Great food! I've been coming since they opened and love the food. Highly recommend the rigatoni, squid ink pasta. Polenta and fresh baked bread. The back seating area is even better than the front dining section. Parking lot on Union is conveniently across the street in Union street. I knocked 2 points off because of the service the last few times. We asked the bread be served with the pasta and polenta so we could dip the fresh baked bread into the sauces. Salad came first. No problem. The mains arrived but not the bread. Asked a server since ours was no where to be found. Nothing. Finally got the attention of our waitress and let her know we had not received the bread. No apologies but just annoyance from the server. We wait. We stop eating wanting to eat them with the bread. Mains get cold. If we had continued to eat the bread would have arrived as dessert. Finally war bread arrives so we have it with our cold pasta and mains. Again no acknowledgment or even smile. We were celebrating a birthday and it killed the experience. I'll still come back but never for a celebration or when service if important. Very disappointed with the past few visits so I'm being generous with a 3 star rating. read more

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TLDR: my go-to in SGV for handmade pasta, good service. Parking street/meter, or garage on Union st. Highlights were the charred octopus and squid ink lumache, though some dishes were too salty, and desserts fell flat Our second visit to Union did not disappoint when it came to fresh, perfectly al dente pasta. The menu has changed since our last visit, but we found plenty to enjoy. We shared two appetizers, a salad, and two pastas, which were enough to leave us comfortably full. Javier, our waiter, was friendly, knowledgeable, and even reassured us that all cheeses were pasteurized. We were seated in the back of the restaurant where it was a bit dim at first, but we eventually adjusted to the cozy, intimate lighting. The charred octopus was a standout! Beautifully cooked with smoky eggplant and a hint of tartness and spice. As for the pastas, the ragu remains a classic favorite, rich, hearty, and balanced with a creamy ricotta that ties it all together. The squid ink lumache was another favorite, rich with seafood flavor and balanced by bright lemon. The wild mushrooms, usually a favorite, were unfortunately too salty this time, even after we asked for less salt. The Treviso salad was just okay; my husband didn't enjoy the bitterness from the endive, though the candied pecans were a nice touch. We also tried the pistachio gelato and strawberry hibiscus sorbet for dessert, but both were underwhelming. The gelato barely tasted like pistachio, more like a very muted vanilla, and the sorbet was just alright. Both melted quickly, making them not as enjoyable. Union remains a solid choice for pasta, but I'd skip dessert next time. read more

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Such a yummy night out! Definitely book a reservation for Friday and Weekend meals as this place can get pretty packed. The service was warm and relaxing, we never felt rushed during our meal. There's al fresco dining available in the converted street parking area that's covered, some high top bar counter seating, and tables throughout. It was recommended to share family style, so we started with the Charred Octopus - perfectly grilled, not dry or chewing - which comes with a medley of Mediterranean inspired fresh veggies (chickpeas, fennel, red onion, tomatoes, squash, and corn) that balanced the charred octopus well. For the first plate, we chose a house made Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe that had a generous amount of pecorino romano (though not too salty) and a silky egg. The pasta had a great chew as well and perfectly al dente. The second/meat plate, we enjoyed the absolutely lovely and must-try Herb Crusted Lamb. Cooked medium rare and sliced in half, the chop was exquisite and not too gamey. The roasted cauliflower in a charred green garlic jus added levity to the dish. We finished our meal with two desserts, though one would have been plenty for the two of us. The Coconut Cheesecake is topped with a season sorbet and tart passion fruit, which balances the rich and creamy cheesecake (though the passion fruit overpowered the coconut). OMG, the Crostata di Nocciole will have me coming back! The bittersweet chocolate is accented with the raspberry sauce, and the hazelnut is present throughout each bite. We enjoyed the prosecco-based cocktails, but they also have a nice selection of wines that will complement your meal. I look forward to my next meal at Union! read more

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We make a visit every time we're in town for work! We usually stay in Pasadena, and even if we don't, Union is always a stop for dinner! Their pasta is amazing, and I'm obsessed with the giardiniera this is served with the bread. The seasonal salad with citrus fruits was amazing as well! I'm still thinking about it since our last visit! read more

