I have to say I was really surprised with the huge wine variety. I enjoyed the bolognese pasta and a red wine the manager Eduardo recommended me. Everything was super good. I will be back to watch the magic show and one of the USA match on the patio. Thank you for the great service. read more

We went with some friends to see Gold Rush an acoustic band perform on the rooftop at Visionarium this past weekend. What an amazing performance! We were blown away by their musical excellence, amazing voices and fun repartee. The atmosphere of Visionarium is wonderful, the food was outstanding, the wine selection large, the ambiance inviting and the staff friendly. We will return! read more

I had a wonderful time performing at Visionarium Live! It's the perfect space for intimate live music and creates such a special connection between the performer and the audience. I could see people smiling, laughing, singing along, and really engaging with the show. Afterward, I heard glowing reports about the food and wine. I tried them for myself and completely agree--the food was delicious, and it was hands down one of the best glasses of wine I've had! Paolo, Tommaso, and the whole team were so kind and supportive, and they made me feel very welcome. I'd be very happy to perform there again! read more

Update: Tommasso- I do hope you have cameras to verify the fact that the rooftop was no where near full capacity shortly before 7:15pm when we arrived for our reservation. It would also be a fantastic idea for you to view your staff's lack of acknowledgement for the duration of our visit. We were the table closest to the TV. A waiter did pass by us, again, to work on the TV, not to take our order or bring us water. I recommend taking this feedback and making a learning opportunity for you and your staff. Hope you have a wonderful day! We didn't even get to eat. To be fair to them, we did book this reservation last minute so when we walked in they were completely confused as to how to seat us. There is a difference between sitting downstairs with their live band which has a cover charge of $3 and $30 min per person. The rooftop does not have a cover charge. The rooftop was nothing to write home about. The tables were crammed together. You WILL get to know your neighbors. Again, we had to have a conversation with the host who was confused but also didn't seem to really care, so gave us two seat options. Both options were incredibly close to other tables but one of them was an end table, so we opted for that one. At that point, we waited for about 15 minutes, looking directly at three different staff members trying to get their attention. In the meantime we overheard conversations from multiple tables: 1) one table complained that the host had turned off the FIFA game. (this became the main waiter's primary concern of resolving- not taking orders) 2) Another table tried to order more food but was only able to flag the busboy who happened to be trying to clear their table. We didn't stay to find out if the order ever made it in. 3) The table next to us told us we needed to be aggressive but the food was good. They also mentioned they weren't sure what the system was for taking orders. With their advice, I raised my hand to the host who turned to look at the waiter. He saw that waiter was busy. Rather than signal, some kind of "just 1 minute gesture", we were completely ignored. And at that moment, we said goodbye to our neighbors and walked out to have a lovely dinner at cannonball. Not sure if it was an off night but we won't be back. read more

This is an extremely unique restaurant. The bottom floor is accessible for those disabilities. However, the rooftop would not be be as it is upstairs. I considered this more of a wine bar than a restaurant while we did have dinner service was excellent. The food was good, but I thought it was a bit pricey for items. We had a salad with octopus, which was saturated with dressing it had a handful of baby octopus. Seafood pasta the pasta itself is a bit heavy, but the flavor was excellent As far as protein is concerned both dishes were minimal in protein. The bread was very good and is 5 dollars a serving. Dessert is a in house gelato Make sure to find out about parking they have a lot or just on the street read more

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I'm sad to leave a 2 star review as I did like coming here but given my experience last night, I won't be coming back. Pros: most servers are friendly and I love the Italian wines here. Plenty of street parking near by as well, close to the metro station if you plan to take the train. Pizza are ok, nothing to rave about. Most dishes are ok, I mostly used to come for the wine and the vibe. However, last night when I got my bill, I saw there was a 3 percent charge for the music (no big deal, happy to pay this as I love the live music here) and another 10 percent service charge. When I asked the server what this is for, he was rude and told me it's for the music. When I told him, what's the 3 percent for then? Again, I got a rude response and was pressured to give more in tip. Overall, I had a 33 percent charge for tip and music! The bartenders were amazing and I would normally tip 25-30 percent on my own for the service but I hate having unnecessary charges on the bill called "service changes" and then expect another huge tip. I won't be coming back. read more

