Great service and amazing food. Was quickly seated before the dinner rush and had a lovely meal.

Gales is a great local Italian Pasadena eatery -- this was MUCH better than expected. Outside - very low key environment - but the taste and service was SUPERB. We sat outside for dinner and the tables were spaced out nicely so we had a lot of room. They are dog FRIENDLY which is a plus. My mother in law brought her dog in a stroller. We went here to celebrate my mother in laws birthday. SERVICE - prompt and accommodating especially with the dog in the stroller. I had the BEEF SHORT RIB RAVIOLI. This was on their more seasonal menu. It was EXCELLENT tasty and earthy. The pasta was light and kind of reminded me of dumplings. The CHICKEN PAILLARD had a very flavorful sauce. LASAGNA also very flavorful. The veggie pasta had an incredible pesto sauce. PARKING - lot in the back of the restaurant. FREE and many spots We will come back!!! read more

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We go to Gales at least once a week. Food is good, service is fantastic! But tonight everything was off. Host was not friendly. Not a smile. Server Anthony was not attentive. Expo just dropped off food without offering if anyone wants cheese or pepper flakes. It wasn't a pleasant dinner experience like usual. :-( read more

It constantly amazes me how I forget some restaurants that are nearby Gales is fabulous. Finally snipped by and had an amazing time. It's one of those places where you want to try everything in the menu. Esteban our server was fantastic and his suggestions were spot on Apologies for not providing the exact names of the dishes ordered but all were very well seasoned and well prepared. It is so obvious that all dishes were carefully prepared and did nit have that carbon copy sterile taste that is so often found in chain "Italian" restaurants. No we were not in Italy but the food did remind me of said place. I mentioned wanting to try everything on the menu and I saw amazing pasta dishes with clams, shrimp and other various items and good fish all looked incredible Found my Italian hang out place read more

Gale's - Amazing Crab and Shrimp Ravioli. Little spicy but well worth it - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The complimentary bread and evoo was okay. Not the star of the show. Calamari was pretty decent and I got the spinach lasagna. I've never had something so spinachy. In the best way possible. Great taste. Coconut Cake was highly ordered and I thought it was good. Service was nice. My dad got a free cake for his birthday. And the lady next to me got a green pasta that looked tasty!!! read more

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OMG just went there for a work event- it was served family style-the service was great The wine was fabulous, and the food was out of this world. read more

Ambiance: Lively yet relaxed Service: Waiter Gabriel was attentive and personable Food: Good portion size and tasty read more

The food was okay. Nothing to rave about. We had a Fettuccine Carbonara and Tuscan Steak. The fettuccine was over cooked and the steak was not medium rare. Our server was never to be found. We decided just to eat the food as is. By the time we send it back. It would some more time. Not worth what we pay for. The service was bad. I understand it was busy. But at least make your way back to check how is the food and how are we doing etc.. Most likely not coming back soon. read more

The food was okay but the service was horrible rude waiters and rude staff overall a miss wouldn't come back

My husband and I have been wanting to try this place since we moved here in Pasadena and it being walking distance to us. They have both outdoor and indoor sitting. It's a pretty spacious place both indoor and out. Super clean! The staff is very friendly and when we went on a Friday night, we were surprised it wasn't as busy as we had anticipated. We were seated right away. They give you bread with olive oil & vinegar for free. The bread was good and soft and warm. I ordered the mussel in white wine sauce, and it was AMAZING! 5/5The broth was very delicious and they didn't skimp out on the mussels. It was cooked perfectly and again they give a good portion for my main meal, I ordered the fettuccine carbonara. They give a good amount of portion which I give them credit for! The pasta itself I would say is 3/5 for me. It wasn't bad but def could've had a little bit more taste to the sauce. My husband wanted to taste their pizza so we got the margherita pizza and I don't know if it's because I like a cheesy Pizza but it was a 2/5 for me. Overall, it wasn't bad. But I guess we hyped it up so much in our minds that our expectations were too high. I would go back solely on the mussel though! And perhaps try other meals. read more