Hadn't been back in a bit and glad we did. We have their mushroom starter which as perfection. None of us were fans of the scallop crudo has a weird grape on it. The Arugula salad was tasty with the perfect amount of dressing. They beets were also tasty but were missing something to give it texture. The spaghetti was absolutely incredible, it's impossible to share one as it's so good so make sure to get your own. The eggplant rigatoni is very unique and worth a try we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Drinks were ok, they don't have a full bar. The place was packed on a Sunday night. Our server was hilarious and made great recommendations. read more

Was invited to a birthday dinner at Union tonight. I do not make it to Pasadena that often so a chance at a new spot is always welcome. The location is easy to get to and there are many parking options around from street meter to garage. The restaurant has outdoor seating which is great for those beautiful California nights. I arrived a little later than the rest of the party and they had already ordered appetizers. There was a mushroom dish that everyone loved so much they ordered two. I don't like mushrooms but the polenta base was very good. We also had the octopus that I can say is one of the best I've had. The smoked pepper flavor on the octopus was stellar. And I have to say it was even on the cold side when I got to it and it was not rubbery at all, which can happen when you get to cold octopus. We also knocked off the arugula salad. There were give of us in our party. I didn't order any alcohol because they do not really have cocktails that I could tell. It seemed more of a wine And spritz type of cocktail menu. But my Arnold Palmer was pretty good. No true cocktails and my next thing are the reason for only four stars. The service was actually very good. They changed the plates and silverware between courses, which I love. Attentive throughout which is a must. The music was just loud enough to hear but not too loud to make you shout. My issue was that we all ordered separate dishes and NONE of the food came out at the same time. They literally came out one at a time and minutes after the first. So it was either eat by yourself or eat cold food. That was very confusing to me. The food was phenomenal. I had the Ragu that was so good. So flavorful and so filling. I didn't get to taste anyone else's dish. Largely because by the time things came there wasn't anything around to sample. We finished with a nice birthday presentation of the olive oil cake, that was lighter than I'm used to but good. And the chocolate Bonet. That I didn't try because I don't like chocolate. All in all, I would 100% go back to Union. I would just ask for our food to come out at the same time. read more

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tl;dr the farm-to-table Italian fare is elegant yet approachable and deliciously well-executed As a whole, I've found the Pasadena dining scene to be more superficial than substantial. But Union has remained an Old Town Pasadena darling since opening in 2014. And the Mediterranean cucina isn't just locally recognized; Union has even earned Bib Gourmand recognition from the Michelin Guide. Everything, from pickles to pasta, is prepared in-house, featuring locally sourced ingredients, and the menu rotates seasonally with a few year-round fan favorites. The brick storefront would be easy to miss if not for the lit-up streetery. Originally occupying a single space, the ground floor of a small townhome, Union recently expanded its dining area to include an airy yet intimate back room. Hanging globes cast a warm glow upon the exposed brick ceilings and exposed bronzed ductwork. Black-and-white Italian neorealism films play with subtitles, and moody instrumental tunes fit the dimly lit space. My partner and I made a reservation for an early weekend dinner, and the front dining room was already packed. We began our meal with the Bread & Giardinere. The warm, thickly sliced bread sported an extra-crispy crust, and it was served beside a generous portion of soft, salted butter. The mason jar of giardinere (assorted Italian pickles) felt out of place, but it functioned as a refreshing, palate-cleansing accompaniment. The thinly sliced Local Wild Mushrooms (one of Union's signature dishes) were an earthy delight, but they were outdone by the dish's melt-in-your-mouth polenta and the zingy sherry-based sauce. Meanwhile, the whole Charred Octopus tentacle had an excellent texture and even better flavor (charcoal-y smokiness met a light brininess); admittedly, the basil-forward fennel salad felt like an afterthought. The pasta dishes both featured thick noodles to accentuate their al dente texture. The Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe was my favorite plate of the night. The poached egg mixed at tableside enhanced the already rich sauce. Meanwhile, the signature Torchetti (paired with a slightly thin pork ragu) was surprisingly light, with a mild heat; the best component was the crispy fried rosemary. Throughout the night, service was attentive, and the staff worked like clockwork to bring food, clear plates, and bring the check. We were in and out in just over an hour, but we never felt rushed. Our bill totaled $150 (after tax and tip), and we felt appropriately full. In short, the relatively simple dishes were expertly executed. Similarly, the ambiance was sophisticated without feeling stuffy. If you're looking for an intimate date night or a celebratory occasion, Union will fit the bill. read more

