Come here for a jazz night, tasty food and hundreds of wines for choosing. Every staff is enthusiastic and professional. I used to live in Pasadena but I came back here every week because there are restaurants like visionarium live Italian! Thanks for Rodolfo's introduction of each wine and service!! You are the best! read more

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

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The music was great this Friday night and both our food and our waitress Francesca were great.

First time at Visionarium Live Italian Restaurant and we had such a great experience! We went on a Saturday night, and the place was packed, but luckily we were able to get a table. They had a live jazz band playing, which made the whole night even more fun. Our waiter, Otto, was amazing! He was so friendly and attentive, and every recommendation he gave us was spot-on. The Ravioli Pesto & Pomodoro was delicious, and honestly, everything we ordered was so good. Otto took such great care of us that by the end of the night, he felt like family! And the affogato for dessert... SO good! The perfect way to end the night. Definitely one of those places where you leave already planning your next visit. Can't wait to go back! read more

Our very first stop off the plane back in our old stomping grounds, and it did not disappoint! To be completely honest, I can't say enough good things about this place. When I lived in Pasadena, I always struggled to find a great selection of Italian wines by the glass. Finding a place with 150 options by the glass alone felt like a dream come true! On top of that, they have hundreds of bottles and an amazing selection of Italian specialty goods. We couldn't resist ordering a bottle of Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano DOC--a producer we have such fond memories of visiting while in Tuscany--and it was absolute perfection. Bruno and Paulo were so delightful to chat with; their warmth and knowledge made the experience truly special. To go with our wine, we enjoyed the Focaccia Prosciutto, which featured the most perfect, airy focaccia, delightfully creamy burrata, and beautifully balanced prosciutto. This place genuinely makes me miss LA. If we still lived here, I would easily be here every single day! P.S. Total user error on my part and not the restaurant's fault at all, but just a friendly heads-up to future shoppers: if you purchase retail items/bottles to go alongside your meal, it all comes on one itemized bill. I accidentally auto-tipped on the full total (retail items included), which added up quickly with over $100 in goods! Just keep an eye out so you don't do what I did. read more

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Deceptive billing and zero accountability I dined here with two friends and had an otherwise pleasant evening. Instead of bringing a printed itemized receipt, the waitress simply handed us a tiny handheld credit card reader where the screen was completely illegible. Later that night, we checked our account and discovered a hidden 10% service charge was added without our knowledge. The waitress never mentioned it, and it was nowhere to be found on the menu. Because of this lack of transparency, we ended up tipping a full 20% on top of a 10% service charge we didn't agree to. To make matters worse, I called the restaurant to speak with a manager about this unethical practice and left a message. They never even bothered to return my call. Completely shady billing practices and terrible customer service. I won't be coming back. read more

UPDATE: Our Italian server told us that the 10% charge was for the artists. I've also read the other comments, and it seems there may be different reasons being given for this charge. Everything I wrote in my original review is based on what actually happened during our visit. I'm sorry if the owner or staff doesn't like receiving an honest review, but customers are entitled to share their experiences. I've worked in the restaurant industry for many years and have experience with some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, so I know what I expect when I dine out. If the food, service, and overall experience had been good, I wouldn't have written this review in the first place. Unfortunately, my boyfriend became very sick and threw up after eating at the restaurant. I'm not claiming to know exactly what caused it, but that was our experience. Again, everything in my review is 100% based on what happened to us. ‍ The fact that you responded to my review at 2:30 a.m. without first tasting the food yourself or speaking with your staff about the issues I described is a big red flag. I spent six years in culinary school and have owned a catering business, so I understand the restaurant industry very well. I also witnessed another server pressuring an older couple to leave a review. Now that I've left an honest review myself, it seems you're not very happy about it. The restaurant business is not for everyone you have to genuinely love what you do. Unfortunately, your response makes it seem like you care more about defending your reviews than taking the time to understand what actually happened. If this were my business, I would never publicly attack a customer for leaving a negative review. I would speak privately with my cook and server, investigate the situation, and try to understand what went wrong. That is how you improve a business. But clearly, we don't run our businesses the same way. In my experience, the customer should always be listened to and treated with respect, even when their feedback is difficult to hear. Good luck with your business. Terrible experience. For $100 for lunch, I expected MUCH better. First of all, reggae music in an Italian restaurant? ‍ Then there was a 10% service charge, uncomfortable chairs, and the service was extremely slow. The lasagna tasted like dog or cat food. Honestly, I've had better frozen lasagna. At one point, my boyfriend went to the restroom, and another server came over and asked how everything was. I asked for a to-go box, and then I waited... and waited... and it never came. Our Italian server took forever to check on us, so eventually we just waited for the check and the to-go box. He also gave us samples of gelato. Unfortunately, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about pistachio gelato, and this did NOT taste like real pistachio gelato to me. He asked me how I liked it, and I was honest and told him I didn't think it was good pistachio gelato. He seemed offended. If you ask customers for their honest opinion, you have to be prepared to hear both the good AND the bad. ‍ Then things got even stranger. I accidentally left my to-go box on the table. My boyfriend came back about five minutes later, saw the box still there, and asked for it. The server told him it wasn't our box and that he had already thrown it away. But my boyfriend literally saw the box near him ! ‍ I honestly don't know what happened, but after the reaction to my comment about the gelato, it definitely left a bad impression. And unfortunately, when my boyfriend got home, he threw up after eating the food from the restaurant. I'm wondering if it was the lasagna since I only had a small bite. After this experience, I definitely won't blindly trust restaurant recommendations I see on TikTok anymore. read more

