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Beautiful location , prime structure parking right in front . The restaurant itself if small , cozy and beautifully decorated. I instantly felt France ... when I walked in. The hostess was very kind and attentive. The waiters were amazing ! Our main waiter check in often! He gave us a lot of good suggestions but ultimately allowed us to make our own decision. The food was decadent and delicious. One of the best French onion soups I've ever had . Tasted strikingly like the one I had at La Chaise au Plafond in France. The crème brûlée was amazing , well prepared with just the right amount of sweetness.
DineLA brought me back to Perle. I shamefully admit the last time I dined here was over a year ago, before the Eaton fire, even though I knew chef/owner Dean Yasharian had lost his Altadena home in the fire. Even with good intentions to return, I ultimately failed to support this small business in a time of need. Hopefully I can improve in the future, because Perle really is one of my favourite Old Town restaurants. Physically, the restaurant is unchanged, and happily is still busy. There are some changes on the a la carte menu, but it is still undeniably French. The DineLA 3-course menu features dishes off the regular menu, including 2 supplemental dishes (duck liver parfait and truffle pasta). I did get the duck liver parfait, and chose the salade de crevettes as my first course. I love any sort of fowl liver dish, be it a mousse, parfait, terrine, foie gras or whatever, and this version was fine, served with toasted brioche, fig jam and duck prosciutto. The salad was also very nice, with plump shrimp and avocado. The "Marie-Rose" dressing was akin to a Thousand Island. My entree choice, steak frites, was an excellent version of this classic dish. The DineLA cut was a nice hangar steak; there's also a NY Strip option on the regular menu. The meat was cooked as I requested, the peppercorn sauce was delish, and the frites were perfect, the thinnest I've seen in recent memory, almost matchstick-like and super crisp. This being America, they came with ketchup. There was a 2-bite salad with a vinaigrette to help with the richness of the dish. I chose the cheese board over the dessert (creme brulee). There were 2 French cheeses, a semi-firm one and a Brie. Raisin walnut bread, grapes, fig jam and candied walnuts came with. A perfect ending to a fine meal. Service was great--thanks to Kinan. Hope to see you again soon, Perle.
I've been wanting to try this spot for a while and finally did but I gotta say I'm just a tiny bit disappointed in it. The burger was kinda flavorless and the cheese on top was unnecessary. The salad that came with the burger was very good though. The escargo was chewy and didn't have much flavor to it either. The salmon was just okay as well. A few dishes not pictured that were good were the spring pasta and we also got the truffle fries that were pretty good! The French onion soup was good too if I'm ever craving that I'd come just for that. The desserts were good but not wow. We really enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet and vanilla ice cream though! I think if you want to try it it's good to come once.
The service was fantastic, and to be quite frank ... *flawless*. The restroom was clean. The food quality was satisfactory. I will be completely honest and state that my experience with French cuisine is largely limited to largely to Taix and a tiny handful of other French restaurants I have patronized long ago (L'Assiette, Quadrupel Brasserie, etc.), so I am admittedly not the most experienced in this cuisine. I should also disclose that it's honestly not amongst my most preferred cuisines. I did find it interesting that the escargot is served here sans shells - something I have not experienced elsewhere. A light meal for 2 here was $171.75 prior to gratuity. The value proposition of a restaurant's fare is clearly subjective and unique to every individual diner, and I will let you be the judge as to the proportionality of the menu pricing based on your own socioeconomic strata and individual experience with French restaurants. I was fortunate enough to obtain a metered curbside parking space less than a block away. For me, to steal ShoPhoCho's frequently used commentary, I'd say Perle is probably in "one and done" territory. FYSA, the restaurant will impose a 4.00% "Living Wage" surcharge on your receipt. 4% is not significant number, but personally, I would consider a more transparent practice to be increasing the menu item pricing up front to accurately reflect the numbers necessary to provide a living wage to restaurant's employees, rather than sneaking it in at the bottom of the receipt.
Came here for Dine LA for a girl's night out. The menu was reasonably priced. I had the shrimp salad as the appetizer. The portion is a smaller version, nevertheless very delicious and refreshing. I ordered a glass of Cabernet and my girlfriend ordered a happy hour cocktail. Her cocktail also came in a baby cocktail glass. She said the cocktail was not sweet but on the dry side. For entree, we both had the steak. The outside is crispy and well seasoned, but the steak is on the dry side. The best part is the crème brûlée. It's perfectly made and it was very delicious. It was a good wrap for the dinner. The ambience of the restaurant was casual and romantic. There was a party of four at the back of the restaurant, but a little rowdy, maybe too much alcohol and fun. We could hear from three tables away. Service was good. The server was very responsive for ordering and getting the check. Maybe I will come back after Dine LA to see if the food is different, maybe a little less busy.