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A must go on a Saturday - 12noon to 2 pm delicious peach Bellini, I don't recommend the mimosa it has too much oj and no sparkling wine. I wish the plates could have more flavor But the ambience and music are amazing read more

Visionarium Live Italian - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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The art work on the walls, the decor and the boutique aspect had me at "Buonasera." An Art Gallery/Shows & Events/Visionarium Club (exclusive access to private events, services and more) Love this place! From the minute you step inside you will be drawn into the space. The dining area is dimly & romantically lit making it a cozy experience. An Italian menu with a nice variety. Viola was our server. She took very good care of us! We ordered: *The Margherita Pizza 5/5 ~ excellent and easy to share The right amount of sauce and fresh mozzarella. Perfecto! *The lasagna 5/5 ~ 'molto bene' *Insalata mista 5/5 *Spaghetti Pomodoro 5/5 ~ simple, light and deliziosa *Street parking Can't wait to go back! ~ and that's all I have to say about that... read more

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Excellent pizza and gelato. Fresh ingredients Atmosphere is wonderful. Bruno was a great server. He had a custom Gelato with vanilla, bourbon and Carmel. Must try! read more

SO glad to have found an absolute gem in the heart of South Pasadena. Wine + Jazz + Italian food = We came for their jazz brunch for my friend's bday and enjoyed beautiful live music paired with delicious, authentic Italian dishes. They host live music events all the time, comedy nights too, which is such a cool way to bring the community together. There's also a rooftop if you want to enjoy some fresh air. We ordered the Limoncello, Tuscan Vermentino, and a Bellini to drink, then went full Italian with the Spaghetti Bolognese, Tagliatelle Alla Limone, Tonarelli Carbonara, and a Caprese Salad. Everything was so good. Pay them a visit! Free parking in the lot around the corner, or street parking is easy to find nearby ​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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Update: I really can't get enough of this place. I keep trying new things and I keep loving every single one. This is the ravioli pesto & pomodoro and it is divine. I'm here tonight rooftop with Rory and Johnny watching the Mexico vs Ecuador game and these guys are working a party is 20 soccer superfans like PROFESSIONALS. (I put that in caps because I'm in hospitality and I understand getting rocked on a Tuesday unexpectedly.) I love is place more and more every time I come. Don't wait to dine with them. read more

Visionarium Live Italian - Ravioli pesto & pomodoro - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

The Italian food and ambiance was lovely. We had a wonderful time. The owner was lovely.

The vibe and ambiance at Visionarium are great, but unfortunately, the food and service left much to be desired. While the food and drinks were merely average, the service was frustratingly inconsistent. We started with a wonderful server who transitioned us to two other staff members, but after that initial handoff, we were essentially ignored. Despite our efforts to flag someone down for another drink or even just a water refill, we were consistently overlooked. Even getting our check at the end of the meal was a struggle. I also have concerns regarding the 10% service charge, which the staff claims covers "free gelato samples and live music." We didn't receive any samples, nor had the music started, yet we were still expected to pay this fee on top of a standard gratuity, which felt high-pressured when the server stood over us with the card reader. To add to the confusion, I was rudely reprimanded by a manager when I politely went to check out the upstairs area, despite having been told it was fine by our server. While the space has potential, the lack of attentiveness from the staff and the questionable automatic service charges made for a disappointing experience. read more