Union - Charred Octopus - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I visited Union with high expectations, but unfortunately the evening landed squarely in the "mid-at best" category. We ordered several items across starters, pasta, and mains, hoping to be pleasantly surprised. The first dish, the panzanella from the "Start" section of the menu, arrived and looked promising, but we found it underwhelming. As we moved on, the pastas and other plates followed a similar pattern: competent, but far from exciting. The spaghetti with San Marzano tomato and Fresno chili, the tonnarelli cacio e pepe, and even a more ambitious squid ink lumache dish all landed in the "okay" zone rather than shining. Union's menu clearly gives the impression of elevated Italian/Cal-Cal fare, but the execution felt uninspired this night. Service added to the let-down. Our server singled out our uneaten bread and cheese starter and made us feel awkward for not finishing it. That kind of comment, especially when you're already feeling lukewarm about the food experience, was unnecessary and left a sour note. In summary: Union is not the worst meal I've had, but it's also not great. With its price point, location, and expectation set by its presentation and menu, it simply should have been better. I would not return based on this experience. read more

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Located in old town Pasadena, on Union street. It was smaller than I was expecting but they do have both indoor and outdoor seating. The vibes inside reminded my friends of NYC. If you're ever craving Italian pasta - this is the place to go. Absolutely loved every single dish we ordered. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you order from here. Here is everything we ordered and loved. No bad thing to say about any of it. They were alll super delicious and flavorful. - pork meat balls - local wild mushrooms - one of the best dishes ever. - arugula salad - eggplant rigatoni - Campanelle (pork ragu) - squid ink lumache - fettuccine (duck ragu) Service was good. We came during dinner rush so it was a little busy but the servers did their best. read more

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Great little Italian restaurant right by CalTech. Street parking or paid garage parking right across the street. The restaurant is very intimate and is perfect for a date night. They have rail seating at the bar with maybe 5-6 stools. Menu is great. Everything (including sauces and pastas) are made in house. Great wine and wine cocktails. Server was attentive as he could be. He forgot to put in 2 of our items but it was ok because we ordered plenty of food for the 4 of us. Definitely would love to come back. read more

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I would give this restaurant 4.5 stars but it won't let me. It's not quite 5 starts because we were constantly told to order everything together and all the appetizers would come together all the mains would come together and so forth and they would take care of it the appetizers were fine but even thought we ordered together my husbands fish came out 20 minutes before the rest of the pastas and it took atleast another 8 minutes for my Mother's timballo to come out. If you're telling me to give you all of my orders at once then they should come out in a timely manner so everyone can enjoy together. That being said everything was delicious and I would go back. read more

When I am in Pasadena for work this is a must stop for dinner (if you can get a table). It's warm, comfortable, and not pretentious. The staff are friendly and know the menu and wine list well. I've not had a bad meal here. The pastas and salads are my go to on the menu. From inventive to comfort the pastas deliver and the salads are a farmers market on your plate. Yummm read more

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Came in on a Thursday evening and it wasn't busy at all, which made the experience even more surprising. Let me start with the food -- 5/5. Absolutely delicious. The meatballs were a standout and full of flavor. The torchetti was easily my favorite dish of the night. We also ordered the tonnarelli cacio e pepe -- it was solid, but not as impressive as the other two dishes. Unfortunately, the service was a 1/5. Our server, Raul, wasn't very friendly and didn't really explain the menu or engage with us at all. He took our order without writing anything down, and about 15 minutes later came back asking what we had ordered -- and we hadn't received a single item yet. That was already concerning. He stopped by once to ask how the food was and then disappeared. We had to flag him down just to get the bill and a container to pack our leftovers. After paying, we waited around wondering where our leftovers were. Ten minutes later we flagged him down again, and he said he would check on it. Another ten minutes passed before we finally got our food and were able to leave. It's disappointing because the food truly deserves recognition. If service matched the kitchen, this would easily be a top-tier spot. As it stands, I'd come back for the food -- but hopefully with a different server. read more

The restaurant is in a cute area of Pasadena where there's a lot of other bars, restaurant and dessert spots. There's no designated parking so you'll have to test your luck with street parking or pay for parking in the structure across the street. The restaurant is dimly lit and is pretty small. It's a good spot for a cute date night or for a small group. The food is great. We had the meatballs and charred octopus for appetizers. And for pasta, we had the squid ink lumache, torchetti, cacio e pepe, and spaghetti. We (party of 3) dined family style. The meatballs were dense but not overly filling and the octopus was cooked well. It wasn't rubbery and had good flavor. My favorite pasta was the torchetti and my least favorite was the cacio e Pepe. Had the olive cake for dessert and it was amazing. Very moist and paired well with the berries and vanilla ice cream. Service was good. Pretty standard. The food was out pretty quickly and quality didn't suffer. read more

