Silver Sycamore - Pasadena

The Silver Sycamore is set in an old house, with tables arranged in various rooms, and the decor provides a charming glimpse into the past. I tried the honey mustard chicken salad, but I was quite disappointed. It came in a shallow bowl, and the salad consisted mostly of spring mix greens, a teaspoon of bacon, and a small piece of grilled chicken breast. It simply wasn't worth the price. However, the chocolate cake I had for dessert was fantastic, so I’m willing to give them another try.

The service at this restaurant is truly terrible, and they show no concern for their customers. When we made reservations for Mother's Day, it was not communicated to us that there would be a special menu and higher prices for the event. This important detail was never mentioned during our phone call. It wasn’t until Mother's Day morning that a family member happened to see a Facebook post revealing this information, which was barely acknowledged. Consequently, we decided to opt out of the event and called to cancel our reservation. It took an eternity to get through on the phone, with multiple people making several calls. It was absolutely ridiculous. When they finally answered, they insisted that we were aware of the menu and insisted we pay the full price, even though we decided not to show up for our reservation. The lack of basic customer service and consideration for human decency is truly appalling.

The customer service was abysmal, and any attempt at conflict resolution was met with resistance. It’s important to note that many items are not included in the package, yet the seller presents them as if they are readily available—similar to a car salesman. I have evidence to back this up, as I have a picture of the price list that was not initially shared with us. With our lack of experience in planning a wedding, we unfortunately took the plunge and paid the deposit before seeing the contract. We trusted that she would provide us with the necessary details, as it is her job to do so. After spending nearly 30 minutes voicing my concerns about the pricing, she admitted that she usually shares the additional cost details, yet she failed to do so with us. By the end of our conversation, she made some concessions, but I couldn't trust anything she said at that point. To top it off, she mentioned that she could return part of our deposit if she was able to book another event. However, when we asked for that in writing, she rudely informed us that she had changed her mind and would not refund anything. I would strongly advise against this venue, especially for brides who deserve a positive experience during their engagement. This whole situation has been a huge disappointment and has taken away from what should have been a joyous occasion. In the end, we cut our losses and decided to walk away, taking a $3,500 hit just to end our dealings here. I can only recommend others do the same. Good riddance and good luck to this business.

CONS: Noisy Neighbors over PROS road: The place looks fantastic, it is an oasis in the city, and the staff is super beautiful. I'll give him a five-star anyway, and you'll get him when you open the cabin door. It's just beautiful.

I wasn't there for a wedding or reception or to eat in the cafe, which I was disappointed it was not open. I was there for the Holiday Lights Festival. It was enjoyable enough and manageable on foot, but not all handicap friendly. Hopefully they will continue to find ways to make it more easily inclusive for those elderly with mobility issues and all those who have physical challenges.