Icons are okay, if they add value within the surrounding context. In a menu with many options the value of icons is diminished if every menu option icon gets an icon or the menu options are of a kind where icons don't make any sense culturally (weekdays).

Icons within menus should IMO be used to highlight special options that are often used or options that users have memorized by the icon as well, e.g. download, share, etc.

In the end the highest art is to group the options in a logical way, have them in the right place and remain readable.