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Perle Restaurant

4.2 (600 reviews)
Ultra High-EndNew American, French
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

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PERLE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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Casual
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Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - Perle Restaurant

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Coq au Vin

Great service and delicious food. I had the Steak Frites and tried the White Wine Coq au Vin. They were both delicious- the steak was cooked to my request, seasoned well, and had a great texture. The fries were crispy and tasty. The Coq au Vin was hearty with potatoes and vegetables and the chicken was tender and flavorful. They are known for their apple desert- which I would highly recommend.

French onion soup
Mary K.

I've been wanting to try this spot for a while and finally did but I gotta say I'm just a tiny bit disappointed in it. The burger was kinda flavorless and the cheese on top was unnecessary. The salad that came with the burger was very good though. The escargo was chewy and didn't have much flavor to it either. The salmon was just okay as well. A few dishes not pictured that were good were the spring pasta and we also got the truffle fries that were pretty good! The French onion soup was good too if I'm ever craving that I'd come just for that. The desserts were good but not wow. We really enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet and vanilla ice cream though! I think if you want to try it it's good to come once.

Charcuterie board
Craig M.

Really nice French rustic place. Food was great and staff was attentive and helpful.

Stewart L.

DineLA brought me back to Perle. I shamefully admit the last time I dined here was over a year ago, before the Eaton fire, even though I knew chef/owner Dean Yasharian had lost his Altadena home in the fire. Even with good intentions to return, I ultimately failed to support this small business in a time of need. Hopefully I can improve in the future, because Perle really is one of my favourite Old Town restaurants. Physically, the restaurant is unchanged, and happily is still busy. There are some changes on the a la carte menu, but it is still undeniably French. The DineLA 3-course menu features dishes off the regular menu, including 2 supplemental dishes (duck liver parfait and truffle pasta). I did get the duck liver parfait, and chose the salade de crevettes as my first course. I love any sort of fowl liver dish, be it a mousse, parfait, terrine, foie gras or whatever, and this version was fine, served with toasted brioche, fig jam and duck prosciutto. The salad was also very nice, with plump shrimp and avocado. The "Marie-Rose" dressing was akin to a Thousand Island. My entree choice, steak frites, was an excellent version of this classic dish. The DineLA cut was a nice hangar steak; there's also a NY Strip option on the regular menu. The meat was cooked as I requested, the peppercorn sauce was delish, and the frites were perfect, the thinnest I've seen in recent memory, almost matchstick-like and super crisp. This being America, they came with ketchup. There was a 2-bite salad with a vinaigrette to help with the richness of the dish. I chose the cheese board over the dessert (creme brulee). There were 2 French cheeses, a semi-firm one and a Brie. Raisin walnut bread, grapes, fig jam and candied walnuts came with. A perfect ending to a fine meal. Service was great--thanks to Kinan. Hope to see you again soon, Perle.

Jacqueline T.

Came here for Dine LA for a girl's night out. The menu was reasonably priced. I had the shrimp salad as the appetizer. The portion is a smaller version, nevertheless very delicious and refreshing. I ordered a glass of Cabernet and my girlfriend ordered a happy hour cocktail. Her cocktail also came in a baby cocktail glass. She said the cocktail was not sweet but on the dry side. For entree, we both had the steak. The outside is crispy and well seasoned, but the steak is on the dry side. The best part is the crème brûlée. It's perfectly made and it was very delicious. It was a good wrap for the dinner. The ambience of the restaurant was casual and romantic. There was a party of four at the back of the restaurant, but a little rowdy, maybe too much alcohol and fun. We could hear from three tables away. Service was good. The server was very responsive for ordering and getting the check. Maybe I will come back after Dine LA to see if the food is different, maybe a little less busy.

French Onion soup
Justin J.

