Eden Garden Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Pasadena

I very rarely leave negative reviews. I like to give the benefit of the doubt, and I strongly believe everyone deserves to survive and make a living, regardless of the quality of their work or their business. So it is not lightly that I say that this was quite possibly the worst dining experience I have ever had.

I normally love Mediterranean food, so I was excited to try this place, expecting the 4.5 average review score would translate to a good example of it—especially in a place as nice as Old Pasadena. That is not what I encountered.

The meat was overcooked and unseasoned, the pita was chewy, the hummus unremarkable, the vegetables were nearly raw and barely seasoned. I thought perhaps the drinks must at least be good to make up for the food, but when we finally got our drinks, I was sadly mistaken. I received the worst mojito I've ever had; both my drink and my companion's tasted like cough syrup.

The staff largely ignored us, and generally gave the impression of being unhappy with our presence (with the sole exception of one friendly person working at the bar). I suspect they assumed we were underage, as they didn't offer us a drink menu until I asked, at which point they asked if we would like any soft drinks. I found this a bit absurd and was mildly offended, as a woman in her thirties. But even after ordering our drinks, their attitude toward us was unchanged. Clearly, a party of three queer adult women didn't fit the image of whatever they wanted their clientele to be.

I gathered after the fact that the main draw of this place is the hookah and outdoor area with live music and performances; I didn't partake of either, but I can only hope it must be phenomenal to make up for the other aspects. However, having experienced all those things at other venues who also do have good food, I find it hard to imagine it truly making up for their shortcomings.

I wouldn't fault them for poor food and drink if they primarily advertised as a hookah lounge with live music—but I find it deeply ironic that a place which calls itself a "Bar & Grill" was a disappointment at being both.

I would recommend going to any of the myriad other restaurants and establishments within a minute's walk...

This was second time I was there also I think would be last time, same as the first time the service was awful we were 14 persons, the waiter forgot to get drink order for some of us and brought one order by mistake (lamb shish kebob instead of lamb kebob) , as usual they served pita bread and butter so they brought it very late during the lunch serving time and it was completely clear they re-warm warmed pitas, so for this type of service they charged for service on the bill. Regarding the foods all foods were very salty specially kefta and lamb kebobs I think they tried to change the taste of low quality of meat under salt and spices, rice was very oily, greasy and non fresh look like the cooked on too much oil , the lamb shank was not fresh as my experience it was re warmed and cooked at least one day ago because the meat was darker than of fresh cooked meat, the chicken kebob and lamb kebob also were so salty and should chew more time for eating, may be the only good thing there, were the garnish and garlic deep sauce, so about the prices depend on the foods were higher than of other places those provide the same foods, may be they collected some customers cause of providing hooka and live music and belly dancer in the weekends but what I saw on Friday lunch time except us only two other table were occupied it seems the restaurant does not have much prosperity, by the way it would be better than one time the manager and business owner go to the Armenian-Persian or Persian restaurants like Raffi place, Shiraz, Shamshiri, Nerses and Sadaf and try the same foods and figure out how to tenderize, marinate and cook rice, kefta kebob, chicken kebob, lamb shank , lamb...

My wife and I booked Eden for our wedding rehearsal dinner because they had charmed us so much when we were looking for a wedding venue but were just a bit too small for our event size. But it was perfect for our rehearsal dinner of about 35, so we booked their upper patio area which gave us a nice cozy alcove just enough away from the rest of the restaurant to give us a bit more privacy and feel very homey and comfortable.

And let me tell you about the food. We went with their deluxe catering package because it wasn't that much different in price from the basic and thought it would be fun to splurge a bit. And so we sat with our friends and family happily munching on all the delicious appetizers as they were brought out. That's when it dawned on us after like the 10th appetizer that we hadn't even hit the main course! You should have seen everybody's eyes when that sunk in. We were surrounded by mounds of delicious food! In the end, we had to foist giant catering boxes of food onto people to take home because we were all stuffed to the gills.

Though it did make putting on our wedding outfits the next day a bit difficult, I am so glad we went with Eden. They were courteous and very accommodating while planning the event and the staff were all very kind and great during the dinner. And of course, the food was wonderful! If you want to drown in delicious food, Eden is the...