A great hole in the wall, locally owned restaurant. One of my our favorite spots if you have a meal…read morethat's hearty and feels home cooked. I usually opt for the pasta sampler because you get to choose a wide variety of pastas to try. Each pasta also comes with your choice of butter and bread or garlic bread. The portions are massive and for a great price.

This place has been in the neighborhood for such a long time and I finally got to try it with my…read morefamily. To be fair, I didn't know if the place was open or not as the windows and doors are not visible to the inside so I wasn't sure when they are really open. It is a family owned restaurant therefore I expect many changes when they need to make changes such as closing early on certain days. I was a little late to the table so I didn't get a chance to really study the menu but I really wanted to try the sautéed chicken with penne because it sounded like it would be super indulgent with butter as the sauce. I ordered a full order as they also had light orders which is half the portion at a reduced price. But I was hungry, and it also came with garlic bread or bread and butter. It did take a while for food to arrive, I think we aren't used to a long wait since usually bread would arrive first. My aunt and uncle got soup (minestrone) served first so maybe if we ordered salads we would've gotten them before the entrees too. The Alex special pizza came first as our entree and boy the crust was crispy! Lots of toppings and the cheese pull was amazing. Parts were a bit hard to chew but only after it's been sitting for a while because when it was fresh it was crispy, then soft and chewy. My sautéed chicken dish came after and it was hot! All the plates are hot so be careful! So hot my uncle burned his mouth on the stretchy cheese from the lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs. The chicken and mushrooms were so delicious, I ate all the mushrooms first and even used the pizza crust to soak the extra butter from the penne. The garlic bread and bread came really last, at least it was fresh so it was a good wait. Yes there's a lot of butter oil, but I expected it when the dish on the menu said to choose a sauce which was butter or olive oil. We didn't get dessert because we were so full! We had plenty of leftovers for another meal. They gave us boxes and a pizza box to take our food home. I really want to try again with my parents and others, the dessert menu sounds like a great selection of Italian sweets but what I really want again is the bread and butter. It was so good, the butter was salty which really makes it a star.

Everything was amazing!! From the food to the service!! Classic Italian restaurant!!! Would come…read morehere again!!!

Excellent Italian food and service! Grano makes one feel like they are actually dining in a family…read morerestaurant in Italy.

I want to tell everyone what a wonderful experience I had at Domenico's Italian steak house in…read moreMonrovia. I gave a Dinner Show for my friends from Altadena- we are all Eaton Canyon fire victims- and now that we are a year and a half out it seemed like a good time for a party. I had a fabulous soul singer Donna Kirk and Buddy McDaniel's band. Domenico's served a fabulous Italian buffet- Caesar salad, garlic bread, lasagna , chicken wings chicken piccata and fettuccine The food was hot and delicious! We were in their first floor garden room which was perfect for my group of 80 The catering manager Alondra was so accommodating and a joy to work with Vincent also could not have been anymore helpful- he truly made the night perfect! I would recommend Domenico's to anyone who is looking for a charming place with good food for their next dinner party. Five Stars Allison Bedell

Food was great as usual, and the service was outstanding. I needed a place to hold a small meeting…read morewith a private room and this was the perfect spot. I met with Alondra to review their banquet menu and select the food and beverages. She was very accommodating to some specific needs I had. Her communication was great and the event went very well. We got many complements on the food and the ambience. I will definitely use them again.

My family and I all love eating here. It's one of the few restaurants we can all agree on. We…read morenormally order a pizza, cesar salad and spaghetti with meatballs. Food comes with complimentary bread. My kids can't get enough of it. We can easily feed our family of 5 for less than $100. We only had to wait for a table on a few occasions. Food comes out quick. Staff is friendly and attentive. Always find parking in their parking lot.

Old school place - has been around 55 years. Ambiance is old fashioned and cute that way…read more We had a 7pm reservation and arrived 15 mins early. They had us wait until 7:05p when we restaurant only 2 other tables - they were not busy. The food is pretty awesome. Glad we came to try this place.