Came here the other night for DineLA. Wasn't on my radar for restaurants to try but I'm already up for something new, so off to Pasadena we went. Has a reservation and we're at immediately outside. After a quick glance at the drink menu, we places our orders. The Pomme Pomme was very refreshing, and the Mai Tai was more spirit forward but with balance. The Dubonnet Spritz tastes like just other Spritz drinks, though this one was strawberry based. And the Elderflower was already a decent drink but didn't stand out. For food, we started with the French Onion soup and the shrimp salad. The salad was almost like the individual lettuce wraps with shrimp. The citrus and avocado helped provide a little surging more to each bite. The French Onion soup was a table favorite. Very hearty with a good amount of onions, sourdough and gruyere. Could have had a second birth of that, no questions asked. Would highly recommend the soup. The branzino had a nice crispiness to the skin, and just fish inside, sitting on a bed of vegetables, but it really didn't stand out in any way, unfortunately. The steak frites was also just ok, coming with a peppercorn cognac sauce to dip. Finally, for dessert, you choose from a cheese board or creme brulee. We all went with the brulee. Nice, thick sugar crust on top to crack through with a generous portion of creme. Decent dessert to end the night. Overall, the French Onion soup was probably one of the better French onion soups I've had over the last decade, and I would go back and get another bowl without hesitation. Entrees were good but not really memorable and the fre me e brulee but the spot. Definitely stop by for a bowl of their French Onion soup and get a cocktail while you're at it.

Steak Frites
Kim B.

I wanted try this French restaurant for DineLA so I made reservations for a Saturday night at 5:30pm. Upon entering, it was cozy and not crowded. I felt like the waiter and hostess did what they had to do to get a paycheck. Considering the price of the dishes and the type of restaurant, the service was just ok. My husband and I got the shrimp salad and french onion soup as an appetizer, steak frites as our main dish and truffle pasta (added it for extra $28) , and creme brulee for dessert. The French onion soup was gooey on top with tons of onions in the soup. Yummy! I thought the salad was ok. The steak was cooked medium rare, so the texture was fine but I felt it lacked flavor. There was no wow factor to it. The truffle pasta was good, but my first time trying truffle and to me, I couldn't taste a distinct flavor. The creme brulee was burnt on top, it actually tasted bitter. Overall, I'm glad I tried this restaurant. As we left, the restaurant was packed. Would I come back to eat here again? Probably not. Service was ok, food portions were small, and the taste was not to my liking. I would prefer going to The Little Door.

Anna A.

It's dineLA week and I took advantage of it to try this restaurant. For the set menu course appetizer: I choose the shrimp salad and enjoyed it. For the main course: my server said the seabass on top of the ratatouille was his favorite current dish. I decided to go for the 10oz steak and fries as it was the most ordered dish at this restaurant. The steak was very juicy and tender served with peppercorn sauce. The fries were crisy and well seasoned. For dessert, I went for the creme belle and the custard was smooth and silky. The restaurant setting is nice with inside, outside and bar seating. Staff had good customer service answering all questions I had about the dineLA menu. Parking is available at nearby public parking lots $1 for 2 hours.

Fawn R.

I want to make this 4.5 stars! We made a resy for Saturday night and good thing we did because it was packed. I didn't know it was Dine LA but I'm glad we went since we were able to try a ton of dishes for like half the price. We got the duck parfait toast, the steak tartare, the lyones salad, the French onion soup, the truffle pasta, the steak frites, and the Creme brulee. With Dine LA everything came out to around $170 which is a steal for French cuisine. The food itself was good, I wouldn't say it's my fav French place of all time but it's in the better half. I do like that nothing is too salty or too heavy. I really enjoyed the steak tartare that was my fav dish. The others were good but not like omg this is amazing good. Service was great here, I didn't catch the name of the server but he was fantastic. I was freezing because we were sitting by the AC and they brought out a small heater for us, very nice of them. Plates were cleaned quickly and the place was overall a very well oiled machine.

Bowl of French Onion Soup ($20.00). Not bad, but I'm going to say I've had better.
Dan L.