This is a cool space in South Pasadena, with an innovative idea. Italian food plus a shop with Italian items (food, clothes, etc.) along with live music. I went with friends to see another friend perform with her singing group at a Saturday jazz brunch. The entertainment was great, and the service was good at the beginning. We had a group of 9, and we weren't all there at the same time. The waiter asked us if we were ready to order and we said we were waiting for the rest of our party. He suggested that we order now, because things could get backed up. So 6 of us ordered and the food came out fairly quickly. But the friends who arrived and ordered 20 minutes after us waited over an hour! The second set of the music was well underway, and with no food in sight, they asked for their food to be packed to go. There is a $30 minimum, so it wasn't like they could just say to forget the meal. Also, most of the items on the menu are under $30, so they actually ended up having to order a drink & a dessert to meet that requirement. Luckily, for this particular show, the cover charge was $25 but that was applied towards the $30 minimum. Each individual had to spend $30 (so no putting the check of the group together and dividing by number of guests to get an average of $30+.) However, they make delicious fresh gelato so we each got a small cup for $8.00, that brought our individual totals up. Our server Bruno, was doing the best he could under obviously overwhelming odds. We were surprised that there weren't more servers, since a lot of us had made reservations in advance which should have indicated the crowd size. The food was good but nothing memorable. My pizza had a nice tasty crust, but I feel like there was maybe 1 mushroom sliced, and hardly any meat. The flavor was good though. Friends who had the asparagus shrimp risotto said it tasted good, but were underwhelmed with the 3 small shrimp. They also ordered focaccia (no bread is included) and it didn't come out until at least 20 minutes after they got the risotto and after they asked twice. The other thing that really bothered me was the announcement that someone (owner? Booker?) made at the intermission. She said we all paid to hear the entertainment. And if people wanted to talk, they should lower their voices and respect the performers. I thought that was good & appropriate. But then she added that if she could hear the conversation, she would go on the stage, take the mic and tell everyone what she overheard, even if it was about how someone drank too much last night or etc. That was threatening and unnecessary. It was a real turn off, and I don't anticipate ever returning to this venue. I was also turned off with the notice on the menu that if you gave a 5 star review on Yelp and showed them, you would get a gift. Not sure what the gift was but I wasn't willing to give that review. I wish them luck, because venues for live music are sorely needed, but this place is not for me. read more

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I found this spot on social media. The references to Little Italy and gelato drew me in. It's purple on the facade, so it is easy to find. A nice young woman gives gelato samples on the sidewalk. I was greeted by Bruno, who has a caramel gelato named after him. The wait staff is mostly from Italy, as are the owners. I have had the bolognese and cacio Pepe pasta dishes, both wonderful. You cannot leave without trying the gelato. I went for a 2nd visit this evening and Bruno remembered me. He talked with us for a while. He has a genuine kindness and treats customers as friends. They host music nights and have a rooftop for dining as well as a ground level dining area. It's quirky and fun. The food is solid, they also have wine, a small gift shop and posters for sale, music plays as you dine and there is no rush for anyone to leave. It's quite charming and unique. read more

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I cannot begin to recommend this place enough. You HAVE to come here. Bruno is an absolute gem and gave many great recommendations. The house made gelato is especially a highlight. My favorite is the Bruno as it changes every week depending on how Bruno is feeling. 10000000/10! My fiance will definitely be coming back with family and friends soon Grazie Bruno! read more

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I came here the other day to have girl's night and it was a really nice day. We came on a Friday afternoon and it was not crowded nor busy. My friends and I were able to get seated outside where their roof/ balcony is. The place looked really nice and cute. It felt nice because we had the whole place to ourselves; so it felt like a private area. The servers were nice, but I had to take one star off because I ordered a red wine, but they gave me a glass of white wine; which I didn't want the drink to go to waste or get charged for what some people do, is call the corrected drink an "extra" drink to be charged on the bill. Other than that, the food was decent. I ordered the Focaccia Primavera; which was amazing. They don't have a parking lot; so, people will have to do street parking near by. Customer service was an 8/10 and the atmosphere is 10/10. I would definitely come back here again for some drinks and great company. read more

Visionarium Live Italian - Focaccia Primavera - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Such great service with Bruno! His custom gelato flavor is excellent. The truffle pasta was amazing, and the wine was lovely.. a perfect Sunday outing read more

