Went here for my birthday and the service was amazing. Everyone was super welcoming and friendly, and the food was delicious! Will definitely come back when I'm in the area. Ambiance was very romantic and calm. The positive energy from the staffs made this place extremely more enjoyable. read more

Bistro 45 - Omaha Hanger Steak (bottom) and Ribeye (top) - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Our entire experience, from the moment we were seated until we walked out the door, was absolutely incredible. The freshly baked bread was addictive! We actually had to ask the staff to stop bringing it because we couldn't help ourselves. There were four of us, and every single dinner was described as "AMAZING" by each diner. I consider myself a self-proclaimed "Salmon Snob," having grown up in Seattle and worked my way through school in a salmon specialty restaurant. That Washington King Salmon was cooked to perfection and reminded me of freshly caught Alaskan King! The service from Caitlin was A++--she was absolutely delightful. The service manager also checked in multiple times to ensure we were having a good time. I would recommend anyone to dine here. I will certainly be back for more. Thank you to all of the wonderful staff read more

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Always amazing! The pulled pork pizza with blue cheese and spicy pickles is amazing! The tomato soup and mushroom soup are great too! I love sitting at the bar - Jerry, the bartender makes great drinks and always suggests the tastiest wine. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It's a great place! read more

I've been here a few times and every single time it's just impeccable. From the service, to decor, to drinks, and food I mean even the parking lot everything is just perfect. I love Bistro 45 I'm a big foodie and have a father who runs a family business supplying restaurants and markets so I know that most business's take the shortcut and just buy frozen, premade, cheap and ready to heat and serve . However Not here, Robert and his Wife take so much care and heart into every detail from the dairy they source to the farms they buy their meat from, to the wines and even to the level of service their staff is serving . Every little detail is impecable, perfect and not to mention extremely clean. I can rave for days about how much I love it here. You are not getting any basic Sysco or restaurant supplier quality when you come here expect the best of the best . Truly better than some of the restaurants I've visited in Europe. They have a perfect aesthetic and their chefs are top notch. You know a place is serious if they have a seasonal menu, and actually knows where their food is coming from to let you know exactly what you're eating . Worth every single penny and calorie . Thank you William for always taking care of us and Thank you dearly Robert for taking the time to share with us, your business fulfills my soul I look forward to coming for many more years xo! Ps seasonal egg nog is killer! I've never had anything more delicious! (And ethically sourced which is super important to me) read more

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I am nit sure where to begin. This is a really cute place to dine. It is fine dining at its best. We had great service from Caitlin and staff. The food was better than any restaurant that we have been to in years. We had'nt eaten here since before covid. Mostly because we moved an hour away. But we came into Pasadena for a play and this was our first choice of the many great restaurants in the area. Kudo's for exceeding 5 stars read more

One of the Best meals I've had in Pasadena in years!!! I don't know why this place has not been on my radar before. First time visit.- everything was excellent! Incredible creamy asparagus soup, the bread was to die for! The hanger steak was tender, delicious and beautifully presented with mashed potatoes and broccolini. The beet salad was also perfect! And we finished with the butterscotch Pot au crème. Convenient parking in the rear, a lovely outdoor covered patio and a small charming bar area. I will be back!! read more

Opakapaka otherwise known as Pink Snapper was FABULOUS!! My husband ordered that. The Service is always excellent. Robert and Laura always take such great care of us. They know what we want before we do!! Our waiter MaeDee (sp?) is always there with water, bread butter etc. I ordered Salmon, which is reliably excellent. The Ambiance is always great! Soft music, lovely Ladies restroom. My favorite night out!, read more

Bistro 45 - Striped Bass - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Everything about this place is amazing! Throughout our meal, I noticed many of the patrons were regulars. The servers recalled their preferences & skillfully recommended options for drinks & new menu offerings. The service we received from Brooke & Patrick was top-notch. The wine & drink selection is great. I couldn't choose just one... so I opted for the White Knight flight & enjoyed 3 wonderful white wines. The bread -- OH THE BREAD! It's served warm - with a crisp crust & soft inside. Perfection. I inquired about dessert in order to plan my meal. I opted for the prosciutto & fig pizza - a lighter choice that I could bring extras home in order to enjoy dessert. My boyfriend ordered the young roasted chicken with a side of mashed potatoes. Ohmygosh - the *mashed potatoes*! We eagerly devoured them! I snuck some of the roasted carrots that came with his meal. They were cooked perfectly - slightly crisp & seasoned. After significant deliberation, we selected the butterscotch pot-de-la-creme for dessert. It was just enough for us after this rich meal. NOTE - Throughout our meal, we observed the owner, Richard, walking around the restaurant. He spoke with guests (regulars & newbies like us). He even bussed tables! He is personally invested & committed to creating an exceptional dining experience for all of his guests. read more

