A beautiful date night spot where you can sit beneath string lights nestled in an alleyway, listening to live music (plus, they have outdoor heaters!). Plates are tapas style and the bar is full, with an advantage for mezcal enthusiasts. Bonus- The wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly. They recommended some drinks for us to try and gave us some suggestions on the entrees. The drinks were great and we recommend the sea bass! Nice atmosphere with good service and lots of mezcal. read more

See all

A restaurant that specializes in mezcal? About frkn time! (Mezcal is so underrated IMO) Adults beverages- 5/5 Tamarindo margarita was stunning, just stunning. Perfect balance of flavors with the mezcal shinning but not overpowering and the fruity and tartness of the tamarind. Well done and perhaps the best tamarind margarita I've had. Campire cocktail was very earthy with the rosemary- if that's your cup of tea. Service- Our table of four got great service on the weekday we came in. Stayed on top of our orders, water, etc. Ambiance- Absolutely aesthetically pleasing. It's on the smaller cozier side so if you're looking for something intimate this would be perfect. Outside seating is available too. Food- had the guac and plantains. Great lime flavor, unfortunately the plantains had a bit of a burnt taste. Short rib burrito was amazing. 5/5! Meat just melted in your mouth. Personally I'd come here for cocktails but I would recommend giving the food a try to see if it's your vibe. read more

Café de olla martini, superb. Good was great too! Service was warm and great. We went on a Friday night and there was a very talented singer/guitarist he had a lovely voice. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Cafe de olla martini and Tetela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Had such an amazing dinner here with a group of friends. Started off with a round of cocktails. I had La Morita (If you love spice, this one's for you). They have the best selection of tequila & mezcal along with their talented bartenders. Appetizers: the most delicious and refreshing aguachile oysters! We ended up ordering a second round. We also shared their exquisite bone marrow esquite. Such an elevated take on the street food. Loved it! Dinner: Arrachera. Ooh that chicharrón chimichurri was on another level. So good! Also tried my friend's carne en su jugo. So flavorful and the meat was so tender. The atmosphere is so classy and love their soft mood lighting. The owner Paul even came around to ask about our dinner and even gave us some tips on his favorite tequilas. He was so welcoming and knowledgeable. Definitely shines through in his restaurant's details. Overall we had such an amazing night. Will be coming back soon for their mariachi night! read more

We really enjoyed the food here. The esquites were probably the best I've ever had, and the bone marrow is a fun touch. Drinks are creative and very good. The service was very friendly and attentive. The place is very cute, but the acoustics are just awful, and the noise level was deafening. It honestly made it difficult to converse and enjoy the meal. My wife ordered a diet coke, and requested a refill. We were charged $8 for a fountain diet coke ( 2x $4 ), which is ridiculous. Server never mentioned they charged for refills, but it's just tacky to charge so much. Ultimately, the food would get me to return, but take-out might be the way to go. read more

See all

Absolutely will come back! I celebrated my birthday at Maestro and had an amazing experience with my family. The food was phenomenal, the atmosphere was lively yet elegant, and our server Nestor was wonderful--attentive, upbeat, and made the evening feel truly special. A perfect spot for any occasion. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Outstanding flavor! Beautiful presentation! The calamari was thin and tender- soooo tasty. The sesame salad was chopped finely with baby kale and purple kale and had the tiniest sesame seeds! The flank steak my wife ordered was thick- indicating confidence from the chef it would be tender. It was- and so flavorful from the marinade that permeated every bite. The rice side: so much flavor it cannot be described. Cesar suggested adding house made tortillas- thick and flavorful- just incredible! I had sea bass- a generous portion seared outside and cooked perfectly. It was lightly sweet with a little kick of heat served with pinto beans (from Peru?) with a bean broth. The fish tasted excellent, the beans tasted excellent, both together tasted excellent but different! We finished with tres leches carrot cake- delicious! The top layer tastes different than the bottom layer- both excellent! It was served with thin sliced dehydrated carrot slices seasoned and dusted with cinnamon. The plate was decorated with carrot purée. I cannot describe the flavors- each dish was a compound of flavors that merged and complemented each other. I just kept saying "Oh my gawd!" I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

