The Raymond 1886

We had brunch at The Raymond on a Sunday before going to the Pasadena Showcase House event. The service was outstanding, the atmosphere was classy and nostalgic, and the food was tasty. I highly recommend the cocktails, I had the Old Fashioned. If you’re with a group, definitely get the pastry board which is a sampling of all of the pastries that they offer. The Short Rib tacos were very tasty. Everyone on my party enjoyed their meal and the atmosphere, go check it out!

+4

Amazing Food! Amazing Ambiance! Very friendly waitstaff that work as a team to ensure an excellent and accommodating experience.

Great food and great people. We were served quickly. We parked our vehicle well. We're happy with our stay. The food are tasty.

I've driven by this spot for over a decade and never thought to stop and explore. Now I know, I've been missing out on something truly special. Raymond 1886 is a hidden Pasadena legend, seamlessly combining historic charm with culinary excellence. Located in a beautifully preserved craftsman cottage with an incredible history, the ambiance is both inviting and sophisticated. Ask about the Raymond family legacy if you stop by, it's quite a story. Make sure to reserve a patio seat during sunset, the dappled light alone is a delicacy. I hear the happy hour is wonderful, perfect time to drop by and enjoy this beautiful hidden gem. The cocktail selection is outstanding, featuring creative drinks that are expertly crafted. They take pride in their hand crafted ice as well, which is intentionally shaped to cool the drink without diluting the ingredients. Not many other places put this much intention and thought into what they offer. The menu offers high-quality dishes that highlight seasonal and local ingredients. I was especially impressed by the Pasta Bolognese with beef and veal ragu. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall dining experience. The exceptional quality and atmosphere make it worth the visit. I can honestly say, this is the perfect spot for special occasions or a memorable night out and I wish I'd explored it sooner!

I had an amazing experience for brunch on my birthday. The pastry board and Crab Benedict were the perfect choice.

Grade A- (90): Nice restaurant, unusual location and great setting specially in the patios. Plenty of heaters make you feel like you're eating inside with great surroundings. The food was good but the presentation was sub par. While my NY Steak tasted very good, (I called it peekaboo steak) it was hidden under piles of vegetables (see picture), seemed a bit like the chef called in sick and the cook took over, the recipe is there but the artist was not. Plating is a part of the overall taste. The pork chop was very tender and tasty. The short rib was excellent. I would definitely go back. It would definitely be an "A" of the presentation of the food is better. Parking is Valet ($8.00) and very convenient.

Hidden restaurant by the bridge! We found street parking to avoid the valet charge. What you see (fancy) is what you get (pricey) but it is delicious!! Came here for my birthday brunch treated by my aunt. It was definitely a treat and I felt special that she took me to such an elegant place! The ambiance is nice (didn’t sit inside but it looked nice) and outside was perfect weather! It was slightly chilly but they had heaters so we were good. Our waiter was really friendly and helpful! I had the short rib tacos and it was DELICIOUS!!!! They also gave a complimentary butter cake with caramel on the plate for my bday. So nice!! It was a lovely meal and my husband and I would want to come back to try their dinner selections.

We loved our time at the Raymond. Wonderful place to catch up with old friends over good brunch food. Our server couldn't stop raving about their pastry chef, so we tried their muffin of the day and carrot cake. We were so happy we did. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere!

The Raymond Restaurant is a lovely reminder of the history of Pasadena. The restaurant is the former home of the Raymond family and it retains so much of the charm of a bygone era. We visited for Easter and had a lovely time. They were offering a special menu which had a nice selection for a variety of dietary needs. The fruit appetizer was beautiful and delicious. Their avocado toast was excellent. Side order of bacon was perfectly done. Everyone else at the table ordered Eggs Benedict and everyone cleaned their plates! The service was excellent! When my father-in-law began asking about the history of the building our server brought over a book and a lamp so he could read it easily. Service was attentive and not overbearing. I have only dined here twice but I think it will be added to my short list of places to go.