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Can't say enough about Bistro 45. A lovely restaurant with a quaint bar area, an exquisite dining room and outdoor patio. We ordered the organic vegetable risotto - which was excellent, and the meyer lemon trio for dessert. The service was impeccable and we throughly enjoyed our evening. I do suggest making reservations in advance, and there is a small parking lot behind the restaurant. read more

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Great food, friendly attentive service, great menu, quiet tasteful room. On site parking or more in the lot directly across the street. We've been there five times in two years with consistent results. read more

Excellent Pasadena dining. If you want a place worthy of being a regular, this is it. Great food, great staff and atmosphere.

I booked a last minute birthday party at Bistro 45 and could not be happier how it all turned out. Robert, the owner, returned my call right away and we went over the options and his wonderful suggestions. When we arrived, the table and room was perfectly setup. We were promptly seated and their wonderful bread was served followed by amazing appetizers. Pre-ordering the appetizers was a great suggestion by Robert. My guests could enjoy food/conversation upon arrival and not feel rushed to look at the menu right away :) The food at Bistro 45 is excellent! Everything tasted so fresh and the presentation was so beautiful. Throughout the evening every member of my family kept complimenting about the food/service/ambience etc. I want to give a special shout out to Will! He was our main server and truly understands the meaning of hospitality. Thank you Will! Finally, I want to say thank you to Robert for being so accomodating and flexible. We hope to have a chance to meet him soon. If you are looking for excellent food, impeccable service in a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere with the most welcoming staff, you will not be disappointed at Bistro 45. There is a loading/unloading lane in front of the main door, helpful if you're coming with elderly guests, and free parking in the back. read more

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My family kindly took me out to celebrate my birthday, and there were seven of us. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so noise tends to carry, but we were simply enjoying ourselves -- laughing, talking, and having a normal celebratory dinner. Shortly after we ordered, the general manager came to our table and asked us to lower our noise level because the table next to us had complained that we were too loud. While we may have gotten a bit louder when we laughed (as most groups do during a birthday celebration), we were not being rude or disruptive. What made the situation especially uncomfortable was that the table who complained appeared to be an older white group, while we are a group of Latinos and Asians. Being singled out felt unfair and honestly offensive. It was disappointing that management chose to appease another table rather than recognize that we were also respectful, paying customers. The interaction changed the entire tone of our dinner and made us feel like we had to police our laughter and conversations. To her credit, the GM later apologized and acknowledged that she shouldn't have asked us to quiet down since we weren't doing anything disrespectful. I appreciated the apology, but unfortunately the moment had already dampened the celebration. On a positive note, the food was great. We ordered several appetizers (the fries were especially good), and the steak, lamb chops, and cod were all delicious. The rest of the staff was also really friendly and professional. Sadly, despite the good food, the overall experience means we won't be returning. read more

This is my parents' favorite restaurant in Pasadena and they've been coming here close to a decade. Hidden on mentor ave just down from Colorado, they have two lots for parking which makes it easy. We normally go for their wine pairing dinners which are usually $95/per person and you get to taste and order lots of excellent wine. The winemakers are usually present as well. Highly recommend those. For this dinner, we had a party of 10 to celebrate 4 birthdays. We were able to pre order hot and cold appetizers which I highly recommend. Then we could all order our own mains and dessert. Food was outstanding. Servers were great. Robert, the owner, is always there running around. Definitely add to your list for Pasadena if you haven't been. 5 stars. read more

