Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena

    4.5 (1.2k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena Reservations

    Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena Photos

    Business Info

    KAVIAR RESTAURANTS - PASADENA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    More like Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena

    Recommended Reviews - Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cocktail
    Heather M.

    This hidden upstairs restaurant is fun to walk too. You walk through other restaurants and shops to find all up stairs into a dark candle lit restaurant. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. We had dinner here as a family and I only got a few pics but it was delicious! We ordered the Gyoza, Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, Crudo Tacos, Hamachi Crudo, Tuna Tartar and seared steak. I also tried a few of the featured cocktails. They were good but a little on the sweet side. This is a great spot for a date night. My kids also enjoyed the food.

    Emerald Y.

    I love Kaviar! It's honestly one of the best sushi place I have ever been to. The first time I came here was for Valentines Day/ Anniversary celebration and the servers made it very special :3 !! They gave every couple who ordered the valentine set a rose and they gave my bf and I a slice of cake with a huge sparkler (as our anniversary surprise). Each time we bit into our food, we said "mmmm so goooood." The ambiance was amazing as well!!

    03/21/26. IG: @jasfoodchronicles
    Jasmine A.

    Stopped by on Saturday, 03/21/26 for the first time during late din din time. Ordered the following: - 1 lychee mint martini = $23.00 - 1 sapporo = $9 - 1 garlic edamame = $13 - 1 crispy rice = $22 - 1 tuna nigiri (comes with 2) = $18 - 1 salmon nigiri (comes with 2) = $12 - 1 lemon sushi roll = $25 - 1 gojira cheesecake anniversary dessert = FREE SUBTOTAL = $122.00 TAX = $12.81 TIP = $27 OVERALL TOTAL = $161.81 Very dim inside but that's what make this place intimate and ideal for a nice date dinner night. I am giving a 4/5 since the price is way to overpriced. This is a luxurious, fine-dining restaurant so bring money!

    Betty W.

    Kaviar in Pasadena is a great option if you are looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience in the area. They offer caviar options, which add a nice fine-dining touch without limiting the experience to only omakase. The menu has plenty of options, from sushi and seafood to beautifully presented Japanese-inspired dishes. I have been here for both business dinners and to bring friends visiting from out of town, and it always feels like a good choice when you want something a little more special. Service is professional and attentive, and the pacing feels relaxed enough for a proper sit-down dinner. The ambience is definitely one of the highlights. I am a sucker for a good dining environment, and Kaviar has that stylish, polished, elevated feel that makes the meal more memorable. This is a solid Pasadena choice for refined food, great presentation, attentive service, and a beautiful atmosphere.

    Lesly N.

    After so many years, kaviar is still my fav spot for a quick girls night to catch up with my lovely friends. The atmosphere is nice without being over the top, making it perfect for both casual dinners and special nights. No matter how many places I try, I always find myself coming back here.

    DIY hand roll class
    Ania N.

    Kaviar Sushi in Pasadena is a solid spot..I've been a few times and the food is consistently good. The inside is pretty dark and cozy, so it's great if you're looking for a more low-key dinner vibe. They have these DIY hand-roll class (they do it every Thursday). It's fun and beginner-friendly..you learn the basics of sushi prep, make different hand rolls, and they also go over sushi types like nigiri vs. hand rolls plus a bit of the cultural background. $79 per person and it includes champagne, 5 hand rolls, and 3 appetizers. Overall, it's a great experience and I'd definitely go back both for dinner and the Thursday class.

    cheesecake
    Gisette L.

    I enjoyed every moment here at kaviar. The service was impecable, my waitress Vanessa was so lovely. Don't even get me started on the food. The quality of their fish is absolutely delicious. 10/10 experience, will be coming back again.

    Uni Pasta
    Nixon V.

    We finally decided to try Kaviar Restaurant after walking past it so many times whenever we're in Old Town Pasadena--and I'm glad we did. First impression: very cool, modern vibe right away. The ambience is dark, hip, and stylish, with jazzy music that really sets the mood. It feels lively and fun without being overwhelming, and definitely has that "special night out" energy. For food, we ordered the tartar, uni pasta, toro sashimi, salmon sashimi, spicy tuna crisp, plus a few additional sushi items. Overall, the food was good and well-executed, with fresh fish and nicely plated dishes. The uni pasta stood out as rich and indulgent, and the sashimi selections were clean and flavorful. That said, the prices are definitely on the high side. While the experience was fun and memorable, the cost makes this more of a special-occasion spot rather than somewhere we could come to regularly. All in all, we enjoyed our time here and would come back again for a celebration or night out--but it's not an everyday sushi place for us due to the price point.