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After 7 years, Gale's is still one of our main destinations when we visit L.A. We made a reservation for earlier this week and drove over with the intention of leaving if the layout didn't feel safe. As we pulled into the driveway, we saw right away that the majority of the tables were arranged across the former row of parking spaces just outside the restaurant door. There were also a few tables on the sidewalk around the back, adjacent to the rear lot. We were relieved to see how well-spaced the tables were and felt comfortable staying to eat. Additionally, they took our wrist temperature before seating us, waitstaff wears masks (I don't recall whether they were wearing gloves, though), and menus are single-use. The canopy over the main seating area has heat lamps overhead, plus there are standing heat lamps scattered along the perimeter of the canopy and near the tables out back (those are not as well-covered). When it got a little breezy, a clear plastic curtain was drawn across the street end of the canopy. The food is as tasty and satisfying as ever. My mother is a regular at Gale's and suggested starting with the cheese-stuffed zucchini blossoms. While the blossoms were delicious, the real star was the chunky sauce they were sitting on. Olive oil, capers, herbs, and tiny charred tomatoes came together to form a holy union that we shamelessly scooped and sopped up with bread. In looking at some of the photos on their menu, I believe this is the same sauce that comes alongside the salmon...whatever it is, I'm tempted to ask them to throw it on some pasta for me next time. So simple but so good. Service is consistently excellent here. There is always someone there just at the right moment and they never fail to make us feel welcome. I really hope Gale's survives this mess that we're in...they really deserve it. read more

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I ordered curbside takeout over the phone. It was quick and easy. Payment was made over the phone. I pulled up front where they have their designated curbside parking. A gentleman immediately came out before I even had a chance to call. My order was ready and out to us within minutes. Food: -Clams Linguini-light sauce with a generous amount of clams. -Zuppa di Pesce (Seafood soup) it was nicely flavored, not too oily, with large chunks of seafood. -Pepperoni Sausage pizza-my kids said it was delicious so it earned their approval seal which isn't always easy to do. I've had better Italian food elsewhere. This is a great local spot with a family feel back when dine in was available. I was happy to support small business. Our family will continue to return for more. read more

Gale's - Clams Linguini - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Had a wonderful brunch with my sister here. Called ahead and made a reservation for two. For starters we had prosciutto melon ($16) and tomato bruschetta ($10). The salty prosciutto complemented the sweet melon perfectly. Shaved parmesan lent salty and tangy bite to the sweet tomatoes and crunchy toast. We chose the salad of the day ($18) which had peaches, black and blueberries, with mozzarella, mint/basil and a citrusy salt and pepper dressing. So good. Had to stop myself from finishing the whole plate. Or Server Victor recommended the weekly cocktail Bella Ragazza ($14) a mixed drink of lemon, orgeat, pineapple, angostura bitters and cinnamon infused vodka served with ice and a pretty orchid on top. For lightweights like us, this drink surely packed a punch. I chose the organic salmon with spaghetti ($34) for my main dish. The salmon was cooked perfectly- fork tender, flaky and juicy, spaghetti was nicely al dente and so were the broccoli, I hate mushy veggies. Sister had the clam linguini ($23), a tad salty and some of the clams had some grit to them, otherwise a good dish. Of course for the love of coconut cake, we had to leave room for their famous dessert ($9) a slice. Moist white cake with a hint of coconut essence topped with dried coconut flakes and served over a raspberry sauce. Service was truly nice and friendly. Masks are a must. The hostess took our temperatures and we walked in. Outdoor seating is covered with a canopy. Street parking is free for 2 hours but I noticed they had some parking spots available too. read more

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Once again we decided to have dinner at Gales. We got there early the bartender was accommodating and definitely new how to make a drink! We spoke with one of the regulars at the bar who kept us laughing. The rest of our party showed up so we moved to our table, it was the same table we are becoming used to, it is in the back close to bar, service was great I order the lasagna bolognese and it was perfect! My wife order linguine and clams the others ordered steak dishes we had wine and dessert to finish off the night Thanks again Gale for a wonderful evening read more

