The At New School Of Cooking - Pasadena

This was probably the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. The poor waitress was clearly overwhelmed, while the manager—or whoever she was—spent her time chatting with a chef instead of helping. The food was disappointing; I get that this is a school setting, but the quality was unacceptable, especially for a place catering to young children aged 3 and 5. The potatoes were cold and hard, the salad lacked blue cheese, and the lettuce was wilted. To top it off, my friend received an omelette that was completely different from what she ordered. I will definitely not be returning.

I had a great experience with their Pasadena Restaurant Week menu. We tried the Blackened Ahi Tuna Kale Salad, Chopped BLT Salad, Egg Pasta with Shrimp Bacon, Sake Salmon, Chocolate Cheesecake, and Chocolate Napoleon. While the presentation of the Salmon and Chocolate Cheesecake could have been improved, the flavors were absolutely delightful, and the prices were unbeatable. Our server, Brian, was both attentive and friendly.

The concept is promising, leading one to expect a true culinary experience. Unfortunately, our breakfast fell short. We ordered fried eggs with toast, breakfast potatoes, and plain croissants, but everything was overly oily, and it was evident the oil had been used for far too long. The service was pleasant, which is why I'm giving it 2 stars.

I visited the restaurant for lunch on a Monday and ordered the French dip sandwich, which was advertised on the menu as being made with gruyere cheese. However, it arrived with cheddar instead, which is simply unacceptable as it changes the entire essence of the dish. I also had a salad with grilled shrimp, which was decent, but unfortunately, the shrimp were only partially cooked and had raw centers. The portion sizes were modest, and the wait time for our food was longer than expected. Overall, the meal felt quite pricey given the quality and experience. On a positive note, the staff was very pleasant and accommodating. One of the chefs even came over during our meal to check on us, which I appreciated. The restaurant itself is lovely, featuring a bright, airy atmosphere with wonderful high ceilings. However, based on this visit, the quality of the food did not justify the cost. It's not surprising that the place was nearly empty during my visit.

I found a charming and peaceful place for lunch, and the food was outstanding! Even better was the atmosphere—spacious, tranquil, and complemented by fantastic table service from friendly staff. This has quickly become my new favorite lunch spot. I enjoyed the omelet of the day, which was fluffy and filled with fresh spinach, Gruyère cheese, and a slice of ham. It also came with a side of fresh fruit.