Bistro 45

Is it sometimes slow to finish a dinner in say 90 mins?

Depends on how many in your party.

How is the parking? easy to find?

There is Valet parking.

View 1 more answer

Do they serve halal meat (e.g. Creekstone)?

We do not. We do serve Creekstone.

Is there a way to reserve a table inside but also patio seating that includes couches outside for drinking and lounging after dinner?

Hello- We no longer have the lounge seating on the patio.

What percentage of your menu is certified organic? Gluten-free options?

I believe the whole menu is, as there was a blurb on the bottom describing it as such. The vegetables here are consistently incredible.

View 1 more answer

Please note that we only want to sit inside with our reservation tomorrow night?

No problem

View 1 more answer

Do you have outdoor seating/patio?

Yes they do! It is alongside, not right on the curb. So it is nice.

View 3 more answers

Hello. Wanted to know if you serve Creekstone beef? And if so which items on the menu. Thanks!

Our filet and ribeye are Crekstone

How do I order delivery?

Call us or send an email through our website (contact us).

View 2 more answers

Is this place reopened for dine in?

Hello- Thursday, June 11th

View 2 more answers

Is there a parking lot for the restaurant?

They have valet parking. But there is ample free street parking nearby.

View 4 more answers

What is the corkage fee?

$30 per 750 ML.

Do you open for brunch/lunch on weekends?

Hello Tracy- We can open for lunch or brunch for a private party. We have a $2,000 Food and beverage minimum. In addition, we do open for brunch on mother’s day. Best…

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Does Bistro 45 have a full bar w/cocktails or just wine?

Fulll bar with great cocktails and a great bartender... Enjoy!

View 5 more answers

What is the attire?

Hi Mary, Dress sharp, but comfortable. I like to go Business casual to dressed up jeans (buttoned up shirt and maybe a sport coat/blazer). Enjoy! And, remember to post a review on Yelp, if you're so inclined, with all your favorite places. This is…

View 5 more answers

You might also consider

10 1/4 Pasadena

4.4

(91 reviews)

1.1 mi

10 1/4 is a hidden cocktail bar located underneath Freddie's 35er, a popular Dodgers bar. To get…read morehere, not only do you have to go to the back of The 35er and go down the stairs, you ignore the tiki bar in front of you and make an immediately right U-turn. You reach a phone booth, pick up the phone, and wait for someone to buzz you in. This bar is different from the other two bars as it's smaller, more intimate, and focused on craft cocktails. On nights and weekends though, it can still get busy. We ordered a variety of drinks and liked the menta milk punch ($18), last word ($18), and queen's park swizzle ($16). This was my first time here and I would be interested in coming back and also check out the tiki bar too. This is a cool place to go as part of your bar hopping in Old Town Pasadena.

We went here on a Wednesday night which I can imagine is much quieter than on a weekend…read more I heard about 35er from a coworker but when I saw they have a speakeasy downstairs, we had to check it out. When you enter the 35er, you take the stairs (closer to the back door) and there's a phone booth. Pick up the phone and the bartender will ask how many in your party before letting you in. The space is small. Some reviews mentioned tiki bar and this is not a tiki bar, it's a speakeasy. They have a cocktail menu and a full bar for well/cocktails. Great place for a small group.

Bar

See all

Jungle bird ($16)

The Lucky Tiki

4.4

(55 reviews)

4.3 mi

The Lucky Tiki in Highland Park is the sister location of the original Lucky Tiki in West…read moreHollywood. This spot opened about a year ago, and has a cool speakeasy style entrance at the Highland Park Bowl bowling alley. It is a small space, and I would highly recommend making a reservation on Resy. You have 90 minutes to drink and dine. I parked behind the bowling alley where there is a medium sized pay parking lot. Park in a space, remember your space number painted on the ground, and go to the pay station at the end of the lot. I found the parking machine to be extremely finicky as did other people. After ten minutes of failure, I ended up moving my car to another space, and then it worked. This has nothing to do with the Lucky Tiki, but FYI if you park there. We walked around to the front of the bowling alley, and checked in. Seating options include at the bar, tiki hut booths, and high top tables. The décor inside is a tiki lovers paradise. The room has a high ceiling with many tiki lamps, floats, puffer fish, tiki huts, thatch, ropes, barrels, netting, carvings, a hanging canoe, and a large tiki right in the middle of the space. In addition to the great décor, when you order certain drinks, special effects are triggered. There was also great tiki music playing all evening. We sat at the bar since we always enjoy talking to the bartenders. We actually ran into Skipper Christian in the parking lot on the way in, and he ended up being our main bartender, with Nick and Jo also working behind the bar. We put in a food order right away. The chicken potstickers ($12) came with five tasty bites, and the garlic teriyaki dipping sauce was good. We also had the giant pretzel ($16) which comes with mustard, beer cheese, and ranch sauces. This was excellent, and the perfect filling snack before a bunch of drinks. My first drink was the Siren's Song (Flor de Cana Eco rum, lemon juice, cassis, Oloroso sherry, apricot foam topper, $19). This drink is served in a great mermaid with skull mug and triggers special sound effects and bubbles fill the air. Those bubbles on top of the drink had a great light citrusy apricot flavor, probably the best flavored bubbles I've ever had. The drink itself was very good and balanced with some complexity. She wasn't sure what to order at first, and Christian asked her what flavors she liked. He ended up making a spin on a Tradewinds with some mango and pineapple to go along with the apricot and coconut. It was nicely balanced and not too sweet, even with all that fruit in there. My second drink was the Sun of Suns (Tierra de Acre mezcal, coconut cream, Giffard mango liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, $17). This was coconut and pineapple forward with some good smokiness in the background. Her second drink was the Whatever Floats Your Boat (Ford's gin, lemon juice, velvet falernum, orgeat, passion fruit syrup, guava soda, topped with hazelnut passion fruit foam, $19). It is served in a cool boat mug, and triggers thunder sound effects and lighted mechanical Polynesian tiki characters paddling a canoe over the bar. This was another good balanced drink. It was a little gin forward and the passion fruit popped out, maybe from being both in the drink and the foam top. That creamy hazelnut passion fruit form on top is delicious. I'd happily have a glass of that on its own. We were still a little hungry so we ordered the Hawaiian pizza (marinara, diced pepperoni, red onion, pineapple chunks, hot capicola ham, $16). It was another good tasting, perfectly sized snack, and the crust was light and airy. We were already fifteen minutes over our time limit, but we got the green light to stay longer to order a third drink to share. We ordered the Tiki Diablo (Flor de Cana Eco rum, Worthy Park 109 rum, Alma Tepecha chile liqueur, orange juice, lime juice, mango syrup, guava soda, $24). This drink serves two people, is served in a cool volcano bowl with glowing red lava around it, and comes with a fire show. Unfortunately, right after it was served, the host came over and said we were over our time and had to leave shortly. Christian made up for it by giving us two tall pours to go enjoy in the bowling alley bar area which was fine. We were happy we got some extra time inside. The drink was also very good, balanced with a little complexity. We had a great time. There is so much great décor to look at. The drinks and food were very good, and some of the the drink presentations and special effects were the icing on the cake. All of the bartenders were very friendly and a lot of fun. We purchased up a few zombie glasses to take home as a souvenir. I'd definitely recommend visiting the Lucky Tiki in Highland Park!