See all

The food, service, and ambiance deserve a 5/5. I am so happy that they accommodate a vegan diet so my husband can enjoy this place as much as I do. My favorites are the Hokkaido scallops with risotto and their tamarind mezcal margarita, but everything else I've had there was just as good. I'm looking forward to going through their entire menu. read more

See all

We have enjoyed dining here several times. Third Thursday of the night they have mariachi! Happy hour birria tacos are very good.

The food was whatever I could cook better at home and my mom and husband got very sick from the lamb and the service was bad they told me on the phone that for birthdays they give a piece of cake and a complimentary glass of champagne and I asked the server and he said no they don't do that .. everyone there has a different response to my question they weren't coordinated I wanted to take my mom somewhere nice for her 70th birthday this place was not it wouldn't recommend read more

This restaurant definitely has a good vibe--if you're looking to chill, have a few drinks, and soak in the atmosphere, it delivers. But if you're actually hungry and planning to spend your money on a good meal, you're better off going next door to King Taco. Now, I know people give me grief for saying this, but you can't make Mexican food "fancy." No matter how you dress it up, it's ranch-style, from-the-heart cooking with simple ingredients. It just doesn't translate into a five-star dining experience. This place tries, but it falls short--too much emphasis on presentation and price, not enough on actual flavor. And honestly, it's way too overpriced for what it is. I think this place is all hype, mostly because of its social media buzz. The one thing they did get right was the service--our waiter was excellent. But overall, the food was mediocre at best, and I won't be coming back. read more

Maestro always knocks it out of the park with their delicious food, friendly service and comfortable environment. This is Mexican food as it should be, as it is cooked in Mexican households but elevated in its presentation. The masa in their tortillas and the Tetela appetizer is amazing and gives that true corn taste that enhances any meal. I recommend the shrimp tacos as well, they come in a broth ahogado style with potatoes. The broth alone is worth the dish. On the main plates I like the cochinita pibil, it's served on a banana leaf and it very tasty and not spicy. The carne en su jugo is a short rib so tender you don't need a knife, just pick pieces with your tortilla. The enmoladas and the enchiladas are delicious and very filling, as is the mole chicken. All dishes are a true taste of Mexico and well executed. They also have a large selection of tequilas and mezcales and make very good margaritas with their in house mix that tastes fresh and enhances whichever you choose (tamarindo and guava are my favorites). read more

Came on a Friday night in a group of 4 and we were seated outdoor! We started with two appetizers and a few drinks, and I've gotta say, the appetizer portions were bigger than we thought. So we ended up only ordering two main courses and a dessert to share! What we ordered: 1. shrimp and octopus ceviche: refreshing but probably needed more acidity, it lacked flavor 2. Grilled octopus 3. Arracherra (medium rare): I enjoyed the plate. 4. Mole confit 5. Tres Leches carrot cake -So Bomb!!! The biggest complaint would be their online reservation system, make sure to ask for indoor seating when you do the reso on yelp. They told us the new online system would automatically put all the reservations from yelp to outdoor seating. And even though they had heaters on, it was still very cold! However, the service was on point. A big shout out to our female server, who was attentive and sweet. She knew that we were there for a bday celebration, so she included 4 complimentary glasses of champagne for the group to enjoy with the dessert Overall, we enjoyed our visit! read more

See all

The food - delicious. If you don't know what to get, ask your waiter for recommendations. Everything was good but the top choices have to be the skirt steak dish and the Birria tacos (and I don't even like Birria usually, but here it's great). Also their drinks are very good - there's something for everyone. The staff was excellent - very helpful and kind, and the vibe of the place is awesome. Live music is being played in the outdoor area, everyone's having a good time. Great spot for smaller group celebrations. read more