The service was fantastic, and to be quite frank ... *flawless*. The restroom was clean. The food quality was satisfactory. I will be completely honest and state that my experience with French cuisine is largely limited to largely to Taix and a tiny handful of other French restaurants I have patronized long ago (L'Assiette, Quadrupel Brasserie, etc.), so I am admittedly not the most experienced in this cuisine. I should also disclose that it's honestly not amongst my most preferred cuisines. I did find it interesting that the escargot is served here sans shells - something I have not experienced elsewhere. A light meal for 2 here was $171.75 prior to gratuity. The value proposition of a restaurant's fare is clearly subjective and unique to every individual diner, and I will let you be the judge as to the proportionality of the menu pricing based on your own socioeconomic strata and individual experience with French restaurants. I was fortunate enough to obtain a metered curbside parking space less than a block away. For me, to steal ShoPhoCho's frequently used commentary, I'd say Perle is probably in "one and done" territory. FYSA, the restaurant will impose a 4.00% "Living Wage" surcharge on your receipt. 4% is not significant number, but personally, I would consider a more transparent practice to be increasing the menu item pricing up front to accurately reflect the numbers necessary to provide a living wage to restaurant's employees, rather than sneaking it in at the bottom of the receipt.

Marcus L.

Perle was ok. I've been here twice but it seemed better the first time I visited. My first visit was a while back though. Overall, the food is good. At this price point however, this is not a good value. FOOD French Onion Soup - Good. Flavor and consistency were right. I'd recommend this. Loup de mer - This was good but rather ordinary. The dish felt like something that could be made at home. SERVICE Good. PARKING Garages (paid), street (limited, paid and free)

Tiffany C.

Perle gave us the loveliest little French escape during Dine LA. We managed to snag a corner spot for a spontaneous night out. The ambience was modern contemporary finish. We went with the Dine LA prix fixe 3 main set courses with optional add ones. (see photo below for reference) The optional duck liver parfait was silky and rich, perfectly balanced with fig preserve and toasted brioche. It felt indulgent but not heavy, although careful with the prosciutto this too rich for me. Overall this was a good start on first impressions. I chose the French onion soup for the first course. Deeply caramelized onions, savory beef broth, plenty of melted Gruyère, and that satisfying crack through the cheesy top. The soup is the classic French onion soup. The branzino with ratatouille completely stole the show. The skin was beautifully crisp, the fish tender and flaky, and the Provençal vegetable stew underneath had just enough warmth and balance. This was a seaonsal dish offered twice in their menu. Elegant, flavorful, and well done. We opted in for one glass of wine to pair with the main branzino sea bass and loved how thoughtfully everything was chosen. The Beaujolais was a standout for me. Light, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. We wrapped things up with the crème brûlée, which came out with a perfectly crackly sugar top and creamy vanilla custard underneath. Simple, classic, and very satisfying. Service felt attentive without hovering, and the pacing of the meal stayed relaxed and enjoyable. The only con is the seating could have been less in the direct flow of air conditioning. Other than that, if you are looking for a charming French spot in Pasadena, especially during Dine LA, Perle is an easy yes. I would happily come back again.

French onion soup, angle two
Huynh A.

Came here with my date for Dine LA dinner, and overall it was a really solid experience. She ordered the duck parfait toast, French onion soup, sea bass ratatouille, and crème brûlée. I had the French onion soup, sea bass ratatouille, and the cheese board for dessert. The duck parfait toast was pretty good. There's a very thin slice of duck prosciutto on top -- it doesn't look like much, but it's very rich and fatty. Definitely don't eat the prosciutto by itself. Make sure to eat it with the toast and the pâté, otherwise it can be a bit much and might even make you feel nauseous if you overdo it. The French onion soup was delicious and not overly salty, which I appreciated. The bread was thick, about half an inch, topped with melted cheese, and there was a good amount of onions underneath. Comforting without being heavy. The branzino ratatouille was the standout. Super light, really flavorful, and well balanced. The sea bass came perfectly cooked and sat on top of a ladleful of ratatouille. There was a green sauce on the plate -- not sure what it was, but it reminded me of chimichurri and worked really well with everything. Honestly, I could eat three of these. No idea if this is technically "healthy," but if eating like this is what clean eating looks like, I'm in. For dessert, the cheese board came with a piece of brie, three quarter-slices of gruyère, some fig jam, a small cup of grapes, and a few slices of toast that were a little on the harder side. It reminded me of having grapes and cheese with wine -- more of a light snack or casual dessert. The crème brûlée was much bigger than expected. I'm used to the small ramekins, but this one was easily shareable for two, maybe even three people, which was a nice surprise. A couple things worth noting: the pacing was a bit slow, with some downtime between courses. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of. Ambiance-wise, it was pretty loud inside, to the point where we had to raise our voices to carry on a conversation. Outdoor seating might be a better option if you're looking to actually talk -- as long as cigarette smoke from nearby restaurants isn't an issue for you. Overall, really good food and a solid spot if you're in the area or checking out Dine LA. Definitely worth a visit, just depends on what kind of vibe you're going for.