Gale's - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My wife and I went to Gales on Saturday for a date night. We had never been there before, but the reviews looked decent so we gave it a shot. I decided on the Tuscan steak, which was a big mistake. I ordered medium rare, and it was closer to medium, but that wasn't the biggest issue. The steak had zero flavor and also had a large tendon running down one side of it that was completely inedible. I'm not a foodie per se, but I have cooked hundreds and hundreds of meals for friends and family, and I would NEVER serve someone a steak that I didn't season with salt and pepper at least. The steak was never seasoned prior to or after cooking. I never do this, but I sent the steak back and asked for a new one to be cooked and seasoned properly. Keep in mind, I had taken four or five bites of the steak prior to sending it back, so the end was pretty squared off. So they take my plate and return less than five minutes later with the SAME EXACT STEAK on my plate, squared off on one end and re-sauced with new sides of mashed potato and broccoli. It had been fired briefly, so it was now medium for sure, no pink whatsoever on the inside. Needless to say, I was disappointed and just wanted to get out of there. They did comp the steak and took it off the bill, as they should have. $49 for an unseasoned steak is unacceptable, especially when I asked for a new steak that was properly seasoned, and they still didn't get it right. The service wasn't bad as far as servers and bus boys, but someone needs to be running quality control on the cooks, please. Guys, come on. If the service was crappy, but the food was epic, we wouldn't hesitate to come back. But lousy, expensive food, that's ridiculous. Do better. read more

Food is 4-5 --but very disappointed that we specifically went to have their famous clam linguine but they ran out of clams on a Sunday evening-- the mussel alternative we were offered was not great as many mussels were quite sandy! Luckily only one of us accepted the alternative. Service 3 (too many busboys but not enough servers/waiters) very long wait time to order cocktails and appetizers and pretty much anything- plenty of water was served though... read more

Yum! I forever love Gales. Our order: Clams Linguini Portobello Ravioli Zucchini Flowers (special) Tiramisu Wine (white,$30 bottle) I was going to order online but they don't have the specials online. I called and ordered which was very quick and easy. They gave me bread, olive oil and vinegar which was soooo good. I always get the clams linguini and it never disappoints. My friend got the Portobello Ravioli and it looked and smelled amazing! I waited for her to come to my house, but she was late, aka the zucchini flower didn't taste as good. I think the zucchini flower appetizer would have tasted better had I dined in. Usually when you dine in and get the check, they give you their homemade biscotti. They gave us some for takeout! Love it! Tiramisu was good--not the best I've had but good. Lots of creme. Not complaining about that! Gave the bottle to my friend since she got a new job. They were kind enough to come drop off my order in my car, I didn't have to get out. They have lots of outdoor seating. Plenty of parking. I recommend Gale's to anyone! Amazing quality! read more

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For years, actually since the very day they opened, we have been enjoying meals at Gale's. Charming ambiance featuring both inside & alfresco dining & offering a full bar. Impeccable service by knowledgeable & friendly staff. Then there's their fabulous menu. Every dish is prepared to perfection with a festive presentation. Personally, I love their salmon. The coconut cake as we complete our culinary celebrations is a scrumptious tradition, along with the complimentary biscotti. Nice touch. Free ample parking. CG read more

Great vibe and friendly staff. Food was only OK. Very very salty and somehow still bland. We had minestrone soup, lasagna, penne arrabbiata and gluten free penne marinara with meatballs. The meatballs were really tough. Again, staff was nice and the ambiance was great though. read more

Gale's - GF penne marinara - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great weekend, date night spot! I'll definitely be going again soon and recommend the carbonara and seafood ravioli

Food has always been consistent and delicious. My wife and I enjoy coming here when we're in the area. Staff is always friendly and very welcoming. read more

5 stars for today's Saturday lunch special: Ravioli Stuffed with Crab and Shrimp Tossed in a Spicy Baby Heirloom Tomato Sauce with Garlic and Parsley and Finished with Chopped Arugula. $38 and worth it! I don't know how they do it but the crab and lobster tasted so fresh almost as if they just came from the ocean. The dish may be a tad too spicy for some, but it's a perfect level for me. Great service and tented outdoor seating with parking behind the restaurant. It's starting to get a bit chilly now in October and if it dipped below 60F I would appreciate if they turned on some heat. read more

