We had such a wonderful experience at Neighbors and Friends Kitchen in South Pasadena! The vibe is so cool and inviting, and our server, Kayla, was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very well taken care of. I have a food allergy, and the staff took special care to make sure my meal was safe, which we really appreciated. My husband said the hangar steak was the best he has ever had! The espresso flavor made it truly unique, and it was absolutely delicious. We loved everything about our experience and can't wait to go back--and bring friends with us next time! read more

I REALLY wanted to like this place and wanted it be my "go to" hang out spot but was left with a disappointing initial impression. I was so excited to try this restaurant since I had been following their Instagram account several weeks prior to their opening. As a SGV resident, I was really excited to support a new local business! I had reservations on a Saturday night at 7 PM. I was seated within 5 to 10 minutes. Right off the bat, we noticed that the noise level of the place was quite loud. I think just nature of the intimate dining room made it hard for me and my date hear one another, but perhaps this could be a positive to someone looking for a bustling vibe. On a related note, I had a hard time hearing the 90's R&B music, so I was super bummed about that! The waitress was really nice we ordered a bottle of bubbly. It was decently priced, delish and arrived relatively quickly! However, we were disheartened when it took over 30 minutes before our waitress took our order. To make matters worse, the three tables next to us were seated after us but somehow ended up getting dishes before we even had a chance to place an order. I just didn't understand why. Eventually, we had flagged our waitress down and asked if we could order. Because of the delay in ordering, we were unable to order the tuna cannoli that I was really looking forward to trying (since it was sold out, as was the French dip burger). We ended up ordering: 1) Gem wedge salad ($17) - as described by the waitress a standard wedge salad, and tasted as expected. However, for the price, I thought it was incredibly small and was more reminiscent of a side salad than it was a starter. 2) Brisket Meatballs ($18) - you get two small meatballs that were juicy. While other people have critique that more sauce could be used, I didn't think it was necessary. I was just wishing they were a little bit bigger for the price. Plating seemed more of an afterthought since this dish looked more like an amuse bouche than a shareable starter. 3) Oxtail Ragu Bianco ($36) - I had seen recommendations for this dish, and it was quite delicious. It had a generous portion of meat which I appreciated and was likely the highlight of dinner. 4) Hanger Steak ($47) - we ordered this medium rare, and it was delicious as well and what you would expect. Although we did not get this with mashed potatoes, we substituted with french fries and it was tasty. All in all the food was solid and what you would expect the flavors to be. However, when I think of the price of each dish, I'm just not sure the value is there. Additionally, the overall experience was a miss by the waitress who (while friendly) was not attentive and the noise was at times ear piercingly loud. read more

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I have been here a couple of times and have not been disappointed. The ambiance is amazing and they did such a great job with the layout and design. Love the art work at the entrance as well! The staff is so friendly and welcoming and make good food recommendations. Honestly though it is hard to go wrong with any of their food. Will continue to come back and bring friends to experience this amazing place! read more

Neighbors & Friends: The Kitchen recently opened a few weeks ago and has already received a warm welcome from the community. Founded by Kaiy Smith-Biesman, (who also owns Neighbors & Friends café in Old Town Pasadena) the menu blends American Southern comfort food with coastal Italian influences. Teo-Hunter of Crown & Hops curated the beverage program which includes an extensive list of craft beers, seltzers, ciders, organic wines, & wine-based cocktails. The restaurant is encased in glass, which emits an open & airy feel and creates a romantic ambience at night. The natural lighting is also a nice touch. I really like the concept. My friend lives nearby so we came for drinks on a Sunday evening. We sat at the bar and had a wonderful conversation with Nick (bartender). He was delightful. I like that you can sample the beers & wines before ordering. We each got a glass of Sparkling Rosé (Ultraviolet wines) and the Gem Wedge Salad to share. We weren't hungry but wanted to try the food. The couple next to us ordered a few dishes and the aromas were amazing! The salad was presented as four individual mini wedges. It was topped with pickled onions, tomatoes, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, breadcrumbs, & house dill dressing. It was exceptionally good. Before we finished a friend of hers happened to walk in and was able to get a seat next to us, so we ordered another glass and enjoyed each other's company and conversation. Kaiy's vision for Neighbors & Friends was to create a space where people can come together to enjoy a good meal and the company of others in a welcoming environment. She definitely succeeded. I also like that she was there personally greeting guests as they arrived and escorting them to their table. I look forward to coming back. *Parking lot in back or free street parking (2-hour limit until 7 pm) read more