Coordinated a company dinner here, and the staff was incredible. Great recommendations of menu choices. Drinks were amazing. Would definitely come again.

Definitely one of my most favorite meals recently! I was in town visiting a friend, took me out for a birthday lunch here, and they had a specific birthday menu (at least it said happy birthday at the top). We had happened to come during dine LA week, which is one of my favorite weeks are in LA (I've literally made the joke before that it's LA 's birthday gift to me), so wound up eating from the prefix menu, which she ordered the salad (it had pomegranate areoles and some other yummy stuff, I did try a bite although I generally don't eat salad), the beef cheek and the apple tatin. I ordered the pulpo tostado, also the beef cheek (I personally found the mashed potatoes overly mustardy and wasn't able to eat most of them) as well as the flourless chocolate cake, but because it was my birthday they also brought me out a butter, sweet biscuit thing that was actually my favorite dessert of what we got. I know before the pandemic they only had one small patio, but now they've extended it to three larger patios, we were lucky enough to sit on the one that had running water, and we sat right next to it, which was amazing! the place is super hidden and for years I hadn't realize how large it was on the inside. Drinks why is my friend ordered the Moscow mule, but she said was delicious and I received a tasty virgin Mojito basically.

My friend treated me to The Raymond Restaurant for my birthday, and they made it very special!! They acknowledged it was a special day for me in several ways. They gave me a menu that said, "Happy Birthday", and a very delicious sweet treat at the end of our meal!! Most places don't seem to care if it's a special occasion anymore, but at The Raymond, THEY DO!! The food was exceptional!! I've never had Jidori Chicken... WOW, it was so tender and delicious!! My friend had the scallops, and they were incredibly tasty!! The spicy cocktail and tangy mocktail were also excellent!! The ambiance is chill, but elegant at the same time. Valet parking was very convenient and professional too. I can't wait to try the brunch!!

The Raymond 1886 is the ideal restaurant for a delightful happy hour experience, offering a fantastic atmosphere and delectable offerings. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite to eat or delicious drinks, this place has got you covered. The ambiance is charming and inviting, with a mix of contemporary and classic elements that create a warm and welcoming vibe. The menu features a diverse selection of appetizers and small plates, perfect for sharing with friends or colleagues during a meet-up. Pair your bites with their signature cocktails or craft beers for a truly satisfying happy hour experience.

Brilliant service with kind workers who deeply care about their customers. The food was exactly what you pay for. Delicious!

Wandered here after following reddit reviews on cocktails in Pasadena. Not only are the cocktails outstanding but so is the food. Would definitely return on any future trips out here.

A little pricey but definitely worth it. The food, it's amazing. We got brunch here and had pancakes which were crispy, soft, and very flavorful. We also had eggs Benedict, those were really good, all the ingredients just mix and melt in your mouth, the flavors of the poached eggs, guac, hollandaise sauce, and Canadian bacon, and the English muffin all just match each other and just taste so good. They turned a wonderful house into a restaurant. You can tell as soon as you walk in. The outdoor patio is wonderful if the weather permits and they have a huge fireplace in one of the patios. The indoor space has a low lighting homely ambiance. They have a little bar as well, and serve drinks. They have free residential street parking, or valet for $7 at the time. Highly recommend. Im planning on becoming a regular here.

Valentine’s Day dinner is typically one of the busiest and most chaotic nights for any restaurant but I was genuinely impressed by how hard the staff worked to accommodate everyone. I’ll definitely be returning on a less hectic night to fully enjoy the experience.

Super neat atmosphere with the remodel of an older house. Service was excellent. Cocktails creative. Everything we got for food was amazing, in particular the chimichurri in the steaks and the tater tots with very tasty sauces that elevated them to the next level, perfectly crispy. My steak was slightly underfired and they fixed it properly and promptly. Love the patio, it was very nice atmosphere to converse.

We go here for date nights. It's a very nice cozy restaurant with really nice indoor and outdoor seating. The staff is very attentive and the food is always delicious. The prime ribeye with peppercorn sauce is top notch and we also highly recommend starting with the tomato burrata caprese. I've never been disappointed here.