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I made a reservation for Mother's Day, thinking it would be a really cute brunch spot. Right away, we were offered mimosas or champagne as we walked in, and we were seated outdoors. There was a live band playing, and the ambiance was great. However, it was extremely hot that day, and I wasn't given the option to sit indoors, which I would have preferred. I also wish they had notified me during the reservation process that there would be a fixed Mother's Day menu and that the regular menu wouldn't be available. The set menu was about $75 per person. It included eggs, bacon, potatoes, two tiny muffins, a mimosa or champagne, and one entrée. For our entrees, I ordered the chicken, steak, and albacore salad for our group of three. The chicken was extremely dry--so much so that I barely ate it. The steak was okay, but definitely not worth $75 per person. On a positive note, the service was great and the staff were attentive. HOWEVER, I really didn't appreciate that a 20% tip was automatically added. It wasn't listed on the menu or mentioned beforehand. Instead, it was handwritten on the receipt, and I was told this was the required amount--even though they said they weren't allowed to add it on the receipt that I would sign. It felt a bit forced and left a bad impression. The entire brunch came out to be about $260 for three people which really did not feel worth it. Overall, I would not recommend Bistro 45. read more

Dinner Saturday at Bistro 45 which has been around 35 years and the owner Robert Simon was working like it was opening week. The food was fantastic, service attentive and fun, and Robert made these first-timers feel like we've been good customers for decades. A reminder of what a great restaurant can be beyond pursuit of Michelin stars and corporate formulas. Thanks to team! read more

Very easy to book with them for a party of 20 (private party). Deborah was amazing. I coordinated with her althroughout the entire time via email and she answered all my queries before the event. Ambiance was quiet,classy, romantic and private (we were given the whole room for ourselves for the private party). Service was excellent. The owner was welcoming and goes around the restaurant to make sure everyone has been taken cared of. He explained the incoming menu for us to enjoy. I specifically came to this place to taste the farm to table experience. Our servers were very attentive, always asking if we need anything else. Service was swift and with a smile. Food was HEAVENLY... You can taste the freshness of the food from the soup, salad, main entree up to the dessert. I will be coming back. read more

This is a restaurant that is in a class by itself. The owner, Robert, and his staff do a tremendous job ensuring your experience is memorable. From the service to the food, this establishment is what makes Pasadena a wonderful place to live and visit. read more

Where do I start? Life is all about experiences and memories. After browsing a billion restaurants and reading a trillion reviews, I decided to make reservations at the Bistro45 in Pasadena, to celebrate our anniversary. A week later, I called to ask a few questions. Lucky for me, Robert, the owner, answered the phone. He was the most friendly, humble and patient individual. We ended up chatting for about half an hour. When I mentioned my food restriction dilemma, Robert said: "Katia, you tell me what you can eat and we will make it for you". What?!?! Unheard of. The fact that he took the time to listen and addressed me by my name, made me feel as if I've known him already and very comfortable. While learning about Bistro45 online, I came across a podcast interview with Robert. What I was mostly intrigued by after listening to it, was his passion, drive and care. I couldn't wait to meet him. Having spent decades working and managing restaurants myself, I appreciate the integrity, dedication, hospitality, transparency, commitment and hard work and I get how challenging they might be. Both Robert and Deborah demonstrated all of the above. My hubby and I are foodies. We don't skip on a good meal but we avoid wasting our hard earning money on unworthy experiences. It was our first time visiting Bistro45. We enjoyed the vibe, the food, the service and of course, meeting Robert and his beautiful wife, Deborah. When was the last time a restaurant owner emailed you to say "Thank you" for supporting their business? That's right, never! Well, after dinner that night, we received that email, sent at 11:15PM. How cool is that? Taking the time to express gratitude, goes a long way. Thank you Robert and Deborah for a memorable night and for the complimentary dessert. We are looking forward to seeing you again. read more

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Booked a reservation through Yelp for a party of 8-9. Robert, the manager/owner, responded quickly with confirming the reservation and even accommodated adjusting the time for our reservation. We had calamari and mussels and clams with fries. So good! We could have eaten just that for dinner. But we also ordered the fish du jour (snapper), field green salad (so big that the whole table got to share), red, white and green salad, duck breast (so good the two who shared this dish didn't offer to have other taste), and ravioli du chef (ate more like a dumpling). We also had the butterscotch pot au crème and the berry trifle. Both were hits, but the butterscotch dish was literally licked clean. The drinks were good, and the service was attentive. Highly recommend! read more

A lovely gem of a restaurant. Excellent staff, excellent food, and a small intimate space. Make sure to try the lemon trio dessert.