Came here the other night for DineLA. Wasn't on my radar for restaurants to try but I'm already up for something new, so off to Pasadena we went. Has a reservation and we're at immediately outside. After a quick glance at the drink menu, we places our orders. The Pomme Pomme was very refreshing, and the Mai Tai was more spirit forward but with balance. The Dubonnet Spritz tastes like just other Spritz drinks, though this one was strawberry based. And the Elderflower was already a decent drink but didn't stand out. For food, we started with the French Onion soup and the shrimp salad. The salad was almost like the individual lettuce wraps with shrimp. The citrus and avocado helped provide a little surging more to each bite. The French Onion soup was a table favorite. Very hearty with a good amount of onions, sourdough and gruyere. Could have had a second birth of that, no questions asked. Would highly recommend the soup. The branzino had a nice crispiness to the skin, and just fish inside, sitting on a bed of vegetables, but it really didn't stand out in any way, unfortunately. The steak frites was also just ok, coming with a peppercorn cognac sauce to dip. Finally, for dessert, you choose from a cheese board or creme brulee. We all went with the brulee. Nice, thick sugar crust on top to crack through with a generous portion of creme. Decent dessert to end the night. Overall, the French Onion soup was probably one of the better French onion soups I've had over the last decade, and I would go back and get another bowl without hesitation. Entrees were good but not really memorable and the fre me e brulee but the spot. Definitely stop by for a bowl of their French Onion soup and get a cocktail while you're at it.
I wanted try this French restaurant for DineLA so I made reservations for a Saturday night at 5:30pm. Upon entering, it was cozy and not crowded. I felt like the waiter and hostess did what they had to do to get a paycheck. Considering the price of the dishes and the type of restaurant, the service was just ok. My husband and I got the shrimp salad and french onion soup as an appetizer, steak frites as our main dish and truffle pasta (added it for extra $28) , and creme brulee for dessert. The French onion soup was gooey on top with tons of onions in the soup. Yummy! I thought the salad was ok. The steak was cooked medium rare, so the texture was fine but I felt it lacked flavor. There was no wow factor to it. The truffle pasta was good, but my first time trying truffle and to me, I couldn't taste a distinct flavor. The creme brulee was burnt on top, it actually tasted bitter. Overall, I'm glad I tried this restaurant. As we left, the restaurant was packed. Would I come back to eat here again? Probably not. Service was ok, food portions were small, and the taste was not to my liking. I would prefer going to The Little Door.
It's dineLA week and I took advantage of it to try this restaurant. For the set menu course appetizer: I choose the shrimp salad and enjoyed it. For the main course: my server said the seabass on top of the ratatouille was his favorite current dish. I decided to go for the 10oz steak and fries as it was the most ordered dish at this restaurant. The steak was very juicy and tender served with peppercorn sauce. The fries were crisy and well seasoned. For dessert, I went for the creme belle and the custard was smooth and silky. The restaurant setting is nice with inside, outside and bar seating. Staff had good customer service answering all questions I had about the dineLA menu. Parking is available at nearby public parking lots $1 for 2 hours.
I want to make this 4.5 stars! We made a resy for Saturday night and good thing we did because it was packed. I didn't know it was Dine LA but I'm glad we went since we were able to try a ton of dishes for like half the price. We got the duck parfait toast, the steak tartare, the lyones salad, the French onion soup, the truffle pasta, the steak frites, and the Creme brulee. With Dine LA everything came out to around $170 which is a steal for French cuisine. The food itself was good, I wouldn't say it's my fav French place of all time but it's in the better half. I do like that nothing is too salty or too heavy. I really enjoyed the steak tartare that was my fav dish. The others were good but not like omg this is amazing good. Service was great here, I didn't catch the name of the server but he was fantastic. I was freezing because we were sitting by the AC and they brought out a small heater for us, very nice of them. Plates were cleaned quickly and the place was overall a very well oiled machine.
Perle was ok. I've been here twice but it seemed better the first time I visited. My first visit was a while back though. Overall, the food is good. At this price point however, this is not a good value. FOOD French Onion Soup - Good. Flavor and consistency were right. I'd recommend this. Loup de mer - This was good but rather ordinary. The dish felt like something that could be made at home. SERVICE Good. PARKING Garages (paid), street (limited, paid and free)
Great service and delicious food. I had the Steak Frites and tried the White Wine Coq au Vin. They were both delicious- the steak was cooked to my request, seasoned well, and had a great texture. The fries were crispy and tasty. The Coq au Vin was hearty with potatoes and vegetables and the chicken was tender and flavorful. They are known for their apple desert- which I would highly recommend.
