Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Good Eats

Need a healthy dose of old-school diner goodness? Shakers is the place. In a world that changes so fast it gives you whiplash, Shakers is a wonderful constant. It's like South Pasadena's home base where you can go to regroup, relax and cure what ails you with a heaping plate of eggs and hash browns.

I was doing just that this past weekend when I asked the waitress about another South Pas staple restaurant, Wild Thyme. It's owned by the same family who brings us Shakers as well as Central Park Grill in Pasadena. Wild Thyme is being renovated and will reopen with a new name and a new menu. I was told it's going to be called Canoe and it will serve Hawaiian food. I'm not sure what Hawaiian food is exactly, but I'll give the proprietors benefit of the doubt. They haven't let me down yet. (Although, I'm going to miss Wild Thyme's Italian chopped salad. Sigh.)

16 comments:

Shanna said...

Uhmmmm...Hawaiian...?
Oh...No...Well at least there is still a Salt Shaker over in Glendale with pot roast and rice pilaf.

Could that waitress at Shaker's possibly be Margaret? I'm so glad that some things just don't change.

Cafe Pasadena said...

Another change in name & menu for the space. Next time they should try calling it The Bakery.

Yeah, that has a nice ring to it.

Dixie Jane said...

Poi oh poi!I'm far away but I still like the name, Wild Thyme. I wouldn't think that there are that many people who go for Hawaiian food.

Mister Earl said...

Canoe? Maybe it will serve Indian food.

There's a Hawaiian Grill in the El Pollo Loco mall. They won't be happy about this!

Barbara said...

Shakers' patio is our favorite local venue for dining with dogs.

Who cares what I think said...

I wondered why Wild T was closed and roped off. I remember when they were the Bakery. The wife loved the crepes.

This is a very nice picture.

Gretchen said...

Oh dear. I'm sorry to hear of Wild Thyme. I don't know about Hawaiian food.

I tried to leave a comment on your South Pasadena Patch column but it didn't show up. Wonderful stuff this week!

Laurie Allee said...

Hey everyone!

Shanna, I don't know all the waitresses' names at Shakers but they are all so great.

I am bummed about Wild Thyme -- mainly because Hawaiian sounds like a lot of sauces made with gluten and wheat-free people like me have trouble with most restaurants anyway. But, I'm willing to wait and see because I love all of the other restaurants owned and operated by these folks.

OH, but that Italian chopped salad. I was addicted. :-(

Judy Williams said...

I might be willing to give it a try. I know Shanna is bummed cause she loved Wild Thyme. I loved the name of it too.

Canoe - cute catchy title. You can't go wrong as long as it has pineapple. :)

dbdubya said...

I think Wild Thyme started as a House of Pies and then became The Bakery. Hawaiianj food - Spam, pineapples, fresh fish and mai tais.

Laurie Allee said...

Sign me up for those Mai Tais!

dbdubya said...

If you want a good Mai Tai without having to go to Hawaii, go to Damon's steak house on Brand Blvd. in Glendale. It's a classic tiki bar/steak house that's been in business since 1937. It makes Gus's BBQ look like a new, trendy joint. Make sure to have George make your Mai Tai. His are the best.

Laurie Allee said...

Db, you know EVERYTHING about this region. Damon's sounds right up my alley. Bet they make a great filet, too.

dbdubya said...

I first went to Damon's in the late 50's with my grandparents when it was in it's original location. The moved from Central Avenue to Brand Blvd when the Glendale Galleria was built in the early 70's. The recreated all the tiki-tackiness of the original, including fishing nets, glass balls, and a canoe hanging from the ceiling, but in a much larger place. My grandkids are the fifth generation of my family to enjoy Damon's. I prefer the New York, but the Chieftess likes the petite filet. Make sure to get an order of garlic bread, and choose the twice baked potato and salad which is mixed in a bowl right at the table.

Now I'm hungry and am drooling like a basset hound. I need a trip to Damon's for a couple of Mai Tais and a steak dinner.

Shanna said...

Back to salads....Wild Thyme (Bakery) used to make a great spinach salad! I would go there just for the salad. Before that, they made a great watercress salad! Laurie, I also liked the more recent Italian cobb salad.

Then there was my favorite sandwich on Earth...chicken breast with roasted red bell pepper and a thin slice of cheese served on home-made rosemary bread!!! That was discontinued, so I went there less often.

The sauteed fresh veg.s were also a hit as were the rosemary mashed potatoes...before garlic potatoes took over the world... Sorry,but I'm allergic to garlic.

Is someone taking notes? If so, add those crepes in and let me know when you open a restaurant!

heather said...

found this job posting that explains a bit more about "Canoe House" check it out!
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/fbh/2647496075.html