See all

The waitress was very nice and friendl, however the drinks took a long time to be delivered and the two starter were very small for sharing. Regarding to the food, we ordered Arrachera and the meat was spoiled with bad odor and flavor. We returned the plate and ordered new one that was charged. The side salad was little and munched read more

We started with Tamarindo Margaritas, probably the best margarita I have ever had. For food we had the Sesame Salad, excellent perfect blend of sweet from the fruit and a touch of picante from the peppers. Next we had the Tetela, do not leave without trying this. We shared the Tacos Ahogados and the Burritas. The taquitos were very good, fresh and crunchy and really good in a bowl ahogado, the ahogado was good but just a little bland, overall it was good and would order it again. The Burritas, nothing to say but just do it! Amazingly good. Everything here comes out fresh and hot. The service is impecable. The only problem with dining here is trying to save room for desert. Next time we are getting the Sea Bass and the Tres Leches Carrot Cake. read more

I've been coming here with friends and family for years when I lived in Pasadena, and now my husband and I make it a point to visit at least twice a year since we moved to OC three years ago. The food and drinks never disappoint (especially the oysters and Maestro margarita!) and, more than that, the people there go above and beyond to be accommodating, especially to our one year old daughter. They even offered to make her potatoes off the menu and she loved them! Thank you Maestros for always ensuring we have a great evening and delicious dinner! read more

I wanted to love this place. I had been following on social media for quite some time now, so i was excited when we finally went. The ambience is great, their drinks are really good, service is quick and amazing but the food is lacking. They have a lot of potential, the flavors are almost there. The ceviche lacked in flavor, the quesadillas were really good, the taquitos ahogados were also good , but their enchiladas salsa roja were lacking in flavor and they were dry. They have a lot of potential bc the enchilada sauce was somewhat similar to my mom's lol but the dryness of the food didn't help. We also enjoyed their dessert- the tres leches carrot cake. For the price, i expected amazing flavors. I'm sad bc I'm not sure I'll go back. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Taquitos ahogados - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Maestro is an awesome spot for anyone who loves great Mexican food with a modern twist. The place has a cool, cozy vibe with stylish decor that makes you feel right at home. The menu is full of delicious and sophisticated flavors, like the tasty duck carnitas and the rich mole negro. Every dish looks amazing and tastes even better. Their craft cocktails are also a highlight, offering beautifully balanced and creative drinks that go perfectly with your meal. The staff is friendly and really knowledgeable, making sure you have a great dining experience. I'm not sure if it's a nightly thing but we also got to experience a lice mariachi band while we are. If you're in Pasadena, Maestro is definitely worth a visit! read more

See all

This is such a great spot for happy hour especially on Fridays when they have live music! Not to mention the food and drinks are AH-MA-ZING!!! I suggest trying a couple of things from the menu (or more) to share and getting a table outside and just sit, relax, and enjoy the food and music. It's also the perfect setting for catching up with friends over cocktails on a warm evening. You have to make sure to save room for their tres leche carrot cake!! It'll blow your mind and pallets! Lastly, the service was great and made the experience even better! Salud (Tip: if you don't mind walking a short block, park at the public parking structure on Raymond/Green. It might save you a few bucks. The parking garage by the restaurant is pretty expensive.) read more

Maestro Restaurant - Al fresco dining! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Parking- we parked in a private lot on a weekend for $5 as there isn't much street parking here Ambience- really cute design interior and place was almost empty when we came in for Sunday brunch. Two seating options, inside and outside patio area. Food: upscale Mexican cuisine and portions were on the smaller side for sure. Service- attentive and very friendly! read more

See all

Decent place to grab a bite and drink. I found the food to be just okay and not memorable. We sat outside and enjoyed the live music, but not enough to return. The service was really good, but overall a place I most likely would not return to. read more