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We attended the Feast of the Seven Fishes that was offered in 2-seatings (5:00 pm and 7:30 pm) on Christmas Eve for $135.00 plus tax and tip. A wine pairing was offered for $45 plus tax and tip. Both were a great bargain considering how much food you get and the number of pours as well. Most plates are served for 2 to share. Only the lobster hot dog was served one per person. The first seating ran over a little, so we did not get seated until almost 8:00 pm. Probably would have been better to set time for the 2nd seating to be 8:00 pm instead of 7:30 pm. The dinner started off with courses 1, 2, and 4 being so delicious. Course 3, the lobster hot dog was a miss for me. The spiciness of the dish overpowered the delicate flavor of the lobster dog. The worst of the night was the 5th course, calamari risotto. Never serve risotto when you're doing a special event where you're serving the entire dining room the same courses. Risotto is already hard enough to prepare properly but to do it in bulk just asks for problems. In our case, it was like eating mush - a gummy mess of overcooked rice with a few undercooked bits found within. The final 2 savory courses were fine, though the halibut with shaved black truffles leaned toward a miss for me. Panko crusted, the halibut was crispy but the flavor and texture reminded me of the golden arches' hash browns. The truffle was shaved too thick and just sprinkled over the halibut, so they added nothing to the dish. They were neither aromatic in smell nor taste. The dinner ended with a Butterscotch Panna Cotta which was prepared nicely but too sweet for my palate. One dessert to be shared by 2. That's fine if you're on a date, etc. A bit awkward if you're with co-workers. *I received a nasty email on January 13, 2025, calling me names and being pathetic for trying to use flashy words in my review to mask the fact that I am nothing more than a grumpy old man. I only posted 4 reviews in the last 2 months, and this is the one that closely matched what Chance from SF emailed me. I hope that's not the case. read more

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Decided to come for an early Mother's Day celebration and the union did not disappoint. Our server went over the menu and told us their current most popular items. My mom wanted something she saw on Yelp - Fettuccine duck ragu, unfortunately our server told us they changed the menu so that was no longer an option. However we were reassured that everything on the menu was a good choice. We started off with their bread- we all thought it would be plain baked bread because there wasn't any description, but found out it was sour dough bread after tasting it..kinda wish we knew that before hand bc me and my sister don't like sour dough, but the pickle veggies that it came with made up for it. We got some mushroom appetizer which was very delicious, but honestly felt like a main vegetarian dish rather than an appetizer. I got a drink called White lotus, honestly, it was disappointing and tasted just like a rose, I was expecting more. Our pastas were the main star of the show. My mom ended up getting the Squid Ink Lumache , me and my mom's bf got Casio e pepe, and my sister got the Torchetti. However, we all loved my mom's dish! It had a nice lobster flavor with a hint of lemon. I was kinda worried bc my mom is very picky but I was happy she liked her dish a lot. The Casio e Pepe tasted like a carbonara without the cured pork, very creamy and thickkk. We ended off with the olive oil cake, we all couldn't quite put our finger on what it tasted similar to till after we finished. It tastes like a moist muffin, the tops only! Iykyk :P Overall, I'd give this place a five star solely on the pasta, I docked a star for the sourdough bread, the small space, and the drink. They should really have the servers state what kind of bread it is.. they could've said something like "tonight the kitchen decided to make sourdough bread for today's homemade bread" something along those lines. So the customers can decide if they still want it. My drink, I was hoping would be something that reminds you of the white lotus, floral, sweet, and refreshing, the drink didn't give that at all. Since the space is quite small, it's not great for larger parties. Our table was placed very close to the next table and both tables could hear each other which felt uncomfortable. I wouldn't call this upscale due to the lack of space and design. But more homie vibes. read more

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My boyfriend and I came in here for a date night dinner. We were excited to experience another Michelin star restaurant. The indoor aesthetic is incredibly charming and intimate, but it seems like it's for any occasion as families with kids were enjoying meals as well. We made a reservation ahead of time and were promptly seated. Our waitress was knowledgeable about their wine selection and offered choices, based on our preferences. We shared the wild mushrooms (not pictured), which were my preferred appetizer. The pork meatballs were a hearty portion but were a little dry. The squid ink pasta was decadent and the lobster was juicy. The sauce coating the fish of the day was punchy and was a little different than what I was expecting. We were too full for dessert, unfortunately! I can see why they earned their star, but I would prefer trying other spots before making a second visit. read more