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Tip: put in a reservation The place was busy and lively. Thank goodness for my cousin for putting reservations down. We were also thankful that they had the World Cup playing. It wasn't too rumbunctious like a bar but lovely enough to still have great conversations. My cousin and I split our entire meal. Started with the meatball, then the French onion burger, and last with the oxtail pasta. I thoroughly enjoyed everything, but that oxtail would be the reason I go back. Service was great and very friendly. We appreciated being visited a couple of times by a manager (I assumed) and just checking in on us and the tables around us. read more

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Came here for a 6:30 dinner on a Saturday. Place looked packed so I was happy that we had a reservation, and seated promptly. The interior of the restaurant is pretty much a glass house. So a lot of natural lighting and you're able to see the change of the lighting as the evening progressed Ordered a bunch of stuff: -Cheese Charcuterie: wonderful and had a decent spread that you'd expect on a charcuterie -Tuna Cannolis: these were delicious! -Gem Salad: delicious also and can't skip sneaking some greens -Hanger Steak: tender and perfectly cooked -French Dip Burger: solid 10/10 and came with fries that were delightfully crispy and a side of au jus Ordered way too much food for two people so the burger was left untouched and packed in a doggy bag. Service was great! My date and I were here chatting for over three hours and the staff were very gracious to let us hog the table for so long. They could've just brought us the check as a nudge but they didn't do that at all. Please go try this spot; don't think you'll regret it. They're new and such a solid spot for a sleepy little city like South Pasadena. Didn't take photos of the food - too busy enjoying my date and being present but snapped a photo of the French Dip Burger at home, which my son devoured it as I stole some fries. Yum! read more

Neighbors & Friends - French Dip Burger cooked medium rare with deliciously crispg fries. YUM!!! - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

As a lover and frequent visitor of Neighbors and Friends Cafe, I was so excited to learn that there was a kitchen coming to Pas!!! Reservations are highly recommended. We booked one for Friday evening, and waits were about 40 min - 1 hour without them. We got seated right around our reservation time. It did take about ~20 min for someone to come to our table, get us water, etc. We ordered the Bolognese meatballs, tuna cannoli, oxtail pasta and roasted chicken. It took about ~25 min for food to arrive. Overall, flavors were there on all dishes. The cannolis were particularly memorable with the crispy shell and soft and flavorful tuna. I wish the chicken was a bit more juicy. One thing that was common amongst all dishes is that they were barely warm, which was a bit annoying. I know the meatballs would've been standout if they were nice and fresh/hot. The oxtail pasta was great but standard amongst others I've had. I do think price to portion ratio is a bit high. However I understand quality ingredients and supporting local is not cheap. Service, though a bit on the slow side, was great. Our waitress was attentive and kind. I can only imagine the work that goes into launching a new restaurant. As with everything and everyone, there are growing pains! Doing great already. I'm sure in the months to come it will be even better. read more

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New restaurant alert Just celebrated the grand opening of Neighbors & Friends Kitchen in South Pasadena and it's already serving neighborhood gem energy From the Honey Whip Ricotta and Citrus Pepper Wings to the Oxtail Ragu Bianco and Cookie Skillet, every dish felt made for sharing with friends and family. Love seeing the community show up to support local read more

Neighbors & Friends - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I didn't want to get my hopes up too much - for this new addition to our South Pas community, but it exceeded. I have always loved the space when it was Firefly, then Communal. They did such a good job, brightening it up, the little touches - the tables, the front door - everything felt like you were being welcomed in to our community. I loved that I could see the big tree by the library that my kids grew up playing around. The food was lovely - dishes that made you want to come back. this is what our community needs and finally has! Highlights of the night - chicory salad - type of salad that makes you love eating salads - meatballs - at first when it came out, at first glance I usually like it more saucy. But when you bite into it - was so juicy - Mac & cheese - the perfect crumble on top - fries - nom nom Also ordered the arancini balls and the hush puppies. Hush puppies were tasty, but could have used a touch of honey or something since it ate a touch dry, but yummy still. Also had the honey whipped ricotta with focaccia. Service was wonderful, wine was good. Didn't have time to try any of the beer on tap or the dessert (was stuffed) for just two of us. It surely is where neighbors and friends go to dine. Ran into two separate tables - where they are all part of the community and my neighbor. Loved it. Such a wonderful addition to South Pas. Will be back. read more