I think this place is a bit overlooked in the sea of restaurants Pasadena has to offer. I wouldn't say Maestro's menu is very innovative or cost-effective, but even a little weekend dinner for one on the patio can be a lovely experience here. The string lighting and live music is really what sets this restaurant apart from the literal tens of restaurants around it. I think there's only a few places like this in Pasadena, and you know everyone wants the perfect setting for Instagram. I recommend getting a reservation because you'll want to sit outside to hear the music better, and I'm not even sure if they have a bar. Service wasn't particularly friendly or fast after I was seated by the host, but luckily the quality of the food made up for it, and if you're with someone(s) hopefully they'll be better conversationalists. They have a mole confit that I had to try, and I wasn't disappointed beyond paying what I thought it was worth. Although the margarita was tasty and I had upgraded to Don Julio, I was also a bit surprised to see its price as well. I believe I paid around $70 for one person, including taxes and tip. But hey, at least the food all looks pretty! I haven't been back to this restaurant, so I don't know if their menu changes, but it would be cool to see them push the limits and serve something unique. read more

See all

Very friendly staff, food and drink were on point . Love the staff they are amazing and treat you like family. Love this place we'll be back Highly recommend. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Birthday Celebration - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

The vegan menu is amazing. Two ** on the menu mean they'll make a vegan version that is a creative fine dining experience, not an afterthought. The vegan mole was delightful! All the sauces, textures, and novel ingredients make the place worth the $$$. That and the incredible agave based cocktail menu. Great spot for omnivores to make their vegan dates happy. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Vegan mole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came for dinner after shopping in Old Town Pasadena. The restaurant is dimly lit but very welcoming when I entered. We were asked if we wanted to sit inside or outside. Opted for inside because of the cold winter breeze, but I heard live music playing outside. Ordered a few dishes to share and cocktails, not pictured. Ceviche: very citrusy and it looks like the shrimp was slightly blanched, rather than letting the lemon lime do the work. This was good to start the meal. Oysters aguachiles: had high hopes for this because I love oysters and never had oysters aguachiles. Big mistake. The aguachile sauce was ok but the oysters were straight rancid. I took one bite and immediately spit it out. Luckily, the server was apologetic and removed this from the bill. Tacos ahogados: chicken taquitos drenched in a chicken broth. It was just okay but my sister loved it and finished the entire dish. Octopus: grilled octopus over fideo and nopales. Octopus was prepared and cooked very well. I'm not a fan of fideo but really enjoyed pairing the octopus with nopales. Maestro margarita: refreshing and had a slight kick. Overall, the service and food were really great and the mood was chill and intimate. read more

See all

Food is yummy! Service is amazing! The esquite bone marrow is a must try! Even my 9 and 11 year old loved it. OMG the tees leches carrot cake is unbelievably delicious. The owners are so kind and always checking in on you. read more

I have never dreamt of a dinner for months on end after eating at a restaurant until Maestro. The ceviche and scallops were incredible. I was at a loss for words and will keep coming back. It is such a special occasion place and my hats off to everyone preparing the dishes read more

Now one of my family's favorite elevated Mexican restaurants. I snagged us a last minute reservation a few weeks ago. We ordered: Tetela - get it. One of our favorite things of the night. The textures and flavors of the masa and huitlacoche were lovely together. Calamari - good, but not any better than anywhere else. The roasted bell pepper puree did help it stand out a bit, but nothing to write home to. Scallops - my sister ordered this and loved it. Said it was far more filling than she expected. Sea bass - beautifully cooked and presented. My mom said it was her stand-out favorite of the night. Enchiladas - had a kick to them (I got the red)! The sauce isn't overly creamy, but all the flavor was there. More "rustic" and traditional other Mexican places (a common theme here). Really tasty and highly recommend. Enmoladas - another hit with our table. Deliciously complicated mole flavors well-well delivered. Not spicy, but not a sweet mole flavor. Tres leches carrot cake - good and actually extremely filling. The tres leches aspect isn't super apparent. Guava cheesecake - if you're a fan of guava or Porto's guava pastries, get this. Absolutely amazing and another favorite of the night. Don't expect typical Mexican-American style affair here. The focus of maestro is more traditional, rustic, and fresh flavors. There are elements of creaminess on their food, but the flavors are really given the spotlight. read more