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Everything was delicious! We came for a small birthday dinner and the food didn't disappoint. The pasta was cooked to perfection, keep in mind the lasagna is a little bit spicy but not overwhelming. I also got their dessert moscato wine and it was simply divine. Inside they have a very nice and intimate atmosphere. My only criticism was that for the reservation I had put down that we were celebrating a birthday and I wished they acknowledged it a little, if I had know I probably would've chosen a different place. read more

Union - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

My ABSOLUTE favorite pasta restaurant. Every single item on their menu is SUPERB. My all time favorite is their Spaghetti, NOT the one with meatballs. My husband's favorite is the cacio e pepe. My kids' favorites are the squid ink lumache and the kids spaghetti (not spicy). Bread & giardiniere is a must. The octopus is a must. Their seasonal salad is a must too. Their desserts are ALWAYS good, no matter what u get. Always packed, casual to semi-casual vibe, sometimes hard to get to reservations, but hosts and servers are always nice and open to walk ins. Can you tell I love this place? read more

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The food here is so mediocre. There are many other better places in the area. The pasta sauce tasted slightly off, the carrots were undercooked, and the crudo was poorly prepared. Service was good but I wouldn't return. read more

Food:4 Service :4 Ambiance:3.5 Food is the star. It's a small restaurant that has a small kitchen so things come out when they come out. This was preface by our server. Pasta is from but chewy and perfectly done. Sauces are really good. The spicy spaghetti is likely best. There's not a lot of protein choices. The pork meatballs were a bit salty. The focaccia a bit undercooked but fine. The restaurant needs an inside refresher. It feels old and smells like an old restaurant. 6 of us. 14 dishes including appetizers and a few drinks. $600 with tip. So not bad. The meal can be a little chopped up since the portions are small and we were told it's family style. The portions were small so everyone had a fork of 1 plate shared. So it felt like we ate 14 forks of different dishes. I would order my own plate and just eat that. The portions can be shared with 2 , at most 3 people. If you redo the inside, you will have a killer product in old town. No one can compete with your pasta. Bon appetit read more

Been dying to hit this spot for a long time just never get to Pasadena from the West Side. After an hour in Saturday traffic finally made it... Parking is strange, place is on a busy street where my sister found valet for them but I was 5 minutes behind her and it was no longer there? Easily found public parking but it is busy in this area. Place was BUSY at 7pm on a Saturday inside and out and it's LOUD. Great vibe and the staff were super friendly and helpful. Small wine list only but not a problem. Started with the meatballs and octopus. Both were really solid and the meatballs are huge with great spice to them. Moved on to the Bucatini and also the squid ink pasta - bucatini was a hit but the squid ink just didn't have enough briny taste to us (but somehow we finished it). Compared to a lot of other hyped places, I thought the portion sizes and prices were where they should be. Definitely coming back to try some other items and search for the wandering valet team. read more

Union - Bucatini - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great ambiance! Pasta was good by everything had a strong acidic or citrus taste. I'd prefer more of a balanced flavor profile.

New chefs, new recipes, not so good. We had loved the food here before but now, it's quite bad. The pastas were drenched in sauce and over cooked. We ordered four pastas and none were cooked properly. The starters and sides were mediocre. $15 for bread "service" with just butter? No way. Go anywhere else. read more

I've been coming to Union in Pasadena for years, and it continues to blow me away every single time -- but my most recent visit deserves a special shoutout. Last Saturday night, our original dinner plans fell through due to a massive wait, so I called Union on a whim -- 30 minutes before closing -- to see if they could accommodate a party of 3. Without hesitation, they said yes. By the time we arrived a few minutes later, our table was ready, and we were welcomed with warmth and hospitality you don't often find anywhere, let alone right before closing. We started with beers and a round of appetizers -- the meatballs, which were tender, flavorful, and generously portioned, and the mushrooms with polenta, which completely floored us. The mushrooms were rich and earthy, and the polenta was unbelievably soft and creamy -- a perfect pairing. We also had the bread, which was so fresh it crackled when we tore into it. For being so close to closing, everything was served with so much care and quality -- nothing felt rushed. Each of us ordered a different pasta: the cacio e pepe was beautifully balanced and peppery; the sacchetti with crab ricotta was rich, delicate, and totally unique; and I had the torchetti with Calabrese pork ragu, which was hands down one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. It's been days and I still can't stop thinking about that meal. We didn't mention it to the staff, but we were there celebrating my (belated) birthday -- and even without knowing, they made us feel like royalty. That level of care, combined with phenomenal food, is why Union remains one of my all-time favorite restaurants. A true 10/10 experience. Thank you to the whole team -- I can't wait to come back. read more