    Lilian W.

    The perfect restaurant for a date night!! This was my second time at Kaviar. The atmosphere, service, and food were top tier quality. For the hot dishes, I highly recommend the uni pasta because the flavor was on a whole other level of amazing. It's one of their best sellers and I understand why. I also tried the hamachi kama and the portion was impressive. Although the flavor of the fish was bland on its own, the pickles, lemon, and provided soy sauce made for diverse flavors to savor the fish meat. The rolls were the stars. I tired a few, and my favorite was the toro (which had a subtle truffle flavor) and lemon (spicy and refreshingly sour). The amaebi goma roll was also delicious, and must be eaten on its own without soy sauce, otherwise the sweetness gets masked. The garlic albacore was good but a bit too similar to the lemon. Parking in this area of Pasadena often requires payment. I parked in a public garage for $10 for 2 hours. Overall, I had a fantastic meal here. I highly recommend folks to come visit.

    Spicy tuna row
    Wilfred T.

    Overall, this is a classy higher end japanese restaurant. Overall at night. The restaurant was Lightly lit, it would be a great place to take a date. Overall, I can't complain about the food. The price was at the higher end and a portions were a little bit small.But this is the niche that you fit into a higher end restaurant. The Japanese wagu steaks were great. The meat was so tender and it just melts in your mouth. The australian wagu had more meat for you to.Eat, but it was a little bit more rugged piece of meat.Overall, this steak was good as well.But of course, that doesn't match the thirty dollar, an ounce, wagyu beef from japan. The sushi was fresh and enjoyable.

    Uni Pasta

    Called them a few days prior to my reservation to let them know that it's for a special occasion (birthday). The guy answered and said that he will note it down under my reservation name. When it came to dinner, things were good until towards the end when we asked them for the bill. I was still waiting and hoping they didn't forget about the "note". Even after I paid, no cake or anything. Annoyed, I had to ask one of the server and they said they had no idea about any "note", but still gave us free cake since I said it's a birthday dinner. I just feel so disappointed and that it wasn't a surprise for my boyfriend anymore when I have to ask them. What was the point of me calling then?? There were at least two tables that came for birthday celebration and servers/waiters gave them cakes with fancy candles. Food was good overall but just disappointed with the service. The atmosphere was nice and romantic but it was a little too dark.

    Tahini R.

    I went to Kaviar for my birthday dinner on a Friday night and it was surprisingly empty. It might have been the fact that it was Black Friday and a holiday weekend, but I didn't mind it. Let me start my saying that it's a beautiful space. The ambiance is romantic and definitely a nice place for a celebration or a date. Upon arriving, we were warmly greeted by our host and also our server Narine, who was very friendly and attentive, and were immediately seated at our table. My boyfriend and I each got a cocktail. Mine was the Emerald city, and high came with a bit of a show. The server brought a rosemary and torched it to add smokiness to my glass, which was a bit over powering. The drink it self was sweet and delicious but wasn't a fan of the smoke flavor. My boyfriend ordered a shishito pepper drink which he enjoyed. Next, we ordered the spicy tuna crispy rice ($22) as a starter and 4 rolls. We ordered the spicy yellow tail, the amber jack and bluefin roll, Toro roll, and the waygu shishito roll. All priced between $29 and $40. Our favorites were the spicy yellow tail and the amberjack and bluefin roll. The toro tasted bland, and the waygu roll was nothing special for the price. I did receive a free dessert for my birthday, which I appreciated. Overall, it was a nice experience but not the best sushi.

    Van L.

    I loved the ambiance here and every dish was truly a work of art! My personal favorite was the nori chips with salmon and the crispy rice bites but you truly can't go wrong with any dish! The service is amazing here and shout out to Gap for being so kind, courteous, and such a delight throughout the night!