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An absolute gem! So thrilled to have a new neighborhood go-to in South Pasadena. We were seated immediately for our reservation during their soft opening weekend. Honestly, if I hadn't known it was their opening week, I never would have guessed, the service was absolutely flawless. Everyone from the host and bartenders to the owners made us feel like old friends! The ambiance gives you that upscale, elevated LA vibes without a shred of the pretension, which I absolutely loved! Inside is gorgeous, and they have a great little patio. The food was 10/10: Shrimp Cocktail: Fresh and perfectly portioned (6 pieces). French Dip Burger: Delicious, hearty, and comes with a side of fries! The fries were soooo good. Hanger Steak: Cooked to absolute perfection over arugula (definitely grab a side to pair with it). The steak was so tender it melts in your mouth! Cookie Skillet: insaaaane. I will have to say it's better than Hermon's cookie skillet - crispy edges, chewy center, and they give more ice cream! Probably can have this every day for the rest of my life lol. Tip: They also have a casual smash burger window out front called South Pas Smash. Tried it earlier this week and the burger and dressed fries (hello, caramelized onions and cheese!) are to die for. Easy parking, perfect location, and zero opening-week hiccups. I can't wait to come back! read more

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LOVE this new restaurant that just opened up in South Pasadena! My wife and I had reservations for 6:00pm and found tons of street parking available. When we arrived, the entire staff made us feel so welcome! I love how they said "welcome home", instantly making us feel like we've found our new favorite date night spot! We started with the Shrimp Cocktail, which came with about 6-7 really plump juicy shrimp, lemon and cocktail sauce. A great start to our dinner. My wife ordered the Hanger Steak, and it was cooked literally to perfection medium-rare, exactly how we like it. She couldn't stop raving about it! So much flavor in every bite. (tip - get it with the house fries!) I ordered the French Dip Burger, which was unreal! I have never had a burger this way before. It was way bigger than I expected, super filling, and I love that it came cut in half, making it easy to dip in the au jus gravy. The gravy had a wonderful rich flavor, so good I could drink it haha. The ciabatta bun went so well with it too. It was light and not too bready. The fries were probably some of the best French fries I've had no joke. Cooked well-done and crispy! We finished our dinner with the Cookie Skillet and ice cream. Okay... this dessert was insane. The cookie was warm, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, and with a solid scoop of ice cream on top. It was a big portion too, more than enough for my wife and I to share. THANK YOU to the entire staff who made us feel so welcome here! The service was impeccable. We didn't catch everyones name, but shout out to Nick at the bar, Matt who checked on us, our waiter who was super attentive and friendly, and the host who greeted us and brought us to our table. Go ahead and call us "regulars" because we will be back soon :) read more

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Great neighborhood spot to gather with some friends or family! Service was great and vibes were perfect! Food was fresh and delicious. 10/10 recommend the brisket meatball to start. Huge selection of craft beers and wine based cocktails. Kaiy and team have done such an amazing job putting this spot together! Can't wait to be back. read more

