(626) 564-8656

22 Mills Pl
Pasadena, CA 91105 34.1455 -118.151

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Neighborhoods: South Arroyo, East LA

Last updated 6.15.11

Category:

Restaurants, Coffeehouses

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What People Are Saying About Equator

Featured Review

Martha Burr

Contributor

In a little alley off Colorado that's so atmospheric it could be a movie set lies this dramatically chic Asian-fusion bistro. Stylishly raffish guys in untucked striped shirts looking like they've walked out of "Entourage" order rounds of sake, while tables of hippies (as in "hip yuppies") sip martinis under the gaze of giant golden Buddhas. Framed by exposed brick walls, high wooden beams and sensuous banquettes, an iridescent tiled bar glows under changing mood lights, pulsing softly with global electronica. Chef Jack Zhang turns out flavorful specialties like spicy seared albacore topped…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The lively cocktail lounge has a full bar, featuring handcrafted martinis, as well as specialty cocktail infusions made with Equator's signature teas and coffees.
When to Go:
"Dim Sum and Then Some" brunch is served Sundays from 10am to 3pm. Zhang's mom makes the dim sum ($3 each) including shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns, sesame rolls with lotus seed paste and sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaf. Included are $10 bottomless champagne cocktails or mimosas.
Save Money:
Bar specials include Monday Madness, with all appetizers and well drinks half-price, 4pm to close; Tasty Tuesdays feature $1 martinis and $1 satay sticks from 4pm to close; Wine Wednesdays have no corkage, and all wine and sake bottles are half-price. There's also a bento-style diner special for $15.
ambiance
60.0% positive
  1. don't really like the atmosphere there.
  2. The ambiance is awesome, real kick back and loungy.
  3. there's no real atmosphere to the place, and the drinks are only mediocre.
  4. loved the decor.
  5. The ambiance inside is pretty chill, and the food is pretty good, which was a huge surprise to me.
drinks
76.91999912261963% positive
  1. they now have a full bar.
  2. It was full of cool people just looking for a place to chill and have some coffee.
  3. The staff is friendlty and the coffee is amazing.
  4. Great Place to hang out, have some tea and eat really good food for a great PRICE.
  5. Great smoothies and coffee drinks.
  6. A great new option to get drinks with dinner too.
  7. The best part is now you can enjoy a drink along with your food as well (the trade off - enforce by the city - was the hookah and as much as I will miss the hookah its better that they have the martinis).
  8. came in and was in shock to see the chandeliers and a huge bar.
  9. This is a unique cafe' they serve various drinks, smoothies, and coffee.
  10. If you are a pasadena local, you would have known then to be a great coffee shop.
  11. there's no real atmosphere to the place, and the drinks are only mediocre.
  12. Oh and their drink specials don't hurt either, they always have some real nice deals.
  13. Love to hang out in the patio with coffee, the food is great, just like a close neighborhood.
food quality
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. Honey Glazed shrimp with Walnuts is the BEST!
  2. The best Asian food in town.
  3. My husband's burger (which the server recommended) looked like a mcdonald's patty, and the fries seemed to have been soaked in grease overnight.
  4. Great Place to hang out, have some tea and eat really good food for a great PRICE.
  5. The best part is now you can enjoy a drink along with your food as well (the trade off - enforce by the city - was the hookah and as much as I will miss the hookah its better that they have the martinis).
  6. The food is great and for a great price too.
  7. Love to hang out in the patio with coffee, the food is great, just like a close neighborhood.
  8. The ambiance inside is pretty chill, and the food is pretty good, which was a huge surprise to me.
  9. Make sure you try the coconut shrimp soup, the mignon cubes and the spicy tuna on crispy rice.
  10. I've lived in L.A. for about 4 months now, and this was undoubtedly the worst meal we've had so far.
  11. Im not very into Asian food or raw fish, but everything they serve is great.
  12. had lunch, i had the salmon salad, which was very good.
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. the service was great & the menu was full of great options.
overall
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. The Equator is a pretty good place to hang out but it's not the best music venue.
  2. have to say this is the best place to be whether it's at
  3. What a great place!
service
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. It was full of cool people just looking for a place to chill and have some coffee.
  2. The staff is friendlty and the coffee is amazing.
  3. My husband's burger (which the server recommended) looked like a mcdonald's patty, and the fries seemed to have been soaked in grease overnight.
  4. the service was great & the menu was full of great options.
value
75.0% positive
  1. The ambiance inside is pretty chill, and the food is pretty good, which was a huge surprise to me.
  2. Oh and their drink specials don't hurt either, they always have some real nice deals.
  3. came in and was in shock to see the chandeliers and a huge bar.
  4. The food is great and for a great price too.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/15/09

