<p>If you guys eat in Pasadena often, help me out! Im looking for a not-so-expensive, but nice restaurant for a Valentines date. I want to take her to a restaurant with a romantic feel (dim lights, laid back, etc.) Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>whoa?! you got a date at Caltech!? haha kidding kidding</p>
<p>haha, I don't go to caltech.. just live in the area. I'm still in hs!</p>
<p>I have been in your position. Two great places:</p>
<p>(1) il fornaio -- a charming restaurant in a charming part of town. The service is fairly formal and high-class, but the prices are not unreasonable (the cheapest entre' will set you back about $12, whereas the most expensive ones go for about $25.) They have the most excellent Lobster ravioli I've ever had ($17), excellent butternut squash ravioli, and a great variety of other Italian entres. The atmosphere is nice -- dim lights, quiet chatter. I like it a lot. 24 West Union Street, 626.683.9797</p>
<p>(2) Malagueta -- a trendy Brazilian-Italian fusion place. The prices are reasonable (about the same as above, perhaps a bit cheaper) and the food is excellent. Very generous portions, and if you're up for adventure it's really great. The decor is hip and spare, but I really like it and the dim lighting makes it quite romantic. This place attracts a young, trendy crowd. (43 East Colorado Blvd. (626) 564-8696).</p>
<p>There's a place right next to this -- a big Italian place that always draws an enormous crowd. I think it's a bit more expensive, but quite romantic. Also look at Bar Celona (half of it is a bar, the other half is a restaurant). Very popular place, worth at least taking a look at.</p>
<p>Mmm....if I go to Caltech, how easy is it to get good Indian? :)</p>
<p>yum i like the sound of those restaurants... (craving for lobsters at 12:30 in the morning) tho food at outside restaurants aren't "covered" by Caltech?</p>
<p>nope, outside food is on your own dime.</p>
<p>There is an excellent Indian place (All India Cafe) in Old Town, as well as several others which are a notch down (but you'd only go to th best one probably.)</p>
<p>I love Indian food.</p>
<p>thanks Ben. :] i love the chicken courses in Indian food esp. altho now in the middle of the nite im really craving for lobsters. </p>
<p>oh btw, i remember u said a while ago that early acceptees would receive some kind of additional materials... any news on that?</p>
<p>thanks again ben!</p>
<p>cheesecake factory? that might be on the more expensive side..i don't know, im a high school student.</p>
<p>Cheesecake factory is not as good a place for a date -- it's louder and they don't take reservations (read: do you really want to make your date wait 40 min for a table on valentines?)</p>
<p>I second Malagueta and the Indian Place. I also loved Mi Piace for Italian. (It's been a bit since I was there, though, so I don't remember prices). If you go early in the evening, it's large and relatively well lit, but they dim the lights as the night goes on. Much more on the trendy side of Italian and it has great desserts. (I think this is the place Ben mentioned as right next to Malagueta.)</p>
<p>Thanks Ben! Those two places that you mentioned, will I need reservations? I really don't want to make my date wait for a table. Also, are there any other places that aren't as expensive? (important - dim lights, quiet chattering, romantic feel)!</p>
<p>Edit: Okay, it doesn't have to be in Old Town, just anywhere on or near Colorado.</p>
<p>You can make reservations at both places, and if you do, there'll be no wait. And you should thank alleya too -- her advice is good.</p>
<p>The other places I can think of at the moment that are less expensive certainly slide down quickly on the romance scale. I'll think a little more. But since it's v-day, maybe you should sign up for some social science laboratory experiments at Caltech and make some cash by playing economics games ( <a href="http://ssel.caltech.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://ssel.caltech.edu/</a> )... there are many other ways, too, to earn the $40 that a nice dinner for two will cost. It'll be worth it, I think ;-)</p>
<p>Ben--I love Indian food too!! Can you mention to the committee if you see my app? Maybe then they'll think I'm cultured and accept me :p</p>
<p>And send me a free murgh makhani as a congratulations gift. Yum!</p>