Adorable speakeasy with a fortune teller as a doorbell…read more Drinks 3/5 Painkiller $18 - This drink comes out with a show as they light a part of it on fire. I didn't fancy the flavor and this is a very popular drink so it stinks up the place every time it gets served to someone. Dark Magic $18 - Objectively not a bad drink but too tart for my partner and I didn't prefer the flavor. Service 5/5 Standard service. Our waitress got us some free shots, very kind. :) Ambiance 4/5 I love the vibes, the darkness, the decor. It's just too stinky and smokey whenever they serve the Painkiller.

Sailor at the Bar Entrance

Tiki hut booth

See all

Hard carved and painted Giant Tiki at Lucky Tiki

Griffins of Kinsale

On our recent trip to California, we got to to eat and drink at amazing restaurants & bars. One of…read morethem was Griffens of Kinsale in South Pasadena. It was a great experience with delicious martinis and potent cocktails !! The pub has booths as well as bar seating inside and outdoor patio. It's an awesome neighborhood bar packed with happy people. There's live performances in the evenings which are usually great . Staff are friendly, helpful and with big smiles !! Food is good with delicious bar fare , we tried the wings as well as potato wedges. Both were well prepared and tasty !!!

A $150 St. Patrick's Day dinner that never happened! A $150 St. Patrick's Day dinner at Griffin's…read moreof Kinsale turned into a 90-minute wait with no food and no explanation. I'm a second-generation Irish-American from New York, and St. Patrick's Day has always meant something in my family. Growing up it was about heritage, family, and a little joy. Now that I have two daughters of my own -- very Irish-looking girls who are proud of their roots -- I wanted them to experience some of that same Irish pub spirit. So on St. Patrick's Day 2025, I took them to Griffin's of Kinsale in South Pasadena. They were so excited to be there -- the decorations, the music, the feeling of a real Irish pub. For a moment I thought, this is going to be a great memory for them. We came early because it was a school night. The restaurant was busy -- which is understandable on St. Patrick's Day. I ordered three salmon dinners for my daughters and myself. The bill came to about $150. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. Over an hour and a half. During that entire time: * No one warned us the kitchen was backed up when we ordered. * No one checked on our table. * No updates. * No communication at all. Had someone simply said "Just so you know, food may take an hour or more tonight," I could have made a different decision -- especially with two kids who had school the next morning. Instead we sat downstairs watching the clock while the evening disappeared. By the end of the night my daughters -- who had been so excited walking in -- were tired, hungry, and miserable. When I asked to speak with a manager, no one came. No explanation. No apology. Restaurants get slammed on holidays. Kitchens fall behind. That happens. But ignoring a table for 90 minutes -- especially a family with children -- isn't a busy night. It's bad management. What should have been a fun St. Patrick's Day memory for my daughters turned into a long, uncomfortable evening where we felt completely invisible. For a place that trades so heavily on Irish identity and hospitality, this was about as far from hospitality as you can get. Save your $150 and celebrate St. Patrick's Day somewhere that actually wants you there. And if management would like to explain how a family ends up waiting 90 minutes with no communication, I'd genuinely be interested to hear it.

Kilkenny

Interior at golden hour

See all

Lagunitas IPA...

Behind Bars

(25 reviews)

1.1 mi

The food was amazing, you have access to both the bar menu and the restaurant menu. Bri was an…read moreamazing bartender, the drinks were strong and quick to prepare. Lastly, the happy hour was definitely worth it, I will be back.

Melt in your mouth Wagyu beef and fresh avocado is amazing!! Staff is very friendly and…read moreaccommodating. Patio area is secluded and pleasant.

Purple People Eater cocktail (pineapple rum, Malibu, ube syrup, lime, ube beer, and lime dust)!

Moon Rocks cocktail (vodka, blue curaçao, pomegranate, lemon, club soda, cherry)!

See all

Drinks with the girls!! The tall one is my mocktail with no name and the others are Don't Be A Prick cocktails

The Speakeasy

Definitely speakeasy vibes. You will need to message ahead of time for the password. There will be…read morea bouncer outside that'll ask for it. Inside is a surprisingly large space. So much seating! I've never seen the venue overcrowded. Large menu so many drinks to try! Great spot whenever I have guests visiting

Absolutely loved this spot in Pasadena. It's a hidden a gem. The unique touches like needing a…read morepassword to enter and the no flash photography rule add to the experience. This is a grungy yet atmospheric bar. It definitely has some unique vibes and it's pretty big inside. The cocktail menu has something for everyone. I got Pablo's Poison and the Kitty Killer and both were delicious. Everyone else in our friend group got the Naked & Famous and it was a clear favorite.The customer service is on point, the crowd is friendly. The music is on point. If you want a night out in Pasadena, this is it!

Bees knees. Cannot get any cuter!

All reds

The bar

See all

The Dungeon

(12 reviews)

1.1 mi

Locally owned & operated

Women-owned & operated

An amazing idea for a chill date type of vibe or with friends…read more The food and music were amazingly good. Bartenders are so friendly. Definitely coming back again.

The service was great, the music was good, and the drinks were excellent. I can't wait to go back!read more

Chicken fingers and Der Wolf burger

Tito's Cantarito and Paulaner

See all

The devil and the Boss Babe cocktail

The Arroyo Club

3.8

(53 reviews)

4.3 mi

Arroyo Club? More like Arroyo Flub. Bartenders are nice but the doorman is an absolute prick. Get…read morehim out of here! He didn't let me back in because I was "being weird". Please elaborate my brother. Anyways, will never go back. NEXT!

