A year later and I still love this place! The lasagna is fantastic, I loved it so much that I forgot to take a picture before gobbling it up! The carpaccio appetizer was delicious, and the desserts are amazing and service is phenomenal! You can't go wrong eating here for a special meal. read more

Gale's - Veal & chicken Tortellini bolognese - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We enjoyed our dinner at Gales so much that we came back the next day to try their salads for lunch! The food was fresh and portions were very generous. read more

The food was delicious. Great service from very attentive server. The Ambiance was ok because we got sat outside with no reservations, party of 6 at 4:30pm . read more

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I've driven by this restaurant well over a thousand times over the years and never ate here until last week. The restaurant looks tiny from the front on Fair Oaks, but it's actually quite large. The restaurant is L shaped and most of the dining area is on the backside in a hidden large parking lot. The service was wonderful. All the staff were polite and responsive. The restaurant was clean. The ambiance was upscale, but not pompous. The food tasted great. The preparation and presentation were lovely. My only negative is that the prices are on the high side. The cost for some of the meat dishes is justified, but a small chicken salad for $28 is excessive. read more

What a great family-friendly restaurant that truly values its customers! Another mom in my neighborhood parents group had recommended Gales as a kid-friendly spot that also served elevated Italian cuisine and I was a little suspect at first. It's rare to be both fancy AND friendly, but Gale's fit the bill perfectly. All three of my little kiddos have ventured beyond the pizza and pasta portions of the menu and found new favorites that you wouldn't think their young palates would love, like the fried stuffed Castelvetrano olives or the squash blossoms. They look forward to trying something new from the ever-changing specials menu each visit, and the staff joyfully encourages them. read more

Overall, really good food and good service. Little bit of a wait if you don't reserve in advance. There is a free parking lot available. Don't know how many tables were inside but there were like 10 outside - there were heaters and the pvc screen so it My party and I really loved the chicken rice soup and it was surprisingly amazing. The peach and blueberry crostata was to DIE FOR - SO refreshing and perfectly sweet. (We asked them to substitute the vanilla (I assume) ice cream for passion fruit sorbet and it was a wonderful fruity dessert.) They also serve bread and oil while you wait for your food. read more

Gale's - Cacio e pepe with Italian Sausage - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Make reservations at least a day ahead, they fill up quickly. We parked on the street but could see that it could be problematic so either Uber/Lyft or plan ahead to find parking. Service is quick, flawless and friendly. We had the beef carpaccio, calamari, Zinfandel, Sangria, spaghetti with meatballs and rotini bolognese. Everything came out perfectly piping hot with freshly grated Parmesan to your hearts content. Food was delicious as expected. I noticed that everyone was relaxed and happy. Seems like they take care of their workers and their workers in turn want to take care of their customers. read more

Gale's - Spaghetti Marinara - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Update: This is a review for their to-go order. -- Gale's is still a top contender for Italian for homey Italian food in old town -- it's more down to earth than Union, but I will say that Union is also amazing! -- food- wise: get my brother Jerry's tortellini : the coconut cake (their staple), tried it for the 1st time and the inside cake itself is on the dry side but the coconut and cream part hides the dryness read more

Gale's - My brother Jerry's Tortellini -- fave! - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Hadn't been to Gale's in a while, so we decided to revisit. Made a reservation for 8:30 on a Friday night and arrived right on time--the place was lively and full of energy. We were surprised to learn the kitchen closes at 9:00, but our server Raul was friendly, attentive, and kept things moving smoothly. We weren't all that hungry, so we ordered a spread of starters, salads, and their minestrone soup. The zucchini florets, one of my longtime favorites, were as amazing as ever--crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The eggplant starter had great flavor potential, but unfortunately it was undercooked--both the eggplant and the sliced garlic could've used more time. Temperature-wise, the food came out fast but wasn't quite hot--more warm than it should've been. That said, the house salad and arugula salad were spot-on: served cold, fresh, and dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette that was perfectly balanced. The minestrone soup looked a bit pale--missing that rich tomato color--but I didn't try it myself. My friend didn't mention any issues, so I'll assume it was fine. The roasted olives were exactly what you'd expect--simple, satisfying, no surprises. We kept it light with iced teas sweetened with stevia--a little boring, I know, but we'd had wine the night before and figured we'd skip a night. Overall, a good experience as usual. We sat outside, and the ambiance was perfect--relaxed, comfortable, and ideal for catching up. read more