Lives up to the reviews. We enjoyed it so much and the service was great. Not pictured but the calamari, pizza and desserts were amazing read more

Bistro 45 - Pork chop was incredible. Didn't take pictures but the calamari, pizza and desserts were amazing. - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

We went to Bistro 45 for our Christmas dinner and had such a great experience! From the moment I made the reservation, the owner personally called me to confirm and ensure the night was just to our liking. Then, when we arrived, we were welcomed with a warm reception from parking to seating. The owner personally greeted us and served us some delicious heirloom tomato pizza, bread and heirloom tomato soup on the house to express his gratitude for our service as medical workers. We all enjoyed our dishes from salads to pasta to steak. But the desserts were the best. The butterscotch dessert and Lemon Trio were unique and a good way to finish the night off! I've never been to Bistro 45 in the 10 years I've lived in Pasadena, but I'll definitely be back. Parking is easy and the ambiance is warm and welcoming. read more

We've been to Bistro 45 many times for dinner, with friends or by ourselves, and also had a private luncheon party there last summer for almost 30 people, (they're only open for lunch for private parties since covid), and every visit has been nothing short of superb! The legendary restaurateur, Robert Simon, and his excellent business partner and wife, Deborah, have owned this classic place, in a stunning Art Deco bldg., (the site of the former French restaurant, Marianne), for more than 30 years. Robert and his late father, Alvin, ran the groundbreaking (and much-missed) Cafe Jacqoulet in Old Town Pasadena in the 1980s. Service, food, and ambience at Bistro 45 are all unrivaled, with the "New American" cooking taking center stage. There are regional specialties from all over the country on this well-curated menu, along with a carefully chosen wine list featuring an amazing breadth, depth, and price range from across the globe, where Robert and Deborah frequently travel in search of the next great find that will pair nicely with their eclectic menu! Most importantly, perhaps, is that these very nice folks, and their equally nice (and experienced) staff, make you feel welcomed, appreciated, and at home, on every visit! read more

Bistro 45 - Butterscotch pot au creme at Bistro 45 - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The ambiance, service and food are all amazing, I'm glad don't need to travel far for great Italian restaurant. read more

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Always great to excellent execution and French classics with a touch of flare. Their wine night events are also a lot of fun.

First time at Bistro 45. Great time, food and service were on point. We will return!

A little cute spot in Pasadena, literally might miss it if you aren't looking for it. I came here for company dinner and what stood out the most was the duck breast and the house dessert - choco soup! The duck breast was really soft and flavorful. Paired with some rice and greens and I wish I could have gotten more of it. But the star of the show was the choco soup. It was rich, it was chocolatey and it comes with ice cream and a side of chocolate sauce. Wish I could have taken pictures. Shout out to our server Avery for doing a wonderful job taking care of us read more

I came to celebrate my birthday. Host was nice but no waitstaff. Our orders were taken by a seemed busboy who didn't greet or mentioned any specials until I asked. His answer? Yes. Fish and ribeye. That's it. No mention of how it was made or what does it comes with. No one paid attention to us even when our drinks needed refills. We had to ask 2x to get our drinks refilled and it wasn't a busy time. The food was OK due to the service and price. Over priced. Overall disappointing. read more

I had such a great experience at Bistro 45 that I had to share it here. I came in not really knowing what to expect, but I ended up having one of the best grouper dishes I've ever had. The fish was incredibly fresh, perfectly flaky, and seasoned so well that every bite had me pausing to appreciate it. You can really tell when a kitchen respects their ingredients, and this grouper was prepared with real care. What made the visit even better was meeting Robert, the owner. He stopped by my table to check in, and you can feel how passionate he is about the food and the experience he wants guests to have. It's rare to see an owner that involved, and it honestly made the meal feel more personal. Between the quality of the food, the cozy atmosphere, and the warm hospitality, Bistro 45 easily became one of my new favorites. I'll definitely be back -- that grouper alone is worth returning for. read more

Very Good Restaurant In Pasadena. Order Mussels & Clams , Duck Breast , Pork Chop , Hanger Steak. Everything Ordered Taste Delicious. Very Good Service. read more

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The food was very good, the service was impeccable. We had brunch there Mother's Day 2025. All of our eclectic pallets were satisfied. This establishment harkens back to days when owners really cared about customer service. Robert and his wife personally escorted us to our seats. The staff reflected the owner's approach to excellence. We highly recommend this place! The Medleys read more

Bistro 45 - Mother's Day 2025 - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Fantastic food. Excellent service. Upscale restaurant but well worth the cost. Nice mellow atmosphere. Very nice owner. I highly recommend.