    See all

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    so happy you enjoyed your time

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Qir E.
    0
    14
    81

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dennis L.
    303
    15
    1

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Thank you for your review Dennis. We hope to see you back soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Arthur S.
    12
    130
    14

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of J L.
    1
    29
    11

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    thank so much for the great review glad you had a great time!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Vero V.
    8
    55
    20

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Thank you for your feedback back! Hope to see you soon

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marc C.
    43
    15
    5

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Smol B.
    1
    14
    18

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jamie W.
    790
    12
    38

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Jamie, thank you for your review! Hope to see again very soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Thank you Raffi! Very happy to hear you had a great experience

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shwe N.
    290
    1456
    5473

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Thank you Mili!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David S.
    102
    50
    31

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Thank you for joining us! We hope to see you again soon.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tony Z.
    13
    38
    51

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff G.
    4
    89
    54

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Beverly M.
    495
    71
    145

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 25
    Thanks 4
    Love this 24
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of James T.
    1720
    772
    3545

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kaviar S.

    Kaviar S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hass H.
    17
    12
    9

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Di V.
    15
    6
    1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 31

    Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena

    Is there a dress code?

    Casual, no slippers! No dress code

    Is this place dog friendly yet? I would only go if I can bring my 55lb super friendly fluffy child. Thank you!

    Allow walk ins?

    You know it seems so but I don't know for certain. There is a bar..pretty large and i imagine you can walk in and sit at that bar and get service. I would say to be safe make a reservation. Great place

    Do you have a tasting menu?

    Hello, We currently do not offer a tasting menu. I would, however, recommend you visit us for… Read more

    Is there baked rolls?

    yes!!!

    Are kids allowed?

    Hello, Kids are allowed!!

    Is your outdoor dining dog friendly?

    I think so.

    Is this place kids friendly? Can I bring my kids there?

    Hi Eric, Hope all is well. If the kids are over 3 we have booths that can accommodate. Unfortunately, we do not have high chairs since its mainly an adult crowd. But if you have kids in strollers its still possible. Thank you

    Do you get one or two pieces of sushi per order?

    Two pieces

    Are you now open? Open table doesn't allow for reservation.

    I wouldn't use open table, that site doesn't communicate with many restaurants I have visited. when I went to Kaviar, I called them first.

    Are they open on regular hours or are they temporarily close due to the lockdown? I've been trying to call but always goes to VM.…

    We will be open on Friday, Jab 29, 2021

    View All 16 Questions

    You might also consider

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    4.2
    (254 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$$

    Wow what a gem in Old Pas. My husband and I were so excited to check this out, we love hidden…read morespeakeasies. Have fun finding it! Definitely make a reservation though. If you're looking for a cute place with amazing drinks that are all designed with inventive cocktails inspired by different countries, this is so worth checking out. Pricey but so worth the experiences and drinks. We started off our night here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The staff was so beyond nice and welcoming. The inside is absolutely gorgeous and the ambience is the perfect date night setting. Brandon, our server, was so beyond nice! Open to answering our questions and giving us pretty good recommendations! We got the Japanese milk bread and patatas bravas as snacks. The milk bread was complemented perfectly with the two butters we got - one sweet and one savory. The patatas bravas, omg, they were so delicious. Made with scallions and sriracha aioli, hard to dislike, when paired with perfectly crispy potatoes. As a gin lover, i was so intrigued by the sands of time, and let me tell you it did not disappoint. Who knew gin paired so well with the different herbals and ingredients paired in this drink?! So delicious and you can brew the drink longer to really let the flavors settle! The presentation, 10/10! I liked it so much I got it twice. My husband started off with the duck fat old fashioned. He's a huge lover of old fashioneds and was intrigued. He loved how smooth it was. He then got me and my best friend which is close to a Manhattan and loved the Asian twist to it. We laughed at the presentation, it was perfect. Definitely interested in trying the omakase drink experience, will definitely be back!

    Cool speakeasy hidden away in downtown Pasadena. I won't spoil exactly how to find it, but it's…read morehidden somewhere inside the Indiana Colony Market. Make a reservation, since I saw a large group were turned away due to a reservation issue. The ambiance and service were both great, and our server was very attentive throughout the night. The cocktails on the menu was creative and thoughtfully curated. Everything was well-crafted, though personally I tend to prefer stronger cocktails over infused-style drinks, so they felt a bit lighter to me. I ordered the Beauty and the Beast cocktail, which was presented in a unique pretty flower-shaped glass. We also ordered the Hot Honey Pizza, but it ended up taking quite a while, so unfortunately we had to cancel it. Overall, cool and unique spot worth checking out.