The family had Mothers Day dinner at Gales. Nice place, good atmosphere. We were seated at a few tables near the bar. We all ordered our food with some appetizers, bruschetta, garlic bread, etc. When the garlic bread came out, it looked great! Until you flipped it over and there's MOLD! That's nassssty. Mold on bread. We let the waiter know about the unhealthy problem, to which he said he will bring out another and took the plate away. A few minutes later another plate of garlic bread came out to the table....no mold on this one. Not one word or apology for the moldy bread. Actually, no one, not even the manager came around to check on us or our food but they did come around quick with the bill. We thought they would have comped the moldy garlic bread but we still paid for it. Also check your drink glasses, we had one that was cracked all around. We could have cut ourselves. At the end, asking for a plastic bag seemed like a chore for some of them. Besides the moldy garlic bread, the rest of the food was good. read more

Gale's - Moldy Garlic Bread - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Love this special local Pasadena Italian favorite. The ambiance is warm, welcoming and feels like an old friend. Ordered a nice bottle of reasonable priced Chianti reserva with our meal. Generous beet feta and Caesar salads to share. Enjoyed the generous linguine with clams with white sauce followed by a tart with a dollop of ice cream. Scrumptious! Attentive and kind service. We will be back! read more

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This was so delicious :) our server was Javier and he was also super attentive and friendly so service was awesome as well ! Me and my girlfriend ordered the mussels, burrata and prosciutto, portobello ravioli, tomato and fennel soup, the scampi fritti shrimp, mixed greens salad and they were all so good ! Will love to come back here again for the wonderful service and yummy food :) read more

Food was excellent, especially the lasagna! Service was above average. Ambiance was nice, very comfortable on the patio.

I ordered spaghetti with meat sauce and could not stop eating. It was $30 for a heaping plate that could've lasted 4 or more meals if i knew how to portion control. Simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious. Their EVO is also soo good i asked for some to take home. The only negative was the service, like others have pointed out, i was sort of ignored. There was one man that would kindly check up on me but my waiter disappeared after he jotted down my order (and also motioned for the other menus on the table which was rude). Overall the restaurant has a decent atmosphere and good food but probably better ordering to-go. read more

Gale's - Spaghetti Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Made a reservation a month in advance for my husband's birthday lunch. It went smoothly making the reservation over the phone and they texted me reminder confirmations twice before the date. We walked here so I can't comment on the parking. Inside is really nice and quaint. I wanted to avoid sitting outside because it was a hot day. I like a lot of their decorations. Our waiter was helpful but not friendly. His expression seemed very bothered but I guess because it was a busy day (a Saturday). They brought us water, bread, and oil&balsamic vinegar once we sat down, so that was nice! We ordered the Cacio E Pe Pe and Pork Panini. Both were delicious! Portions are kinda small so I definitely would get my own entree. After paying the bill, they bring you out complimentary biscotti (a nice gesture but it felt like I was biting into a rock. Couldn't eat it with my sensitive teeth). I did specify and ask, when I made my reservation, if they provide anything for bdays. They said a free slice of cake! I kept waiting to see if they would bring it out to surprise my husband but they never did & instead asked if we wanted a dessert menu. So I got up to ask the waiter if they provide anything for bdays and he said coconut cake. So he brought it out for us on a plate and even included a candle! Overall, I would say we had a good experience. The food is really good. Just on the smaller portion side. Pricing is average. Probably would come back again. read more

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If you are a party of more than 4, don't bother coming here. Host desk is rude and nowhere to wait. We reserved for 6:30 and waited almost an hour. They acted like we were in there way, waiting for a table. I'm sure the food is good but we didn't wait long enough to try. If you can tolerate a rude host desk, I'm sure the food is fine. read more

Kelly the nicest and prettiest server here got a complimentary dessert for my birthday and my linguini and clams excellent Dat outside under the tent she so nice to split out check read more

A nice little Italian restaurant in the City of Pasadena. From the outside, it appeared plain and hidden, easily passed by from unsuspecting motorists. Inside, nicely decorated, simple, fresh, airy, and clean. Outdoor seating available. Service by staffers was excellent, especially by our assigned waiter, friendly, attentive, and helpful. The food was pricey but good, above average. The so-called famous coconut cake was just ok, average, a bit on the dryside. Overall, it was an enjoyable meal with great service, would most likely come back. read more

It's easy to drive by Gale's and miss it, but once you visit you will not forget it! We went on a Monday evening, and it was packed. The hostess estimated it would be a +30 minute wait but we were seated in 10 minutes. The ambiance was nice. Even though the restaurant was full, it wasn't too loud. The food was delicious and the portions large. The braised beef ravioli with manchengo cheese, a special on the menu, was to die for. Their marinara sauce was flavorful and the shrimps were huge. The wine was good too. For 3 dishes, a pizza, a bottle of wine, and an appetizer, the tots cost was about $200. Easy parking in the parking lot or on the street. read more