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What happened? I ate here when they first opened and I remember it being fantastic. Went here last night and it was truly not good. Spaghetti was delicious (perhaps unnecessarily oily but good) Beets were fine, lacked seasoning but fine - nothing I couldn't make at home. The cacio e Pepe was truly bad. Bummer. :( read more

PASTAAAAA!!!! This was a good spot. My squid ink lobster pasta was DIVINE! It was soooo soo good. Hubs' crab pasta was unique but not his fav. The cacio e pepe was just okay. The dessert was yummyyy but not hubs' favorite. The drinks were just okay. read more

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I came here to celebrate a milestone with my partner. The food was delicious, the service was amazing. Even though it was busy our waitress made us feel important and heard. She informed us that all food is made in house and it is evident - absolutely delicious. read more

Union - Squid Ink Garganelli - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I'd heard wonderful things about the pasta at Union, so was super excited to try, and the food definitely did not disappoint! For my first visit, we shared: Snap Pea Salad: light, refreshing, and perfect for a warm summer day. Pork Meatballs: so savory and hearty! Loved the flavors and meaty texture. A generous portion that was perfect for sharing. Wild Mushrooms: delicious and a must for mushroom lovers. Bucatini: perfectly al dente and the zestiness of the pasta sauce was so light and fresh! It was hard to pick a fav pasta. Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe: really enjoyed this version of Cacio e Pepe especially with the yummy egg on top. Service was great and the ambiance was nice and welcoming as well. Would definitely recommend visiting Union when you're in Pasadena! read more

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Pictured is the torchetti and cacio e pepe. Both were divine and the pasta cooked to perfection. Also, got the kampachi crudo app which was refreshing and light to start the meal. Server was knowledgeable about menu and quick with refilling water etc. Ambiance inside reminded me of a little Italy in NY vibes, very cozy. Unfortunately, we were sat outside pretty much on the sidewalk which wasn't the greatest. Cool night and the heater was turned on! Biggest gripe was I ordered a red wine blend and for $17 the pour was short, definitely not a 6 oz pour. Total was $170 with a tip. Would maybe come back if in the area again read more

Union - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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WOW! The food, service, ambiance was amazing. I cannot recommend this place enough. I'm impressed, definitely coming back for more. read more

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If you're looking for an unforgettable meal in Pasadena, Union Restaurant is an absolute must. The vibe is intimate and lively while the service is excellent, but the food is the real star. The squid ink pasta with lobster was a standout, perfectly balanced, bright, and incredibly fresh. It's rare to find seafood pasta that feels this light yet indulgent. We also started with the focaccia and cheese, which were surprisingly sophisticated; the bread had the perfect crunch, and the cheese was high-quality and creamy. Every dish feels thoughtfully crafted. It's easily one of the best dining experiences in the area. read more

Check Your Receipt Before You Pay! I would've given this place 3 stars... until I realized they charged us more than what was listed on the menu. TLDR: We ordered a $60 bottle of wine, but when we checked the receipt after paying, we saw we were charged $70. (see attached photos) We told an employee on our way out, and he said he'd fix it, but we didn't want to linger around like we were begging for a refund, so we just left. It was only $10 but it's the principle and just something basic restaurants like this should've checked for accuracy. Now for the food -- a rollercoaster: Polenta with Mushrooms (4/5) Deliciously rich, but wow... the salt. Like "drink-an-entire-glass-of-water-after-each-bite" salty. Borderline inedible. Also some mushroom bits were chewy and untrimmed, which was weird. Still, the flavor was there so it was my second favorite dish of the night. Cacio e Pepe (5/5) Loved it! Creamy, peppery, comforting. I'd come back just for this... or honestly, try recreating it with Trader Joe's cacio and a sous vide egg at home for half the cost. Meatballs (2/5) Tough texture and tasted more like sausage filling than actual meatballs. Also too salty. Meh. Crab Sacchetti (1/5) Wayyyy too sour, unbalanced, and fishy. The sauce overpowered everything and the filling was dry. Service & Vibes Service was fine overall, but tables are close together. What threw the vibe off was the noise especially when regulars came in. Servers would stop by one by one to say hi, have loud catch-ups. Definitely not the chill, romantic dinner we were hoping for. Oh, and it was so hot and stuffy inside. I felt instant relief the second we stepped outside and it was more comfortable on the sidewalk than inside the restaurant. read more

