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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, November 16, 2024


RESTAURANT REVIEW: PANDA INN 
– A FRESH LOOK AT A PASADENA 
CLASSIC

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For over 50 years, Panda Inn has stood as a beloved Pasadena 
landmark, known for its classic Chinese-American 
fare and cozy, old-school charm. But this past year, 
the restaurant closed for a much-needed remodel, and 
now it’s back—and it looks fantastic. Gone is the dimly 
lit, outdated decor; in its place is a fresh, modern space 
that still retains that signature warmth and welcoming 
vibe. But make no mistake: Panda Inn may look different, 
but it’s far from abandoning its roots.

In fact, as the birthplace of Panda Express, this is the 
original Panda Inn—the very place where the chain began—
so while the new interior may feel more polished, the essence of what made Panda Inn a favorite for 
decades is still very much alive.

A Fresh Look, but Familiar Feel

Walking in, I was immediately impressed by how the space had been transformed. The remodeled interior 
features sleek, contemporary touches like lighter wood, soft lighting, and open seating that feels airy yet 
cozy. There’s a definite upscale feel to the restaurant now, but don’t let the fancy decor fool you—it’s still the 
same Panda Inn where you can feel right at home.

I admit, I was a little concerned that with the updated look, the prices might have taken a sharp turn northward, 
but I was pleasantly surprised. While portions might be slightly smaller than what I remember, the 
value is still very much present. After all, the flavors and heart of the place remain intact.

Old Favorites Done Right

I was excited to dig into some of my long-time favorites, and I was not disappointed. The Orange Chicken 
remains the signature dish for a reason—crispy chicken coated in that iconic sweet, tangy orange sauce. It’s 
still as delicious as I remember, delivering that perfect balance of savory and sweet, with the crunch that 
makes it so satisfying.

Then there’s the Chicken and Cashew, another personal favorite. The tender chicken pieces are stir-fried 
with perfectly roasted cashews, green onions, and a savory sauce that makes it comforting but never heavy. 
It’s the kind of dish you can’t stop eating, and I was happy to see that it’s still on the menu.

As for appetizers, I couldn’t pass up the Crab Wontons. These crispy, golden bites filled with a rich, creamy 
crab filling are as good as ever—an absolute must-try for anyone who hasn’t had them before.

And let's not forget the drinks: if you’ve ever been to Panda Inn, you know the Mai Tais are legendary. These 
cocktails pack a punch, and the ones I had during my visit were no exception—smooth, strong, and perfectly 
balanced. They’re one of those things that, once tasted, are hard to forget.

Service That Feels Like Family

What really stood out to me during my visit was the service. While the decor may be new, the familiar 
faces are still there. It was a real treat to see longtime servers and managers—like Mila, Luther Caton, and 
Henry—back at their posts, greeting guests like old friends. And the new General Manager, Kenny, did a 
fantastic job making everyone feel welcome. The level of service felt just as warm and attentive as it ever was, 
and I was impressed with how seamlessly everything ran.

A Few Final Thoughts

For those who’ve frequented Panda Inn over the years, the recent changes might be a little surprising at 
first. The updated look is definitely more modern, and it could easily fit in with some of the newer, trendier 
spots around town. But for those who come for the food, the familiarity remains. The Orange Chicken, the 
Chicken and Cashew, the Mai Tais—all the things that made Panda Inn great—are still there, just with a 
little more polish. If you are a Sushi fan low and behold a Sushi bar !!

Though the prices may be a touch higher due to the new ambiance, I found the experience to be well worth 
it. The portions may be smaller, but I’m still hard-pressed to finish everything that comes to the table. All 
in all, my visit was a fantastic reminder of why Panda Inn has remained such a beloved part of Pasadena's 
dining scene for so many years.

Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, you’ll find plenty to love about the new Panda Inn. The 
combination of the restaurant’s nostalgic charm, updated atmosphere, and reliably delicious food make it a 
winning spot for any occasion. It’s fancy, sure, but still very much the Panda Inn we know and love.

THE TASTING ROOM


STRESS FREE AND 
THOUGHTFUL WINES FOR 
THANKSGIVING

I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room Manager 
and Wine Buyer at The Bottle Shop in 
Sierra Madre with another wine and 
spirits selection. 

Are you stressing over which wines to 
serve this Thanksgiving? Stress no more. 
This week and next week I will be giving 
you my recommendations for wines 
to pour at your Thanksgiving meal. I’ll 
provide you with a range of wines to fit 
any budget, from higher priced wines to great value wines. 

Many of you put your heart and soul into preparing your Thanksgiving meal – I 
know I do. You should put the same effort into your wine selection. I am going 
to brine, spatchcock (be careful when you Google that word!), and smoke my 
turkey this year to go along with my Chorizo & Corn Bread stuffing. With all 
that effort, why would I go to the grocery store and buy a mass-produced bottle 
of mediocre wine? I’m not going to do that, and neither should you. I’m here 
to help make it easy for you to enjoy a great bottle of wine that will be perfectly 
paired with your meal. It will also excite your family and friends with new 
discoveries. These are just my recommendations. They’re not etched in stone, 
nor should they be the final word on which wines you should pair with your 
Thanksgiving meal. If you like a certain wine, drink it with your meal. Drink 
what you like no matter what “experts” might say or think. I have a friend who 
is very highly regarded in the wine world who swears by white zinfandel with 
sushi. When it comes to drinking wine you enjoy, YOU are the expert.