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Great restaurant for a vegan and a meat eater to share a delicious, fancy French meal!

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2 years ago

Delicious. Loved the decor and be seated at the bar for dinner. We're excited to have discovered this great restaurant.

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Great restaurant really nice inside. Service was also amazing. Overall quality of food very high. Good place for special occasions.

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Me and my wife celebrated our annniversary here, great food, service & ambiance! Loved it!

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Perle Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Perle Restaurant

Do they do brunch?

No, not currently

Are there outdoor heaters?

Yes.

Can I make a reservation on valentine'day,but must join valentine menu or can order regular menu?

You can order from The regular menu

Can we bring wine?

Yes, our corkage is $30 per/750ml bottle.

What is the usual dress attire? Are shorts acceptable?

Yes, nice shorts are good. Elegant looking place but casual and not stuff. Also had sidewalk outdoor dining.

Do you have kids menu? We plan to come here with the family for a birthday celebration.

Yes, they have a children's menu that has a pasta option and I believe a petite steak option.

Are we able to order take out?

Yes, we do offer takeout from 5-8pm Wednesday - Sunday. Please visit this link and scroll down to Takeout :… Read more

Do you have bone marrow as a dish?

They have bone-marrow bordelaise sauce, which was amazing.

Does your menu still have soufle?

Yes, the chocolate soufflé is on the menu.

How rushed does the meal feel if you have a 9:00pm reservation? Is there still a chance to have dessert?

Hi! There wouldn’t be any rush if you had a 9pm reservation. You would have ample time for dessert — our Apple Tarte Tatin is regarded as the best in LA by the LA Times and Eater, by the way :)

What is the corkage policy?

Hi, we have a $40 corkage fee.

How do you order a vegan meal online? Website menu says "vegan options available on request" but online ordering has zero items marked vegan, and no options to choose to make them vegan.

In the notes section, simply write “vegan” for any dishes you’d like to be made vegan and the chef will make it for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

How is parking around here?

There's paid parking across the street or 90 min free city parking by Armory Art center.

How do I make a reservation?

You can make a reservation via the website: Perlerestaurant.com… Read more

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Entre Nous French Bistro - Escargots de Bourgogne.

Entre Nous French Bistro

4.4(442 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$$

塞翁失馬,焉知非福,人生所有的失去,都藏著另一種成全,世間萬物,禍福相依,一時的得失,從來不是人生的結局~…read more 今天來介紹一家在 也是在Pasadena 新發現的小店, 法國餐,環境從裡到外都很優雅, 食物, 從麵包, 鍋牛前菜, 沙拉, 主菜 mussels, 鱈魚, 菲力, 通通都90 分以上, 我們三個女生都很喜歡,甜點表現較爲普通, 一進門就看到一個帥哥侍者,,令人眼睛一亮,這點也加分, 但是飲料只有啤酒, 可樂, 紅白酒, 沒有調酒,這點就小小的扣分, 整體是一家會讓人印象深刻的浪漫小店,超級適合約會的地方,價格偏高一些,也很適合幾個女生一起過來, 有機會我會再回來的

Entre Nous delivered one of those nights you don't try to top you just let it happen…read more From the moment we sat down, Julian took care of us like we were regulars, striking that rare balance of attentive without hovering. The owners added to the warmth of the space genuinely welcoming, the kind of presence that makes a place feel personal rather than polished-for show. The sea bass was the standout: perfectly crisped skin, buttery and delicate underneath, resting over earthy lentils that soaked up every bit of flavor. Paired with a smooth Malbec, it all came together effortlessly. But honestly, the best part of the night wasn't just the food or the wine. it was the company. The soft candlelight, a shared table, and her next to me made everything taste better. A spot that feels intimate without trying too hard. Definitely coming back.