Perle is a tranquil retreat from the hot summer evenings in a cool space with dark wood tables and white cupboards. The Francophone music and friendly staff sets the tone for the wonderful meal. Coq au vin: When they lay out a pearl-handled Laguiole knife, you know you're in for a treat. The chicken is braised in beautiful rustic flavors. There's a rich dark sauce, the result of slowly simmering red wine, herbs, garlic, butter, and broth. The dish has a generous portion of meat, two thighs and a drumstick. You'll want to swipe every bite through the silky sauce along with the smooth and creamy mashed potatoes. Strips of lardons are essentially a cross between bacon and ham, adding smoky lusciousness and chewy meatiness. Mushrooms are earthy and woodsy. The carrots and pearl onions are sweet and tender. You taste each ingredient independently even through the concentrated flavor of the incredible glossy sauce. Parking: Without walking too far, you can find free street parking. read more
Ordered 2x DineLA courses - duck liver parfait (5/5): the paté wasn't organy at all and tasted very creamy with the bread. The fig jam added a sweet and tangy twist that cut through the creaminess. The duck prosciutto was good but sadly only one small slice was provided. - French Onion Soup (4/5): Very hearty and warm dish to start the course. My gf preferred a stronger onion flavor but I found it fine. - Branzino et Ratatouille (4.5/5): Perfectly cooked fish, with distinct aromas from the vegetables and spices. The skin was crispy, but it would have been nicer if it was evenly crispy. Overall very flavorful and a good lighter dish option than the steak frites - Steak Frites (5/5): Ordered this medium rare and was not disappointed. Perfectly cooked and super juicy. The outside of the steak was nicely seared giving it a nicely crisp texture with richer flavors too. Paired super well with the sauce which had a distinct mushroomy flavor to it in addition to the peppercorn. Fries were very generous and crispy. - Creme Brulee (4/5): The Creme Brulee was a bit more runny than we were used to but the flavor was perfect. Breaking through the caramelized sugar was super satisfying. - Cheese Board (3.5/5): Pretty simple cheese board with bread, a fig jam, some nuts, and 2 cheeses. I enjoyed the triple cream cheese a lot as it paired very well with the bread and jam. Overall (5/5): We booked a reservation here on a Friday evening for DineLA back in early Feb but didn't get to posting this till now. The restaurant was pretty vibey and perfect for a date night. We were seated in the corner by the entrance making it feel more private than the other seats in the room, which was nice. It wasn't too loud either. Service was friendly and prompt. The food was very well executed, although at this price range we'd hesitate to try the regular menu. Overall, a very solid experience I'm glad we had! read more
Beautiful location , prime structure parking right in front . The restaurant itself if small , cozy and beautifully decorated. I instantly felt France ... when I walked in. The hostess was very kind and attentive. The waiters were amazing ! Our main waiter check in often! He gave us a lot of good suggestions but ultimately allowed us to make our own decision. The food was decadent and delicious. One of the best French onion soups I've ever had . Tasted strikingly like the one I had at La Chaise au Plafond in France. The crème brûlée was amazing , well prepared with just the right amount of sweetness. read more
7 days ago
Another perfect meal at Perle! This place never misses. Last visit was no exception. The Dover Sole is marvelous and the Tarte Tatin a must order. Can't wait to go back! read more
6 months ago
DineLA brought me back to Perle. I shamefully admit the last time I dined here was over a year ago, before the Eaton fire, even though I knew chef/owner Dean Yasharian had lost his Altadena home in the fire. Even with good intentions to return, I ultimately failed to support this small business in a time of need. Hopefully I can improve in the future, because Perle really is one of my favourite Old Town restaurants. Physically, the restaurant is unchanged, and happily is still busy. There are some changes on the a la carte menu, but it is still undeniably French. The DineLA 3-course menu features dishes off the regular menu, including 2 supplemental dishes (duck liver parfait and truffle pasta). I did get the duck liver parfait, and chose the salade de crevettes as my first course. I love any sort of fowl liver dish, be it a mousse, parfait, terrine, foie gras or whatever, and this version was fine, served with toasted brioche, fig jam and duck prosciutto. The salad was also very nice, with plump shrimp and avocado. The "Marie-Rose" dressing was akin to a Thousand Island. My entree choice, steak frites, was an excellent version of this classic dish. The DineLA cut was a nice hangar steak; there's also a NY Strip option on the regular menu. The meat was cooked as I requested, the peppercorn sauce was delish, and the frites were perfect, the thinnest I've seen in recent memory, almost matchstick-like and super crisp. This being America, they came with ketchup. There was a 2-bite salad with a vinaigrette to help with the richness of the dish. I chose the cheese board over the dessert (creme brulee). There were 2 French cheeses, a semi-firm one and a Brie. Raisin walnut bread, grapes, fig jam and candied walnuts came with. A perfect ending to a fine meal. Service was great--thanks to Kinan. Hope to see you again soon, Perle. read more
I've been wanting to try this spot for a while and finally did but I gotta say I'm just a tiny bit disappointed in it. The burger was kinda flavorless and the cheese on top was unnecessary. The salad that came with the burger was very good though. The escargo was chewy and didn't have much flavor to it either. The salmon was just okay as well. A few dishes not pictured that were good were the spring pasta and we also got the truffle fries that were pretty good! The French onion soup was good too if I'm ever craving that I'd come just for that. The desserts were good but not wow. We really enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet and vanilla ice cream though! I think if you want to try it it's good to come once. read more