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding an experience my wife and I had at your…read moreestablishment on the evening of June 2, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM. As a I grew up in Highland Park I took my wife to visit The Arroyo Club bar to celebrate her recent promotion after the bar was recommended to us by a close friend. We were looking forward to a fun evening and decided to participate in the trivia game being hosted that night. After receiving an answer sheet from the host, Matt, my wife and I began playing. The trivia topic was based on an older television show that we were unfamiliar with, and we initially used our phones to look up answers. A male individual approached us and informed us that using our phones was considered cheating. We accepted that explanation, stopped using our phones, and continued playing. Later in the evening, I observed bartender Justin speaking with the same individual and appearing to provide him with answers. When I questioned how that was different from what we had been told not to do, Justin stated that it was not cheating because they were part of a group. I responded that it was only a game and not a serious issue, especially considering my wife and I had only accumulated a few points. At that point, the interaction became uncomfortable. Justin informed the host that my wife and I should be disqualified for cheating, despite the fact that we had stopped using our phones when instructed. The employee who had originally confronted us also became increasingly confrontational, which my wife and I found intimidating. I later asked another bartender, Zach, what the concern was, and he explained that the winning prize was $50. While I understand the importance of maintaining fair rules, the way the situation was handled felt unnecessarily hostile and embarrassing. What made the experience even more disappointing was that we appeared to be the only minority guests present at the time, and we observed other patrons using their phones without being confronted. This left us feeling singled out and unwelcome. My wife attempted to discuss how the situation made us feel with a female bartender who had blue hair. Unfortunately, her reaction appeared dismissive, and our concerns did not seem to be taken seriously. As we prepared to leave, the employee who had initially confronted us remained nearby staring in our direction, which further contributed to our discomfort. For reference, we were seated at the right corner of the bar if you were facing the bar from the front. I am not seeking compensation. Rather, I hope management will review the events of that evening, including any available security footage and discussions with staff members present. No guest should leave feeling targeted, embarrassed, or unwelcome while simply trying to enjoy a night out celebrating a special occasion.

See all

Magnolia House

Pasadena is one of my all-time favorite cities and they have some great restaurants. We hadn't been…read morein this side of town in a while, so I asked my son to find us a new spot to try today. We ended up at Magnolia House for a late lunch/early dinner. They also serve breakfast/brunch only on weekends. Walked in around 4:30pm and we were greeted by Brian, one of the managers. Brian was the standout star of the whole experience! His energy was exceptional and he is such a great conversationalist. He checked on us several times throughout our meal and made sure we were doing well. He on his own was HANDS DOWN a five star human being. At first, he wanted to seat us in the back corner but I told him the table was too small and he accommodated us with a bigger table. Our server Kiana came up to the table with a pleasant smile and greeting to take our drink orders. I got a glass of cranberry juice along with some water. My son got the American Dream cocktail along with some water. We skipped on dessert. From 4-6pm, they have a happy hour menu with some of their cocktails and shareable plates. The portions are just a bit smaller and the prices are a little lower. It's a good way to sample different items. I think we got a good variety of food to enjoy. To start, we got the Little Gem Salad. It was such a unique combination of flavors and SUPER delicate/light. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The next starter was the Zucchini and Feta Fritters, which was good but not the best out of everything else we ordered. The zucchini was a bit mushy but the batter it was fried in was crispy. Another starter we shared were the Moroccan Spiced Chicken Wings. These wings are gigantic and very flavorful. They definitely pack some heat, so be careful. I don't think the A/C was NOT working to begin with, so the place was already hot. The wings made us sweat even more. For entrées, we got the burger and the pork belly. Brian said they are known for their burger and after taking the first bite, it's clear as to why. It was absolutely PERFRCTION. So delicious! The bun, the meat, the cheese, the onions, and the crispy bacon...all of it mixed together into the perfect burger. I had wanted to add some mushrooms and avocado to it, but Kiana said they were unable to do it. I also asked for lettuce and she said that would be an extra charge. What extra charge for lettuce? We still got charged for avocado when the bill came, but they took it off once we mentioned it. The pork belly was also very tender, flavorful, and crispy. It's just hard to compete with the burger! We also got an order of the Belgian Fries to share and we were both pleasantly surprised at how good they were. The fries are salty and cut pretty thick. The sauce that came on the side was so yummy. We asked for a small extra cup to-go. All in all, the food was great and we liked everything. The vibe of the restaurant wasn't really all that for me. Brian genuinely made up for anything that was lacking in the atmosphere. He is such a wonderful asset to the restaurant and their company. The restaurant itself has been here for about 15 years now and it used to be a very old house. You can tell when you look around. They did a good job with the renovations, but you can see the different areas/rooms. I think they tried to keep the casual comfort of a home, while making it a slightly elevated experience. It was very clean everywhere, especially the bathrooms. They have one gender neutral bathroom, one for men, and one for women. No private parking, so you'll have to park on the street and put money in the kiosk. They also had an outdoor seating. Pretty BIG, only took picture of one side. They also have 2 small TVs. In the bar area and inside their cute lounge. I normally like to try new places, especially when I'm in Pasadena, so I'm not sure if I'll come back here. Maybe if Brian is working, it would definitely be worth stopping by again! Thank you all..

Wonderful experience!!…read more Celebratory Happy hour with the girls! Our waitress, Jasmin was soo accommodating and served us well!! I enjoyed the Moroccan rub on the chicken wings and the zucchini fritters Along with the house burger , soo yummy!

Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am

Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more

See all

Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

The Tap Room

Had a great time in the taproom. The musicians and the vocalist this night were amazing. Every…read moredrink I ordered at the bar was made very well, a testament to the skills of the bartenders. Love the intimate setting and the stylish decor of the place. Will be returning soon!

The food and drinks were so worth it! It was nice to have live music and hopefully they can vary…read morewith the type of songs played. So much fun for a late night at the hotel.

Refreshing Jalapeño Crush on the porch

Gingerbeer, lavender, rose, mint

See all

Truffle fries

Cannonball

Cannonball did not disappoint! I came with a group of 3 to celebrate a friend's birthday. There's a…read morefree parking structure around the corner to the restaurant. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, including the buttermilk biscuits, yellowfin tuna tartare, BBQ chicken, calamari, and the fideos, and every single dish was delicious. My personal favorites were the buttermilk biscuits and the fideos. The biscuits were warm, buttery, and absolutely irresistible, while the fideos were packed with flavor and easily a standout dish. Everything else was just as enjoyable, the tuna tartare was fresh, the calamari was perfectly cooked, and the BBQ chicken was tender and flavorful. If you're dining with a group, I definitely recommend ordering a few dishes to share so you can try a little bit of everything. We'll definitely be back!

Been here once for dinner, and another time to grab a cocktail before a show at Sid the cat…read moreauditorium. Food really exceptional, a compact menu, but everything we ordered was exquisite. The biscuits are perfection and will haunt your dreams. The crudo and burger also stood out. Was dining with some family who were visiting and dinner at Cannonball was their favorite meal of the trip. We were on the back patio for dinner, I enjoyed the metro trains passing, but it is probably not everyone's cup of tea. The ambience inside the restaurant when I got drinks at the bar was very nice. Service attentive and personable on both visits.