Food and drinks overpriced for the quality and portions, 3 tortillas were charged at 12 dollars octopus was really good the rest we asked was ok need improvement on their salsas. Not sorted to spend 300 dollars for dinner read more

What a beautiful restaurant,Parking is extremely close and easy & accessible. Checking in looks pretty and small inside but they have a great cozy outdoor patio seating area designated to the restaurant only. I order a Old fashion cocktail was mixed perfect. Started with guacamole and they come with plantains (good ideal) I highly recommend the Tétela wow ..... my husband and I were fighting for the last piece . So delicious and you can tell is hand made soft and tasty Let talk about our dinner I'm a big Mole fan so I had to order "Confit Mole" light flavor not strong the sauce was no to thick like your traditional mole this one was unique . Just right. A perfect portion was served. I had to order extra tortillas cause they are super tasty and handmade !!!! The carnita plate was very settle taste not over whelming good flavor ,their sauces are ridiculously good. I finished my meal with dessert ,the waiter Jonathan recommend I try something that was not yet on the menu ,Glad I did ! Holy moly .... It was Oaxaca Mole chocolate " heaven in your mouth I'm not a big chocolate person but this dessert did not disappoint. It had a mild chocolate truffle taste, with a little hint of spice . Hopefully it makes it to the menu permanently read more

See all

Came here for weekend brunch and got seated outside. The only available table was completely in the sun so the waiter had to move some umbrellas around to get more of the table covered. Food was good and the waiter we had was nice. Would try this place for other meals next time! read more

See all

Not your typical Mexican restaurant with no vibrant colors; instead, it's a trendy and open-floor concept. Great to have big parties. Parking on the street or structure nearby Service was good, the food presentation was lovely, and mezcal drinks were on point Appetizers: Guacamole with plantains - was flavorful, and you didn't miss the chips Tetela - the bean puree with the quesilla with the tomatillo salsa made a perfect pair Citrus salad- any salad with beets is always a winner for me Main course: Green enchiladas - tangy, and the chicken was tender Red enchiladas - were customized to be vegetarian friendly (red sauce is vegetarian, and green sauce is not) Fried quesadilla - not sure if you can call it a quesadilla seemed like a tostada I wished they had a couple more items for vegetarians but Overall great experience read more

See all

Amazing service (our water was always filled), ambiance, food (especially the desserts! Wow) and ambiance! It was even more of a pleasure to have live entertainment (beautiful voice and music to accompany the beautiful evening outside). Yes it's pricey, but fresh ingredients and I recommend taking advantage of the Dine in LA menu. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Guava cheesecake and carrot cake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

We loved the Sunday brunch!!! Food was amazing and we really enjoyed the live music. Overall a wonderful experience. Will def come back! --from preCOVID era end of 2019 Update: returned 12/23 for brunch again with high expectations and It didn't disappoint! Incredible flavor and complex yet interesting textures. Chic and modern decor with plenty of sunlight. Wish they can bring the the live music back but the food alone impressed us more than enough. read more

See all

I love this restaurant. The quality is just amazing. I recommend making an reservation it's easy and will ensure you get a table. We always choose outside because it's more of a romantic vibe in the evenings. Tonight we came for the Dine LA menu and it was such a steal. We have tried so many dishes here it's hard to try new ones because we didn't wanna stray but tonight we did and it paid off. We had the octopus and tetela. I love the tetela its a delicious tortilla stuffed with veggies on a bed of bean purée and topped with the most amazing green sauce and oaxaca cheese!!! To die for. For entrees we decided on the enchiladas and the pork belly. Wow the pork belly was out of this world. So tender and flavorful. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here tonight and will come back again and again. read more

See all

The food was absolutely amazing! My husband and I dine here for DineLa and everything was fantastic! The service was personable, the food was full of flavor, and the cocktails hit the spot! I wish they would make the duck carnitas a regular menu items read more