The staff was great here, super attentive and friendly! We ordered the-…read moreLocal Wild Mushrooms, Charred Octopus, Roasted Market Carrots, Beets, Spaghetti, Squid Ink Lumache Every dish was full of flavor! The truffle in the mushroom dish, the zesty lemon in roasted carrots (we ordered a 2nd one!) Overall, the restaurant has a nice ambiance. I highly recommend Union and I can't wait to come back!

Really feels like Union is taking a bit of a slide. I've eaten here twice in the last few months…read more The server makes sure to prod you into ordering multiple dishes so you can share but when the dishes arrive the portions are not particularly sharing size. They also make sure to stress that dishes don't arrive together. It's mainly a pasta restaurant, why can't the kitchen push out pasta orders together? The first time we were there one of our three pasta dishes was literally ten minutes behind the other two. The most recent visit the restaurant was not full so the dishes largely came together but the pastas were sent before al dente. The soppresini wasn't al dente, it just wasn't fully cooked. The flavors of the dishes are really good but the execution is sub par. One of the folks at our table mentioned it was their birthday so without us asking they brought a scoop of ice cream with a candle which we thought was really nice of them. Then the bill came and we saw that they proceeded to put it on the bill for $6. Didn't want to make a scene but this is beyond tacky and overall I can say we won't be returning here anytime soon.

Cute, authentic Italian restaurant located on a sidewalk corner off Lake Ave in Pasadena…read more Sat at the bar top. It took a few moments for someone to check on me, but once I was spotted, it was attentive service thereafter. Food: 1.best grilled octopus Ive had in a LONG time. Perfectly grilled on outside but tender and fresh on the inside. The confit potatoes were crisped just right and the watercress balanced the dish well. There was a bit too much Calabrian sauce/ aioli underneath for my taste, but I like to eat on a separate small plate anyway, so it was still perfect. I liked the bit of kick from the Calabrian chili. 2. Olive oil cake was perfectly light and dense in all the right ways at the same time. Paired beautifully with deep chilled limoncello for a satisfying finish. After dining at Marina, I felt like I had been transported to the Mediterranean Sea. This place is a family owned, authentic, understated restaurant and a must of you're in Pasadena.

Stopped by here on a Friday night on a whim, and was pleasantly surprised they were able to seat me…read moreright away. Shout-out to our server, Tina, who was fantastic and had some great recommendations. We started with the Caesar salad, which was fresh and delicious, but definitely anchovy-forward. If you're not a fan of anchovies, I'd skip this one. The chicken was delicious, although slightly overcooked. The white wine and caper sauce tied everything together perfectly. The pork chop was my personal favorite. I loved the whipped feta underneath. I just wish there had been a little more of it. For dessert, we went with the seasonal peach cobbler since I was afraid it might disappear from the menu. Unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite. I found it slightly bitter. The server did mention that they used whiskey in the dish so that might be why. My husband, however, loved it, so I think this one comes down to personal preference. They also have a fantastic wine selection. I opted for the red wine flight, which was a great way to sample a few different wines. Also one thing to note is that they do have a 3% service charge on the bill but you can ask to have it removed. I would have easily given this place five stars, but I took off one because it was pretty warm inside. Apparently, they've been having issues with the A/C but a staff member did mention that they'll be installing fans soon. Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later, because I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

Surprisingly good place. We loved the whole experience! The…read moreCarbonara for sure the best we ever had in 20 years in LA and the Crema di Parmiggiano was a delicious surprise. Highly recommend!

