Best Romantic Restaurants in San Gabriel

I had dinner with two other people and we did the prix-fixe menu, which meant six courses (more?) served family style. Highlights were the scallop hand roll, the green salad, tteok, and of course the chicken wings (totally worth the hype!). We were pretty indifferent about the banchan, though nobody particularly liked the avocado and pear. Sea bream was good, not great. Steak was good but fatty, and not the melt-in-your-mouth kind of fat that you want to eat; this was chew-on-it-and-spit-it-out fatty. Dessert was chef’s choice, and we were brought everything but the sundae (and the sundae was what we all had read about!). All good, but nothing that will stick in my memory. I’d go back for the chicken wings, tteok, and green salad, which would make for a perfectly good dinner for one (or two, if you added another dish or two).

It is a wonderful setting for a fancy work, family, anniversary or birthday dinner. We went for a family dinner occasion, my brother is in the military often travels so this was the first time we have been able to spend the holiday as a family in a very long time. We wanted to have a nice dinner, with great food and great atmosphere. Manuela provided that and more. As our first time at Manuela we didn’t know what to expect. Manuela provided a tranquil environment, not loud but not dead silent. The lights are dimmed and tables are provided with small candles, so it gives a warm tone. The food was delicious. We ordered the salmon, roasted oyster mushroom, burrata salad, pitman half chicken, roasted cauliflower, butterball potatoes, and blistered snap peas. All the market vegetables complemented every dish. We are a family of 6, and the market vegetables were enough to side everyone’s dish. The portions were perfect as well. For dessert we had the chocolate pie and cucumber and pear sorbet. They are also delicious. It is safe to say I will be going back. Last thing, if you are worried about parking because Downtown LA is not the best place to park, Manuela also provides valet parking, I paid $22 for 2hours and 4 minutes. Or you might be lucky enough to find street parking on the block.

The hotel and grounds are beautiful. The attention to detail quality of the tea and the little sandwiches were so amazing. We love you need this and they had a great gluten-free and vegan option.

This was our first time as a family having our Thanksgiving meal away from home. The entire experience was very special, intimate, food was delicious, servers, music outstanding, vibe perfect…we sat outside on garden patio. It was heaven! (The weather was 73 and sunny!)… The only reason I did not give a 5 for service was ONLY because it was Thanksgiving Day and it seemed they might have been slightly short staffed, however, the servers were delightful and working VERY hard. They just could have had a few more which would assist with getting drinks/water refreshed or other incidentals. I highly recommend The Raymond as a must experience restaurant if you’re looking if for a garden, romantic, historical, beautiful restaurant with amazing food choices, located in Pasadena.

No complaints about the food or lattes, except the portions are slightly smaller than what I’m used to for the eggs benedict…delish cocktails—highly recommend bartender..