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Thank you for making me experience so lovely. I came to a soft opening during their first week. This mostly means their kitchen is not ready for full operations yet. I did make reservations but make sure you check website daily for hours of operation that changes daily since they have not fully opened. This place is the talk of the town so its a must visit. Concept is combo kitchen of Neighbors and Friends (Pasadena location) Italian food and South Pasadena Smash burger that was down the street. So you can order at the window for smash burgers or sit down at table. I believe you can order smash while sitting at the table ordering Italian food. Staff- fabulous high end white table linen service. Looking so professional. Thank you for wonderful service in making our table feel so special. Parking-lots of street parking with 1-4 hour limits but there is a free parking lot for about 20 cars. It is off the metro goldline South Pasadena exit. Food-We started off with charcuterie board which I am certain it is freshly made because that cheese is so soft and different from other places. We had broccolini which was super freshly soft and seasoned correctly. Focaccia bread I can eat this warm toasty bread anyday. I will order this every time. Pan seared sea bass in a classic sauce of garlic, lemon, and white wine, enriched with butter and fresh herbs for a light yet luxurious finish topped with blistered tomatoe. Pasta pomodoro has been freshly made simmered in tomato sauce, finished with extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil. And my fav is made to order mac & cheese with fresh conchiglie pasta. This freshly tasting pasta has cheese inside the pasta. You will melt away eating this pasta. Sugar time....brown butter toffee chocolate chip cookie from the best cookie and voted one of the top cookies in LA topped with Fosselman's (another local place) vanilla ice cream. This plate is way better than BJ's pizookie which puts them to shame. Prepared to spend about $50-$70 per person even with one alcoholic drink. I cannot wait to return. Hats off to Kaiy and James for bringing this wonderful place to our small town. read more

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I've been following their story on IG and have wanted to try the place since I've frequented the old town cafe a few times and I'm always wanting to support local business. We had 5pm reservations on a Friday night and arrived early. We were seated once the restaurant opened at 5 which was expected. Service was OK, but a bit forgettable. We placed our order pretty quickly since we had time to go over the menu while we waited to be sat. Food came to the table before our drinks did, even though we were one of the first tables to be sat. Everything we ordered was prepared well and had good flavors. I did ask about the sea bass to see if it was European (branzino) or Chilean and they said it was Chilean, which it was not at all. So that was a bummer when it arrived. Overall the food was good, the ambiance was quaint and the service was ok. It's a good local spot and I wish them the best of luck. read more

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I had suuuch a wonderful time enjoying delectable food and wonderful company at Neighbors & Friends! The staff was sooo friendly and accommodating, the food was so fresh, flavorful and top notch quality (liiiiterally every bite was so fresh) and the ambiance was lovely. Perfect spot for a date with a special someone, or a night out with the girls. After living in Pasadena for 10 years, it is beautiful to support this amazing, woman-owned business with such an incredible story behind its founding (check it out!). I'm super grateful for Kaiy, her skillful team, and her incredible vision to create such a cozy, tasty and welcoming experience for all. I def look forward to coming back with more friends -- and to making new friends along the way!! read more

Neighbors & Friends - This honey whip ricotta is the best I've ever had! I loved sharing it with the friends at my table...but we def should have ordered two!! - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

We were so excited to check out this new restaurant but left disappointed. Ambiance: It was so loud in there. I could barely hear the music or hold a conversation. Drink: summer in leimart was delicious 5/5 Food: Panzenella salad: peaches and tomatoes were delicious. However there was not enough burrata. The croutons were huge and hard to eat. I was a bit confused why it was in the dish 3/5 House fries: 80% of our fries were short ends and bottom of the basket fries. 1/5 Oxtail Ragu: We were looking forward to this pasta due to the rave reviews we've heard. However, the pasta was dry without much sauce. Both the oxtail and dish overall was not seasoned. Everything tasted bland. 1/5 Shrimp cocktail: this was pretty unremarkable. I would not recommend. 2.5/5 We did provide our feedback to the manager and appreciated he was receptive. Service was warm but felt like they were understaffed read more

Neighbors & Friends - Panzenella salad. - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

had a reservation that i made not too far in advance for friday around 7 pm and this was easily one of the best dinners ive had this year. everything we tried was so so good, highly recommend getting the focaccia and oxtail pasta, make sure to save room for the cookie skillet! the burger was unfortunately sold out, they let us know it usually sells out before 6 pm so i'll definitely come back for that read more