My experience here was short - came for an open streets event and stopped by at the end of the event. Typically Visionarium isn't open at this time, but they opened for this event. There are small tables outside, but we decided to sit inside. We were able to leave our bikes inside the walkway with no issues. Good variety of seating. Love the wine bar vibe. There is also food options, which we tried some pizza. I thought the place was so cute. Would come here for a date night. There is also an upstairs area which I didn't get to take a look at, but I'm assuming it's a cute vibe. I heard there was live music during the weeknights so that's something to check out! read more

Deliciously satisfying food. Our server Bruno was awesome and very patient with our party of 7. Wine selection is very good and recommendations were great. Thanks Bruno. Ambiance is great for a date and the live music was a definite great plus adding to the experience. read more

Cheaper than a plane ticket If you're craving Italy, Visionarium Live Italian brings it straight to South Pasadena. Every bite starts with 100% imported ingredients from Italy, creating an experience that's more than just dinner. We paired our meal with wines by the glass and tried: Fresh, vibrant Artichokes Lasagna Ragù (easily one of the best I've ever had) Prosciutto Pizza with simple, high-quality ingredients that let every flavor shine Beyond the food, you'll find authentic Italian wines, fresh gelato, art, and culture all under one roof. Don't miss the rooftop, where they host live music, stand-up comedy, and special events. Italy is a lot closer than you think read more

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

What a fabulous spot! Authentic Italian food, imported foods and clothing, and delicious gelato! Came by for dinner and was impressed by the quality of the food. Everything was very fresh. Ambience is cozy. Will definitely need t come back for some of the live music! read more

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Bruno was such an amazing hostess. He made us feel like we were family. His knowledge of wine and the food allowed us to enjoy our gathering that much more. Thank you Bruno! Don't leave without trying their delicious Gelato 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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Stopped by on a Wednesday evening and walked into a wonderful restaurant with amazing live music and even better food! My friend and I split an appetizer and a few entrees and everything was delicious! Our server Ellis was very accommodating and helped take us through the menu. Make sure to save room for dessert- the gelato is house-made and absolutely delicious!! Would definitely come back again :) read more

We had such a great experience at Visionarium Live Italian! We went on Friday and absolutely loved it. The food was delicious -- we had the prosciutto burrata, the mushroom pizza, and the Discovery wine flight, and I finished with gelato for dessert. Everything was so good! The staff really made the experience even better. Everyone we interacted with was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive. The rooftop is also completely dog-friendly, which we loved! The whole place has such a cute, unique Italian vibe. They have a little shop with authentic clothing, shoes, wine, and other products directly from Italy, so it's fun to walk around and look at everything before or after dinner. They also have live music and the cutest little wine bar. It's so much more than just going out to dinner -- the whole place feels like an experience. Great food, great wine, friendly staff, and such a fun atmosphere. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Bruno is amazing. The food was delicious. We had Margarita Pizza, and appetizers. Excellent wine selection and gelato. Definitely coming back. read more

Bruno was very knowledgeable about the wine and food and his recommendations helped make our dinner a great experience, especially the gelato and wine. We felt very welcome. Thank you, Bruno! read more

Great food. Great service, specially Jacob and Alto. This is my first visit to this place and definitely will return for more excitement. read more

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

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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This is the place, the music is excellent ( Alfredo Cáceres) . Bruno and Francesca made our first time like a true neighborhood gem where people know your name and service is top tier. The food was delicious along with the wine flights that were so reasonable. Honestly, this is a South Pasadena gem . It's a great spot to unwind from a long day at work, come with friends for a celebration or a romantic date night. read more

