Amazing flavors. This place is fantastic. I had never had Peruvian style food and I hooked…read more Great service too. I loved the setting and the vibe in the restaurant too.

First time eating at a Peruvian restaurant and oh my goodness I loved it! We called a few hours…read morebefore for a reservation for 8 people on a Saturday night at 7:30pm and they had a spot for us. I believe they have seating in the back for larger parties! The portions are huge and I would recommend sharing if you're not so much of a heavy eater. We got the Milanesa de pollo which was bomb paired with the pesto pasta! Service was great, the servers knew their menu and ingredients so well. My friends ordered the ceviche which was delicious and one of their most popular! Our other friend ordered the lomo saltado which was great but just a little salty in my opinion. However, overall we loved it and would definitely be a place to recommend other friends to go to.

One of my fave stops for pupusa and they are very generous with the cabbage and sauce. I am craving…read morethis again as I write my review and need to re-visit or another take out night. I haven't dined in but the takeout process was quick and easy. I always get the pork, bean & cheese for myself and chicken & cheese. Remember to get the fruit drink in large, it's super refreshing especially during this hot week. Street parking or park in the small back lot.

I stopped by on a whim with a craving for pupusas…read more La Caravana has better pupusas (Salvadoran savory stuffed corn cakes) than the place down the street. The food here is so delicious! We got the mini-pupusas platter and the ratio of ingredients were perfect. Curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and Salsa was on point. Beyond pupusas we love their creamy chicken entree (Pollo A La Crema) and breakfast Salvadoran style. Inside the restaurant is cozy and lightly dim. I noticed solo diners, couples on dates, and multiple families dining in having a good time. Welcoming environment. I love this restaurant. El Salvadoran cuisine is so underrated and not talked about enough. Amazing food and service!

Rodrigo was such an amazing waiter, he provided samples of wine before we decided on the bottle…read more The food was delicious and the music/ ambiance was lovely.

Evelyn our server was amazing. Food was great and the atmosphere was so fun. Great music.read more

One of my go to takeout places. The chicken is always flavorful, juicy, and perfectly cooked. My…read morefavorite sides are the fries and the fried rice. The sauces are amazing with the aji verde one being the best. Also they are always so nice here. The first time I went I told them it was my first time and they took the time to explain all the sauces and what goes well with everything. I've never actually eaten there as I always get takeout but it's a nice space and they have complimentary hot coffee.

the chicken is incredibly tender and juicy!…read more i wish there were a couple more options veggie options for the sides, but the fries and rice were good. i ordered online for pickup and the food was ready quickly and pickup was an easy process. i scheduled the food for pickup by a specific time, but it was ready 15 minutes earlier than pickup time so my food was a little colder than i wanted.

Outstanding !!! 5 Star restaurant and service !!! Drinks are exceptionally good !! Flavors are…read morepopping !!! Highly recommend add to Pasadena top restaurants

A friend grabbed reservations to Maestro's for some dinner for the night. Heard good things about…read morethis spot. Parking is in parking structures throughout this area but watch out for the one way streets. They do not validate. Parking is cheap though. Started off with the calamari, oysters aguachile and guacamole. Calamari - My favorite of the appetizers. Very lightly breaded. Not overcooked. Small but shareable amount. The red bell pepper sauce dressed underneath is deep in flavor. This was a solid dish. Guacamole - Now being a guac connoisseur I found this guac pleasant. Creamy, a little limey, good flavors. Topped with cotija and I'm pretty sure cotija was present within the guac mix itself. Nice touch. Could have used a little heat tho. Plantains ehhhh were okay. Even though the tostadas were thinner I preferred those over the plantains. Oysters Aguachile - Aight. Fresh. Aguachile mix on top could have had some heat and more true aguachile notes like cilantro, onion. But still fresh and a nice appetizer. Arrachera (skirt steak) - Delicious. Definitely a big plate. I opted for veggie mix instead of the rice to go for more low carb. Very good. The steak was cooked perfectly. Well seasoned. Spring mix was a nice touch to have something lighter. Service was very prompt and friendly. I forgot our waitresses name but she was very nice. Definitely will be back. One thing about the dishes overall is that they did stay in their lane. I didnt find them exploring too much like differences or going in a certain way. Everything was executed perfectly and what you would expect. I sampled the birria and mole enchiladas. Those made me feel like yeah this is the way they should be made. And Im only a fan of specific moles.