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My friends and I saw good reviews on Gale's; so we headed there at around 4. From the moment we stepped in; the service was marvelous from the greeter to the waiter. Their "Spicy!" pizza was one of the best pizzas that I've ever had! The subtly spicy sauce and meats were accompanied by jalapeno peppers. Now hold on!! I usually don't like jalapenos; and can usually just barely tolerate them even in Mexican food! Yet, these peppers didn't dominate the pizza. They simply added a good "kick" of spice to the pizza I ordered. The pizza went down great, and the spiciness didn't have any long term effects (If you know what I mean!). The crust was light, and actually delicious as well. My partner and my brother loved their dishes as well (I know one dish was ravioli. I can' t remember the other dish...Sorry!). It's a well kept, nicely decorated restaurant with a warm Italian restaurant atmosphere. There's also ample outside dining as well. I think you'll have to do a lot to get a better dining experience than what I got at Gale's. They're priced fairly for the outstanding quality of their food. You'll be happy and full when you finish up your lunch or dinner. Trust me on this one! LOL. read more

An excellent place with top-shelf food, quality staff and very nice ambiance! Very happy that our good friends Ron & Lisa D. invited us here, as it was our first visit. A very accessible location with very ample parking to the rear and a wide enough menu selection so that there was something for everyone's taste. A brief word to some of the negative reviewers here on YELP... the food provided at a restaurant of this caliber is designed to be eaten immediately after serving AT THE RESTAURANT. I am amazed that a reviewer posted that the food was only "warm" when they ordered it for pickup and got it home! What did they expect? And to the other reviewers who said that their food wasn't as good as they expected when they got it home... the Chef intended the meals to be eaten fresh in the restaurant! It was the REVIEWER that changed that dynamic, not the kitchen! Reviews can be helpful, but only when all of the facts are presented and in a constructive manner. read more

it could have been a five star experience but there was a server that was so rude + dismissive. the food was great, es read more

I really wanted to like Gale's, but I just found the food quality and service to be underwhelming for the price of the meal. First I should say that the service was very average. The bare minimum of what I'd expect at a restaurant. There were a few weird instances, like my mom spilled her water and they didn't seem all that concerned when we let them know and asked for more napkins. They also asked us 2-3 times if we wanted any coffee or tea after dinner and we had already said no. I wouldn't say these are that bad but it's to say that the service couldn't make up for the quality of food. My personal favorite of the evening was the stuffed squash blossoms, however some of my family felt that it was way too much cheese. We also ordered a pizzetta which cost quite a bit but looked like a Digiorno's frozen pizza. Nothing wrong with frozen pizza you bake at home, but that's not what I want to see at a fine dining restaurant. The worst offense was the risotto. It basically looked and tasted like wetter Spanish rice. Again, nothing wrong with Spanish rice, but if I'm paying this much money for a risotto, then this was extremely disappointing. If I can find one more positive, it's that their biscotti is tasty. They gave us each one at the end of our meal, but we boxed it to take home. It was really nice to have with my morning coffee the next day. I'm all about value and I just think there are better Italian restaurants in LA and even in Pasadena. read more

I've long enjoyed eating at Gale's. The food is just delicious. But, last night I decided to sit at the tiny bar I spotted out of the corner of my eye, and wait for my meal to go. And I learned something new about this wonderful restaurant: It has an excellent bar! The bartender Anthony makes absolutely delicious, creative cocktails. He created a candied ginger bourbon drink that was just to die for. Plus, he was interesting and other interesting patrons showed up. My to-go dinner got cold because it was hard to leave such a fun atmosphere. When I did get home, my spaghetti with meatballs, and artichoke were still delicious! (As always.) Wish I could give Gale's the 5 stars it deserves for the excellent meals and another 5 for the wonderful hidden bar! read more

Gale's - Anthony the bartender - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Excellent food and impeccable service. We planned on Japanese and at the last minute, my mother wanted Italian. Gale's has been bookmarked for a while and since we were in the area, I decided to give them a call. It's a Saturday and my chances of getting a table were slim. However, they were able to accommodate us (party of 4). That was lovely of them. Everything on the menu looked so good. We decided on the following: Carpaccio - yes, it's simple, but each ingredient must be impeccable Crab and Shrimp Ravioli - did not skimp on the filling. The roasts dough was delicate and definitely handmade. I thought the arrabiata would be too much, but it was perfect and not overpowering Bread - fresh. Crunchy on the outside. Soft and pillowy in the inside. I love bread. Clams Linguini - good amount of clams. Sauce great and not for those who do not like garlic. Stuffed Blossoms - fried to perfection and creamy filling Just be sure to make a reservation and come hungry. read more