See all

Nana's Green Tea

We came on a Sunday during lunch time - it was quite busy with people waiting for their order and…read morelining up to order. You can order through a kiosk or with the cashier. We waited about 15-20 minutes in line. The cashier handed us a pager and we went to look for a table to sit at. We were lucky to find a table for 2, they encourage you to stay no more than 60 minutes but I don't think a lot of people took that into consideration as I saw many families / bigger parties staking out for spots. We ordered a pork katsu curry, karaage, brown sugar matcha latte, and the chocolate crunch matcha frappe. I love how fresh the food was! Our pork katsu had a light crunchy fry to it and the curry flavoring was on point. The rice was also well made which brought the dish together. I absolutely love the karaage here, it wasn't overly greasy and the batter was nice and light! I do wish there was some kewpie mayo on the side to dip it with but the lemon provided acidity to cut the rich flavors of the thigh. I tend to enjoy a stronger matcha and Nana's gives just that! My partner enjoys a sweeter / lighter matcha so he wasn't a huge fan of his brown sugar matcha. I'm so curious to know if they sell the chocolate crunch they put on the matcha because it provides such a great texture piece to the frappe. Parking: If you're lucky, street parking, but if not - We parked at the parking structure south of Raymond between Colorado & Green - first 2 hours is $1.00! It's about a 5 min walk to Nana's. Overall, their food selection is limited but is made fresh and delicious. If you enjoy a stronger matcha, go for it! I'm coming back next time to try their parfaits.

NANA'S GREEN TEA…read more @nana's green tea Started in 2001 TOKYO , now an international cafe chain specializing in delicious green tea, matcha drink desserts and they even have full meals ! I love the communal large spacious tables, very clean and I like the self serve , kiosk buzzed concept. We got: Black SESAME MOCHI PARFAIT : perfect, so many textures crunchy chewy mochi, jelly, I really enjoyed this one perfect dessert for sesame lovers. Not overly sweet. Iced matcha red bean latte with mochi Iced matcha soft serve latte ***loved how their matcha was unsweetened yet fresh and not bitter very smooth. If you usually add sweetener to your matcha, then I recommend you get soft serve one ' 10/10 I will totally be back to try more parfaits and their hot meals looked good too The workers were nice and offered to help me when they saw me ponder at kiosk , haha but we were fine. Just so many amazing options to choose from Follow me For more foodie reviews -living with Luci Xoxo

Sukiyaki Don w/ Miso Soup

Sweet treats

Matcha Mochi Parfait

See all

Marina

Locally owned & operated

Outdoor seating

Came here this past weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday with my husband and parents, and…read moreeverything was delicious as always! I've been to Marina several times now and it never disappoints. We started with Lily's Mushrooms and the Lamb Chops Scottadito - the mushrooms had a nice smoky grilled flavor with avocado cream that worked really well together, and the lamb was tasty without being too gamey. For mains we got the House Italian Sausage pizza, the Calabrian Salami pizza, and the Rabbit Bolognese. Both pizzas were great but the Calabrian Salami was definitely our favorite! The honey and spice combo was so good and the crust was perfectly crispy. The Rabbit Bolognese was also incredible, and tasted fresh and light instead of heavy like some bolognese can be. Our waiter gave us the pistachio tiramisu on the house for my mom's birthday, which was such a sweet gesture, and it was delicious! He took great care of us all night and even helped get multiple angles of our group photo haha. Thank you Marina for such a great experience, we will definitely be back :)

My boyfriend and I were so excited to dine at Marina in Pasadena. There are some paid lots, free…read morepublic parking, and street parking if you are willing to walk. Just be careful because there are some tricky signs that say $1.50 in large font and for each 15 minutes in tiny font. Even with a reservation from Resy, we found that it was still a bit of a wait. Without the reservation, you might be limited to patio parking only. Even their bar area was busy and reserved during our time there. I didn't mind the waiting, but it was stressful waiting in a tight space with their staff coming in and out with huge piles of dishes and you have to be careful if you don't want to be bumped into. This feeling of crowdedness continues to the tables with the spacing between one table to another very tight together. More to this in a bit. The hostess was so sweet, she actually sent us a complimentary Blistered Bread and Ricotta ($14) dish that we both really enjoyed to make up for the wait. The blistered bread was masterfully executed, very thin and went perfectly with the ricotta dip. Once again, I didn't mind the wait at all. That was not the problem with my meal. Anyways... going on... the waiter... the waiter we had was really grumpy. Not sure if it's just his personality or he was having a bad day. For instance, I was ready to get the white wine flight but then he was, very poorly, explaining it to the point where I was talked out of it. Then I was about to get a glass of wine or bubbly... Then once again he basically talks me out of it. Nevermind I'll drink water... I guess you don't need to earn a better tip. In addition to the trouble he gave me while order. When he came to ask me about my experience. I honestly responded that it could be better, due to the table next to us. He basically gaslit me like well it's a big party, what do you expect? Wow this inconsiderate family of kids bumping into my table, making fart sounds on purpose, cursing adults, and loud loud kids and adults... You expect me to feel like this is normal behavior and enjoy it. I straight up told him, well YOU ASKED ME, I'm just answered your question. He begrudgingly moved us but basically ignored us for the rest of the night Anyways, as for the food... I thought the food would be pretty fantastic since the restaurant was so busy. It had all of the signs of a successful restaurant. My boyfriend and I shared the following: Squash Blossoms ($16) - I love squash blossoms. My boyfriend knew I wouldn't be able to resist ordering it. Their preparation of this delicate ingredient was heavy for my liking. The batter on it was thick and oily. The toasted hazelnuts were unnecessary. House Italian Sausage ($26) - They have one of those pizza ovens. The crust was thin and crispy. It was well prepared. However the issue we had with this was the flavor, or rather lacking flavor. The taste of the Italian sausage was overwhelmed by the red onion agrodolce. We both ate a slice and took the rest home. Even as leftovers we weren't excited to eat it. Charred Scallop Risotto ($38) - What really sold me was the baja uni batter that I did not taste much of in this dish. This was a poor execution of a risotto. The texture was off, and the flavor was overwhelmed by whatever cheese they used in this dish. The charred scallop was one single scallop cut in half and overly charred and rubbery in taste. The blue shrimp were shriveled too. We made sure to eat the proteins to prevent waste but you know it's bad when my boyfriend didn't even want to togo this dish. He normally eats anything to prevent waste. Branzino alla Griglia ($38) - Whole grilled branzino topped with eggplant, salsa verde and herb salad. This was the least bad item that we paid for... Although there was a lot of bones to be cautious of. I understand the risk of stumbling on a few bones when ordering a whole fish but this was more than I would have liked. I also didn't like some of the flavors coating the fish. Although from a grilled perspective it was crispy and perfectly cooked. This is a popular business with plenty of patrons to keep them busy. Whatever they like... it isn't what I look for in a business I frequent. I know they don't need my business and I will gladly stay away and save myself all of the trouble. This was way too stressful and there weren't any dishes I need to have again. My experience was so awful I'm being very generous with this 3 star, which is "average".