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We ordered the arugula salad, local mushrooms, lamb pasta and red snapper. The red snapper was excellent in taste and freshness and is something I would come back for. The service was great with typically friendly and gentle Californian staff. However, the rest of the food was much too salty starting with the arugula salad. That salad was so salty I couldn't help but complain when the waiter checked in and he offered to replace it. The second version was less salty but not the best salad in the world. It's a huge mound of arugula though. The mushrooms teetered on the edge of the being too salty so were slightly uncomfortable to eat. The lamb pasta was also too salty but not as insanely salty as the first arugula. I did not enjoy the lamb pasta at all and typically enjoy lamb pasta. The saltiness was very similar across the salad, lamb and mushrooms as if there was a some vat of salt in the kitchen that they immersed all the food in. Left feeling very disappointed to the extent I felt like cleansing my palate with subpar yogurt across the street. read more

This place more than deserves its Michelin review. Recently stopped by on a weekday night for dinner. Nestled in Pasadena this spot makes for a romantic low key date night with amazing service, food and wine. We sat outside in their sidewalk seating which added to the romantic ambiance on the perfect warm September night. Our server was very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. He made some great recommendations for wine and food. I honestly have no notes. This place was 10/10 from start to finish. The food was amazing and you could taste the time, quality ingredients and skill that went into making every bite. We started with the pork meatballs which had a surprising sauce that tasted moreso like a barbecue instead of a traditional marinara. The bread was freshly baked and served with a light creamy butter that tasted like heaven when spread onto a crusty slice of the hearty bread. The spaghetti was another surprising dish as the marinara sauce was creamy, spicy and packed a punch. The pasta was perfectly Al dente and craveable. The squid ink garganelli was out of this world good. Based on everything I had I'm certain that you could probably close your eyes, point to anything on the menu and be more than happy with whatever you end up with. read more

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This place is spectacular! The service, the food the ambiance. Truly cannot recommend enough. Been here multiple times and they are consistent in their quality. read more

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Amazing Italian restaurant in Pasadena. Really good for a date nite. Staff was very nice and friendly. We were running late and they were able to accommodate us. Just call ahead and let them know. Make reservations! There is a parking garage nearby, 2 min walk. Restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. Just note we sat outside in the summer and it was still hot. Everything on the menu sounded amazing so we chose to get a couple different dishes and share. Nothing disappointed. Pasta was aldente and perfectly seasoned. Portions are not that large but enough. Definitely recommend the squid ink with lobster. Also worth noting it's not that expensive compared to a lot of places nowadays. read more

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My friend and I came here on a Saturday evening for dinner, without reservations and we luckily got seated right away, at the bar counter, which I actually really enjoyed. The restaurant itself is really cute and cozy, a bit smaller but the ambience was really nice. There was indoor and outdoor dining, and it was all really lively. We ordered the charred octopus to share, and I ordered the squid ink lumache as the main course. I really enjoyed both dishes, the lumache was so good and flavorful. The portion sizes were good, and I felt really satiated and satisfied afterwards. We shared their bread pudding dessert, which was good. It was a combination of sweet and salty, and the ice cream atop was a nice touch. Overall, this restaurant is such a gem. I had a great experience here and can't wait to come back. read more

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Food was flavorful. Service was excellent. Reason for not a 5-star rating: 1)although everyone else enjoyed the taste of the food, I found it too salty; 2)we were confined to a table enclosed by the hostess podium at a corner; and 3)the tonnarelli was not al dente although the sauce was rich and tasty. read more

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Really, really good pasta. I got the baked eggplant rigatoni and it was wonderful. Unfortunately, the portion was too generous and we didn't have room for dessert. The service was very kind and prompt. I would say, I would sit inside next time as this area seemed a bit sketchy. But overall, very good pasta spot! read more