A NEW TWIST ON ASIAN FOOD

by Dagreat8

I thought I had tried all versions of Asian food but I was really surprised how good the food was at Equator. They had a twist for every "traditional" Asian dish you can imagine. Wasabi crusted Mignon was off the hook! The Linguini was awesome too...it had this Thai flare with chinese and Italian...I can't really describe it. Basically everytime I go I have to try a new dish just to taste their twist on everything. Oh and their drink specials don't hurt either, they always have some real nice deals.

The ambiance is awesome, real kick back and loungy...you feel high class at this place without paying high class prices. And they got some real hot chicks working here too. Damn, now I'm hungry.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/13/08

a great change

by Veronicamontano

Wow, Equator has changed. Thank God! This place was fool of kids and now it's versitle. I came in and was in shock to see the chandeliers and a huge bar. Even the staff is a total change.Wow, and they still have my favorite drink "Banana Royale" yummy. I had lunch, i had the salmon salad, which was very good. Not fishy at all and very filling. All I could say is "WOW!"

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/21/08

Neighborhood Class!

by JayinVegas

What a great place! Love to hang out in the patio with coffee, the food is great, just like a close neighborhood. Try the new food menu, you'll love it. My first stop whenever I get back to Pasadena from Las Vegas.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/21/08

Delicious Food + Nice Atmosphere

by PDormiani

I go hear probably 6 times a week. The food is great and for a great price too. The experience is mostly family style. Make sure you try the coconut shrimp soup, the mignon cubes and the spicy tuna on crispy rice. The best part is now you can enjoy a drink along with your food as well (the trade off - enforce by the city - was the hookah and as much as I will miss the hookah its better that they have the martinis). If you go there on Saturdays or Sundays, make sure to try the dim-sum. My favorite would have to be the bamboo leaf wrapped sticky rice, pork dumplings and the egg custards.

You pretty much can't go wrong here and the service is exceptional. The atmosphere is very refined now and you will be very pleased when you walk in. The art on the walls can be very interesting and make for great conversations just on their own.

If you are a pasadena local, you would have known then to be a great coffee shop. Well, that hasn't changed either, and they are still serving cups of coffees, lattes or whatever you desire. In the mornings they have reduced prices on these items as well as a thank you to the Pasadena residents who have supported them throughout the years they have been at this location.

Definitely worth the experience with good friends or a casual and fun date.

  • Pros: Mignon Cubes, Dim Sum and Good Martinis
  • Cons: Can't think of any
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/21/08

Great place to hang out and take dates if you want to impress

by ashkhen

The best Asian food in town. Im not very into Asian food or raw fish, but everything they serve is great. I dont even look at the menu anymore i just tell to bring me something new. Great coffee and tea also.

The Details on Equator

Place Categories:

  • great asian food
  • great place
  • loved decor
  • great price
  • full bar
  • great coffee
  • enjoy drink
  • great service
  • great conversations
  • best honey glazed shrimp
  • worst meal
  • great serve
  • awesome ambiance
  • recommended server
  • not best music venue
  • very interesting art
  • not really like atmosphere
  • very good salmon salad
  • not nice deals
  • unique cafe
  • best dinner spot
  • crispy rice
  • cool people
  • great coffee shop
  • great new option
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