See more unrecommended reviews

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

92 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Bryan P.

14 years ago

My first time writing a review. and you know what motivated me was how bad i had the experience at Bistro 45. To cut to the chase, I am shorting my disastrous experience for picking bistro 45 for New years eve dinner. Reason for the pick: Unlimited Champagne supply (12am to 1am) was confirmed by the manager before we made the reservation and of course it did not happen because they shut down everything at 12.15am and we were told to leave. we felt cheated and deceived totally. It was unpleasant. what['s so big deal with those cheap champagne Food: seven courses on the menu. Hear me out Loud ~ 1) Bread: It was all cold. i think Vons' daily fresh bread was better than them and remember a way to judge whether a restaurant is up to a standard or not is to see if they serve old bread. 2) Salad: a freaking thin slice of cumber and a nipple size of squash or something. that's more like a left over. i do not appreciate 3) Lobster Bisque: It was so so. nothing exciting we were told to drink it at mild temperature but unfortunately, we all love soup in hot temp 4) Seared Fish: the fish was horribly prepared. sauce and the preparation was not matching. it was just a horrible cheap skate slice 5) pork belly: very greasy and I only see layers of fat. I am not a fat person first of all and it's just gross. neither any our party wanted to eat the whole chunk of fat. Who wants to boost cholesterol level nowadays. you feel like your blood vein will be clogged up after devouring that unsaturated fat. By the way the sauce was not impressive either 6) Main course: the bloody steak slice. The size was a tiny piece. No flavor, very bloody, (like medium rare) how would you expect all of your customers want to have medium rare steak without even asking.the taste are so refrigerated. that's all I can taste and bloody. the side dish was baked potato stacks and I guess they are the best out of the whole night 7) Dessert: plate of brownies, Carmel, strawberry dipped with chocolate.: I felt like i was high-teaing. at least serve some cream brulee or something. totally cheap, Overall: Most of their food are like manufacturing. everyone gets the same dishes ( the slice from a mass cooking including the fish, steak, pork). nothing fancy or exciting Service: it was totally awful. The manager, the waiter, the bus boy, they all gave attitude. they were just not polite. slamming on your table, the look, the communication, Price: I spent freaking $126.00 on the meal. It was totally not worth it. I don't think I would want to pay $20 for it. not to mention their $5.00 valet parking. If there is a negative rating, I would definitely go for it all these posting i am seeing on yelp, I start to wonder if they are fake I would never never go back again or recommending.......Period~ read more

Arthur A.

2 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bistro 45 in Pasadena, and I can confidently say that it was one of the most delightful dining experiences I've ever had. From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that immediately set the tone for the evening. The ambiance at Bistro 45 is truly something special. The elegant yet cozy decor, with its soft lighting and tasteful artwork, creates a perfect setting for both intimate dinners and celebratory gatherings. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, making it a truly charming place to dine. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to find that the menu offered a variety of creative and delicious options. Every dish we tried was a masterpiece, crafted with the utmost care and creativity. I started with the Heirloom Tomato Salad, which was bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors and perfectly complemented by the house-made vinaigrette. It was a refreshing start that left me eager for more. For the main course, I chose the Seasonal Vegetable Risotto, and it was nothing short of divine. The risotto was creamy and rich, with a medley of seasonal vegetables adding color, texture, and depth to each bite. The balance of flavors was impeccable, and the portion size was just right. It's rare to find a vegetarian dish that is so satisfying and thoughtfully prepared, and this one truly stood out. To finish off the meal, we shared the Chocolate Soufflé, which was an absolute dream. Light, airy, and decadently chocolatey, it was the perfect ending to an already stellar meal. Paired with a glass of dessert wine recommended by our knowledgeable server, it made for a truly memorable experience. Speaking of service, the staff at Bistro 45 deserves special mention. They were attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious, and genuinely friendly throughout the evening. It's clear that they take pride in what they do, and it adds so much to the overall dining experience. In short, Bistro 45 is a gem in Pasadena. It's the kind of place that reminds you why you love dining out--fantastic food, exceptional service, and a wonderful atmosphere. As a vegetarian, it's a pleasure to find a restaurant that offers such thoughtfully crafted dishes. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. If you're looking for a place to enjoy a special night out, look no further than Bistro 45. It's truly a dining experience to remember. read more

Crystal N.

Elite 17

668

188

308

11 years ago

The happiest and kindest hostess works here! It was a spur of the moment that my boyfriend decided to take me on a date here after work. We called in even though we were already 5 minutes away from the Bistro to inquire if reservations were needed. We were immediately seated once we arrived by seriously, the nicest woman in Pasadena. All the male staff here were interesting. They were all very nice, but gave a vibe similar to how a grumpy Uncle John would help at the dinner table during Thanksgiving. But it was fine because we ordered two glasses of wine and spirits were lifted up again. We should've bought the bartender and waiters some wine, too! They would've helped turn some frowns upside down, hehe. Anyway - the food. The food was unbelievably good. There's this app called Snapchat and I think I literally spammed all of my friends with my amazing experience with the food here. I could not stop myself from sharing how much I enjoyed the food here at Bistro 45. We started our dinner with their fancy Caesar Salad. It was delicious, especially with the pesto that the chef incorporated into the dish, plus the Parmesan crisps. The boyfriend had the hanger steak. The steak was so tender and juicy and the sauce paired so well with it. The hanger steak was served with brussels sprouts and it was seriously the best side of brussels sprouts ever. It was probably prepared with the most simple ingredients but the flavoring of it was so DELICIOUS. I might have to ask for extra servings of it the next time we visit. I ordered the Scottish salmon steak, as recommended by the waiter and it was also very delicious. The portions looked quite petite but we were so full by the end of the meal. I cannot wait to come back again and hopefully the pan seared cod will be available next time! read more

Jim R.

16 years ago

Bistro has been a great Pasadena establishment for nearly 20 years. I always wonder if age makes a place better or worse... In this case, it is as good as its ever been, thanks to a stellar service staff, an outstanding kitchen and a wonderful environment. Bistro 45 is the place we go for not only special occasions, but for an evening out. A few weeks ago, I had a group in from out of town and they were looking for a late night dinner (we arrived at 9:30 PM after a long meeting). Not only were they happy to see us, but they went out of their way to make the meal exceptional. We all ordered different entrees and a salad with two bottles of reasonably priced wine. Great all around! For desert, two had the chocolate souffle and two had the cheese. Great work in the kitchen... If you are in Pasadena, this is a wonderful place to relax and have some of the best food in town. read more

Carlo B.