My husband and I held our wedding at the Raymond recently, in the fireside terrace. It was absolutely beautiful. Kevin was absolutely exceptional to work with and is a master in event design, planning and execution. The night was much more beautiful and special than we could have imagined. The food and drinks were excellent, the service was immaculate. We will be recommending the Raymond for any events!

Honestly did not really live up to my expectations, which I will admit were pretty high. It is a house transformed into a restaurant, so the interior is quite crammed. It is dimly lit which makes for a nice intimate setting though, but limited indoor seating with some outdoor seating. The food was the most disappointing. It was still good, but not really worth the price point. Both the pasta and the ribeye steak were pretty bland. Presentation was great though and the staff are exceptional.

+2

I recently visited Raymond Restaurant and had a mixed experience. The food was tasty, especially the flavors in the Rueben sandwich — however, it was too greasy, and the meats inside had too much fat, which made it a bit heavy and hard to enjoy fully. The service was decent, with staff doing their best to be friendly and helpful, but things were noticeably slow, likely due to what seemed like a shortage of staff. Overall, there’s potential here, but a few adjustments in the kitchen and on the service floor would make a big difference.

We ordered the eggs Benedict and crab cake Benedict. They were both perfect! The pancakes and cinnamon roll were also great. But what really sells this place is the atmosphere. Great place for a first date.

I ordered the pasta and my partner ordered the steak frites. Food was okay. Drinks were bomb and atmosphere was really nice! The entres needed more flavor and flare.

Food is kind of disappointed. My Sea Bass is so fishy with other ingredients to cover it. Rib eye steak is decent and juicy. I will use interesting to describe the Octopus Appetizer. Most customers are celebrating Birthdays. They serve you a mini birthday cake, very nice. Deserve a good tips of course. The environment is romantic. Valet parking is available or you can park on street. I prefer an early bird dinner and take some photos.

Had brunch at The Raymond in Pasadena for a baby shower and here’s the real: Parking? Kind of a nightmare. You can either valet for $8 or take your chances with limited street parking — Blink and you’ll miss the entrance because this place is tucked away like a true hidden gem. The ambiance though? Gorgeous. The patio is full of lush greenery and the vibe is serene, perfect for a sunny brunch. Food-wise, it was hit or miss. The pancakes? Legit delicious — Fluffy, flavorful, and definitely the standout. But the short rib tacos and salmon toast were a 6/10 for me — Just okay, nothing memorable. I ordered a mocktail called The Vague and it was surprisingly good — Refreshing and well-balanced. The service was excellent. Every server we encountered was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel smooth and welcoming. Would I come back? Maybe — For the pancakes and the vibe, yes. But I’d Uber next time and skip the parking headache.

This New American restaurant serves farm to table food and is well known for its bar offerings and cocktails. The place has a small old fashion dining room and a nicer patio. The sea bass, ocean trout and gem salad were all under seasoned. The roasted acorn squash and ahi poke salad were both delicious and were the best dishes of the night. I asked for a minty mock tail and it came out tart and refreshing. The dessert menu did not look enticing so we skipped dessert and went elsewhere.

Everything was great except the food... seriously. I went out for a fun girls night with my friend and ordered a few items from the happy hour menu. The waitress and servers could not have been friendlier, but when the food came out, the calamari was flavorless, the crispy tuna was barely edible and the broccoli was rock hard. The fries were delish...but we could have ordered those from any drive thru for half the price. So disappointing. Sigh...I won't be returning to this little hidden gem though the ambiance is lovely, just bring your own food maybe? 😉

