay, but it is waaaay overhyped for being just good, you know? i’ve been there twice now, and i though i doubt i’d choose to go there, if it’s suggested, i wouldn’t pout.

my first time at beacon

my second visit to beacon

By: Pauline

Pauline — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 16:43:03 +0000

There is a little Japanese restaurant on Lake Blvd. in Pasadena (diagonally across the street from the Wild Oats Market). I had a miso sea bass for dinner there once that was just as good as the miso cod at Beacon’s. I don’t recall the name of the restaurant, but can find out and post it here soon.