Elite 26

381

134

182

2 years ago

I recently attended a birthday party at Bistro 45, hosted by my niece, and it was a truly outstanding experience! The event was seamless, thanks to the incredible team led by William. He went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect, taking the time to explain our course menu in detail and sharing insights about each dish. The food was absolutely fantastic, and everyone in our group thoroughly enjoyed their evening. Organizing a dinner for a large party can be challenging, but the Bistro 45 team handled it flawlessly, making it one of the best dining experiences I've had with a big group. Thank you, William and the entire Bistro 45 team, for making the night so memorable. We're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

Strunge E.

14 years ago

I am sad to hear the news of Bistro 45's closing. Although the owner claims it is merely temporary for "refurbishment," that is an excuse he has used previously with his restaurant AKA in St. Helena (http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2011/02/07/aka-bistro-goes-dark-in-downtown-st-helena/) which neither remodeled or reopened. One of the great Pasadena dining spots long known for its exceptional service and friendly atmosphere, Bistro 45 was the destination dining spot in Pasadena for 20 years and if this is truly the end I recommend going one last time, or for the first time, -- you may not have another chance after the doors close. read more

Elvis K.

242

12 years ago

Loved my experience here. The tomato bisque was full of flavor and delicious. The brussel sprouts were very unique and also packed the crunch everyone desires. We also got their two specials for the evening a seafood pasta and a steak. You can really taste the difference in the quality of ingredients they use at Bistro 45. The owner and waiters were super nice and very attentive. The lemon dessert does taste very much like lemon, so you have to make sure you eat everything in the right order. Overall, it was a great experience and great value for the quality of food. read more

Susan L.

3 years ago

In contrast to Lily L's review I would say that Robert Simon is a very gracious, kind and loving restaurant owner. I love dogs but Bistro 45 is clearly not the kind of restaurant where a dog should be at a wine tasting. His wine tastings are by the way, fabulous and almost always sold out. I hope Lily can find a restaurant that welcomes her and her dog, I'm sure there are many out there. Meanwhile I can't recommend Bistro high enough. The food is fantastic, the staff is professional and the ambience is lovely. read more

Leonard K.

9 years ago

This place was bursting with people and has a nice bar area as well as a dining room and outside tables. The food is fairly common California fare. We ordered nachitos without sour cream and they were delivered to us with gobs of sour cream. When we sent it back, it was returned with the gobs removed but vestiges remaining. How uncool is thatd Most restaurants with any integrity would redo the dish from scratch and present the correct order. We were disappointed with that. The food, on the whole, was passable. read more

Shan J.

8 months ago

Had a wonderful dinner at Bristol 45 in Pasadena. The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed, making it a great place for a special night out or a refined dinner with friends. What really stood out was the owner personally walking by each table to introduce the dishes and explain the source of the ingredients -- a rare and thoughtful touch that shows real pride in the food. Everything we tried was excellent, and the overall experience felt personal and well curated. Highly recommended. read more

Walter A.

5 years ago

Came here in a group of six to celebrate the retirement of one of our group. Each of us had a different entree and every one of us declared that our meal was wonderful. We brought our own very special wines and very special treatment was afforded for our wine and for us by our server and personably by Robert Simon. A memorable event in every respect. On a Saturday night, it was noisy but happy with a number of special events in progress. read more

Char B.

133

14 years ago

A work in progress. We're from out of town and picked Bistro 45 based on Zagat rating supplemented by Yelp reviews. Tempera beans poorly fried and greasy. Pork belly good, but needed more romenscu sauce for 2 servings. Shrimp salad was straight out of the fridge - should have been warmed. Short ribs were super tender but the sauce was acrid. Lovely and friendly service. Good wine recommendation. read more

Carlene D.

1 year ago

Bistro 45 truly exceeded my expectations! The ambiance was cozy and inviting, perfect for a night out. The service was exceptional--attentive and friendly without being intrusive. Every dish we tried was a work of art, bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The wine selection complemented our meal perfectly. I can't wait to return for more delicious experiences! Highly recommended! read more

David G.

9 years ago

Came here for our Anniversary. Owner upfront was little bit off and put jokes up there which is could offend some guests. Prices were higher for this smaller place and they were rushing to change the plates. Would be nice if they would bring a complimentary small slice of cake for our Anniversary, it was mentioned, hah...Would think before come back... read more

Gary M.

15 years ago

Dropped in to Bistro 45 and was pleased. I took my wife here on date night and everything turned out great! Great food, romantic place with night lighting and little tables. The full menu is great (Try the Bouillabaisse-YUM) They have a nice bar and the service is awesome. If you want to take someone special on date I recommend Bistro 45! read more

Carlos R.

130

10 years ago

This restaurant is the best in Pasadena by far. Robert, the owner came to our table and made it feel like we were at our family's house. They use only the best organic ingredients which is something not many restaurants do in the area. I loved the hanger steak. I suggest getting the some extra sauce on the side. I will be back! read more

Kendrick E.

1 year ago

Bistro 45 offers a lovely atmosphere, perfect for a cozy dinner. The food is delicious, showcasing fresh ingredients and creative dishes that truly delight the palate. Service was attentive, though a bit slow on a busy night. A solid choice for a memorable meal, just a few little tweaks would make it perfect! read more

Andrea G.

14 years ago

I came here for dinner last night with the most awesome friends and we experienced such an awesome night of delicious food!! The food is reaaaally flavorful -- and I'm a biiiiiig sauce nut. I NEED SAUCE, specifically sriracha or hot sauce of some sort. After a few bites I didn't really need any sauce at all. read more

Felicity M.

11 years ago

Super fine dining and of course expensive, but this is a perfect romantic quiet place to celebrate valentines day or an anniversary. Service is impeccable, they wait on your every need without being all over you all the time. Not overly pretentious, and the wine that was suggested was perfect. read more

Ibrahim C.

9 years ago

We went here for dinner and everything from the decor, the service and the food were excellent. We started with the octopus which was excellent. I had the short ribs and they melted in my mouth. For dessert we had the Bistro which was amazing. I highly recommend this Bistro 45 to eat at. read more

Bistro 45 - newamerican - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Bistro 45 also viewed

The Arbour

4.3

(987 reviews)

I returned to The Arbour in Pasadena for a Friday night dinner and had an even better experience…read morethan the last time. I got the sea bass and the the fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The sides including the polenta cake and the baby bok-choy hit all the marks in terms of flavor, texture and presentation. I realized they had changed their dessert menu since the last time I was here in February. To my pleasant surprise and relief, their new dessert options were really good too! We got 2 desserts and the chocolate mousse cake was to die for. My girfriends and I were fighting for it. The warm apple pie was good too. I got the margarita mocktail and it was incorrectly made the first time but then they fixed it and it was delicious. Service was good. The ambiance is always modern, intimate and not too noisy. I am glad my gfs chose to come here after I recommended and I had another great experience.