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Summer in Leimert cocktail was definitely the highlight. You can definitely taste all the flavors listed and they interact very well with one another. Honestly would go back just for this drink alone. The food was overall good but for that price I wish we didn't have to eat one of the dishes cold. We ordered the gem wedge salad, hanger steak, and oxtail ragu bianco and asked to have all of them come out together instead of salad first. The salad still came out first and that itself wasn't a big deal. The server was attentive and checked with us if that was fine and we said it was since well... it was. The salad is okay sitting out for a bit. But then the hanger steak came out... and after a long while, the ragu bianco. We didn't note the time or anything but it was enough to be a little confused and by the time pasta came out though the steak was cold. I guess I could have started eating first but I find it awkward to eat when the other person doesn't have their food yet. The steak also had very rare center for medium but to be fair better than being overcooked in my opinion. Still, a lot of good aspects. Nice service, very cute layout, even other guests seemed very friendly... overall very good vibe. Many of my friends also don't drink so love the "every cocktail on our menu can be made alcohol-free" option. Really hoping it was just the restaurant still finding its footing after newly being opened. Most likely will try again because would love a new go-to place in south pas. read more

Neighbors & Friends - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I'm hoping that more patrons come to Yelp! to give their feedback of this gorgeous establishment. I met the owner during the Taste of South pasadena and tried the Mac n cheese. There was a gorgeous depth of flavor and amazing texture. I can't wait to come and dine here officially. Please give this restaurant a chance and follow up with a shout out here and show your stars for The Kitchen. Lovely people, beautiful dining room, tasty food, sweet location. I hope they're here to stay. read more

I was so looking forward to this restaurant. Sat at the bar as a walk in and ordered 2 apps while we decided on a main. The people next to us were sat after us and got their app, main and bill all before we saw our food. Once we got our food it was very mid. Truffle arancini had no trace of truffle, not nearly enough sauce and was room temp. Panzanella salad was smothered in either honey or agave (wouldn't know bc neither were listed on the menu) and it was too sweet to taste anything else. Got the bill and left after 2 bites. Yikes *side note we were obviously still hungry when we left and saw the burger place next door which is the same owner and it was delicious. read more

Pros -excellent service -nice ambiance with open windows -they also have a pickup window for burgers and chicken sandwiches -prime burger with dip is one of the best burgers I've had in LA Cons -focaccia bread tasted stale. It was toasted as well. It was not good and I've had a lot of focaccia. -gem salad was very mid and basic. I'm not a fan of the blue cheese dressing and the portion was really tiny. Rating 6.5/10 read more

Truly blown away! I came on opening weekend and was so pleased at the quality of food and service. The only bummer was that a few of the dishes I wanted to try were sold out. I'm honestly still thinking about the tuna cannoli dish, the mashed potatoes and the skillet cookies. I love when a restaurant manages to make something simple and (dare I say) ordinary into something extraordinary. One thing to note is that they only have a wine and beer program - not sure if there are plans to extend to a full bar. The ambiance is comfortable and inviting, truly lives up to its name. Happy to have N&F Kitchen in the neighborhood! read more

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wow, make your way here before this place becomes super packed and known! we found this place cause we needed a dinner spot in pasadena. we ordered the gem salad, fries x2, chicken, seabass, and ragu pasta. everything was so clean and good, service was phenomenal and the owner and head chef were so incredibly nice. this feels like the type of small town boutique restaurant vibe that's so hard to come by, 10/10 will be coming back to try more seasonable items, cheers! read more

Neighbors & Friends - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Such a charming new place! Went with my girlfriend to celebrate her birthday, and had a lovely meal. The service was great, didn't feel rushed at all. Had a salad, wings, hush puppies, brisket pasta (still dreaming of this), and cookie skillet. Can't wait to come back! I also love that the music wasn't too loud, we could actually hear the conversation, and it was beautifully lit. read more

Neighbors & Friends - brisket pasta - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

We had the BEST experience for dinner! The pasta was out of this world and so was the mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and chicken parm and broccolini and cookie skillet...and everything we sunk our teeth into that night. The service was top notch- our waitress was so attentive and helpful. It was such a nice ambiance with music and good vibes and felt so welcoming overall. Highly recommend! read more

Neighbors & Friends - Chicken parm and broccolini - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Obsessed! My husband and I are new to the area and this was our first date night out. The food was unbelievable. I am still dreaming of the tuna cannolis, perfect toasted foccacia, hushpuppies with a spicy, sweet creamy sauce that is out of this world and the most tender oxtail I've tasted. We also instantly loved Tio, who walked us through the drink options and helped us find the perfect beers for the night. On our way out we met the owner Tay who was incredibly knowledgeable of the neighborhood and directed us towards our next stop of the evening. The service was awesome and it truly was the perfect night. We can't wait to go back! read more