My wife and I go once or twice a year to celebrate special occasions. The food is always delicious and superbly prepared. The service is timely, and the servers are helpful and professional. The owner has been there every time we've visited, and keeps an eye on the tables and service, without being overbearing. He's swung by our table on a couple of our visits just to describe our dishes, their ingredients and preparation. Highly recommended! read more

Bistro 45 is a new American restaurant in Pasadena, California. Although its parking at the back of the restaurant is small and the nearby parking of other businesses is pricey, it also offers a complimentary parking directly across the street. The restaurant is a little pricey but in line with nearby Pasadena restaurants. #Bistro45 #PasadenaRestaurants https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02MgocELBgK7oBGsgt1M9A7awUDxjoUMUDVR5D1w9UXqg9K3kWXXEoiwPyB4Ax4cp5l&id=61555025878168&mibextid=wwXIfr read more

Bistro 45 - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This was my first time visiting this restaurant, and we came to celebrate my sister's birthday. We had reservations last night, and considering this is a "$$$" venue, the experience was very disappointing. From the start, there was no waiter or waitress who greeted or welcomed us, explained the menu, or mentioned any specials. It seemed like only busboys were servicing our table the entire night -- no one from the waitstaff ever checked on us. When one of them finally asked for our order, we had to ask if there were any specials. He vaguely mentioned "fish" and "ribeye" but didn't explain how they were prepared, what sauce or sides they came with, etc. For entrées averaging between $28-$69, I would expect at least attentive service and proper menu guidance. Earlier in the day, I received a call confirming the name to be written on the birthday dessert plate, which I thought was a nice touch. However, they never mentioned that the dessert would be an additional $16 each. When the dessert arrived, the "birthday" message was written in chocolate, but again, this was all explained and handled haphazardly by (what seemed like) another busboy. The restaurant itself is small -- maybe four tables were occupied during our reservation -- so it's not like they were too busy to provide proper service. Overall, for the price and the occasion, it was a letdown. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant, especially if you're expecting a fine dining experience or attentive service for a special celebration. read more

Wow! I had dinner with a group of friends who hadn't seen each other and decided to make it a special night. That is exactly what food from Bistro 45 means, you're in for a special night! First of all the building and interior decor is so welcoming. And the staff is amazingly friendly and helpful. That said the food is the star of the show. I didn't take photos because I didn't want to compromise the atmosphere at all. But I actually believe anything you order at Bistro 45 will be five stars. We started with a Duck confit salad. The best Duck confit I've ever tasted. The chef sent out a complimentary serving of a tomato basil soup with balsamic and a Parmesan crumble. It was just delicious. They served everyone fresh baked bread that had the best crust ever. The entrees for the evening were a beautifully cooked grass fed steak with a vegetable purée and haricot vert and a house made fettuccini served with a lamb ragú. Everything was just perfectly prepared. We were too full for dessert but the dessert menu was absolutely up to the same amazing level as the rest of the evening. I will come back any chance I have to dine here again. Thank you Bistro 45! read more

Just had an amazing dinner at Bistro 45. Perfectly cooked fish with delicious sides. Plus such a lovely setting and atmosphere and great service. Truly a gem. read more

I've been living in Pasadena for the last 10 years and somehow have managed to miss this place all that time. Boy do I feel stupid. The food was absolutely excellent and the service was too. I love the feel of a restaurant where the owner stops by your table to check on how your meal was. We sat outside which I normally don't like, but this patio area was very nice, as comfortable as an inside table. Do yourself a favor and check this place out! I had the steak it was awesome, my wife had the muscles and little neck clams she loved it... Can't wait to go back for the lamb chops which the table next to us got, it looked amazing. This will be one of our regular spots from now on! read more

Another amazing evening at Bistro 45. The food was excellent, the service was fantastic, and we were welcomed back like family. We dined on the patio, which was beautiful. There's something so special about coming to a restaurant and having everyone immediately recognize you and welcome you. Our favorite restaurant in Pasadena! read more