Ambiance is good Food not exciting, maybe average…read moreService was not anything I would come here for Walked in the door last week to try again. Then turned around and left, Did not want to waste money and time on something that was not good

Deluxe 1717

(138 reviews)

Great small local restaurant with a varied and interesting menu. They have Asian flavors like…read moreadobo, along with Peruvian, Jamaican, Cuban and tacos (mexican?). Somehow everything came iut great tasting and would come back to try other dishes! For 5 people, we ordered and had perfect amoint of food: -free crisps with mediterranean seasoning (not sure what they're called), very tasty -Hamachi crudo - interesting but good texture, as they cure it with beet juice. Has a peruvian flavor to it with the sourness of the sauce, but also comes with olives? Like I said, interesting menu -peruvian chow mien with added steak - well cooked tender steak, noodles were nice and springy as well - pork chop - very well cooked and delicious -brussel sprouts and pork belly - pork belly pieces were very small, definitely more brussel sprouts, also tasty - side of Maduros, which are sweet fried plantains, but not too sweet as they can sometimes be All in all a great meal! Neighborhood or street parking. Patio allows dogs. Fast and friendly service. Also on inkind

Classy little restaurant down the street from me that apparently has the best Cuban sandwich around…read morethese parts. Not sure how many spots in these parts have Cuban sandwiches, but I know Emmi's down in Sierra Madre has one and it's pretty damn good. Parking is on the street as well as in the back, but that lot is shared with other businesses and you'll have an easier time just parking in the street. Nice open dining area that sits about 20 or so, plus seats outside. Just a nice spot for casual dining. During prime hours, you should make reservations. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. And the food comes out relatively quickly. Ordered the Cuban sandwich that came with your choice of fries or salad. Come on now, fries all the time! The sandwich is really large and they are super generous with their pork. The roasted pork was delicious with a hint of smoke (they have a smoker in the back I think). My only complaint is they threw in a couple of strips of pork belly. That kind of gave you an uneven bite in the sandwich, not to mention that the belly strips were rather tough and chewy. The menu is varied enough to make me want to try this spot again, so a pretty good time was had by all.

Betsy

4.2

(197 reviews)

Came for our Anniversary. Cute, intimate restaurant. If eating inside dress for warm weather. The…read morefire wood oven blazes. We had a very kind server who directed us in ordering. The melon salad was AMAZING! Crudo mmmmmm We had the ribeye, a bottle of wine and the savory potatoes. Dessert and a huge smile. Highly recommend. Reservations a must.

Betsy has been on my radar since they opened up a couple months ago. I knew from the start that I…read morehad to save this restaurant for a special night out so I planned on taking my gf here for our one year anniversary. We had reservations at 5 PM which is when the restaurant opens so we were first in line and seated right away. Here's what we ordered: **Melon Salad: This was an off-the-menu item recommended by our server for a refreshing little appetizer. It's an interesting combination with cucumbers, mint leaves, melon, and a tart citrusy vinaigrette. Basic ingredients but an elevated feel with the overall balance of flavors. (3.5/5) **Ricotta Gnocchi: This is not your ordinary Italian style gnocchi. The gnocchi had a nice balance between soft and crispy. It had a strong lemon flavor with a ton of cheese sprinkled on top. It tasted like a savory lemon pound cake and it was quite weird for me. (3.5/5) **30 Day Dry Aged Ribeye: The ribeye itself was above average but the chimichurri was definitely the star of this dish. It was one of the best tasting chimichurri I've ever had in my life. (4/5) **Wood Oven Brussels Sprouts: The seasoning was spot on and not too overwhelming in any particular flavor profile. The sprouts itself were not too soft and not too charred. It had a good crunch to it and wasn't too bitter. Excellent dish! (5/5) **Outward Montana De Oro: Very refreshing white wine to pair with our meal. (5/5) Overall, pretty good food as far as presentation and flavor goes but personally a little overpriced for what you get. Our server, Emily G was great. She checked up on us throughout the evening and recommended great dishes for us. She also answered every question that we had and had a very friendly personality. Emily went above and beyond to make sure we had a great dining experience at Betsy. Just a side note: This restaurant does not have a phone number listed. Reservations are made through Resy and you can make reservations within 2 weeks from the current date. The interior is quite small and accommodates smaller parties of 1 to 4. Most tables seat 2 but there are a few that seat 4. There's one booth available in the back where you can possibly squeeze in 5 average sized people. There are a few outdoor table options as well. As a 6'7" man, this restaurant was way too small so keep that in mind. There's barely enough room for people to get around and the interior gets really hot because of the open kitchen and ongoing flames from the wood fire. Do I recommend Betsy? Yes and no. Prices are fairly high in my opinion but the food is good. If the restaurant was a little larger and the ventilation was better then I would definitely recommend this place 100%. Would I go again? Probably not. However, I believe that Betsy will flourish so I wish the best of luck to them and whatever the future holds for them.

Marina

4.4

(928 reviews)

Bess

4.3

(95 reviews)

It was my first time at Bess and it did not disappoint! The food was delicious and staff were…read morereally friendly. There was plenty of parking behind the restaurant and it's located in a cute street with other restaurants and a movie theater. I started off with some wine and ordered the Moscato. If you enjoy sweeter wines, I highly recommend it! The menu is small but everything we ordered was really good! We shared the focaccia, Caesar salad, and pesto pasta. The focaccia was warm and the pesto pasta was delicious. For the dessert, we tried the key lime tart and it was so good too! The photo booth was such a fun way to end the evening. I can't wait to visit again!

Bess is very cute and the restaurant has a lovely ambiance. I believe this is a newer establishment…read moreso I'm sure they will improve over time and I look forward to altering this review if they do indeed deliver in the future. The service: Our server was friendly but inattentive and busy running about which I found odd as the restaurant seemed to be appropriately staffed. We never got our water jug refilled and we had to flag our waitress down for the check. The table next to us had to do the same. This was in stark contrast with the outdoor tables who were well taken care of, I could see this through the glass window front as we were seated at a bar. The wait time for food: I had read through the reviews before coming so I set my timer to see for myself. Our food was served in 45 minutes, not exactly ideal. I understand food takes time, but for such a busy restaurant the turn around was lengthy. I was not the only person to notice this. Many tables were looking around waiting for their food. Towards the end of our meal I heard a woman complaining to the staff about their wait. The food: I enjoyed my lasagna, the lemon ricotta was flavorful, I wish they had topped it with a bit less cheese as that was a bit overpowering but I personally liked it a lot 4.5/5. The chicken parm was decent but my partner was not so impressed, he said it's a 3/5. Parking can be found in the back lot behind the store fronts.