Chamo is one of those spots where you can consistently have a great meal. The portions are perfect…read more Their shredded meat is nice and tender, the platano is ripe and caramelized , and served with yummy cheesy arepas. I haven't dined in but the interior is super cute and you can tell they put a lot of effort into tying the culture into the decor. The team seems a bit shy but are still always very kind!

We always pass by this area and never tried until recently when one of our friends highly…read morerecommended the arepas from here! We got the steak arepas and love how one side of the arepa is crispy and the steak was cooked well that it was easy to chew which is very important to me LOL Would love to come back to try other proteins!

Absolutely worth coming back again and again…read more We're visiting Pasadena and ended up at Mely's THREE times during our trip -- that should say everything. The pupusas are hands down some of the best I've ever had. Fresh, perfectly cooked, packed with flavor, and clearly made with care. Legit comfort food. The vibe is classic and welcoming, service is quick and friendly, and everything we ordered hit the spot. But those pupusas? Unforgettable. If you're in Pasadena and don't stop here, you're missing out. Already planning to come back next time we're in town.

Returned for a second visit at this family run restaurant. Kind and quick service on a Saturday…read moreafternoon. Definitely good to order pupusas and seafood dishes. Indoor or patio seating.

I stopped by here before my Yelp Elite event while walking along Colorado Boulevard and came across…read morethis spot on Raymond Avenue; such a great find! This café is fantastic. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, and the food was absolutely delicious. My mom and I shared the chicken pesto sandwich, and it did not disappoint. The flavors were perfectly balanced, the mozzarella paired so well with the tomato, and the grilled chicken with pesto tied everything together beautifully. The vibes were incredible and I love sitting outside, especially it was more of a chilly morning, and they made sure to turn on the heaters above the outdoor seating which was incredibly thoughtful so customers that we're all sitting and eating we're enjoying a nice breezy cool day along with warmth. What I really appreciated was that it wasn't overly oily or salty, which made it even more enjoyable. It was light, fresh, and super satisfying. My mom loved it just as much as I did!! Will be coming back!

Amara Chocolate & Coffee is almost always full when I walk inside, thank God they have an outdoor…read moredining area as well. This shop has EARNED its popularity and the loyalty of their customers. You can tell the staff has a genuine love for the menu. If you ask anyone at the counter about their favorites, they'll give you the rundown of what's popular and what they personally love. And I really appreciate that very human, individualized touch when discovering a gem adored by Pasadena locals. The ambiance is giving... small, simplistic, unassuming shop. To people just passing by, it's not going to look like much - but it's the energy & aroma of their food that pulls AND keeps you in. I recommend the Pork-Pernil w/Mano Cheese AND the Chicken Avocado Arepas. You really can't stop with just one order of arepas. It's been awhile since my last visit, but I remember loving the guava lemonade - good size & incredibly refreshing! Can't wait to explore more of the menu the next time I'm around.

I been here a few times and what keeps me coming back is their wonderful Salvadoran style Soups and…read moreBreakfast. The ladies that work here are so nice! The pupusas (savory filled corn cakes) here are expertly shaped (no cracks) and beautiful. The ratio of filling is very cheese heavy which kinda mutes out the other flavors in the filling in my opinion, but they are still very good. Ask for extra curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and tomato salsa; it cuts out the richness of the pupusas. Pupusas do take time to assemble and cook as they are made to order, so either call ahead like the locals do or be prepared to wait. If you wish to dine-in, there are a few tables inside. The restaurant is small. I usually do takeout and everything is always packaged nicely for the short ride home.

Food was amazing! The best pupusas we've had. Service was great, too…read more We had our family reunion there and were able to taste an array of delicious dishes and beverages. The restaurant has a modern atmosphere, with bright lighting and comfortable seating that invites you to linger over your meal. Definitely worth visiting!