The service was fantastic, and to be quite frank ... *flawless*. The restroom was clean. The food quality was satisfactory. I will be completely honest and state that my experience with French cuisine is largely limited to largely to Taix and a tiny handful of other French restaurants I have patronized long ago (L'Assiette, Quadrupel Brasserie, etc.), so I am admittedly not the most experienced in this cuisine. I should also disclose that it's honestly not amongst my most preferred cuisines. I did find it interesting that the escargot is served here sans shells - something I have not experienced elsewhere. A light meal for 2 here was $171.75 prior to gratuity. The value proposition of a restaurant's fare is clearly subjective and unique to every individual diner, and I will let you be the judge as to the proportionality of the menu pricing based on your own socioeconomic strata and individual experience with French restaurants. I was fortunate enough to obtain a metered curbside parking space less than a block away. For me, to steal ShoPhoCho's frequently used commentary, I'd say Perle is probably in "one and done" territory. FYSA, the restaurant will impose a 4.00% "Living Wage" surcharge on your receipt. 4% is not significant number, but personally, I would consider a more transparent practice to be increasing the menu item pricing up front to accurately reflect the numbers necessary to provide a living wage to restaurant's employees, rather than sneaking it in at the bottom of the receipt. read more
6 months ago
Came here for Dine LA for a girl's night out. The menu was reasonably priced. I had the shrimp salad as the appetizer. The portion is a smaller version, nevertheless very delicious and refreshing. I ordered a glass of Cabernet and my girlfriend ordered a happy hour cocktail. Her cocktail also came in a baby cocktail glass. She said the cocktail was not sweet but on the dry side. For entree, we both had the steak. The outside is crispy and well seasoned, but the steak is on the dry side. The best part is the crème brûlée. It's perfectly made and it was very delicious. It was a good wrap for the dinner. The ambience of the restaurant was casual and romantic. There was a party of four at the back of the restaurant, but a little rowdy, maybe too much alcohol and fun. We could hear from three tables away. Service was good. The server was very responsive for ordering and getting the check. Maybe I will come back after Dine LA to see if the food is different, maybe a little less busy. read more
Came here the other night for DineLA. Wasn't on my radar for restaurants to try but I'm already up for something new, so off to Pasadena we went. Has a reservation and we're at immediately outside. After a quick glance at the drink menu, we places our orders. The Pomme Pomme was very refreshing, and the Mai Tai was more spirit forward but with balance. The Dubonnet Spritz tastes like just other Spritz drinks, though this one was strawberry based. And the Elderflower was already a decent drink but didn't stand out. For food, we started with the French Onion soup and the shrimp salad. The salad was almost like the individual lettuce wraps with shrimp. The citrus and avocado helped provide a little surging more to each bite. The French Onion soup was a table favorite. Very hearty with a good amount of onions, sourdough and gruyere. Could have had a second birth of that, no questions asked. Would highly recommend the soup. The branzino had a nice crispiness to the skin, and just fish inside, sitting on a bed of vegetables, but it really didn't stand out in any way, unfortunately. The steak frites was also just ok, coming with a peppercorn cognac sauce to dip. Finally, for dessert, you choose from a cheese board or creme brulee. We all went with the brulee. Nice, thick sugar crust on top to crack through with a generous portion of creme. Decent dessert to end the night. Overall, the French Onion soup was probably one of the better French onion soups I've had over the last decade, and I would go back and get another bowl without hesitation. Entrees were good but not really memorable and the fre me e brulee but the spot. Definitely stop by for a bowl of their French Onion soup and get a cocktail while you're at it. read more
I wanted try this French restaurant for DineLA so I made reservations for a Saturday night at 5:30pm. Upon entering, it was cozy and not crowded. I felt like the waiter and hostess did what they had to do to get a paycheck. Considering the price of the dishes and the type of restaurant, the service was just ok. My husband and I got the shrimp salad and french onion soup as an appetizer, steak frites as our main dish and truffle pasta (added it for extra $28) , and creme brulee for dessert. The French onion soup was gooey on top with tons of onions in the soup. Yummy! I thought the salad was ok. The steak was cooked medium rare, so the texture was fine but I felt it lacked flavor. There was no wow factor to it. The truffle pasta was good, but my first time trying truffle and to me, I couldn't taste a distinct flavor. The creme brulee was burnt on top, it actually tasted bitter. Overall, I'm glad I tried this restaurant. As we left, the restaurant was packed. Would I come back to eat here again? Probably not. Service was ok, food portions were small, and the taste was not to my liking. I would prefer going to The Little Door. read more
It's dineLA week and I took advantage of it to try this restaurant. For the set menu course appetizer: I choose the shrimp salad and enjoyed it. For the main course: my server said the seabass on top of the ratatouille was his favorite current dish. I decided to go for the 10oz steak and fries as it was the most ordered dish at this restaurant. The steak was very juicy and tender served with peppercorn sauce. The fries were crisy and well seasoned. For dessert, I went for the creme belle and the custard was smooth and silky. The restaurant setting is nice with inside, outside and bar seating. Staff had good customer service answering all questions I had about the dineLA menu. Parking is available at nearby public parking lots $1 for 2 hours. read more
