I came here for my birthday and it was a fantastic experience! The host was very nice and the…read moreserver was as well. The ambiance of Perle felt very homey, like in a French restaurant with minimal lighting, but at least didn't feel too dark at the same time. I ordered the French onion soup, escargot, and the steak and frites to share with my girlfriend, and everything was just so good. The French onion soup was rich yet not overpowering at all in its flavor profile. I really liked the cheese they used to base off the soup. The escargot taste was pretty balanced, and quality of the steak and frites was A+. The steak was tender and moist, and the fries were well done and crisp. For dessert, they gave me a complimentary small cake, and I also got in addition their apple tarte tatin, and oh my god, was that the star of the show. The pastry and the sweetness of the dessert hit the spot for me. Would I come to Perle again even for a non special occasion? I definitely would!

Ordered 2x DineLA courses - duck liver parfait (5/5): the…read morepaté wasn't organy at all and tasted very creamy with the bread. The fig jam added a sweet and tangy twist that cut through the creaminess. The duck prosciutto was good but sadly only one small slice was provided. - French Onion Soup (4/5): Very hearty and warm dish to start the course. My gf preferred a stronger onion flavor but I found it fine. - Branzino et Ratatouille (4.5/5): Perfectly cooked fish, with distinct aromas from the vegetables and spices. The skin was crispy, but it would have been nicer if it was evenly crispy. Overall very flavorful and a good lighter dish option than the steak frites - Steak Frites (5/5): Ordered this medium rare and was not disappointed. Perfectly cooked and super juicy. The outside of the steak was nicely seared giving it a nicely crisp texture with richer flavors too. Paired super well with the sauce which had a distinct mushroomy flavor to it in addition to the peppercorn. Fries were very generous and crispy. - Creme Brulee (4/5): The Creme Brulee was a bit more runny than we were used to but the flavor was perfect. Breaking through the caramelized sugar was super satisfying. - Cheese Board (3.5/5): Pretty simple cheese board with bread, a fig jam, some nuts, and 2 cheeses. I enjoyed the triple cream cheese a lot as it paired very well with the bread and jam. Overall (5/5): We booked a reservation here on a Friday evening for DineLA back in early Feb but didn't get to posting this till now. The restaurant was pretty vibey and perfect for a date night. We were seated in the corner by the entrance making it feel more private than the other seats in the room, which was nice. It wasn't too loud either. Service was friendly and prompt. The food was very well executed, although at this price range we'd hesitate to try the regular menu. Overall, a very solid experience I'm glad we had!

CUTEST little cafe in Pasadena!! You can't really tell from the outside but the inside is bigger…read morethan it looks. I am obsessed with the decor and vibes of this place. I got the potato gravlax and it was amazing! I was afraid it wouldn't be enough food (felt more like a small appetizer) but it actually ended up being decent sized and pretty filling. I also got a mushroom and cheese pastry. They have tons of pastries to choose from and the servers are really helpful in deciding what would be a good option to get. I enjoyed my brunch here and def plan to be back when I'm in the area. @octrailsandtreats on IG for more eats!

Way over priced for the 8 items they have on their menu? No modifications on the bread for the…read moresandwich, aren't you a bakery? They will also let table sit open for hours while people wait outside. Understaffed, so service is slow. And ultimately the food is bland and absolutely nothing memorable. They actually make less pastries than they use to. Just go somewhere else, the renovation of this place actually made it worse if that's possible.

Pasta is amazing! The vibe here is so cute Staff was…read morefriendly and the waitress that helped us made excellent recommendations There was bread here I didn't get a picture of, but that's also a must have! You can't go wrong with any of the pastas Parking around here wasn't easy, but found a parking structure a block away Definitely recommend a reservation

First time experience was amazing! So far, this is the only Italian place I've liked out of all the…read moreplaces I've eaten throughout LA. Food 4/5 Pork Meatballs $21 - Best meatballs I've ever had. Full of flavor but a little too salty. Local Wild Mushrooms $24 - Standard, nothing too special. Beets $18 - Refreshing, to the point. Caramelle $27 - My favorite of all the pastas but expensive for very little pieces of pasta and a meatless dish. Full of flavor, lots of oil. Rigatoni Timballo $32 - Delicious, standard. Duck Confit Rotolo $31 - My personal dish which turned out to be my least favorite. Meatballs and Caramelle were my top favorite, secondary is the are the beets. Prices are not unexpected for the area but are pretty high for what is really given to you. Service 3/5 We sat outside and they were pretty slow to bring water and take our orders. Ambiance 3/5 It was a really lovely time to eat outside but the lights were broken and it was SO dark, there were no added lights to the table. It was impossible to read the menu.