Amazing restaurant. Totally recommended Great ambiance!! Service was great and nice music read more

Visionarium Live Italian - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Bruno was very kind and attentive. The staff was all very friendly and the ambiance was very romantic and date night approved. The food was all very delicious!! When I went, there was a performance happening, definitely enjoyed this place! Amazing 10/10 read more

Visionarium Live Italian - prosciutto and burrata - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

What a lovely experience on the quaint Mission street in South Pasadena. This place is like an oasis with a warm light beckoning your welcome. It's all Italian, there are boutique items such as hats, purses, scarves t-shirts and more all "made in Italy". This evening we were treated with a three piece performance with vocalist, piano and base. The songs were of my favorite genre blues, jazz, pop etc. Ginny's voice was angelic but with a sultry air, her rendition of Fever was spot on! We managed to take a short tour of the place that offered a vast array of specialty Italian products, including linguette (crisp cracker sheets) and taralli. They had numerous and impressive wines (averaging $50). Letizia, took us upstairs to a lady's boutique filled with Italian elegance all designed by our host who is from Florence. Then right next door was the men's boutique that was equally impressive! The food was very good, we split a marguerita pizza that was spot on! I ordered the Gamberetti e Asparagi risotto, it was very tasty and perfectly made, I only wish they could have added another half handful of gamberetti, it would have made it perfect. The Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe my friend had was excellent! This place is so vibrant and fun accompanied by good food and music, they truly have a handle on a good thing, I wish them well! The BTG wine was an excellent Vermentino for $15 was reasonable from their vast collection. As an aside please be aware that they automatically add a10% employee wage supplement to your bill. Thank you for offering such a great Italian gem! Ciao...Cristina read more

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We've been here multiple times. The service is amazing. The food is extremely high quality, and tastes phenomenal. The interior is intricately decided and beautiful. The gelato is made in house, and is AMAZING!!!! read more

Loved the ambience and the staff is very friendly. Note, that you can go upstairs and eat outside or stay downstairs and listen to the music, when they have it. Food was good and felt short-changed when I ordered the seafood pasta. Seafood was a minimal amount and tiny pieces at that; however, the sauce was good. If you're looking for protein, I would not suggest the seafood pasta. We started with an octopus salad, which was delicious. Had the gelato for dessert and if you walk up to the gelato cart, you can try whatever flavors you want. Felt $15 for one dish of gelato was a bit pricey. It was fun walking around as they have different food and non food items to purchase. read more

My wife and I had a great evening out at Visionarium. Music and entertainment was engaging; the food excellently prepared, delizioso! The service was superb, thanks to our server and Bruno! Molto bene! We will definitely do this again. read more

Everything was spectacular! The food and ambiance were great but the service was the outstanding aspect. Bruno was so friendly and walked us through the menu and gelato: That he makes! I would definitely recommend for small venue live music or even just a dinner out. If you go, you must ask for Bruno! read more

Unique atmosphere with an Italian vibe. Great wine selection. Appetizers are fresh and tasty. We tried three pastas and liked them all. Variety of gelatos to choose from. Waiter was from Italy which was a nice touch. We plan to get tickets for one of the special events and try the rooftop next time. Overall good experience and will be back :) please note: 10% service charge is added to your bill read more

This Italian restaurant is a gem! The carbonara is to die for and definitely tastes like a Nona was in the kitchen making it. I want to try everything on the menu! The cherry on top was the home made gelato made by Bruno. Everything was heavenly. read more

Bruno is awesome. Great interior, hospitality, and wine. Definitely recommend visiting and trying it out.

Foccacia was spectacular! The service by Bruno was wonderful and helpful and I will definitely be back to try more stuff!!