Drink and desserts: good Services: great Food: meh CostPrice: too pricey for its quality We arrived Friday before 5pm and didn’t have to wait for a table. We were here specifically for DineLA menu $65/pp for 3 course-meal. The atmosphere and services were good. It reminded me of steakhouse in some kind of historic house (turns out the place is Raymond Hotel owner’s caretaker’s home). Food was extremely underwhelming and under-seasoned. Corn soup 🥣 wasn’t creamy and it was like from an instant pack and worse 😂 Kale salad 🥗 was alright but hubby said he felt it wasn’t fresh. Maybe he was looking for veggies’ crunchiness and there was none. Steak 🥩- they didn’t ask for temperature, so we asked. The server said it is cooked medium rare. For an old-school American restaurant to cook steak like this, it’s a hard pass for us. Steak was worse for similar steak in Urban Plates and $45/pop on their regular menu. Very chewy and rubbery. Sauce had the weird mint? Fries were good 👍 Sea bass 🐟 - it was under-seasoned and could have been more flaky outside. Rice wasn’t complementing the dish well. Desserts were the highlights - we liked it.

+6

The service at this restaurant is really good and the drinks are great But the food is really average to me If they could make the food tastier, this could be a five star joint to me Because I really do love the outdoor seating and I love the attention to detail in terms of service But besides the fried calamari, none of the other dishes really wowed me The ribeye is definitely not worth the money We ordered medium well and it definitely came out well done . It tasted not as good as my own cooking, which is weird cause I’m not a really good cook. The short rib was also a bit on the dry side. The Chilean Seabass is just kind of average too

The Raymond Restaurant has a great ambiance with a cozy yet lively feel. We visited during brunch, and while the space has the charm of an upscale eatery, it leans more toward a bar-like atmosphere rather than a traditional restaurant setting. Our waiter was fantastic—attentive and friendly—but the wait time for food was noticeably long. Even dessert took quite a while to arrive, which was a bit frustrating. If you’re looking for a quick meal, this might not be the best option. However, if you’re in the mood to relax and enjoy a leisurely dining experience, The Raymond could be a good spot for you. Overall, great service and atmosphere, but the kitchen’s pacing could use some improvement.

Drinks and atmosphere is awesome, unfortunately, food not so much. The bread and butter were delicious but our entrees were not good. We got the pasta and steak frites. Definitely need more flavor in both.

Christmas Eve prix fixe menu was great on the surface but every dish was underwhelming. The chicken was under salted and bland and the “wagyu filet” was thinner than the bacon it was wrapped in and was overcooked to a gray dull finish. The wine menu is pretty good and the drinks are solid. I won’t be back to eat but will consider coming from drinks and a simple appetizer. Service was decent but not impressive (zero knowledge of the wine menu) The $150 pp charge was a waste, unfortunately.

One of the coolest looking restaurants within a converted home that retains the charm with a quirky feel. The used to be one of our favorite spots for some creative, delicious food and craft cocktails, but they've just slide into complacency both in the kitchen and with their service. After this visit, we probably won't go back. The inconsistency from the kitchen and attitude from hosts to poorly trained servers is frustrating, to say the least. We reserved an indoor table but were taken to an outdoor table when we arrived. It was a chilly night with no heaters near our table, so my wife objected and asked if we could be seated indoors, as requested. The host told us to wait and he disappeared inside. A few moments later he stepped out of the door and he waived to us to come in - zero professionalism but at least he moved us - and proceeded to seat us right in front of an open door to their back patio in a room that also had a huge window that was open. I had to get a jacket from the car for my wife. I understand space constraints, but it's still annoying. Anyway, we were fine there but she had to wear her jacket while dining. Ordered drinks, a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned. Both were very good. Later with my entree, I got a nice glass of Pinot. For apps, we ordered a Tuna Crispy Rice and a Rainbow Crudo. Tuna was great, Crudo was fresh and the fish was good, but the presentation looked like a mess on the plate. It was just a pile of fish sliced like sashimi. Whatever, not a major issue, rather just lazy and not what I'd expect from a decent kitchen. For entrees, I had the horseradish crusted salmon which was good, but not nearly as good as it's been on past visits. My wife had the bison burger and requested medium rare and got a nearly well-done burger. Since our waiter had disappeared, it took a while for her to get his attention. When she did, he said he'd get the manager. Over ten minutes passed before the manager shows up and he apologized, but said it looked like I was done and it was probably too late to do something else. We agreed and just asked for the check. His lackadaisical attitude told me that this happens a lot. The waiter proudly told me that he'd removed the burger from the check, which I told him was the absolute least he could do, and he then graciously removed the glass of wine from the bill, too. It was super disappointing and sadly appears to be a trend here. I have mentioned our experience to a few friends and they all agreed with one with one saying to me that after a completely terrible brunch experience she had, her family won't ever be going back. It's sad, because this used to be an absolute gem and is now a bit of a joke.