LATE REVIEW…read more Finding little neighborhood gems when it comes to food has always been an exciting experience for me. Having family alongside makes the journey more special. We chose Holy Saints to announce our baby's gender with our parents and we had an amazing time during our intimate dinner here. The restaurant's ambiance was the perfect combination of homey and inviting. It is a smaller place and the number of tables are limited so I highly suggest making a reservation when dining here. During our dinner, it was a bit difficult to have a full blown conversation as the place was packed with guests when we came plus the loud background music that was playing the whole night. Service and food were nothing but amazing! Their menu is very limited. Maybe not everyone will appreciate that, but I think it is more intentional on what is being served to the table. Our highlight of the night was the Grandpa's Pan Roasted Duck Magret Au Poivre for sure. It was so tender on the inside and crispy on the outer edges! We never had a meal like that elsewhere and we will for sure be back just because of it.

Great cozy, American small plates spot in Pasadena. Parking around is pretty simple with structures…read moreall around and pretty easy to make a reservation for a Saturday. Dishes tried: - Sourdough bread and bbq butter, solid for a bread dish, butter is definitely unique, reminded me of Lay's BBQ chips in a good way - Grandma's Risotto w/ prosciutto, okay for me? Prosciutto was a supplement here and needs it imo for that oomph, otherwise a fine risotto dish but would pass unless it speaks to you - Barnyard Bolognese - a bit underwhelming to start, just too one-note for me, but it eventually grew on me and would get it again if I wanted a rich pasta - Duck Magret Au Poivre - easily my favorite dish here and what I would come back for and recommend for people, tender duck with the right amount of fat and a great sauce. Fries are a bit thicker than I would like, but still enjoyed it. - Seasonal apple pie - more of a danish if I had to describe it to someone, but nice texture and more importantly, not too sweet!

Tugged away in South Pasadena, a friend told me about Shiro a legacy contemporary French Japanese…read morerestaurant that's been serving delicious fine dining for over 40 years! The decor is very classy and elegant, soft lighting with background piano music but you can still have conversations. They have daily fixe menu specials for Thursdays as well as their regular menu. First timer so we had to try a variety of dishes to get a good feel of their cuisine. Wine and cocktail options: had the Shirotini which is a twist similar to a lemon drop. My friend had the pink crane which is bourbon based. Both cocktails were well balanced and tasty. Appetizers: Their famous ravioli: had very creamy sauce over 4 wobton skin ravioli with plump shrimp inside topped with shiitake mushrooms on top. It's a mini meal in itself! Also tried their grilled octopus, cooked perfectly with a nice crunch on the outside and soft on the inside. The main star was the fried catfish sitting in what tasted like a ponzu sauce and please is big enough to feed 4 people! Also had the scallops which were delicious but truly the catfish stole the show. *The main dishes come with a medley side dish of broccoli, carrots and scalloped potatoes. Dessert was the crepes with strawberries and glazed pecans for the filling. The wait staff was attentive but also the owners were there to check in with all the guests to ensure everything was top notch. Learned that the co-owners are best friends. The original owner/chef was Shiro and his niece is one of the co-owners while one of is staff became the other co-owner. What a unique story. Definitely happy to support a legacy business and hoping others will too from this review.

I didn't realize Shiro was still around. Boy did this bring me back down memory lane when I passed…read moreby during my week long stay in So Pas. I had to make a reso before we left So Cal and it was available for the next night. So happy we came bc WOW. I remember why I loved this quaint restaurant over 2 decades ago when we used to come for every special occasion. If memory serves me correctly, it's the same host. She was so hospitable and made us feel right at home. Our server was amazing. Gosh, I forgot his name. Tall skinny guy. Nightly specials. Truffle ravioli with spinach ricotta. Delicious. Had to share as it was a bit rich for a starter. Shaved truffles and blanched spinach. 5/5 Chilean Sea Bass 5/5 light and flaky Crème Brûlée with berries and bananas I didn't know I needed until I had the very first bite. Wow. So good and full of vanilla bean specs. Chocolate soufflé was more of flourless chocolate chocolate. Not too rich. Scoop of bold coffee ice cream. I just needed a tad more ice cream to finish the cake with. I didn't get it to try the crepe special since nephew ate most of it. Crispy wonton with poached pear. Raspberry sauce and orange custard was so unique and tasty 5/5 Both Hubs and Bro ordered the Mary's chicken and absolutely loved it. Well seasoned and garnished well. Filet was perfect cooked and seasoned even for an 8 yr old to finish on his own. DD ordered the salmon. It was so tender and fork soft. Her broccoli was so full of flavor and not overly creamy. I remember even saying out loud that this was a more decadent experience than TFL and Per Se without feeling so overstuffed and heavy feeling upon leaving. So glad I found Shiro again. Will definitely return again.