Absolutely, disgustingly, disappointed in this restaurant. There is such a lack of decorum and class here. From staff that belligerently disrespected a whole party of people. To Caitlyn making side comments and faces for every request/ask. Not only is the food up charged Costco grade (actually purchased from Costco). It sells itself to be more than it actually is. Just embarrassing. read more

So far I've come here twice. Once when my wife and I just happened to walk by and notice that they were on the first day of their soft opening and the next time we walked in on a Friday night a couple of weeks later. I can't say enough about the service we had from both visits. It's just such an inviting space and the food is just amazing. The ox tail pasta was delicious, the chicken parmigiana was fantastic (and a huge portion), the meatballs were epic and the beer selection is top notch. We will be back soon and if you haven't tried them out yet I would highly recommend a visit read more

Saw a few people post about Neighbors and Friends on Instagram so I thought I'd try it for myself. Met up with my friend and we tried what the employees suggested: Citrus Pepper Wings, French Dip Burger, Oxtail Ragu, and Skillet Cookie. ALL THE FOOD WAS PHENOMENAL!! We ate all of everything. All of the employees were friendly and helpful. The place itself was cute and cozy. I have already been recommending it to my family. I will definitely be back again very soon. read more

We had such a great dinner at Neighbors & Friends. Everything we ordered was so good -- the wedge salad, steak, mac and cheese, wings, warm cookie and ice cream were all a hit. My kids especially loved the salad, wings and (and of course) the cookie and were literally licking the wing sauce off the plate! The service was also wonderful -- everyone was so friendly, attentive, and great with the kids, which made the whole experience even better. The whole place just feels warm and inviting. It's one of those spots that feels special without being too fancy. Definitely a place we'll keep coming back to with family and friends! read more

Neighbors & Friends - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

My son and I stopped in as walk‑ins for a World Cup match screening and a late bite, and this little gem absolutely impressed us. Even without reservations, and despite being a small, newly growing business, they seated us within five minutes. I'm not sure if they took extra care because my son was with me, but our food came out incredibly fast and equally delicious!! We shared the grilled chicken breasts and macaroni and cheese, and both were outstanding. The mac was rich, cheesy, and comforting, and the chicken was perfectly cooked. Multiple people checked on us, and I loved the family business dynamic. Simple dishes done exceptionally well. The ambiance struck a perfect balance: tranquil without being too dim, stylish without trying too hard. It's the kind of place where you could have a date, meet friends for drinks, or enjoy an evening with your family. We felt welcome, relaxed, and already excited to return. A fun tip if you're coming from Pasadena: take the Gold Line for a little adventure. No parking stress, a built‑in designated driver so you can enjoy their cocktails, and a refreshing change of routine. Take me away, far far away! We'll definitely be back to this South Pasadena treasure. read more

Interesting spot in South Pas with a focused menu emphasizing sharing though portions are barely shareable unless you're on a GLP1. Our server lacked warmth and frankly seemed uninterested in serving. We ordered the roasted chicken with a few apps thinking that would be suffice - yet we left hungry. Wine selection is limited - avoid the rosè unless you like light dry fizzy wine. read more

The ambience was lovely & the place was hopping on an early Saturday evening. Unfortunately, the service was inconsistent (the man who was helping me at the bar went somewhere & didn't return) and the pasta pomodoro was tasteless. I asked for red pepper flakes to give it a lift, but that's not what it needed. read more