I want to make this 4.5 stars! We made a resy for Saturday night and good thing we did because it was packed. I didn't know it was Dine LA but I'm glad we went since we were able to try a ton of dishes for like half the price. We got the duck parfait toast, the steak tartare, the lyones salad, the French onion soup, the truffle pasta, the steak frites, and the Creme brulee. With Dine LA everything came out to around $170 which is a steal for French cuisine. The food itself was good, I wouldn't say it's my fav French place of all time but it's in the better half. I do like that nothing is too salty or too heavy. I really enjoyed the steak tartare that was my fav dish. The others were good but not like omg this is amazing good. Service was great here, I didn't catch the name of the server but he was fantastic. I was freezing because we were sitting by the AC and they brought out a small heater for us, very nice of them. Plates were cleaned quickly and the place was overall a very well oiled machine. read more
Perle was ok. I've been here twice but it seemed better the first time I visited. My first visit was a while back though. Overall, the food is good. At this price point however, this is not a good value. FOOD French Onion Soup - Good. Flavor and consistency were right. I'd recommend this. Loup de mer - This was good but rather ordinary. The dish felt like something that could be made at home. SERVICE Good. PARKING Garages (paid), street (limited, paid and free) read more
5 days ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
Great service and delicious food. I had the Steak Frites and tried the White Wine Coq au Vin. They were both delicious- the steak was cooked to my request, seasoned well, and had a great texture. The fries were crispy and tasty. The Coq au Vin was hearty with potatoes and vegetables and the chicken was tender and flavorful. They are known for their apple desert- which I would highly recommend. read more
6 months ago
Perle gave us the loveliest little French escape during Dine LA. We managed to snag a corner spot for a spontaneous night out. The ambience was modern contemporary finish. We went with the Dine LA prix fixe 3 main set courses with optional add ones. (see photo below for reference) The optional duck liver parfait was silky and rich, perfectly balanced with fig preserve and toasted brioche. It felt indulgent but not heavy, although careful with the prosciutto this too rich for me. Overall this was a good start on first impressions. I chose the French onion soup for the first course. Deeply caramelized onions, savory beef broth, plenty of melted Gruyère, and that satisfying crack through the cheesy top. The soup is the classic French onion soup. The branzino with ratatouille completely stole the show. The skin was beautifully crisp, the fish tender and flaky, and the Provençal vegetable stew underneath had just enough warmth and balance. This was a seaonsal dish offered twice in their menu. Elegant, flavorful, and well done. We opted in for one glass of wine to pair with the main branzino sea bass and loved how thoughtfully everything was chosen. The Beaujolais was a standout for me. Light, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. We wrapped things up with the crème brûlée, which came out with a perfectly crackly sugar top and creamy vanilla custard underneath. Simple, classic, and very satisfying. Service felt attentive without hovering, and the pacing of the meal stayed relaxed and enjoyable. The only con is the seating could have been less in the direct flow of air conditioning. Other than that, if you are looking for a charming French spot in Pasadena, especially during Dine LA, Perle is an easy yes. I would happily come back again. read more
My family's first time at this restaurant. We were excited to see what the reviews were fussing about. The wait staff was great. We enjoyed the ambiance but the restaurant isn't that big in general so our table of 6 had to use 2 tables. The food was pretty good but it wasn't much food considering the price point. Escargots didn't have any shells. The truffle pasta was very good. The duck was well cooked and the king salmon had a great sear on its skin. The bread was pretty good but at 8 dollars for a small cut up loaf, it was way over priced. I have it 1 less stars because, despite being quite empty still by the time our entire party arrived, the front desk person would not entertain seating us until it was about 1 minute left until our reservation. We were 15 minutes early. Wanted to start early and end a little early. If the restaurant was super busy, id understand the wait. But hardly anyone was there and our table was already setup for us just waiting. Also, the food came out slow after the appetizers. I'm thinking they wanted to bring everything out at the same time but we sat atleast 20 to 30 minutes after our appetizers before our main dishes came out. So if you are in a hurry to eat because you are hungry, order extra appetizers as the main dish takes a while. read more
6 months ago
Came here with my date for Dine LA dinner, and overall it was a really solid experience. She ordered the duck parfait toast, French onion soup, sea bass ratatouille, and crème brûlée. I had the French onion soup, sea bass ratatouille, and the cheese board for dessert. The duck parfait toast was pretty good. There's a very thin slice of duck prosciutto on top -- it doesn't look like much, but it's very rich and fatty. Definitely don't eat the prosciutto by itself. Make sure to eat it with the toast and the pâté, otherwise it can be a bit much and might even make you feel nauseous if you overdo it. The French onion soup was delicious and not overly salty, which I appreciated. The bread was thick, about half an inch, topped with melted cheese, and there was a good amount of onions underneath. Comforting without being heavy. The branzino ratatouille was the standout. Super light, really flavorful, and well balanced. The sea bass came perfectly cooked and sat on top of a ladleful of ratatouille. There was a green sauce on the plate -- not sure what it was, but it reminded me of chimichurri and worked really well with everything. Honestly, I could eat three of these. No idea if this is technically "healthy," but if eating like this is what clean eating looks like, I'm in. For dessert, the cheese board came with a piece of brie, three quarter-slices of gruyère, some fig jam, a small cup of grapes, and a few slices of toast that were a little on the harder side. It reminded me of having grapes and cheese with wine -- more of a light snack or casual dessert. The crème brûlée was much bigger than expected. I'm used to the small ramekins, but this one was easily shareable for two, maybe even three people, which was a nice surprise. A couple things worth noting: the pacing was a bit slow, with some downtime between courses. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of. Ambiance-wise, it was pretty loud inside, to the point where we had to raise our voices to carry on a conversation. Outdoor seating might be a better option if you're looking to actually talk -- as long as cigarette smoke from nearby restaurants isn't an issue for you. Overall, really good food and a solid spot if you're in the area or checking out Dine LA. Definitely worth a visit, just depends on what kind of vibe you're going for. read more
9 months ago
We headed to Perle in Pasadena for our anniversary, thanks in part to a little nudge from our Amex Platinum Resy credit. And I have to say, it was a night well spent. Perle is in the Michelin Guide, so you know you're in for some quality French-inspired cuisine. We started with the charcuterie board, which was beautifully arranged--think brie, a mix of cheeses, nuts, berries, and some lovely bread. It was a great start and set the tone for a classy meal. We also got the truffle fries, which the kids devoured. Honestly, I could have used a bit more truffle flavor, but they were still crispy and tasty enough to disappear fast. For mains, we had a little of everything: the French onion soup with that gooey cheese layer was a highlight, and the mussels and steak frites were solid choices. The scallops were delicious but definitely on the lighter side--so keep in mind the portions are more French bistro than big American plates. We had to remind ourselves that dessert was calling our names elsewhere afterward! The ambiance was lovely and a bit romantic, and while it's not cheap, the Resy credit definitely helped soften the bill. Heads up on parking: there's a structure, but no validation, so factor that in. All in all, Perle is a lovely spot for a special night out. Just be ready for a bit of a splurge--but hey, that's what anniversaries (and Amex credits) are for! read more
10 months ago
Perle was long on my list, and finally an opportunity presented itself without any effort. The interior is nice, the staff was attentive. The Coq-au-Vin was good, but I would not say stellar. The apple tart for dessert was overall oversized and lacked sophistication. read more
Service was excellent. Very attentive staff. There was a small card on the table recognizing my wife's bday, and some complimentary champagne and dessert were also included. Ambiance was nice, lighting was perfect, and it felt warm and inviting. We ordered 3 items to share: escargots, cup of French onion soup, and the steak frites. We thought the escargot left a bitter irony taste and the French onion soup was getting too sweet after mid-cup. The star of the evening was the steak - beautifully cooked with a great sear/char. Seasoning was on point. Just a great steak. The peppercorn sauce was nice but we didn't really need that much. The fries were really good as well. We would come back, if not for just the steak then to try other dishes. read more
Keep your receipt! Crooked server at this "fine dining establishment," Jeremiah, gave himself a nearly 30% tip = $79 (of total incl tax and living wage), when I signed for a 15% tip = $71. See attached photos. I emailed the owner but never received a resolution nor apology. Overly salted unimpressive food and now am also thoroughly disgusted by their service. Have contacted officials and removed them from all bookmarks. Enter at your own risk. read more
5 months ago
Ambience was nice, we ordered the steak frites which were both very delicious. The steaks were delicious and tender, but the fries were just ok. Service was also good too read more
8 months ago
We chose Perle to celebrate our 8-year wedding anniversary, drawn by its Michelin recommendation, strong reputation, and participation as a Resy-featured restaurant. Given these credentials and the significance of the occasion, our expectations were appropriately high. While the evening delivered exceptional cuisine and an elegant atmosphere, repeated service shortcomings ultimately prevented the experience from reaching its full potential. From the moment we entered, Perle made a strong first impression. The restaurant is beautifully appointed, with refined décor and a warm, festive--almost Christmas-like--ambiance that felt intimate and well suited for a special celebration. We arrived on time for our 5:00 p.m. indoor reservation. Although our reservation was not immediately located upon check-in, the hostess handled the situation professionally and graciously. After we presented our confirmation via the Resy app, we were promptly accommodated and seated at Table 44. Her calm and welcoming demeanor set a positive tone at the outset. Unfortunately, the service at our table did not consistently reflect the level of polish one would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. Throughout the evening, our server appeared disengaged, distracted, and largely inattentive. There was little acknowledgment that we were celebrating an anniversary, and the overall interaction felt impersonal. We began the evening with cocktails. I ordered the Perle Grey, which was well executed and enjoyable. My wife ordered the Elderflower 75 based on the server's recommendation after describing her preferred flavor profile. However, she was instead served a Dubonnet Spritz. When we asked whether the cocktail delivered was the Elderflower 75, the error was immediately recognized, yet no apology was offered. The option to correct the mistake felt hesitant rather than proactive, as though doing so would be an inconvenience rather than an expected part of attentive service. We started with the roasted shrimp appetizer, which was outstanding and easily one of the best dishes of the evening. Perfectly cooked and deeply flavorful, it is a must-order and a strong reflection of the