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Great restaurant owned by local couple. Delicious food. Home made pasta and delicious desserts. Their Apple Tart alone is worth comming here. Home made Ravioli is 5 !!! Strongly recommend!! read more

Gale's - The most amazing Apple Tart I have ever had - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I ate lunch at Gale's. They have a diverse menu featuring items you don't see everywhere. They have great choice of wines and the food tastes good. Service is attentive. There is road construction and the parking lot in the rear is limited, so arrive early. read more

Solid food and extremely nice staff. I wouldn't say that this is the most authentic italian food but it was really tasty and everything was great portions! Seems like a solid place if you need to please a big crowd because the menu is huge. Really awesome outdoor seating option, they somehow made it feel completely comfortable outside despite the 85 degree weather!! read more

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Customer service is great, dining area is upscale and cozy, and food is fantastic! First time here today. Can't go wrong with this place, arguably best Italian I've had in Los Angeles. Expect to pay about $20-25/plate here but food is delicious and portions can be quite generous. Customer service was wonderful they were dressed in formal attire, and super attentive. For patrons, it was a casual atmosphere so no pressure to dress up. If you love Italian food, you have to come here. It'll be coming here when I'm craving Italian! And the drinks/cocktails are fantastic! Highly recommend this place. read more

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Wear your stretchy pants to this place!! Authentic Italian food with great service. We ordered the seasonal pumpkin soup and rustic Ceasar salad to start, then for our main course we had the everything pizza and spaghetti, shrimp lemon pasta. It was absolutely delicious. For dessert we had to save room for the coconut cake, which tasted like a yummy homemade cake from your grandmas kitchen. We couldn't eat it all, came home with plenty of left overs, that I am certain my kids will devour when we get home. read more

Gale's - Coconut Cake - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Piping hot freshly baked bread - such a big welcome. Raul could be misunderstood to be rude with his stern face. He's actually a good guy. Great place to bring the family. Good fresh food and reasonable prices. They do take reservations. read more

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This is my first time visiting Gale's in Pasadena and I'm so very impressed. The service was outstanding. Both our server Raul and the hostess Amelia went above and beyond making sure that we had everything that we needed. I will definitely be back. read more

Charming setting. Very good (and generous!) meals. Poor service. These characteristics present an interesting quandary to the diner who enjoys dining out but is totally turned-off by unprofessional service. The waiter was (pick one) a) dismissive, b) neglectful, or c) both a & b. The correct answer is "c." walking past and gazing at the table several times but turning away when eye contact was sought. Not supervising the bussers, who were totally inadequate (never refilling water glasses, even when repeatedly asked; not replacing used eating utensils, not clearing empty cocktail glasses that sat on the table the entire meal, etc.). But the waiter -- seemed to treat our table and others more as "pests" than guests. It turned what could have been a splendid meal into one that was barely endurable. read more

Dinner date with my son at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena. I had the Cacio e Pepe Spaguetti, it was delicious and so cheesy and my son had the cheesy and meaty Lasagna. Staff was so friendly and our food came in quickly. Lots of parking, however the place was packed so not a lot of parking. Make sure to make reservations! read more

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Consistent and good - big local favorite. Been coming for years. My biggest complaint is the noise in the dining room. When you dine in the open kitchen, you expect the hustle and bustle of that venue. However, the noise is unbearable when it's busy. It's actually ridiculously loud. I know that the cooks are cooking furiously away to make sure that plates are arriving in time to orders but they are oblivious to the diner's experience. They are throwing the pans/pans, trays, with no regard for the racket they are causing. The noise of the plates being thrown about adds to the cacophony. You dine with your eyes, your taste buds but also with your ears. The peacefulness of a dining experience when you're want to go out to eat. is also important. Service is good, food is good but the ambiance takes a big hit when you eat in the open kitchen. In addition, the a/c wasn't working, with only the ceiling fans on. It was really, really hot and uncomfortable. read more

Well it's a shame I'm on Yelp. I emailed you weeks ago so my issue/s would stay private. Without drawn out details, service was inattentive and very rushed. Yes, we also wanted to stay for coffee and dessert! Wish we didn't because (for the first time), the three coconut cakes to-go were awful. Really awful! Such a waste of money. read more

Always a must when in Pasadena, great food, service, drinks and atmosphere. Gales is a staple!! Enjoy