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Entre Nous French Bistro - Inside

Inside

Entre Nous French Bistro - Entrecote au poivre

Entrecote au poivre

Entre Nous French Bistro - Malbec,

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Malbec,

Union - Torchetti, so flavorful

Union

4.1(1.9k reviews)
0.0 mi
$$$

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

We ate here on 05/29/2026 for the second time, and overall it was a great visit. We first dined…read morehere about a year ago; however, I feel it has dropped one star from before. However, I'm sure this restaurant will do fine, as it has been a part of Pasadena for so long. We had a reservation for 7:30pm, and we were seated in the back of the restaurant. I didn't even know they had a back room, as last time we sat in the front. All of the dishes tonight were shared, except for the drink. I had the White Lotus drink, which was very similar to an Aperol Spritz. We shared the Pork Meatballs. These were 5 out of 5. They were so tasty, dense, large and the sauce and spice were perfect. We then shared the Mushroom Gnocchi. This is exactly how it sounds; however, I felt it was definitely lacking flavor, and would give it a 4 out of 5. We then moved on to the main course, which was the Pork Chop with an Apricot Sauce and a herb salad with fruit. I would give this dish a 5 out of 5, excellent. We ended the meal with the Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble. This was kind of the disappointment of the meal. It wasn't bad; however, it was not a crumble; we didn't taste any strawberry or rhubarb. The ice cream on the top was the highlight of this dish. It would get a 2 out of 5. Our server was very nice; however, a little rushed at times, especially during the early part of our service when the restaurant was nearly to capacity. Overall, a good to great visit. I would still return again in the future.

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Union - Inside

Inside

Union - Spaghetti Alla Chitarra

Spaghetti Alla Chitarra

Union - Olive Oil Cake

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Olive Oil Cake

Holy Saints - Barnyard Bolognese

Holy Saints

4.6(203 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$$

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

Got together with friends for an overdue dinner at Holy Saints on a Saturday evening. Made a…read morereservation for 7:15 and got seated quickly (didn't have to wait for the other couple). I ordered the bread plate and the BBQ butter was unique and really good. Friends ordered the griddle cakes and potato appetizers, both very good and decent portion sizes. For dinner my husband got the lamb (because they were out of the catch of the day which he was looking forward to), I got the pasta without prosciutto, friends got the shrimp and grits (head on shrimp hard to manage when they are covered in sauce but it was very tasty) and he got the same pasta dish as me with the prosciutto. We all agreed the food overall was better than good. The service felt strange. We were greeted with a friendly smile but once we started ordering dinner and made a joke about wanting to make a substitution (which we knew ahead they don't do) it felt like things changed. Maybe it was earlier when one of us asked if they could close the front door because it was drafty and cold (no they can't close the front door). Can't quite put a finger on it. Our reservation was at 7:15. By 8:30 the place was empty except for us. We were finishing up but weren't done. We weren't offered a dessert menu but instead they started putting up the chairs and by 8:45 they turned some of the lights off. They close at 9 but it was obvious they all wanted to get things closed up so we got our check and left. Overall, $250 for 4 people produced a tasty meal for each of us but in Pasadena where we have a LOT of choices we probably won't be back. Especially when a place states "no substitutions" and they also won't accept any requests for meat to be cooked to a certain temp. To me that seems to indicate the kitchen staff is either handcuffed, or they are unable to act on the fly if someone needs to make a change or wants their meet cooked medium well. I want to 100% enjoy my meal and experience when I go out and spend good money and Holy Saints wasn't that for me.