Not very satisfied overall. The added 10% service fee, expected tips on top of that, and a mandatory $3 per person donation for the live band made the bill feel excessive. Service was also slow, and it took a long time for the food to come out (30 minutes for the appetizer ‍). The food was ok but overpriced for the quality--nothing really stood out or justified the cost. The atmosphere was nice, but the value just wasn't there. read more

Wow! Sleepy South Pasadena turning UP on a Friday night! Came here for a Bowie request night and Visionarium was popping! A great vibe, like a smaller version of Sage Brush Cantina. Julian Shah-Tayler taking requests of difficult and songs only true Bowie fans would know masterfully entertained the crowd with his mellifluous voice and skills on guitar and keyboard. This place has a very old school chill vibe serving up amazing Italian cuisine. We will have to come back to try other items, including desserts. We kept it simple with the fresh Mista Tuscan harvest salad and the Margherita pizza. What a neighborhood gem! And if you aren't from here, worth the commute. read more

Visionarium Live Italian - Margherita pizza. Plenty for 2 as a meal. - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Great ambiance! Love the service. Bruno gelato is the best. Wonderful place to hang out with friends. Looking forward to coming back.

We really enjoyed our first time here , Bruno was our waiter and he was so friendly and really made our experience very memorable. The food was delicious!!! I highly recommend the Spaghetti bolognese so delicious and truly one of the best I have ever tasted. We will definitely come back . read more

Our server gets 5 stars for doing his best to make an awkward situation lighthearted. The owners get 0 stars for their abhorrent behavior and scammy charges on the bill. 1) My wife and I were walking by just wanting to enjoy some wine after enjoying the farmer's market. What looks like a sexy wine bar on the outside looks like a tacky cheap date night on the inside at best. The furniture is from Amazon and the Valentine's decor was easily from Dollar Tree. 2) After we already ordered our wine taster we were told that the ticket minimum was $25 a head for the live music. We had to order more to round up. 3) After we finished our first glass of wine from the taster, the male owner stomped downstairs and yelled at the musician to stop her music. The owner blamed her for the place being empty and kicked her out. After he screamed at her, he stomped up the stairs like a toddler throwing a tantrum screaming about how the place is usually sold out. (I read other reviews that the place has been empty before.) 4) The server was great, he tried to make us feel a little more comfortable and lighten up the mood by making conversation but my wife and I weren't up for niceties after witnessing that poor musician humiliated. 5) I get the check and see a 10% service fee applied to the final bill. Businesses like this tick me off. Why charge a service fee for wages and operations when menu prices can easily reflect that transparently? Oh, it's probably because that which deter people away from the less than mediocre food and atmosphere. 6) I'm also not happy that we were forced to order more when they kicked the musician out. This was our first and last experience there due to the owner's behavior and the lack of transparency in charges. read more

Visionarium Live Italian - $10 service fee that goes to wages and operating costs? Why not just reflect this in your prices. - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I was looking for a place to meet up with friends after work for dinner and I found this place on Yelp. We walked in last Thursday and there was live music playing. The place is super cute. It's a restaurant/bar but it's also a market with Italian pantry staples and Italian made clothing. You can alway rent out the rooftop for private events. Such a great multi use concept. The owner and his wife were super sweet and so were all the staff. We tried a few different pastas snd drinks and all were tasty. They have live music s few nights a week so I am definitely coming back. read more

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My boyfriend and I visited recently for a date night & had the loveliest time! This is such a cute and charming restaurant. We both enjoyed our meals as well as the wine & are planning on coming back soon. Shoutout to our awesome waiter, Johnny who was extremely hospitable & helpful! read more

The music, the food and the ambiance were amazing special come down to South Pasadena. Ask for Bruno!!!

Every single thing we ordered waa amazing! Bruno and the rest of the staff was very friendly. The vibe was great. Felt like I was back in Florence read more

It was such a pleasure to stop by here. My fiancé and I stopped by here during a day trip to LA and it was the perfect way to close out our night. Highly recommend the homemade gelato. Every flavor is delicious. Thank you Bruno for such a beautiful experience and tasty recommendation. read more

Paulo and Letitcia are the best. This place is family. They kept it open for us late. Made amazing friends. Great service and even better food and the wine list is next level. Jazz most days. Highly recommend read more