I've come to this place 3 times in the past 3 weeks and it's been Amazing every time. This has to be one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena. They serve great cocktails, great dishes (servings are bigger than your typical tapas), the service is good and also they tend to have live music on thursdays-Saturday's. I highly recommend to be seated outdoors because of the live music. The restaurant is on the pricey side but it's all great quality and it's worth it. Great place to celebrate your birthday, go with family (make sure to call to reserve a table greater than 6) or go on a date! read more

Maestro Restaurant - Pork belly dish - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

A Mexican restaurant serving delicious dishes and specializes in Mezcal and Tequila cocktails. ::Drinks:: Their cocktail menu is impressive! They have several unique and refreshing drinks to choose from. I would come back here just for the drinks. It's very tempting to try every cocktail on the menu!! If you like the smokey Mezcal taste then you will enjoy the Guayabita. It has asperol, guava, and lime. The La Fresca has tequila blanco, kalani coconut liquor, strawberry coconut milk, and lime. It's served with a big rock (ice cube). La Morita was a bit too strong and spicy for me. My favorite is the Tamarindo Margarita!! ::Food:: For appetizers, we got the Guacamole & fried plantains which were so addicting! The Calamari was mixed with roasted bell peppers purée, paprika, chive oil, and arbol chilies. I would have preferred it to be more breaded and crisp. The Carne En Su Jugo is a tender and flavorful braised short rib with bacon lardon, frijoles, and came with tortillas. We also liked the Mole Confit which is chicken with potatoes, avocado purée, queso fresco, and jasmine rice. The sauce on the chicken was savory. ::Desserts:: The Tres Leches Carrot Cake was sweet, moist, and filled with spice. Maybe I was too full to appreciate the cake but it seemed like a regular carrot cake to me. ::Safety:: -Staff wears masks -Mask Required ::Highlight:: -Vanessa and Ivan Fabian were friendly, observant, and accommodating. -John & Vaughn specializes in creating tasty and unique cocktails. Their fun and positive vibes are entertaining. -The staff is welcoming and attentive. -One of the cocktails was too spicy, they happily got me something else. ::Tips:: -Make reservations via Yelp or website ::M's Notes:: -Indoor & Outdoor Seating -Parking: Garage, Lot & Street -Delivery & Takeout read more

Maestro Restaurant - Tamarindo Margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

We arrived a few minutes earlier than our reservation time for a small family (4) dinner on Saturday evening. We were seated promptly as the restaurant was not full. Upon being seated the waiter arrived to ask about drinks and we requested a few moments to look over the menu. After another inquiry we placed our drink orders. Again the waiter came by and asked about food orders and we requested more time as we were conversing with our family. When he came by again we requested two appetizers. The first course had not arrived when the waiter again asked if we wanted to place our entree orders and we stated that we needed more time. At this point, the waiter informed us that we had a 90-minute time frame to have dinner. We were shocked but quickly placed our order. We enjoyed the quality of the food: cochinita; enchiladas; carne en su jugo; arrachera; along with drinks and dessert. As we enjoyed our supper the waiter explained that our table would be joined with another table for the next party. Thus, I kidded the waiter that we would only order dessert if we made their 90-minute cut-off time. Overall, the price for dinner was fair for a nice dinner in Pasadena ($400 with tip). When we were departing I had an opportunity to speak with the manager named Claudia. First, I explained to her that we enjoyed the food. I explained that I did not request anything in return from her like a refund or discount. I stated that although the food was good, the service left a bad taste in my mouth as I felt rushed by their constant pressure and 90-minute time frame. I decided on their restaurant to take my family because we wanted to enjoy our time together along with a nice meal. If the restaurant was full and people were waiting I would have been more tolerant of the rushed service, however, it was not. I explained that they should use discretion when families are eating and enjoying time together. She seemed to agree that it was not an appropriate manner to treat families. Overall, Claudia listened to my concerns and apologized. I cannot recommend this restaurant to families who want to spend a reasonable amount of time enjoying conversation and a meal. Their food may be good, but it is not extraordinary for the prices, and the service was less than respectful to my family. read more