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!

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.

This is some of the most memorable seafood I've had. The clam chowder, especially, blew my mind…read more I usually don't get clam chowder because the soup tends to be too thick for my liking or the lack of variety in the chunks makes it boring, but the one that Fishwives make is opposite of that! It's not thick at all, and there's so much variety that keeps it interesting. Everything else was amazing as well. I enjoyed the variety of fish in the ceviche, and the branzino was cooked perfectly crispy. Nothing felt under or overdone. We also got the Fat Bastard and Barachois oysters and Peruvian Scallops, and these were amazingly fresh. The sauces that came with these were also delicious. The Fat Bastard and the scallops already tasted great on their own, but the sauces were a nice way to mix up the flavors. Overall, this is a place I would return to, and I'd gladly tell my family or friends about Fishwives!

Met up with a seafood loving friend here and we went fairly deep…read more PERUVIAN SCALLOPS in YUZU PONZU (6-pack): -- this cold bar gem served in the shell is one of their best items -- super fresh tasting and the yuzu puts it over the top with a cut piece of mandarin orange? RATING = A+ MAINE LOBSTER (served chilled, HALF): -- I ate the tail meat, and it was very good -- butter sauce for dipping -- my buddy ate the claws -- I prefer heated and it was small portions but figures for Maine lobster RATING = A- LOBSTER ROLL "Connecticut Style" (butter sauce) on Buttery Texan style Roll: -- the bread was next level, maybe the best ever -- my preferred style -- ample Maine lobster meat RATING = A+ LOBSTER ROLL "Maine Style" with Lemon Mayo on Buttery Texan style Roll: -- same utterly fantastic roll -- the lemon mayo is very good and is not over utilized which was greatly appreciated (excessive mayo is gross on these and other sandies) -- very tasty -- still not CT version good but legit and the waitress was right to convince us to try RATING = A- Very good service and a nice dining space.

Such a cute, quaint picturesque restaurant right in the middle of little town South Pas. Takes you…read moreback to France, with patrons dining outside on the sidewalk. Food is much better than I remembered - but still pricey for our little town. The star of the night was the butter salad with fresh tomatoes and avocado with a champagne vinaigrette - sounds so simple but the dressing really makes the dish. French onion soup a bit pricey $18...for a soup, but tasty. the escargot - was good but would likely pass next time. And the duck confit - the sauce was divine. All in all - a lovely Friday night dining experience. One thing that brought this down was when my daughter went inside to use the restroom, one of the servers (not ours - a young lad) aggressively said to my teenage daughter - restrooms are for customers only. My daughter was a bit taken aback - she was rattled for a few minutes after - since she was like geez, what's going on? It's not like she was dressed inappropriately. So in the future - may be better to inform the staff to speak a bit more in a customer centric tone. Otherwise - lovely wine, great service otherwise.

All of the staff were incredibly friendly to us, which is always something we really appreciate…read morewhen we're dining out. They made us feel very welcomed and we enjoyed being there. The food was VERY good. So much flavor in everything, and loved the presentation / plating. It was clear to see that they care about these things which made each plate feel special. They have a very very long list of specials, so just a heads up, expect to have many more options to choose from that aren't even listed on the menu. When we were there, they had a few different fish specials, steaks, a seafood risotto, and a bunch of others that I can't remember. We ordered the Moules Marinières (mussels) but requested to have it as our appetizer which they were happy to do for us. The broth was exquisite. We didn't even leave a drop behind. It came with a large portion of mussels and great French fries that were nice and crispy. To pair with this dish, we also ordered bread which I believe was $8. The bread went really well with the broth. For our entrees my wife had the Magret de Canard Roti (seared duck breast) which was cooked perfectly med-rare. I tried a bite and was really impressed. So much flavor, and the skin was crispy. I ordered the Braised Lamb Shank which was soooo good. I loved the way that it was plated, deboned, and with tons of gravy. The mashed potato puree was very flavorful and buttery. I would absolutely order this again. For dessert, we got the Tarte Tatin (apple tart with ice cream). It came very nicely plated, and a large portion too. The tart itself was kind of cold-ish, and while it was very tasty, we had expected a tart like this to be served warm as if it just came out of the oven. Presentation was really nice, and honestly it was still really really good, but yes I think it would have been better if it was served warmer. Didn't stop us from devouring it though haha. Overall we really loved this restaurant and look forward to coming back again sometime.