    Photos
    Hot honey pepperoni pizza, really good!
    Hot honey pepperoni pizza, really good!
    Beauty and the beast
    Beauty and the beast
    Interior

    See all

    Interior
    GRANVILLE

    GRANVILLE

    4.2
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Locally sourced ingredients

    My family and I tried Granville per my brother's recommendation from a previous positive experience…read morehe had in the Studio City location. Upon walking in, you'll find an upscale bar on the right and variety of tables on the left-hand side of the restaurant. Our hostess had a phone call when we first arrived, but she still greeted us brightly and promptly seated our party of 4. Jorge's customer service was on point throughout the night. He was polite, knowledgeable about the entire menu, and did his due diligence in accommodating my noted food allergy. We ordered: - the trio of tacos - peri peri half chicken - ahi tuna & noodles - branzino - flourless chocolate cake - oasis mocktail Tacos were fantastic! I recall my mother really digging the shrimp taco, while my brother loved the chicken taco. The big plate of chicken was a huge hit in my family's table. Apart from the half chicken itself, there was an abundance of mashed potatoes and broccolini. My brother devoured his ahi tuna steak and noodles, I guess that's the plate I'll have to try for myself for future visits. I myself, enjoyed the branzino plate - but for the price tag, I would have liked a slightly bigger portion of beets and perhaps a small salad to complement my fish. Still an overall fantastic dish, I was the first to clear my plate. If you're driving or cutting back on alcohol, they have a small mocktail menu. The Elixir, Oasis, and Velvet were the three drinks featured. Pricing is a bit steep at $12, but I will say the Oasis Mocktail I ordered was quite refreshing.

    Parking can be a little difficult at this location, but so is most of Pasadena…read more I've only been here once, I had a good experience, at this location. The food and drinks were beyond expectation if it wasn't for parking I'd probably visit this place more often. Service was prompt and helpful. The inside of this location had very cool ambience and artwork

    Photos
    Sharing
    Sharing
    Superfood salad
    Superfood salad
    Variety of housemade Big Plate Entrees

    See all

    Variety of housemade Big Plate Entrees
    Magnolia House

    Magnolia House

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I've heard some good things about this place and from other fellow yelpers friends, it must be…read moreworth it. Had a dinner reservation with some girlfriends celebrating two of their birthdays. The restaurant itself isn't too big but it does a pack a nice punch. Cute patio out front that takes some of the sidewalks and streets. Plenty of heat lamps which helped with the chilly nights. We got seated at one of the tables on the patios which was nice. Didn't really utilize inside area except for the restroom which it's quite cute in there. The rooms were pretty well decorated and executed. Nice bar area too. Like mentioned, we got seated on the patio and the heat lamps were great. Down to the menus, it's quite limited on dishes. Seemed like there were more shared plates versus the entrees. Drinks, it was fairly decent with their cocktails and wine. Service at the beginning was great. The staff were amazing and very friendly. We didn't order right away as we were still waiting for the last one to show. But did start off with some drinks. It didn't take that long for the first round which was nice. Food wise, the shared plate was a mixture of everything. Some of the olives, which is exactly what it is. The Belgian fries, nice thick cut fries with shredded pecorino cheese and a nice aioli sauce. We ended up getting a second order of it. The albacore tuna crudo was a hit which was really tasty. Chili ginger relish, mint and shallot, can't go wrong with that. Lastly the meatballs, tasty and very great for sharing. Entrees, the pan seared sea bass which I loved. Portion is pretty tiny which also seemed like they were a shared plate. Almost tapas styled. Nice chimichurri sauce and a side salad. The chicken Milanese also with a side salad of arugula. Simple dish but quite tasty. One of the salads that was somewhat hyped up by the waitress but it was just a salad. Decent but nothing major to rave about...lol... also the confit oyster mushrooms was major hit. Something that simple but quite tasty. And lastly the pan con tomate, rustic sourdough with tomatoes and burrata. Tasty as well. Overall the meal was good. From there, the second round of drinks did take a long time to arrive and with then plates that we shared, trying to get someone to clear the plates was another thing. Took a long for someone to clear the table before more items came. Even when the entrees came, all the empty starter plates were still there. And if someone did clear the plates, some was still left on the table. Finishing off the night, we did have the dessert which we tried all three. As it was two of our girlfriends birthday, they brought out a little bubbly for us to celebrate with the dessert. That was quite sweet and nice. Honestly opinion with the dessert, they were just ok. Nothing major to rave about. We tried all three on the menu and they were just ok. Overall, the food was great. Service was nice and the staffs were all very friendly. It did take a while for plates to get cleared from the table and second round did take a while, but it was manageable. It was a sweet gesture with the bubbly with the dessert which was greatly appreciated. The place is nice and great for catching up. Menu is limited and portions are quite small. You would have to get a good amount for sharing. Entrees, depending on what you order is small as well. But we enjoyed ourself.