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This was unfortunately a total disappointment. According to the waiters, this is a new restaurant that is trying to incorporate fashion, art, and live entertainment in with food for an entire "experience". That means a bunch of photos of Ennio Morricone on the wall and a rack of clothes outside the entrance on the sidewalk. Plus music or stand up comedy on the second floor. Let me start by warning everyone that there is a mandatory 10% service fee added to all checks. And, I think, they then charge tax on this 10% service fee. According to other reviews on Yelp, the service fee is clearly marked at the entrance and on the menu. Personally, I don't believe they are at all transparent. Even if it is by the entrance, the entry is so messy and busy (with a gelato factory, clothes, and other stuff, that I didn't even know where the host station was. And, after being alerted to the service fee, I couldn't find it on the menu, though it might be there. The waiters do a terrible job of justifying the charge, claiming they are a new business and want to use the service fee to grow their business. You want your business to do well? Serve great food and stock good wines, have trained servers, and don't annoy people by telling us we are paying 10% in order to allow you to grow your business. Every business is trying to grow and all restaurants have art, some even have live music, and almost none of them charge a fee like this. If they were smart, they would've just raised all prices 10% and not had a fee, which only annoys people. Before I tackle the disappointing food, I should discuss the service. There is a very nice, friendly guy who makes the gelato and is probably one of the owners. There were lots of apologies, but the waiters - especially ours - were not well trained. Our waiter seemed to have just started the minute we walked in by his performance. He mumbled everything, so you could barely understand him. We asked for the margherita pizza we ordered to be brought out first as an appetizer, before the pastas. I also had ordered a lasagna ragu (and not the mushroom lasagna). The pizza came out with all the pastas at once, and I had the wrong lasagna - the mushroom. If you're gonna charge a special 10% service fee, please make sure the customer is getting good service. The design inside ranges from dark and stylish to frenetic and messy, with various items everywhere you look. It's a mish mash of ideas. Which brings me to the food. No complimentary bread. You can buy focaccia for $5. We got a margherita pizza which was more of a flat bread but was okay. Nothing amazing, but it did the job. We had ordered my lasagna ragu, which I ended up cancelling after the wrong lasagna came out (the mushroom version; I kind of allergic to mushrooms), a cacio e pepe, and a carbonara. I know cacio e pepe is cheese and pepper, but the pepper was way too strong. My favorite version is at Uovo, where it is subtle. This tasted like sucking on a pepper mill. The carbonara, for some reason, was also heavily laced with pepper. The person eating this didn't like it at all. Both pastas were very gummy and the sauce was thick and gooey, and not in a good way. I was going to wait for my ragu but after tasting the other two pastas I immediately canceled it, assuming it would not be to my tastes and possibly heavy in black pepper. The guy who makes the gelato gave us each one tiny lick of one gelato each. The gelatos were good. Their wine list looks decent and expansive. However, as far as Italian food goes, this was not a winner for any of us. Bottom line, I wish them well. Lose the 10% fee that only makes locals mad. Train your staff better. And, maybe look into better recipes. I don't know. The owners were authentic Italians and the chef probably is, too, but I cannot recommend this place for Italian food. I won't be back, which is a shame because they are nearby. Oh, well. I guess I'll just stick to La Pergoletta in Los Feliz, Vito's in Santa Monica, and Uovo in Pasadena. I would rate it one star for the food, waiter, and service fee, but the gelato guy was friendly and a decent guy, so he gets an extra star. read more

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We came across this place while walking our dog and decided to stop in. Such a cute and charming little spot! Jacob was very attentive and recommended the gelato, which was excellent. He got us seated and even brought out a bowl of water for our dog, which was a really nice touch. The gelato was delicious and tasted very authentic--some of the best Italian gelato we've had. Great little find, and we'll definitely be back! read more

Visionarium Live Italian - Front street sign - Italian Near Me - South Pasadena, California

We came here for my wife's birthday dinner and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. Bruno was our waiter and was incredibly kind, friendly, and attentive all night. Leticia at the front was great too, and Paolo, the owner, was charming and made us feel genuinely welcome. Leticia also does the holiday decorating, which gives the restaurant a really warm, festive atmosphere and adds a lot to the ambience. We got to sample a few wines before choosing a bottle, which was a really nice touch. The spritzes were refreshing, the charcuterie with the meats and cheeses was incredible, and the bolognese was easily one of the highlights. You can tell it's cooked for hours. Rich, comforting, and full of flavor. Olive Garden likes to say, "When you're here, you're family." This place actually feels like it. The hospitality is personal, warm, and genuine. It feels less like eating at a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone's home. read more