Using the NIOSH app, cuz the noise level of the restaurant was borderline "painful" boomy literally requiring us to lean across the table to hear and speak-even though we do not have hearing deficits. The NIOSH sound level? It hit the 95 DB level! If needed, look it up. Not good! Ordered the blistered tomatoes appetizer, and we were definitely blistered to find six small tomatoes. The largest was merely twice the size of the diameter of my index finger-which is unfortunate because the flavor profile was quite good. Due to the meager size, we thought it was "a free offering" for the table. The focaccia bread that came with it was quite excellent, but we didn't come there to eat bread as the main element of the meal. With respect to the entrée, the chicken Parm required significant effort to cut, burning up calories that certainly didn't come from the appetizer. The flavor profile was actually good but the experience shouldn't simulate cutting a large redwood. Lastly the service was less than mindful on various occasions, including the waiter coming up to our table and asking how we were doing, even though there was a large empty plate right in front of her that she somehow did not notice to discard. And you guessed it, that plate resulted from the 5 min consumption of the six small tomatoes as above. Overall? Not ready for primetime. Quite unfortunate because they are in a position to add to South Pasadena. It will be quite some time before we consider giving them another opportunity for our business and sadly, this is the first negative review I've given on an Internet platform. I hope they get it together. First step would be to decrease the dangerous noise level by making the proper infrastructure investment, then factor in value so that people can further enjoy the overall good flavor profile and not dream of additional calories, and finally, retrain the wait staff to work better as a team and be more observant, including for patrons like us who are very patient and generous as a rule. Oh, and yeah, pay attention to the table, including when there are empty plates that are festering, begging to be removed, especially when you are hovering over the table, asking how the patrons are doing... read more

Excellent food and service! Very noisy though. Can't wait to go back and try more dishes.

The atmosphere is great! I loved the laid back, chill environment coupled with high end cuisine. The food here was nothing short of extraordinary. I have a child diagnosed with ASD and only eats about 5 things, but he loves the chicken. It's so hard to find restaurants with truly good tasting food and this place is one of them. The price was also reasonable when taking into consideration the quality of food. I would highly recommend. read more

Wait staff was excellent. Unfortunately Oxtail, chicken parm and hush puppies were all sold out by 7:00 pm on a Sunday night. Underwhelming experience. read more

I was super excited to try this spot. The staff was super lovely and welcoming. Our waitress was sweet and walked us through the menu. The food was DELICIOUS. We ordered the panzanella salad, the hush puppies, the tuna cannoli, the branzino, and the oxtail pasta. The panzanella salad was good, but I'd probably order one of their other salads next time... ideally I would've liked more basil or some kind of leafy green with it. Maybe a handful of arugula. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I wanted more greens. The tuna cannoli I was marvelous.. no notes.. perfection. The hush puppies left my girlfriend speechless. And she is not lacking words ever. We talked about coming back purely for the hush puppies and cannolis. My favorite was the branzino, though. Holy smokes. The crispy skin was fire, the seasoning was spectacular. In my opinion, the best piece of fish I've had at a restaurant in YEARS. If you order only one entre, pick the branzino. The oxtail pasta was good, too, but I'd skip it next time. It wasn't as creamy or seasoned as the branzino. It felt like a rushed dish to me. Overall, a wonderful experience and a restaurant we will be visiting again. A few notes since they've just opened, but my girlfriend had to put her purse behind her chair as a backrest because there weren't any table hooks. I saw a lot of women delicately placing their purses on their chairs or tables because there weren't hooks. Also, our plates weren't cleared from the table until there was absolutely no room for new plates... at this price point, I would expect a cleared table while we have new dishes coming. We had to stack used plates while accepting new plates until the point where it wasn't stackable anymore. Those little things are still being figured out, I think. I hope they do.. it's a wonderful restaurant overall. And we will be coming back. Way way way more positives than negatives (of which I would say where none, just growing experiences). read more

My kids and I first went here for the Mother's Day Brunch, which was absolutely delicious! Even my picky eater noshed on the bread with jams and the almost-too-pretty-to-eat yogurt bowl. We returned with reservations after they opened and had such a joyful meal! Our favorites were the pasta - my 6 year old devoured the whole plate - and the dessert (I still dream about the skillet cookie with vanilla ice cream!) . We will return for their now-open Sunday Brunch. read more

First and foremost, our waitress was friendly and very sweet which made the dining experience a pleasant one. We went for dinner and liked the decor of the restaurant, however, music was too loud. We ordered the French dip burger, pasta pomodoro and fried Arancini as an appetizer. Pasta was ok, not much taste. But the burger and fries were good. Don't know if we will be back as it's a small menu. read more