Having said that, here’s my recommendations for your Thanksgiving wines… 
Regular price shown along with Mountain Views News Price (MVN.) Say you 
saw it in the Mountain Views News and get the discounted price.

Well-made Chardonnay is Thanksgiving worthy! Here are two chardonnays 
that are excellent choices for your table.

Henri Costal “Vaillons” 1er Cru Chablis 2022 – From Premier Cru 30+ year old 
organically farmed vines. Orchard fruit, river stone, white floral notes. Bracing 
acidity. Crisp finish. Reg $46.99 MVN $44.99

Bishop’s Peak Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo Coast 2023 – Eric Johnson is 
crafting fantastic wines at Talley Vineyards. This is their great value wine label. 
Certified Sustainable and vegan. Meyer Lemon, pear, honeydew, and floral 
notes. Subtle oak. Juicy finish. Reg $16.99 MVN $15.99

Pinot Noir is a slam dunk for Thanksgiving. 

Alfaro Family Pinot Noir, Trout Gulch Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains 2021 – 
One of my faves in the shop! Organically farmed. Red fruit, citrus, floral, and 
white pepper notes. Very subtle oak. Clean and elegant. YUMMY! Elsewhere 
$40 to $50. MVN $33.99 

Other interesting and delish wines!

Leah Jorgensen “Tour Rain” Vin Rouge, Oregon 2021 – Leah is a heckuva 
winemaker. She crafted this brilliant Cabernet Franc/Gamay blend from 
Certified Sustainable vineyards. Cab Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon 
and has the acidity to cut through any fatty elements in your meal. Gamay 
is very food friendly. Bing cherry, cigar box, cranberry, floral notes, and 
peppercorn notes. Mouthwatering juiciness on the finish with subtle tannins. 
Jay and Jeff love this wine – it’s a Twin Pick! Reg $24.99 MVN $23.99

Villa di Corlo “Rolfshark” Lambrusco Grasparossa Di Castelvetro – A red 
sparkling wine that is outta this world! Antonia Munari is fabulous. She is 
owner, winemaker, and a bad ass! All organic. The winery is solar powered and 
carbon neutral. I can finish this bottle all by myself. Dry. Sparkling. Red fruit. 
Violet. Damn this is good. Reg $19.99 MVN $18.99. I will be pouring it this 
Sunday at 3pm. Come taste it! 

More Thanksgiving picks next week. 

Thursday & Friday November 21 & 22 Gorgeous Gams! Gamay For 
Thanksgiving. I will be pouring various wines including the best Beaujolais 
Nouveau I have ever had. It arrives in a few days. 

Until next time – Salud!

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PINNEY HOUSE-225 N.LIMA 

SIERRA MADRE'S TREASURE

SINCE 1887

In August of 1887, Dr. Elbert Pinney, a retired civil war surgeon, farmer, rancher, merchant and developer arrived in the new 
town of Sierra Madre. 

He bought 35 acres of land at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and moved his family at the age of 70 and he lived to 
around 90. His tract sloped gently from the base of Mt. Wilson with views towards Los Angeles fifteen miles away. 

He was an admirer of Luther Burbank’s horticultural work, and most likely was drawn to California to work with him. Pinney 
planted vineyards and citrus on his considerable property. Pinney hired renowned architects Samuel and Joseph Cather 
Newsom to design his new hotel. 

The Newsom brothers created this 10,000 sq. ft.dramatic Queen Anne style (railroad) hotel with its signature oriel tower (to 
see when the train arrived) and sweeping front veranda. The Hotel Sierra Madre opened with its 24 plus day rooms.Throughout 
its 125+ year life, the Hotel that Pinney built has been one of the treasures of Sierra Madre. 

Over the years, the house has accommodated a variety of uses: as a sanatorium; as a boarding house “Hotel Sierra Madre” (the 
conservatory was added in 1910 to accommodate ballroom dancing lessons) and as apartments. A popular filming venue in 
the 40s and 50s, Barbara Stanwyck’s The Great Man’s Lady and Bob Hope’s Seven Little Foyes was filmed here. The Hotel Sierra 
Madre was in 1889 as the The Valley Vista Newspaper described "A quiet and comfortable home for sojourners and tourists. 
Reached by carriages from station on the Santa Fe railroad one mile distant. There is from this House a fine view of the 
beautiful San Gabriel Valley, extending from one end of the valley to the other and from the mountains to the sea, presenting 
a picture grand, inspiring and never tiring, revealing to the observer new beauties each day.

The comfort of their Guests is the First Care of the Managers of this House. Fare and Accommodations as Good as can be had 
anywhere. Board with Room $8 to $12 per week*." *1887 Prices

ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com