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Holy Saints - Dining on the patio

Dining on the patio

Holy Saints - Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes

Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes

Holy Saints - Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes

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Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes

Shiro - Crepes special

Shiro

4.2(463 reviews)
2.2 mi
$$$

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

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

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Shiro - Interior

Interior

Shiro - Special menu "Grilled artichoke"

Special menu "Grilled artichoke"

Shiro - Salmon

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Salmon

The 1894 - Gets super busy - Friday evening around 530pm

The 1894

4.5(72 reviews)
0.8 mi
$$

If you love books, wine, and that cozy intellectual vibe, 1894 is an absolute must-visit in…read morePasadena. This bar is tucked inside Vroman's Bookstore (already one of the most charming and iconic bookstores in the area) so the entire experience feels like stepping into a warm, literary universe. You can browse for a new book, take in the bookstore's atmosphere, and then walk straight into the bar. Honestly, it's the perfect outing. What makes 1894 truly special is how intentionally it celebrates literature. Everything in the bar pays homage to the bookstore. The drink menu is full of clever, book-inspired names. You'll find cocktails like Pride and PearJudice Pride, Fifty Shades of Earl Grey, and other fun literary twists. Every drink feels like a little wink to readers, writers, and book lovers, and it adds such a unique charm to the experience. The vibe is super quaint and warm, dim lighting, and a creative atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours. The wine is on the pricier side ($19-$21 per glass), but the quality delivers. Customer service was excellent. One of the bartenders spent time chatting with us. He pointed out a chalk artwork behind the bar a dramatic portrait he drew himself featuring expressive, literary-style faces, like Edgar Allan Poe, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, etc. It fits perfectly with the creative, bookish aesthetic of the bar. If you're into books, wine, and unique experiences, 1894 is a spot you absolutely can't miss. Perfect for a date, a solo unwind-with-a-book moment, or a fun night with friends who appreciate a good story and a great drink.

Cute little place inside Vroman's to get a glass of wine and read! I saw that they have live jazz…read moremusic on Thursdays sometimes so I hope to check that out. Good ambiance!

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The 1894 - French Pilsner and truffle popcorn

French Pilsner and truffle popcorn

The 1894 - 2 drinks trying to get "picked up"  Floral Spritz & Pride & Pearjudice

2 drinks trying to get "picked up" Floral Spritz & Pride & Pearjudice

The 1894 - The Warm Brie & Baguette with honey - absolutely fantastic!!

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The Warm Brie & Baguette with honey - absolutely fantastic!!

Fishwives - Sampler platter - called "the fish"

Fishwives

4.2(1.7k reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

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

Fishwives really knows how to batter and fry their seafood, fries, and pickles! The Fried Pickles,…read morewhich came with a delicious salsa verde, were fried to perfection--golden and crispy! The True Cod Fish & Chips were also fried perfectly. The special of the day menu was the Miso Black Cod, which was a great appetizer! The black cod was delicate and so good! I also had the Portland Maine Lobster Roll, which satiated my lobster roll craving. The Shrimp Cocktail was plump and succulent! The restaurant is cute and quaint with an open-window area! It's a great spot for a girls' night out or a date night. I'd definitely be coming back when I'm in the Old Town Pasadena!

Photos
Fishwives - Dungeness Crab Roll

Dungeness Crab Roll

Fishwives - Lobster Roll

Lobster Roll

Fishwives - Fresh but under seasoned albacore, amberjack, salmon, ponzu vinaigrette

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Fresh but under seasoned albacore, amberjack, salmon, ponzu vinaigrette

Bistro de la Gare - Amazing desserts!

Bistro de la Gare

3.9(624 reviews)
2.3 mi
$$$

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.

VIBES. This local spot has them in abundance…read more I love french food. I loved working at a french restaurant. I love going to france. I minored in french in college. ...but this place is more than just Francophile pandering, the LOCAL VIBES. SUUUPER GOOD steak frites, an absolute staple. Magical chill spot for a relaxing dinner. My wife and I go here to relax after a long day. The food is consistently stellar. Note to all idiots: the slow service is on purpose. If you want to be in n out, go to in n out. Note the timing. Was there a pause between dishes? Was the pause between that and your next dish the same? OMG I just figured something out about restaurant service. Good work. Good for you.

Photos
Bistro de la Gare - Quaint little bar.

Quaint little bar.