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We used to eat here all the time even for my wedding but this time is our last. My wife's pasta al forno had a pool of oil grease below and my cacio e pepe was a smaller portion than before. I had added chicken and it was quite dry and tasted like it's been sitting. The previous times were good but now not so much. On top of that one of the waiters dropped a cup of ice water hitting my wifes feet. Sad to see this place decline. read more

1st of all, service was horrible. Our waiter was rude and service was extremely slow (I believe his name was Esteban). Seemed he did not know how to multitask. We had to ask for our own water refills, and even when we did, he seemed annoyed. Food was 1 star. Bland bland bland!!! We ordered calamari, 2 pastas, and a pizza. The best thing was the calamari. But it was such a tiny portion for the price point. Will not be coming back! read more

Great food and excellent service. Will definitely recommend to friends and family. I ordered shrimp linguine and also we have their house made coconut cake so delicious. read more

My wife and I decided to have dinner at Gale's for our date night, and we were left disappointed. Reading the reviews, and checking the pictures, our expectations were high! But shortly after taking our first bite, we were left wondering what all the hype was about. Service - First and foremost, the service was great. We were seated right away with no issues. Everyone was kind and courteous. The servers were quick and accommodating. Food: The part that matters the most. I had the Pasta Al Forno and my wife had the Spaghetti Marinara with shrimp. We also had a small Caesar Salad on the side (as basic as it gets). - Pasta Al Forno: It was mediocre. We were told the pasta was in a creamy sauce, but when the plate arrived, it was thin and watery. The melted cheese on top also had an unpleasant taste, almost like frozen cheese that was microwaved, which I suspect is how my plate was prepared. The dish was bland in general, and not very enjoyable. - Spaghetti Marinara with Shrimp: The dish my wife had was also very bland. The sauce was a bit better than the creamy sauce that the Pasta Al Forno had, however, it was still thin and reminiscent of canned tomato sauce you'd get at a grocery store. The shrimp was overcooked and rubbery, very disappointing. With how basic the sauce tasted, and the lack of seasonings, this dish seemed like it was inspired by the spaghetti you'd find at the Ikea cafeteria. With the prices they're charging for a plate of pasta, you'd think the quality of the ingredients would be exceptional. Let me tell you, my friends, what we received was far from the "Fine Italian Food" their restaurant proudly proclaims. Following a YouTube recipe yourself will yield better results. read more

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Went for a family dinner on a weekday. We made a reservation but still waited for about 20 minutes before we got seated. Gale's has been around for a while and you can tell many people are returning patrons who love this place. I loved the ambiance. The dining room had a lowkey, no-frills, homey feeling. The tables were spaced out nicely and it wasn't loud even with a full dining room. They also had a large tent outside for outdoor seatings. The service was welcoming and friendly. There was free parking behind the restaurant. Very good Italian food! It feels like home cooking. The portion was very generous. You probably will bring home some leftovers. You can't really go wrong with the menu. I loved the portobello raviolis. Hands down one of the best raviolis I have ever had. If you want to try the pizza, I recommend sharing a small pizza as an appetizer. We tried the prosciutto and arugula pizza and it was delicious. For desserts, we tried the tiramisu and the crème brûlée. Both were good but nothing special. Overall I had a lovely evening dining at this hidden gem in Pasadena. Highly recommend! read more

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Hit the spot! If you are up in the air about which pasta, I suggest the toerteloni! As someone who used to make pasta for a living, this was out of the ballpark great. The garlic bread is a must and chopped salad exactly as hoped. The crab salad was missing just a bit of acid but was still good, especially in this heat. Thank you Gale's for reminding me that Pasadena traditions still rule! Compliments to the kitchen Almost forgot to mention the bread and high quality evoo/vinegar plus biscotti were such a gracious touches. read more

Hands down some of the best and numerous Italian dishes anywhere in the US! TOP of the list every time we come to SoCal. Extremely well prepared and served by professional servers 6star! - Very meaty. - On point - Portobello Ravioli. Generous filling, perfect pasta INCREDIBLE - Meat Pizza . Terrific flavor. Proper balance, though would've liked to crust more well done, But that's on us for not requesting that. read more

This place is such a hidden gem! I never knew of this place until we had a family dinner there the other day. The food was so amazing! We had the braised beef and steak. Drinks are also very delicious and strong. I highly recommend this place for big groups, it is such a comfortable restaurant for any occasion! Don't forgot to get the dessert sampler at the end. I was so full but I definitely made room for all the deliciousness! I also love that they have a lot of parking in the back, and it's free! read more

