Blakes

I love coming here only during the Holidays. They decorate it so festively, its very beautiful.
I don’t care for the food much. Whatever we’ve ordered in the past… It’s either tasteless, or just a-​kay.
Why do we continue to go back? It’s what a group of friends pick for our yearly gatherings. Because they have separate rooms for events, banquets, makes it convenient. Other than that… No big deal.

It’s hard to write a bad reveiw when the people that work there are so nice.
But OMG save your money don’t go.
Normally me and the Fiancé wouldn’t go to a place like this but we got a gift card so we went. I was straving so when the warm bread and olive spread got to the table I was a happy camper.
We order the calimari and escargot or starters. The calimari was blah thin slices of squid that was over breaded servered w/​a basil/​pesto aloui and marinara sauce. the escargot wasn’t so bad bubbling in garlicy butter.
We ordered the Chicken piacata and Chicken marsala.
The chicken piacata was flavorless
the Chicken in the marsala was just like the piacata… Flavorless
it tasted a lot like boiled chicken with some random sauce poured on even straving it didn’t taste good.

French dip void of taste. Weird interior («Old World»). Slow, but friendly, service. Few redeeming qualities. No wonder it only has 5 reviews.

I must admit that time and time again, even though certain things are not awesome about Blake’s I cannot help but to return.
Without disclosing the minutia that is included in the ‘CONS’, I will attempt to help you understand why Blake’s is (in some ways) a hidden gem.
1. The Prime Rib is traditionally prepared and pretty good! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m no Prime Rib aficionado, but my boyfriend knows what he likes, and Blake’s is consistent. A huge slab of tender meat (quality doesn’t really vary), vegetables, a starch and Yorkshire pudding. Now, the bf doesn’t like Yorkshire pudding but it is tradition!
2. It is close to work and home! Good Prime Rib is NOT easy to find close to the Walnut area. Bf likes to bring people from work when they don’t want to travel too far for a business lunch.
3. Access from 10 and 60 freeways! Take Grand down from the 60 and it won’t take much longer than going to SAC, take the 10 and it is literally RIGHT in front of you when you exit Holt.
4. Service is ridiculous! The server is so nice, so accommodating and so friendly! He’ll talk and talk and talk to you about anything, but he knows when to back off and give you space!
5. Everything I’ve ordered there has been good! Martinis– GOOD! Salmon– GOOD! Chicken– GOOD! Other Chicken– GOOD!
So, there you go! 5 reasons that Blake’s is doing alright. Now, I’m not saying it’s the type of place that you run out and travel to just to try it once. It’s the type of place where I just appreciate that it’s close by, in the area, exactly when you need a big chunk of meat.
AND WHO DOESN’T LIKE MEAT???
That’s what she said!

One of the worse places to eat. I don’t know how this place stays open… probably only makes money through banquets.
I ordered the prime ribe and it was flavorless. My girlfiend got the tequilla pasta, and that was also tasteless.
The place was empty and dark, reminded me of a dusty cellar. Old fashoned styling, but this was the best attribute considering the crap food.
Prices high and the food was aweful, so this has to be a 1 star.

The prime rib is easily one of the best prime ribs I’ve had, though I didnt really order it. I orderd the filet which was OK. It was a little bland, the meat was’nt the best.
A great filet relies on the meats natural flavor for its taste, theirs relies on the sauce they put on top. It tasted very home made,
and by home made I mean that it tasted like the mixes you buy at albertsons that «you can make in 5 easy minutes»
So when my wife looked like she was struggling with her Prime rib, my fork and knife made its way to her plate.
Overall its an OK place, pretty spendy, Its in a weird location (at a motel/​hotel) and has a goofy atmosphere (like olive garden 5 minutes before closing).

I haven’t been here for at least three or four years, but last I remember, the other reviewer was pretty much spot on.
I’ve actually thought about going back to give it a fresh try in recent weeks, but in reading the review I’m not too sure it’s worth it. We’ll see…
The real reason I’m writing this review is to explain the weird location and atmosphere. The restaurant is part of a mo/​hotel that’s been here since at least the mid-​1980s. It’s sort of a weird location for a mo/​hotel in the first place – only about 30 miles out of Los Angeles, in a very nice suburban area of ranches and horse properties.
Back then, the restaurant was part of a larger, upscale chain known as the Velvet Turtle.
I must’ve been about 4 or 5 at the time, and the waiter didn’t give me a menu, so I asked for one. He asked if I could even read. To that, I snapped, «What do you think I am, stupid?» What a friggin’ brat I was!
The concept behind having such a chain was actually pretty cool and the food wasn’t bad at all. In fact, I’d dare say that, for a chain, they were damn good, but what’s a kid know? Heavy sauces, lobster, prime meats. That sort of thing. You don’t see that nowadays.
For a time, their successor, Blake’s, continued in that vein, but things started going downhill. And unfortunately, the first reviewer isn’t reporting any improvement. Too bad.