    Come here for the drinks, vibes and brunch…read more Their breakfast options are better than their dinner service. I can't eat here for dinner as a vegetarian, they have little to no options. Would it kill them to add a veggie burger? Service is consistently awful. I've been here half a dozen times and I've never had good service. Drinks and water are never refilled unless I ask. It takes forever to get our order and once we do our server disappears. Seriously so bad. But I keep coming back for their good food.

    Photos
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

    See all

    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com
    Osa Rooftop

    Osa Rooftop

    3.9
    (346 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    such a cute vibe for a date night or a brunch date! the service was great and our server was super…read moreattentive. we got the arancini, brussel sprouts, spicy tuna tartar, salmon crudo, beef carpaccio, steak frites, and swordfish. my favorite was the carpaccio. would come here again!

    We came here for Father's Day, and unfortunately it was a huge disappointment…read more I should have trusted the Yelp reviews. Several reviewers mentioned that the steak was tough and chewy, but those comments were from about eight months ago, so I assumed the restaurant had improved by now. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. My daughter ordered the Steak Frites and couldn't even cut through the steak with the steak knife, let alone chew it. We ordered it medium rare, and while it looked almost raw when it arrived, it was somehow still incredibly tough and chewy. It was so difficult to eat that my jaw actually started hurting from chewing it. I brought it to the waitress's attention. Looking back, I probably should have asked for it to be removed from the bill entirely. Instead, she offered to replace it with a different cut of steak that she said would be more tender but cost more. And I fell for it, I agreed. The replacement steak arrived with only peppercorn sauce and no fries or sides (which she had mentioned beforehand), but what she didn't mention was how unpleasant the sauce was. At that point, I honestly wished we had just gone to Houston's. The one positive thing I can say is that we were seated on a side with a nice view of the surrounding buildings and street, which was enjoyable. Other than that, there was nothing about this experience that would make me want to return.

    Photos
    Beet salad with whipped goat cheese - very good - Zinfandel & Swift Relief -
    Beet salad with whipped goat cheese - very good - Zinfandel & Swift Relief -
    Tostones
    Tostones
    In house old fashion drink

    See all

    In house old fashion drink
    The 1894

    The 1894

    4.5
    (72 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    If you love books, wine, and that cozy intellectual vibe, 1894 is an absolute must-visit in…read morePasadena. This bar is tucked inside Vroman's Bookstore (already one of the most charming and iconic bookstores in the area) so the entire experience feels like stepping into a warm, literary universe. You can browse for a new book, take in the bookstore's atmosphere, and then walk straight into the bar. Honestly, it's the perfect outing. What makes 1894 truly special is how intentionally it celebrates literature. Everything in the bar pays homage to the bookstore. The drink menu is full of clever, book-inspired names. You'll find cocktails like Pride and PearJudice Pride, Fifty Shades of Earl Grey, and other fun literary twists. Every drink feels like a little wink to readers, writers, and book lovers, and it adds such a unique charm to the experience. The vibe is super quaint and warm, dim lighting, and a creative atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours. The wine is on the pricier side ($19-$21 per glass), but the quality delivers. Customer service was excellent. One of the bartenders spent time chatting with us. He pointed out a chalk artwork behind the bar a dramatic portrait he drew himself featuring expressive, literary-style faces, like Edgar Allan Poe, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, etc. It fits perfectly with the creative, bookish aesthetic of the bar. If you're into books, wine, and unique experiences, 1894 is a spot you absolutely can't miss. Perfect for a date, a solo unwind-with-a-book moment, or a fun night with friends who appreciate a good story and a great drink.

    Cute little place inside Vroman's to get a glass of wine and read! I saw that they have live jazz…read moremusic on Thursdays sometimes so I hope to check that out. Good ambiance!

    Photos
    French Pilsner and truffle popcorn
    French Pilsner and truffle popcorn
    2 drinks trying to get "picked up"  Floral Spritz & Pride & Pearjudice
    2 drinks trying to get "picked up" Floral Spritz & Pride & Pearjudice
    The Warm Brie & Baguette with honey - absolutely fantastic!!

    See all

    The Warm Brie & Baguette with honey - absolutely fantastic!!

    Kaviar Restaurants - Pasadena - sushi - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...