Equator: Reflections of Zen

“Be soft in your practice.
Think of the method as a
fine silvery stream, not a
raging waterfall. Follow
the stream, have faith in
its course. It will take you.”

Sheng-yen
History

Open since 1992, Equator is a hidden gem in Southern California. Equator Restaurant and Café has become a local favorite of mine that keeps me coming back for more. It’s an ambient Asian Fusion styled restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena that provides a beautiful assortment of dreamy soundings and cares-of-the-sun relaxation. Having traveled to cities and countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Vietnam, I must say that Equator has provided me with an entirely unique South East Asian experience that cultivates inner peace and harmony.

Ambiance

Before walking in on a late Saturday night with a friend, one of the first things I noticed was the ambient, down to earth crowd in the relaxed outdoor café-like lounge. Smoking a Padron 7000, I felt at home as others enjoyed fine cigars and rewarding cocktails of their choice. Upon entering the indoor scene, I was immediately rewarded with an explosion of simplistic, gratifying patterns of artistry and Zen creativity. The geometrically placed ruby-red brick walls topped with vast 19th century Victorian oil on canvas paintings put me into a spiritual state of meditation and unrivaled leisure.

Complementing the sophisticated, gilded Romanticism seen on the walls were the robustly padded sink-in-your-seat lounge king sofas. This long array of lavishly red sofas and accompanying moon-grey pillows gave me an inviting and modern atmosphere that spoke comfort, décor and contemporary elegance at its finest essence. Upon sitting in the sensually curved and softly cushioned sofa, I was immediately told that it would withstand the length and intensity and seriousness of my laid back lounging experience for hours to come. The seated portion of my lounging experience was outrageous and in fact…out of hand.

I must also mention the underlying display of various compassionate Buddha’s within this local hot spot. Such Compassionate “Dhyana Mudra” Buddhas which are known for their deep meditation, purity and inner transformation are elements to which I believe Equator hopes its customers can achieve from their ambient and enjoyable experience alone or with friends alike.

Music

Equator’s musical scene provided me with a juxtaposition of continuous up-down beat tempos consisting of congruent rhythmic sound effects, sweet female vocals and beautiful undertones of drum and bass lines that simply made me smile and laugh out loud out of pure appreciation. Equator provides a Jazzy contemporary vibe that resonated deep within my heart and soul. If you are into the relaxing and ambient down-beat genre of music, this place will impress you.

Cuisine

After looking at their large assortment of Black, Green and Herbal Teas which are poured into traditional heavy weight Japanese tea pots, I shared a refillable pot of Furmosa Silvertip Oolong Green Tea with a friend for only $3.00. The Furmosa I enjoyed was one of the best I have tried yet. Coming from Taiwan, the honey colored Furmosa provided me with a lasting Oolong Aroma that was rich in earthed-toned nuances. It was rave and rich; smooth and complex. It is an exclusive tea rich in aroma and flavor which I can only describe as being an enlightening orchestra of herbal delight, sweetened by the kisses of the sun. The warm rich flavor of the Oolong was so complex and welcoming that it made me first want to understand before being understood. Their teas of light and happiness lead to the path to the Buddha Zen.

Following our complex and rewarding Oolong, I then enjoyed the “Zen Roll” appetizer which consisted of Blue Fin Tuna, Cucumbers, Basil and Yama gobo. It was the Zen Roll of wars past - a feat in itself. The topped basil guided me to some wild darling that breathed a life of flavor into me. The fine wasabi combined with the precisely cut tuna closed the door of ignorance and opened up the window of festivity. When it was all over, the teas and music compete - but there is no winner.

Recommendations

For those seeking to find an Ambient Asian Fusion lounge hot spot with traditional roots to South East Asian cuisine, Equator is your remedy to ultimate lounging with beautiful people and a peaceful setting. Personally, I believe Equator is the type of restaurant and bar where I can bring my closest friends to and feel confident that their experience will be enjoyable, relaxing and deeply reflective. For me, Equator is a place where I can unwind after a long day’s work or for a time to enjoy a nice pot of traditional Chinese tea. It’s a place of harmony and inner peace, of reflection and meditation. It is a restaurant that does not try to fit in or follow, but rather has faith in its own course of practice and unique method.

Equator
22 Mills Place
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 564-8656

Sun-Thu: 8:00am-1:00am
Fri-Sat: 8:00am-2:00am