This place is right at the heart of South Pasadena, and the ambience is colorful and lovely. You…read morecan almost always expect live music with your delicious pasta meal, wine, etc. Great place with rooftop as well.

I seriously don't understand the people saying the isn't hot enough. Mine came out so hot I almost…read moresacrificed my tongue to the lemon gods... and honestly, it was worth it. I ordered pasta al lemon. The sauce was perfectly creamy, fresh, and super lemony without being overwhelming. Every bite tasted bright and comforting at the same time. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and the whole dish looked gorgeous with the little edible flowers on top--it almost felt too pretty to eat (almost ). The service was fast, the food arrived quickly, and everything looked like it came straight out of a food magazine. If this is what people call "not hot enough," then I don't know what volcano they're eating at. Definitely ordering it again!

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.

We're still fans of Monopole and visit regularly, especially before a show at The Pasadena…read morePlayhouse or when they host a special wine tasting event. Our experiences have always been good. It's a quaint wine shop with a nice selection of varietals, blends, and even a few craft beers. There's a small tasting bar in the back which usually features a flight of whites and reds, along with several other selections by the glass, as well as charcuterie boards, olives, nuts, and truffle popcorn. Lucy (owner), Pattie, Nina, and the rest of the staff are friendly and accommodating, making you feel like family. On occasion, they'll also have live music. We really enjoy Monopole and recommend you check them out when you're in the area.

This Latina owned boutique wine shop is in the Playhouse District. In the back you'll find a wine…read morebar where you can enjoy a glass or a flight along with cheese & charcuterie. They carry a curated selection of small production Old World & New World offerings and even feature wine from Mexico. Wines are categorized by regions and the layout makes it easy to browse. The staff here are friendly and will happily make suggestions. There's an upstairs area for private gatherings. They also host blind tastings on Fridays and have special meet the winemaker events.

Loved this place! The food was amazing and the staff were super sweet!…read more The turkish eggs were delicious! We also enjoyed the caprese and parisian ham sandwiches. The almond cherry cookie and double chocolate cookie were also highlights of our brunch. Stop into the cute little gift shop on the corner, Sidecca, while you wait! One of the servers was sweet enough to come get us when our table was ready. Can't wait to be back!

Beware, don't even think about bringing your laptop to work in the morning like other cafes! You'll…read morebe told that "laptops aren't the vibe" . Unfortunately, I didn't stay long enough to order food, although I was hungry. The coffee was fine. I'd love to try this place in the evening for wine and tapas, when laptops aren't typically used. Pretentious energy aside, I'm sure Bar Betsy is great, but hopefully management can get it together and somehow advise unsuspecting customers that a casual breakfast cafe (which honestly did feel like the "vibe") may not be used for folks trying to get a little work done in the morning while supporting a local small business Maybe reserve this tech-free policy for post-work hours?

A very fun (for me fun = great selection of different things to try) and elegant spirits / cocktail…read morebar affiliated or at least (physically) connected to Alexander's steakhouse. The vibe here fit the steakhouse very well. The service and selection here are great. I think there is some membership program here as well, but don't know the details. I was meeting some friends for dinner at the steakhouse, but came a little early so I grabbed a drink here. It was on a weekday so the place wasn't very busy. Fun looking cocktails, but there is such a great selection of spirits, so ended up just getting a sipping rum. Was only early enough to have one drink by myself, but definitely would come back to try different drinks here. Especially if I was gonna eat at the restaurant again.

This spot has much of the stuff you are looking for and little of the stuff you are not looking…read morefor. Great cocktails and equally great food. The ONLY place that can make a proper Jack rose cocktail. Without question. Hot liquor and steaming libations. Full food menu. If you want higher end service, come Here. Springbank malts 10 deep. It's difficult to find Cambeltown malts like this.

**The Palate Cleanser We Needed **…read more After our rather disappointing High Tea experience at the Langham, we decided we needed to **cleanse our palates with a few beverages** and headed over to the Tap Room. We had actually tried to get into the steakhouse first, but at 5:30 p.m. they were already booked until 8:00, so the Tap Room it was--and honestly, **I'm glad we ended up there!** The drinks were REALLY good, and the service was just as great. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere was exactly what we needed after our afternoon tea experience. Sometimes the backup plan ends up being the better plan! **High Tea may have disappointed, but the Tap Room definitely helped redeem the afternoon.** Great drinks, great service, and even better company. I'd absolutely come back for the Tap Room! And thank you to Francis and his excellent service