Bistro de la Gare - Prosciutto de Parma

Prosciutto de Parma

Bistro de la Gare

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La Vie - Roasted Duck with Orange Sauce

La Vie

3.9(370 reviews)
7.0 mi
$$$

I love their Sea Bass. It's always cooked to perfection…read more Come to La Vie if you want a quick fix of French cuisine in a kitschy looking restaurant with an 90s Asian flair. Check if they are open also as they are only open on certain days and only for dinner I think. Once I went there they turned us away because I think the kitchen was closed for dinner.

Hidden gem for classic French food in Rosemead…read more La Vie Restaurant has been a family-owned mom-and-pop restaurant for over 30 years, and you can definitely feel the old-school charm the moment you walk in. The decor may not be modern or trendy, but the food is comforting, reasonably priced, and gives that nostalgic neighborhood French restaurant vibe. One thing I really appreciated is that the main entrée comes with soup of the day, a simple salad, bread, and coffee -- hard to find that kind of full-course experience nowadays. We started with the escargot and it was honestly the highlight for me. The garlic butter and herbs were so flavorful, and dipping the warm bread into the sauce made it even better. Le Potage du Jour - Split Pea Soup Les Escargots de Bourgogne - Snails, Garlic Butter & Herbs Le Canard au Grand Marnier - Roast Duckling with Orange Sauce La Carré D'Agneau Bergerie - Roast Rack of Lamb with Garlic Crust Soufflé au Grand Marnier The lamb and duck were decent and nicely portioned, though next time I'd probably explore some of their other dishes. The Grand Marnier soufflé was a nice sweet finish to end the meal. They also have their own parking lot, which is always a plus. Just note they're only open Thursday-Sunday after 5pm, and reservations are definitely recommended especially during weekend.

Photos
La Vie - Their dining room

Their dining room

La Vie - Le Canard au Grand Marnier

Le Canard au Grand Marnier

La Vie - Dinner salad complements of an entree

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Dinner salad complements of an entree

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Another one of our favorite servers/ sommelier

The Cellar - A Wine Library

4.5(607 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Great wine selection. We went on a Saturday around 5:30 p.m. before the evening rush and ordered a…read morecheese and fruit charcuterie board along with several glasses of wine. We ended up staying until about 9:30 p.m. and never felt rushed or pressured to order more. The staff was very friendly and made excellent recommendations, especially considering we were a bit picky -- one vegetarian, one pescatarian, and the other only likes dessert wines!! Definitely coming back with less picky people

Waiter Manuel. This…read moreis a review reflected on you, solely. Being kind is the moral of the story, from the beginning you were passive agressive with your comments and tone. Being in a party of 4 girls coming from high tea, we were dressed in elegant dresses, first comment was asking if we were coming from church, followed by eye flutters, short "okay" with an upward inflation to a joke about the day, an impatient comment about hurrying up and trying the wine while we were talking, asked for water when we were out, were left to pour the rest of our wine, didn't ask how the food was all the while was attentive to the table behind us, the cherry on top comment was when we were discussing the bill at the end, he was hovering at the table behind ours, then when we were ready, we asked to split the bill into 2, my portion on mine and the rest on another card, he then said "this isn't like a drive through, we can't do it that way" so I asked him to explain his comment, cause it was passive agressive and rude. After he wasnt able to becuase he wasnt expecting me to call out his rude comment, I had to then break it down and specify what I had ordered, he then sold "okayyyy....so how much, cause we don't itemize?" I had to again express for him to specify how they do it cause he has still yet to explain where his attitude is coming from and explain how they do their check splits, from my understanding it just felt like he wanted to play dumb and make me to the math, one I did he was like "ohh, okay" should have asked for the manager but we paid and left, I hasnt had this experience before being a returning customer, but he needs an attitude adjustment as his attitude was completely out of pocket. Do better Manuel, you alone got your place of work a 1 star. The rest of the staff was kind, facility beautiful and food and wine was good. This restaurant is not reflected in the 1 star.

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The Cellar - A Wine Library - The coolest atmosphere.

The coolest atmosphere.

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Bordeaux

Bordeaux

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Wine selection for the night

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Wine selection for the night

Perle Restaurant - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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