Best Casual Restaurants in La Canada

We were in the area to visit The Forest of Lights and found this gem on Open Table. Such a cute restaurant with good food and cocktails. It was a perfect addition to our date night.

We celebrated two birthdays at Fogo de Chao last Thursday. We booked an early slot for dinner and walked into a well-lit room that really showed off the magnificent architecture and décor. The salad bar was marvelous as always with a good assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits and veggies. The entire serving staff was attentive and helpful. I can't pick a fave for the meats - they're all delicious! My one tiny criticism is when they decided to dim the lights, it was a bit too dark to see much of anything, even after our eyes adjusted. We have flashlights in our phones to find the fork we dropped, not so we can see the bill. Or perhaps that's the point? It can be a pricey meal - but I think it's worth it.

Service and food were phenomenal. We had the fried spicy beef and chicken empanadas for appetizers. For dinner we had the Tagliatelle and the Malbec. The steaks were cooked to perfection and meals were full of flavors. For dessert we had the crème brûlée; very delicious, too. Can’t wait to try other dishes. 💕

Excellent food and service. The Benny is the best and my wife really enjoyed the grits.

I booked afternoon tea for a group of four. We were seated promptly, and blankets were provided to keep us warm outside, which my guests loved. The tea and scones arrived quickly, and everything was delicious—warm tea, tasty sandwiches, and lovely desserts. Although the outdoor seating is near the road, it wasn’t busy, so noise wasn’t an issue. Some additional separation, like drapery or dividers, could enhance the ambiance, but the shrubbery provided adequate distance. Overall, we had a fantastic afternoon and will definitely return. Thank you!