The outside looks really nice and is in a swell plaza. There's a parking lot next to the restaurant…read moreand they validate for 50% off, so we only paid $8. There's also free street parking if you can find it. My friends found some on a Sunday afternoon without too much of a wait. We got seated within 30 minutes despite our larger party of 8. After seating they bring nice big glass bottles of cold water. I don't like that part of nicer restaurants. The water quickly warms, so I recommend asking for a glass of ice. Our server, Andrew, was really pleasant and checked in on us. He recommended a dish or two for our indecisive folks. Tor de Parmigiana was great, though left a bit of a gamey aftertaste likely due to the veal. The Armatriciana was nice as well, but everyone who tasted it agreed that it tasted like an elevated spaghetti. These two dishes were really salty. Perhaps our palates are not refined enough for these dishes. We loved the lasagna though, very unique and would recommmend. Everyone in our party was still hungry as well, and a majority would not come back due to the saltiness, lack of modifications (we wanted to add meat to non-meat dishes), and due to our hunger afterwards. Overall a nice and average experience, and now we can say we had slightly more authentic pasta than Olive Garden ha!

Diplomat is a Mediterranean restaurant in the Old Town Monrovia area…read more I came on a Friday lunch early lunch without a reservation and was able to get seated quickly. When I left, the tables got packed. I tried the platter for two, which came with a load of delicious rice, three proteins, roasted tomatoes and peppers. I enjoyed pairing it with their tahini and garlic sauces. The service and hospitality were amazing. Shout out to Ari, she is the best and really made my dining experience seamless. From recommendations, to check-ins, to bringing sauces for my table to try, it felt personable. The interior is perfect for families, dates, and catching up. It's casual but feels elevated. Overall, I had a great dining experience here and I'd recommend others to visit.

We were traveling nearby and saw that The Diplomat had a 5-star rating. Having now eaten there I…read morecan confirm that it is deserved. The food is delicious and the prices are appropriate given the portion sizes. Service was prompt and professional. Parking might be a challenge, though there are public lots within a block or two. We went on a Friday night and encountered heavy traffic from the local farmer's market/fair. The best item was the Beef kabob, 5 out of 5 stars. It was perfectly cooked, a very simply salt and pepper seasoning, juicy and simply divine! We got the kids meal, which came with only 4 pieces, and I'd be interested to return for the full adult portion. Also a 5-star experience was the Fried cauliflower appetizer. It had just the right amount of crispiness, without any blackening, and the garlic/parsley/lemon juice combo worked well. The juice was sucked into all the crevices, and overall it was light. I think I could have eaten two portions myself and called it a satisfying meal. I did dip in some tzatziki, which worked great too! Lastly the Chicken shawarma was a 4-star dish. Still delicious and I'd get it again, but it was slightly salty from the marinade and added sauce. I was expecting this to be wrapped up, but it was more an open-face naan with the chicken covering the top. Rice pilaf was savory, I'd rather not know just how many calories are included, the rice was still moist even after reheating the next day.

Pane E Vino delivered one of the best Italian dining experiences I've had in a long time. From the…read moremoment I sat at the bar, the staff was attentive, welcoming, and genuinely focused on making sure I was satisfied throughout the evening. I started with an incredible appetizer featuring several varieties of fried mushrooms paired with red wine--absolutely delicious and full of flavor. For my entrée, I enjoyed the shrimp pasta with white wine sauce, which was perfectly prepared and tasted authentic and fresh. To finish the meal, I had the apple crust dessert topped with vanilla ice cream, and it was the perfect ending to an outstanding dinner. The food, service, and atmosphere were all exceptional. Honestly, for a moment I felt like I was sitting in a restaurant in Italy. I highly recommend Pane E Vino and will definitely be returning. Five stars all the way!

Stopped by and a gentleman at a table waived/invited us in…read more Sat at a table. Older gentlemen (not sure if he is the owner/manager) came out and was very cold, curt, borderline rude telling us the kitchen was closed and to leave. How were we to know at the time they were closing the kitchen? No signs were posted outside. We only came in because his pal waived us in. An honest mistake on our part. I feel after being a regular patron we did not deserve such impudent behavior, no normal abiding patron does.