Neighbors & Friends

4.2

(61 reviews)

Wait staff was excellent. Unfortunately Oxtail, chicken parm and hush puppies were all sold out by…read more7:00 pm on a Sunday night. Underwhelming experience.

Went here with a friend for my birthday during their second week open and absolutely loved it. It…read morealready feels like the kind of sweet neighborhood spot you hope sticks around for a long time. We ordered a bunch of things to share : the hush puppies, chicken wings, wedge salad, and oxtail ragu. The wings were WHOLE wings, which I loved, and the wedge had this beautifully creamy dressing that made it way more memorable than your average wedge salad. But the oxtail ragu was the STAR of the table. So rich and comforting and just ridiculously good. I will go back for that alone!!! And then there was the cookie skillet. Truly one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. They use a cookie from Very Best Cookie with Fosselman's ice cream, and it was the perfect ending to a birthday dinner. Service was also wonderful! everyone was genuinely friendly and welcoming, especially impressive considering they'd only been open a couple of weeks. The whole place has such a cozy neighborhood feel, which I feel like South Pas has been missing a little bit. I also really love that they're sourcing their food locally and working with other small businesses. Like the pasta from Ferrazzini (one of my favs in Pasadena) . You can tell there's a lot of thought behind the place without it feeling overly precious about it. Such a lovely addition to the neighborhood. Can't wait to go back for that ragu and a glass of beer at the bar

Bacchus' Kitchen + Wine Bar

4.3

(303 reviews)

Another amazing meal and excellent service at Bacchus on V-day…read moreGo for the curated menu Go for the masterful presentation Go for the hand selected entertainment Go for the attentive but not annoying wait staff Go because it's a local business with possibly the best email marketing in LA Don't go if you hate good things

Great food, great people, and great service. Attention to detail shows. A+ for events. Highly…read morerecommend.

Alexander's Steakhouse - Pasadena

4.2

(1.6k reviews)

•$$$$

We came here for our anniversary and it's our first visit to the restaurant. When we entered the…read morerestaurant, I love the warm, luxury and romantic vibe. The greeter and server were very welcoming. I love how cozy the table is set up. I love a very thoughtful gesture when I saw a happy anniversary card waiting at our table. The menu has a variety of choices. We ordered the filet mignon and paired with a glass of Cabernet, the cod chioppino in lobster broth and paired with a glass of Pinot Grigio. For sides, we ordered the mushroom medley and Korean roasted cauliflower. The food is so perfectly prepared. For dessert, we ordered the cookie and cream soufflé, a yummy dessert. They also gave us our anniversary desserts which are the yizu cheesecake and the fun cotton candy. We are very pleased with this wonderful dinner celebration. Thank you Alexander's steakhouse.

Came here to celebrate my birthday, and it was such a memorable experience from start to finish!…read more When we were seated, there was already a birthday card waiting for me at the table, which was such a thoughtful surprise. They provided complimentary bread service with their butter trio and it was incredible! Each butter had its own unique flavor, and every type of bread was warm and delicious. We ordered the grilled octopus as our appetizer, and it was perfectly cooked. It was tender with a nice char and beautifully plated with chorizo. We asked for the bone marrow to come out with the bone-in ribeye, and I'm so glad we did. Spreading the rich, buttery bone marrow onto the steak made every bite even better. The bone-in ribeye was cooked perfectly with a beautiful crust while staying juicy and flavorful inside. Our server even suggested saving some of the butter to enjoy with the steak later, which ended up being a great recommendation. We also ordered the Wagyu fried rice, which was tasty with the roe. The broccolini was a great side. Can't go wrong with that. To end the night, they surprised us with sparkling grapefruit/champagne, a birthday dessert and cotton candy. This was an unforgettable dining experience. It's definitely a splurge, but absolutely worth it for a special occasion. We can't wait to come back!

Nick's South Lake Avenue

4.5

(2.2k reviews)

We decided to try Nick's for lunch to celebrate my birthday. OMG!!!!…read moreWhat a great place to dine. We had a reservation so we were seated right away on the second floor, just above the bar. The music was a little on the loud side so conversation was a little strained. The food was absolutely amazing. Our server was very friendly and informative but was not quite as attentive as we would expect for an establishment like this. This was our first time here, so we had to try the Asparagus Fries. The asparagus was cooked to perfection but the batter did not have much flavor. Members of our party ordered the California Salad, a Veggie Burger, the Meatloaf and a Picante Pizza. The California Salad was smaller than expected but delicious. The Veggie Burger was excellent! The Meatloaf was the hit of the table. It was so good that my wife did not offer a taste to any of us. She was in food Heaven. The pizza was exactly as described and tasted wonderful. Since we were celebrating my birthday, our server brought me a delicious piece of double chocolate cake with a candle in it. Nice touch!! We also had one of their Warm Butter Cake's with some excellent vanilla ice cream on top. Absolutely wonderful!. This may be our new "go-to" place. Looking forward to return to savor the other items on the menu. Their drinks looked delicious as well, so we will definitely try those too.

Was in Pasadena the other day, and had not eaten yet, so decided to go by Nick's, since I had never…read morebeen, and try a few of the items that sounded tasty on the menu. Made a reservation about an hour before, so when we got there we were seated immediately. After a quick glance at the drink menu, had to get the Mai Tai with lilikoi foam on top. So delicious. Had my first lilikoi foam in Maui and I love that I'm starting to see it around Los Angeles now. Adds such a punch of flavor to an after we balanced drink. For food, we started with the bacon deviled eggs and shrimp taquitos. Those deviled eggs were lightly fried, which was different, then had apple wood smoked bacon on top, just a really tasty bite. The shrimp taquitos were also not what you would expect, nice and light but still very good. Entrees we went with the center cut fillet and the prime rib dip with swiss cheese on a brioche bun. That sandwich just melts if your mouth after dipping it in the jous, and the cheese was the perfect accompiament. The fillet was cooked perfect as well, coming out medium rare. Overall, great restaurant in Pasadena. Definitely get the Mai Tai, Devine eggs and prime rib dip. Taquitos were good and, if you're feeling like another hg er appetizer, definitely a way to go . The fillet, also great but I feel you can get it anywhere.

Cow Belly Modern Dining