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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Highly Recommended!!! Bruno, you are amazing! Your knowledge of wine and food recommendations were on point! You made our friendship gathering a perfect evening! Thank You! We felt welcome and felt like family! Grazie Mil! Salud read more

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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OTTO 's service was great Food was delicious the. place is lovely and price are reazonable!! I will come back for sure! read more

Lively, lovely roof top dining area with a bar. Yes I'd have an event up here. Creative wine cocktails I'll be trying at home. So many wine choices took us forever but worth the discussion with Jacob our server. Bruno the manager also stopped by our table . Yes to the mushroom lasagna and the antipasto selections. We need to come back to try what the table had next to Us. Yes on all levels. I'm now a fan read more

Great new restaurant! Jacob was an amazing waiter. An amazing selection of wine. Really excited to come back and try all of the Italian dishes. Highly recommend anyone looking for a great new place with the best ambiance in south Pasadena! read more

Had the pleasure of visiting Visionarium last week and the experience was amazing! It's almost like the space transports you to Italy. It is so much more than a restaurant... they have a wine bar, live music, a small market with items imported from Italy, CLOTHING for sale?!, and even a rooftop area for dining. The food of course - fantastic. Try the charcuterie boards, pizzas, and pastas. Service was excellent and the staff are constantly checking in on you. I would definitely come back, but next time, with my family! read more

We popped in here based on a TikTok and I am so happy we did! We got two of the pizzas to share with our group and a couple glasses on wine. The food was amazing and the wine absolutely exquisite. Bruno, our server, was so helpful and ended up recommending the wine we eventually chose over our original pick. I can't wait to come back and experience the nighttime entertainment! 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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Delicious pasta and great wine. We came in on a Saturday with no reservation and they squeezed us in. Jackie was the best server!

My friends and I had such a great experience at Visionarium Live Italian! I had been seeing it all over social media and was excited to check it out. At first we were told there wasn't any room, but we asked if we could just go inside and take a look. We noticed an open table, asked if we could sit there, and thankfully they said yes. Otto ended up being our waiter and he was amazing. Super friendly, attentive, and gave us some really good menu recommendations. The food was delicious, the live music was so much fun, and the whole atmosphere was great. Otto really made the experience for us and took such good care of our table. We'll definitely be back! read more

This was the first time dining at this restaurant, and unfortunately, it will also be my last. I made a reservation a week in advance for a rooftop table for two, with no mention of live music or cover charge. We were seated indoors without explanation, and the music was so loud we could barely hear each other. The wine was good, but the food was average at best. The biggest issue was the bill. We declined dessert twice, but the waiter insisted we try the gelato and told us it was a free sample. We were then charge $9 each for it. We were also unexpectedly told we had to pay for the show, a charge that was eventually removed after I questioned it. The lack of transparency was extremely disappointing. The food was nothing special, and the experience felt more focused on adding charges than taking care of customers. I will not be returning. read more

4 stars at best. Prob more like 3.5. Wanted to love this place. Service was extremely slow. Waiter was nice but honestly a bit too laid back. Ordered the caprese appetizer which was 5 stars. Large portion w delicious, beautiful tomatoes. Came w 3 small pieces of focaccia for 2 people. When I asked for a couple more pieces of focaccia, I got "would you like an order of focaccia?". No I don't want 8-10 pieces, I'd like 3 to finish this dish. Took about 25 mins to get the marg pizza. Topping was tasty but dough was bland. Best part of the meal was the delicious gelato. Prob won't go back without a response from management. I will say ambiance on the rooftop patio was quaint & enjoyable. Prices were fair. I'd pay more for better service & a little more bread!! read more

Great Food !! Great service !! Delicious Gelato... Thanks to Bruno for his kind hospitality !!

A very intimate setting with amazing service!! The food was fresh, tasty, and cooked to perfection. We will definitely be coming back to try other things! Thank you for a wonderful experience! read more

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What a treat to discover this place. my wife and I had the most amazing experience. The good was spectacular and the ambiance was perfect. To top it off, Bruno took amazing care of us. He was the best!!! We will certainly be back for more. read more

Was just driving out from IC to visit a friend and had some time to kill. Asked Siri to show restaurants near me. This one had great reviews so I decided to give it a whirl. OMG!!!! It's soooo good. I have the artichoke appetizer and the prosciutto focaccia burrata appetizer. Took a little long to get them out but so extremely worth the wait. High quality delicious. Thank you Otto for a great experience. read more

Amazing music! Max and Brooke were stellar! Great friendly service. Aldo was the best. The vibe is warm and fun --great local spot to spend your Friday night. read more