There is a massive pressure felt by all Los Angel-inos when we host guests from different parts of…read morethe country. Not only do we have to chaperone the visiting friends to tourist hot spots that we generally avoid in everyday life; but even the restaurants we choose as dining options need to be positioned on a perfect pedestal that impresses but is still comfortable. A very close friend of mine from Nashville visits the City of Angels once a year; and I always feel the stress to impress in regards to dining. In 2026, we decided on a more casual dinner than our usual upscale entertainments and opted for Pasadena. Of course, I turned to Yelp and that is how I discovered Café Santorini. Café Santorini has been a favorite dining option in the Old Pasadena neighborhood of Pasadena since 1993 on the intersection of West Union and De Lacey (a block from Colorado Blvd) nestled in one of the famous historic red-brick buildings with alley alcoves that makes Old Pasadena so beloved. Café Santorini encapsulates European love that is as warm as its bricks uniting the culinary richness of Italy, Greece and Morocco in semi-upscale/trendy real estate with iron railings, high ceilings, exposed brickwork, duct beams and glossy wood surfaces that is both inviting and will absolutely entice tourists and residents, alike. Whether seeking indoor dining bar-adjacent with tables or booths or the lovely outdoor second-floor patio alcove overlooking the plant-filled alleys below; Café Santorini is quite pleasant on the eyes. My Nashville-based friend and I made a reservation for an early dinner at 4pm on a Saturday and Café Santorini was already filled to the gills and bustling with activity (granted, there was a Guns n Roses concert at the nearby Rose Bowl in the evening). Opting to sit outdoors due to the loud volume in the dining room; we had a perfect ratio of casual and date-worthy. Café Santorini is seamless with its 'vibe'. To begin the evening, we opted for some cocktails with a Smoke and Citrus Paloma (grapefruit and lime juice, smoked sea salt agave syrup and soda water, alcohol free at $12 but I made it alcoholic with mezcal) for me while my friend ordered a traditional margarita on the rocks (no salt) as we gazed the menu and also decided on sharing a Grape Leaves appetizer (rice, herbs, tomato paste - $16). If you are Celiac like myself and need gluten-free options, Café Santorini is AMAZING in its GF options (also dairy free and vegan dishes) with more choices than usual competitor restaurants which that alone makes it stand out from the crowd. Our drinks arrived in classy and colorful derivations with my paloma holding a seducing orange hue akin to a setting California sun with dried rosemary and dried fruit with the margarita being perfectly yellow-ish green with a dried lime. My paloma was delicious with an ideal combination of sweet to alcohol and smoke with the margarita being refreshing and tangy. I am quite picky with grape leaves having friends from the Middle East living in the US but Café Santorini's grape leaves (5 pieces) are delicious both in texture and flavor without being too bitter which is sometimes the case. For dinner I chose the Branzino (Grilled Mediterranean sea bass, lemon Greek potatoes, dill, capers- $42) while my friend wasn't super famished and decided on Greek Salad Horiatiki (Valdivia Farms tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, Anaheim peppers, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon juice - $17). One of my favorite details of Café Santorini is their capacity to present elegant dishes that are still simple and not pretentious on plateware that encompasses Greece itself with colorful mosaic prints and painted motifs. The ingredients are fresh, colorful and artfully displayed. My Branzino was faultless: grilled perfectly with charred grill marks and crispy skin (large filet) with capers and fresh dill with fingerling potatoes based under the fish soaking up the lemon juices. Delightful! The Greek Salad Horiatiki allowed the garden-fresh veggies to truly shine even with the lemon juice/oil and large piece of feta making it a perfect summer option. Service at Café Santorini is friendly and a family-like atmosphere with every staff member acknowledging you as you saunter by, answering all questions and constantly smiling. Café Santorini is an overall pleasant joy of an experience. Whether you need to impress out-of-state friends or simply seeking Mediterranean fare in Old Pasadena; Café Santorini is a musty-try for a casual meets elegance dining experience.

Enjoyed a family birthday dinner at Cafe Santorini. The food was excellent. Everyone in our party…read morehad a breadth of the menu. We had one anomaly on one plate, and the staff and manager quickly fixed. The restaurant has plenty of seats with a visible kitchen, and a full bar. They did a great job to keep waters topped and drinks coming if we want it.