Lacasablue Food Bar

07/18/08

Highland Perk Coffee Shop Art Gallery Taco Stand Wine Bar?

by greennanny at Citysearch

This place suffers from major identity issues. We waited with high hopes for "Highland Perk" to open a couple of years ago only to be disappointed again and again. The interior is over the top and the music was equally loud and horrible. Employees were lacking customer service and barista skills but to their credit their boss was a complete a$$hole. On more than one occasion I saw the owner talking down to his employees IN FRONT of myself and other customers. In less than a year's time this business has shifted direction and names so many times it's hard to keep up with them. It's gone from an early morning coffee house to a wine bar serving tacos? I don't understand the positive reviews below. A search for "Highland Perk" (former name) will give a more accurate review of what this business and it's owners are truly like.

• Pros: Great place if you happen to like wine with your nachos and horrible service
• Cons: If you actually value customer service, food, drinks and your money, avoid this place!

09/01/07

Growing pains

by lizardmop at Citysearch

I'm thrilled that a place like La Casa Blue finally exists in the Highland Park area, and I can tell the owners put tons of work into it. The place has been beautifully restored and there is nice art on the walls and a patio out back. But it seems like it's still suffering from growing pains - every time I go, there is a different menu. I'm glad to see that they no longer serve burgers (a few months ago the whole place smelled like fried food) but I'm still not crazy about the food options. The pastries and desserts are often stale and dry. Disappointing. A nice place like this should be selling yummy goods from a bakery in South Pasadena. I hope that the owners talk to a restaurant consultant and get a strong and steady menu of food and drinks. Consistency is important. Oh, and the bulk coffee beans are VERY expensive. Up to $16 a pound. This is too much! Also, I'm overwhelmed by all the TVs. There are 3 different ones as well as a projector with a big screen. Sometimes there are 3-4 different shows on at once, with no volume. I don't know where to focus! And what's the point of watching if you can't hear anything? Last thing- the patio is nicely decorated and very relaxing. However, it is cluttered with low tables that no one can sit at, and there are too few chairs. The area is big but can probably only seat about 10 people because of the weird setup.

I'll keep going back, but I hope all the kinks get worked out soon!

07/23/07

why so early...

by sipi at Citysearch

First of all I do have to say that the last time I went was a couple month ago. I like the place it's cute and the owner is very pleasant. You kind of have to go a little early to get parking. I think the only thing I did'nt like was that they closed so early. 10 pm and you feel like you had to leave because they start to pick everything up at about 9:15. Other than that I'm very happy that Highland Park is growing. And that people are taking notice and investing their $.

• Pros: Everyone is welcome
• Cons: parking