Are you searching for almost authentic comida de Portenos. A non-stop flight to Buenas Aires (about…read more12 hours) and you could be digging into your perfect Parrillada at Estilo Campo. Definitely worth the hassle. Or you could endure a 2 hour slog up the 5 Fwy (which makes the 12 hour flight sound good) and enjoy excellent Argentine cuisine here. Then when you get there, parking is not just a challenge, it's a mystery. Street parking only so prepare to be creative and lucky. The vintage building is attractive. Pitted carved concrete and Malibu tiles. Step inside and be greeted by a genuine warm smile and and someone that is happy to see you, and if your luck is holding the Host will invite you to a take a short shuffle to a huge booth where you can make a comfy nest. The Decor is a charcoal gray box with a dining room filled with 2 and 4 tops, a communal table or two, a private dining room and a curbside patio if you insist. Malbec is a perfect place to celebrate a Quinceanera, a non-Kosher Bar Mitzvah, a Golden Shower Retirement, a Gender Reveal, a Gender Conceal or that your substandard Insurance Co. will actually pay for your GPL-1 meds which you might need after over eating great food here. The patio outside is good if the tango loop inside is too loud, but then you're just trading that for unmuffled mufflers and exhaust fumes. At 5:00 PM it's just you and the Chorizo Sampler which is worth it's weight in Statins. The place reinvents itself by 8:00 PM when the chatter ratchets up and the dining room becomes a B. A. Social Club. The din of diners bounces around the room like a soccer ball at a Fifa Match. (Argentina is the reigning champion). The Staff: Rosa is delightful. A girl that never says no and someone who knows how to pull up the reins and spur the pony (read take charge and enhance your experience). The Bar: This long counter anchors the room and delivers what ever your poison might be. The Food: Malbec boasts a huge menu and all of it is good to great. Within minutes of settling in a Runner runs up to your table and sets down a basket of warm Bread with a cup of Chimichurri Sauce to dunk dip, drag and/on dredge your Bread in. The Malbec Salad was large enough to feed everyone in the Recoleta at sundown. Fresh Romaine, Radicchio, Goat Cheese crumbles, a hand carved Avocado fan (I'm a big fan of that), quartered Cucumber Coins, Frisee Lettuce, a sizable slice of toasted Bread, the large mound is mixed with a Caesar-ish Dressing and the whole pile is fresh, refreshing, tasty and a great dish to begin your dinner with. The menu is ambitious to say the least. Heroic lists of Appetizers, Pastas, Pizza, Mains, Seafood, Steaks, Sides, Sauces and Desserts. The Kitchen is fearless because they know they can crank out everything on the menu properly. And you know, they can. I opted for Pollo Las Hierbas (Herb Roasted Chicken), spatchcocked (back cone removed and the whole half Chicken squashed flat for quick and easy grilling). Did I mention that the portions are substantial? They are. The Chicken begins it's journey soaking in Lemon and Herbs. For an additional $2 you can bury the whole bird with Diabla Sauce. (read Spicy Chili Gravy). This Sauce would be delicious over julienned Gym Socks or Dust Bunnies. The welcome heat is delicious even if you're timid with spice. The Chicken arrives tender but with crisp edges, juicy and tasting like Chicken could and should taste. While the Chicken was definitely marinated it's hard to determine if it was brined first. No matter as it was spot on great. The Chicken Chef was not chicken and got it right. The Sauteed Spinach retained it's Spinach integrity and was fished out of the water while still slightly toothy. Excellent. The Kitchen elevated Spinach beyond Pop-Eye's power surge urge. This was beyond just a Side Dish. Vegans, have at it. The Roasted Potatoes were also good enough to enjoy as a Main. Really crunchy nuggets with creamy centers. This place not only offers fine comida de la gente, the restaurant is efficient but doesn't rush. Want to enjoy sobremesa? (relaxing time after dinner to discuss politics, religion, sex and gossip about the people you've just dined with). Sobremesa (literally means around the table) is a charming and civilized concept. Spanish culture doesn't like to hurry. So share the sad, glad, mad personal issues that go best after Dessert. Malbec, prings back sweet memories of a morning Cortado and a Media Luna at Oriente Coffee Bar. Malbe, I'll be back.

I came to Melbec with my husband for a date night and it reminded me why we love this place so…read moremuch. Parking can be a bit tricky since it's on the corner and it is on an one way street, but once you're inside, it's totally worth it. This place is super cozy and romantic. We started with their empanadas (a must), then he had the homemade spinach stuffed ravioli and I got the short rib pasta. Everything was so delicious. We paired it with some wine and just had the best time. Great prices, friendly service, and such a lovely atmosphere. This is definitely one of our favorite date night spots. Come check it out, you will love it too