This was a Valentine's packaged dinner and the total cost was nearly $500. I would not return and I would not recommend. Ultimately, the atmosphere was freezing as there were not enough outdoor heaters. The outdoor seating was very uncomfortable. Normally I wouldn't mind but because the full dinner service took nearly three hours; my back was hurting by the end. Please invest in upgrading or adding cushioning to the patio/slat style wooden chairs. Despite setting a reservation, we still had to wait 30 minutes to be seated as EVERYONE had a reservation. The front of the house, waiter, and staff tried their best to be accommodating - no faults to the people working. The food was lackluster and mostly cold. The Wagyu steak was received beyond well-done instead of medium rare, desert order received was incorrect despite being assured by the waiter twice that we received the correct desert. Poor environment and dissatisfying food made it difficult to enjoy this experience. The price suggested a better, quieter, more intimate environment with top-tier food. I would not return and I would not recommend.

Honestly really disappointed in this place. I had to ask countless times for everything including water, and he was extremely inattentive. The food was extremely overpriced for the tiny portions and frankly the food was not good. We were freezing the whole night and they decided to turn on the heaters right when we were leaving? Like the rest of the night, when we asked for the check, it took us asking multiple people for the server to bring out the check which was done through a device he had on him the whole time? Also tip was included so I couldn’t even let that reflect how poorly I thought of the service and the food. Avoid this place

We came here for Dine LA because of the high Google reviews, but unfortunately, our experience didn’t match the expectations. The food was served cold and lacked flavor. Service was slow across the board, from ordering to receiving our dishes. Valet parking was also very inefficient—we waited about 30 minutes just to get our car. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.

Let's talk about the food. I ordered a Cesar salad and was given THE worst salad l've ever consumed. It is very hard to mess up a Cesar salad but somehow they did. Salad showed up without any Cesar dressing on it, very interesting. Also ordered a Peruvian brick chicken and wow... super bland no texture just awful food. Staff is very friendly but the food taste and quality is 0. If you're looking for good food, zoom past this place.

Went for valentines dinner and they had oversold the event. Staff was trying their best but the it sucked so bad. Food was luke warm by the time it came out, we spent more on drinks because it took forever between each dish. From the time we sat to signing the check was 3 hours. We missed the rest of our events for the night. Other patrons were visibly upset about the wait. Some people waited over an hour for reservation seating. If you wanted to cancel the restaurant charged you $50 per person. Just a fleecing by management. Showed really what the restaurant cares about. We’ll never be back.

Our reservation was at 9:30pm. On Valentine’s Day. When we arrived the valet was no longer offering parking. Strike one. Seriously. When we got there they had us wait, in heels, outside in the cold, on Valentine’s Day. Strike two. They had us wait for an hour, outside, in the cold, in heels. For an hour. Strike 3. They added gratuity in the tip when the kitchen and bar were unapologetically backed up and service could not possibly be good. Utensils given were dirty. They often forgot utensils. Service was obviously slow. Shut it down if you can’t run it properly and respect people’s time. We waited an hour in the cold in heels on Valentine’s Day at 10pm for food. Unacceptable. Did they comp anything? No. We paid full price and it was expensive. We stayed because this had never happened before. Ever. In decades of dining. No apology from management. Will be sharing on my socials as well. A horrific experience. Truly. Not sure what the hype was about but now you know the reality. Worst restaurant experience ever. Ruined our entire night.