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We, four of us, went there recently for my birthday. The food was great, but the service was just "ok" with our server. He forgot a 2nd loaf of bread we'd requested, and then forgot the dessert menu, though we'd asked for one. He eventually remembered it, but by then we'd changed our minds, and I detected a bit of attitude. I'll give him a pass this time. My recommendation is to try it out, but be warned, it gets really noisy, really fast. Mike M. - Pasadena read more

I took my aunt to Gale's Italian restaurant since we're both foodies and have spent time in Italy, so we really appreciate authentic Italian cuisine. Unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences we've had. The eggplant appetizer was undercooked, which completely ruined the flavor. The artichoke appetizer was even worse--served with plain butter as a dressing, which overwhelmed the taste and made it unpleasant. Then came the pizza: we ordered one with prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula. It was just okay, but definitely not the Italian-style pizza we were hoping for--the crust was too thick and lacked that signature crispness. Overall, Gale's missed the mark on every level. We absolutely would not recommend it to anyone looking for a real Italian food experience!!! read more

I've been to Gale's twice now and both times the food was great. So far, I tried the mussels (appetizer), clam linguini, lasagna, my brother Jerry tortellini, salads, seasonal appetizers, a fish dish I can't remember the name. I thoroughly enjoyed all the dishes! I would categorize Gale's as a quaint upscale-ish family restaurant. Great for families, couples, and friends. I thought a walk-in on a Friday night would be ok but ended up having to wait 30 min so I recommend making a reservation for the weekends. They have a parking lot in the back which is a plus. read more

Dear Gale Kohl, we love the delicious food and first class service...never a disappointment. Could you PLEASE start providing proper red wine glasses and upgrade the wine menu? I have noticed that many patrons arrive with their own wine and wine glasses too. read more

Gale's - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Celebrated my birthday here last night! Everything was delicious and we saw our favorite staff member, Javier who took good care of us. read more

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We were there for my birthday a few days ago, and overall we were very impressed. The dishes were fresh and tasty, and the New York steak was fabulous a great cut, perfectly seasoned, with a beautiful crust. The salads were delicious, just like homemade. Five stars to the chef! read more

Highly recommend. Discovered this gem and simply fell in love. I was impressed with the high-quality super delicious chef's kiss perfection food with gorgeous presentation of dishes. My experience was elevated by service that was caring and prompt. Everybody made sure I had everything I needed at all times. My waiter Esteban was courteous and attentive, his recommendations helped me navigate the menu and were perfect. The place was bustling with joy, good dining ambiance and you could tell their team love working there. Will be back again and again it's my new favorite place. Much love to the Management! read more

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Just came and had the burrata salad, pizza, and their fettuccini carbonara. Absolutely delicious! But their service was even better (: Javier was our server and did an INCREDIBLE job, everything we asked for came within second even though they had a full house of customers. I felt very taken care of! Shoutout Javier, best waiter ever read more

I frequently dined at Gale's over 10 years ago and it is still as good as I remembered it to be. Service was attentive but not overly zealous; food was tasty and generous in portion; setting was intimate and dimly lit; and parking was plentiful in the back lot. Now that I live walking distance, Gale's will definitely be a staple in our date night rotation. read more

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We went here to celebrate my daughter's 16th birthday. Some positive points first off. The parking here is quite convenient given the location near old town pasadena with ample space in the rear lot. Service is friendly and the ambience is quite pleasant with nice decor and lighting. The pricing is also pretty reasonable given that the portion sizes turned out pretty big. There appears to be a good selection for vegetarians like myself. I had a special menu item (the linguini with spicy tomato sauce and roasted peppers) and although well cooked, I had enough to take home for another 1.5 meals. Was a big hit with all of my kids and my brother's kids. read more

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Really good food and very traditional Italian fare. We have been here a few times, but this is my first review. The staff are very friendly and our server was very attentive, being it was busy for a Tuesday night. We were a group of six people. Most of us had pastas, but two of us had a farmers steak and chicken parmesan. The food was great, and the pastas were fantastic. Pastas are made in-house and are cooked to al dente. Our bruschetta, steamed artichoke, and breads starters were great as well. Please try you'll love it. read more

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$15.00 for a slice of coconut cake! Cheesecake Factory is less, more ingredients and skill to make a cheesecake. The coconut cake Is delicious and they have good food but 15 bucks is too much for a slice of cake. I will return but I will skip the cake. read more

Ordered takeout and was not disappointed. Had clams linguini, and some appetizers which included, prosciutto and melon and bruschetta. Main course still warm when we came home. They packed some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the fresh bread and even biscotti's for a dessert! We were told 20 minutes prep time. It was ready when we arrived. Friendly staff and the food was delicious. They have a great reputation and it shows. Bravo. read more