We reviewed the published Menu online from our room and found several appetizers we would like to…read moreorder. When we arrived at the Tap Room about 6pm, it wasn't too crowded yet. The Music started at 7pm. Much to my disappointment, the Menu offerings were very different from that published online. None of the offerings were appealing, really. We ended-up splitting a cheeseburger (at a ritzy Pub?), really. The snack noshies/nuts were flavorless. The drinks were strong, but very pricey, in keeping with their 5-star rating, I suppose. Our waiter became overwhelmed as the Tap Room filled. I understand. There was a Party of 20 adjacent to our table. It was too hot outside to sit at a table on their lovely patio, so we spent our two+ hours in the hub-bub that was The Tap Room on a Thursday night in the August summer.

If you love speakeasies and classy bars, then this is the spot for you! The bar is located near the…read morerestrooms where Wanderlust creamery is. Once you walk in, the vibe instantly transforms into a sexy and luxurious space with dim lighting, cushioned seats, and interesting artwork hanging on the wall. They have quite a few drinks on their menu. I like how the menu highlights the flavors of each cocktail so it makes it easier to find a drink that will suite your tastes. We ordered the beauty and the beast and friends and neighbors drink. Both cocktails tasted very light and delicious. On top of that, the beauty and the beast drink comes in a cute rose shaped glass which matches the name perfectly! The servers were very attentive and would check in on us periodically. They also give you some chips that you can munch on while enjoying your drink. This spot is perfect for a date or girls night out! I definitely want to come back and try their other drinks!

"Hidden entrance." Make your way past the doors to Wanderlust Creamery and other food stalls, and…read morewalk all the way to the back. Go downstairs, whether by stairs or elevator... where there are multiple bathrooms. And ask the nearest person how to get to Ladies and Gentlemen, to be let in. Fun, and whimsical, and definitely a space with a theme. First and more importantly, the cocktails and the food is definitely quality. And they will charge you quality pricing for the luxuriousness of it all. Seating, tables, candles, ambiance. I mean, the walls lined up with crafted skulls ain't gonna pay for itself. The staff is friendly, and helpful. And classy. The places oozes class. A great place to chat and catch up with friends. Where the ambient noise isn't so loud that you really need to raise your voice to talk. As a single person who came with a book to read and study... it's dim lighting so I had to make use of candlelight. This really is meant to be more of a social spot. I came in on a weekday to catch the Suntory promotion, which came with some nice collectibles to pair with your highball. I feel like every cocktail I've had here so far has a great sense of balance and technique. I'll probably come back and try their omakase course of cocktails at some point. Is it "kami no glass?" (The Glass of God) - I haven't found one that has touched my soul to that extent, but they do have an extensive list to explore. The food menu consists of luxurious bites from burrata, crudo, bone marrow, oysters, and the like. Gourmet pairings for your expensive tastes.

I've been to Plate 38 a few times and it's always been a vibe. Decided to go today with my fam and…read moreit was pretty decent. I had the crab cakes and ceasar salad w/ chicken. The crab cakes were very tasty so 5/5 for me!!! The salad was good too, which you can't go wrong with! The menu changes everyday so it's always different! Very good options as well. The service was ok...our server was nice she messed up a few times on our order but did correct it!! So customer service was 4/5 for me. However, all the other workers were very good attentive and checked on us as well. The ambiance is cute! Nice bar and outside seating. It's a good place to go to in Pasadena for brunch and happy hour. They have a really good happy hour menu with good options. It's very reasonable too!! They have it from Wednesday - Sunday 3pm -6pm and then starts from 8pm to close. Mondays is 3pm-close. Very good happy hour for sure!! Will have to try it soon! Plenty of parking in the lot. -Marshay D.

We were looking for a happy place on a Thursday afternoon. We arrived before 5 and the restaurant…read moreis semi packed already. The restaurant looks cozy and chose to sit inside instead of at the patio. We asked for the happy hour menu. We checked the menu and found that the pricing is not really attractive. One taco is $8/9 but if you get 3 tacos from the main dinner menu, it's $20. We decide to order the main dinner short ribs with mash potatoes to share. We each ordered a drink. The server was friendly and responsive. He even split our dinner already so we enjoyed it without splitting it ourselves. Since we were not too hungry, sharing the main course is perfect. The food tastes good and drinks are good. HH pricing is ok. I have seen better in the Pasadena area. It's good we tried this place, but probably won't be back.