kitchen's talent. As the meal progressed, a baguette we had ordered failed to arrive. When we followed up, the server appeared perplexed and again offered no acknowledgment or apology. Individually, these lapses may seem minor; collectively, they reflected a pattern of inattentiveness that consistently detracted from the experience. For our main courses, we ordered the sea scallops and the 10 oz 212 NY Steak frites. Both dishes were excellent. The sea scallops were beautifully seared, tender, and well balanced, while the steak frites was expertly cooked, richly flavored, and paired with crisp, well-seasoned fries. Dessert was the chocolate soufflé, which was truly exceptional and the highlight of the meal. Perfectly risen, rich, and decadent, it was among the best desserts we have had in quite some time. At the conclusion of the meal, when we were unable to finish the soufflé and asked whether it could be packaged to go, the request was declined with a simple "no," without explanation, courtesy, or apology. While we understand that certain desserts may not be suitable for takeout, the manner in which this was communicated further reinforced the overall lack of service refinement. Perle is undeniably a restaurant with exceptional culinary talent and a beautifully curated atmosphere. We would still recommend it to family and friends based on the quality of the food alone. However, the service inconsistencies significantly diminished what could have been one of the most memorable anniversary dinners of our marriage. With more attentive, engaged, and polished service, Perle has the potential to deliver a dining experience fully aligned with its Michelin recognition and reputation. read more
6 months ago
First time visiting, we came for DineLA ($65/person dinner) we had a wonderful experience! Fantastic service, beautiful setting, delicious food. They were able to accommodate gluten-free & dairy-free. Make sure to make reservations in advance, there's indoor, outdoor & bar seating. Everything we ordered was cooked to perfection! We really liked the salade de crevettes (shrimp, lettuce, avocado). It was refreshing, came with a thousand island dressing with a little kick but not too spicy. My husband loved his seabass, he said it was one of the best seabass he's ever had. It was flavorful with pesto & tomato sauce & the fish was tender. My steak was delicious, the peppercorn sauce was really good & they cooked it perfectly, medium rare. I enjoyed the creme brûlée & my husband got the sorbet & almond cake for his birthday. Everything was super delicious! We will definitely return to try more items on the menu! read more
This restaurant is heaven sent! Went to eat at the bar before a show at the Rose Bowl. It got busy very quickly but the service was still great. Every dish I tried was so flavorful and well done. Even though it is French food somehow the dishes did not seem overly heavy. The best part was that they have vegetarian versions of most of their dishes, even the caviar blini (the caviar was made with seaweed), as well as the coq au vin, escargot (made with mushrooms) and French onion soup! read more
1 year ago
Came here for dinner during DineLA. Amazing food with indoor and outdoor dining. Ordered the supplemental foie gras. Although it was super small, it was super worth it.... My friend ordered the chicken and I ordered the mussels from the regular menu... All the food was really good and would come back. read more
Perle French Cuisine was magnifique! oyster bite, french onion soup, sea bass, coq au vin (braised chicken), blueberry cake creme quenelle, creme brûlée. We sat inside and our table was near the door, the cool summer evening breeze was coming in i told my husband is this what heaven feels like? The many attentive servers descended upon us. We were sure to ask the extra 4% fee be removed so we could give $ to our server instead. I will be back every bite was happiness! Shout out to our server JASON M he was awesome...i love your big cubes. read more
My husband and I had our engagement celebration here 2 years ago. The staff and atmosphere of the restaurant left a wonderful impression on us and we were eager to come back for our first anniversary dinner. Patê Campagne: the amount of patê was very generous. There's a lot of patê for the two slices of sourdough toast we received. It's rich and creamy but not overwhelming because it's balanced with the acidity of the Dijon mustard and peppercorns. Duck liver parfait: I loooove the combination of textures and flavors here. The patê was rich in flavor, paired well with the soft brioche toast and lightly sweetened grape compôte.. the duck prosciutto was chewy and slightly salty. French onion soup: mm, probably one of the best I've had since it's not overly pungent and strong or overwhelmingly salty as other places. Also,a cup vs a bowl was plenty for our 7 dishes we ordered haha Roasted shrimp: this was my husband's favorite and pretty high on my list of favorite dishes here too.the shrimp was very well seasoned. You taste the slight sourness from the lemon, the garlic and butter with each bite of crispy baguette Truffle pasta: this was good with the initial first couple of bites but I think both of us became truffle-overloaded after that. I think it's one of those dishes that can be enjoyed in smaller portions. Too much of it and it's just too rich. Great taste though if you love the strong taste of truffle oil. Dover sole meunière: probably one of our favorite dishes. The combination of flavors from the sole, capers, butter sauce and lemon was delicious. Sole was cooked just right, soft and flaky. Our server, Jason was so attentive and gave wonderful input on dishes. Such a lovely restaurant! read more
Let's start with the food, I felt like the appetizer were the highlights of our meal. The pate and roasted shrimp (the sauce was to die for) were phenomenal. The pomme frites (fries) was really good. The escargot did not have the shell and was bland. The branzino was not what we expected and it was too acidic. The truffle pasta was ok but too salty. The chocolate soufflé and lemon tart were good. But the lemon tart was the better choice. Our server Austin, was attentive when he could be but they were busy for a Thursday night. The atmosphere: It was a smaller but cute restaurant. Perfect for a first date kinda place. The parking: street parking or public/private parking structures near by. read more
Tried Perle for Dine LA and really enjoyed the experience. The restaurant has a charming, intimate atmosphere that feels perfect for a special night out. The Dine LA menu offered a nice variety, and each dish was beautifully plated with great attention to detail. The standout for me was the onion soup The menu start off with oysters and mignonette sauce , classic, fresh. French onion soup was amazing deep rich flavor and the salad was refreshing Truffle pasta was good but a bit more sauce would be perfect. main course too rich and heavy , might be over cooked on the chicken when the meat felt off the bone but the meat was so dry!!! The fish was good though, light but just a bit of citrus would help this dish complete. Desserts were great both of them!!! Service was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, though pacing between courses was a bit slow. Overall, a lovely spot in Pasadena with thoughtful French-inspired cuisine. I'd definitely come back to try their regular menu. read more
Modest little restaurant serving French cuisine in Pasadena. It feels welcoming and service was good, but the food was not quite to the level I was expecting with how much everything was. The French onion soup was pretty good, but everything else felt more like French home cooking than French dining. Pasta was kind of watery, as if they hadn't drained it well enough, and topped with truffle that didn't smell very truffle-y. Plus, it was like almost ten bucks for baguette bread and butter? I'm already spending over 200 bucks for two people, it felt very nickel and dime of an experience. read more
1 year ago
Came here for dineLA and unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming. The AC didn't seem to be working well, so my friend and I were sweating through most of the meal -- not the most comfortable dining environment. The food was okay overall. The duck liver was excellent -- rich, smooth, and melted in my mouth. The desserts were also a highlight, perfectly balanced and not overly sweet. However, the fish dish was a big disappointment. It was overly salty and, to my surprise, still had fish scales on it. That really took away from the dining experience. I was hoping for more from a dineLA menu, but with the heat and the fish mishap, I can't say I'd be rushing back. read more
Came here for dinner on a Saturday night and had an amazing time. Everything was delicious. From the oysters, to the white truffle pasta. The ambiance was very elegant and cozy. The service was great and attentive. I started with the oyster appetizer, which was absolutely fresh and delicately prepared--definitely a standout dish. The pâté was another highlight; rich and smooth with just the right amount of seasoning, it was a perfect start to the meal. For the main course, I had chosen white truffle for the truffle pasta, and it was divine! Rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced with that irresistible truffle flavor. The pasta was cooked al dente. I ended the meal with the apple tarte tatin and a chocolate soufflé. Both were delicious and not too sweet. Overall, I can't recommend this place enough. I'll definitely be back for a special occasion. read more
Let's start with the ambience. Upon entering the host greeted us with a personalized table placement card noting our anniversary. The decor was quaint. Service was wonderful - our server was very attentive, even offered a complimentary non-alcoholic aperitif to celebrate with us. Everything was nice and homey. However, the food deviated a bit from our expectation. Escargot was underwhelming - the texture was way too mushy, borderline undercooked. Mussels were pretty decent, I'd say it was the highlight of night. And the duck cassoulet was described as a traditional homey dish, which it was with a smokey finish; however it was quite salty and greasy. All in all, the experience was nice. Perhaps it's just that our preference in terms of taste did not align with the chef's. Nonetheless, Would definitely recommend giving it try! Cheers :) read more
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More info about Perle Restaurant
43 E Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
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(626) 460-8819
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https://www.perlerestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Perle Restaurant
Can I make a reservation on valentine'day,but must join valentine menu or can order regular menu?
You can order from The regular menu
What is the usual dress attire? Are shorts acceptable?
Yes, nice shorts are good. Elegant looking place but casual and not stuff. Also had sidewalk outdoor dining.
Do you have kids menu? We plan to come here with the family for a birthday celebration.
Yes, they have a children's menu that has a pasta option and I believe a petite steak option.
Are we able to order take out?
Yes, we do offer takeout from 5-8pm Wednesday - Sunday. Please visit this link and scroll down to Takeout :…
Do you have bone marrow as a dish?
They have bone-marrow bordelaise sauce, which was amazing.
How rushed does the meal feel if you have a 9:00pm reservation? Is there still a chance to have dessert?
Hi! There wouldn’t be any rush if you had a 9pm reservation. You would have ample time for dessert — our Apple Tarte Tatin is regarded as the best in LA by the LA Times and Eater, by the way :)
How do you order a vegan meal online? Website menu says "vegan options available on request" but online ordering has zero items marked vegan, and no options to choose to make them vegan.
In the notes section, simply write “vegan” for any dishes you’d like to be made vegan and the chef will make it for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
How is parking around here?
There's paid parking across the street or 90 min free city parking by Armory Art center.
How do I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation via the website: Perlerestaurant.com…
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Perle Restaurant - newamerican - Updated August 2026
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