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Perle was my second Dine LA restaurant of the season and is a French bistro that has been included on the Michelin guide since 2021. Their Dine LA menu starts at $65 per person but has several add on options available. I started with a very generously filled Framboise Martini and the duck liver pate supplement, which set me back an additional $16. But I think this add on is worth it. The pate is buttery and mellow yet flavorful with a hint of nuttiness from the pistachios on top. I especially like the accompaniment of kumquat confit which added a sweetness that worked surprisingly well with the pate. For my first actual included course, I had the french onion soup. It was good. The soup was warm and hearty with caramelized onion flavor. The melted gruyere cheese was stretchy and delicious. We also opted for the $30 truffle pasta supplement. To be honest, this dish was very disappointing. I thought it was bland. I could really only taste truffle on the shaven truffles themselves, and even then, it was quite mild. The sauce itself barely had any flavor. So for $30 additional, this was quite upsetting. For my actual main course, I got the chicken cordon bleu while my friend got the filet au poivre for an additional $10. The chicken was good. The crust was light and crisp. I liked the mornay sauce, but I just wish there was more of it on the plate. For dessert, I had the gateau basque, which was served with a creme anglaise and brandied cherries. I really liked this dessert. The crust was lightly crispy and the inside was nice and warm. The creme anglaise was delicious, but I just wish there was more of it. And the brandied cherries added a nice tart and spiritful twist. Overall, this was a good meal. The pasta was a let down and service was spotty. We were seated outside on the patio, which had the lovely atmosphere of Downtown Pasadena, but we hardly ever saw our server. And everything took a really long time to come out. It even took quite a while for us to even be given water when we were sat. In total, our meal lasted two hours primarily because food took a long time to come out and it was hard to flag someone down for anything.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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)
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
9 months ago
2 months ago
11 months ago
The sign of a great dinner is when the food, friends, and ambiance all mesh seamlessly. Perle was the perfect place for meeting friends after a long day at work. The outdoor seating allowed us to comfortably soak in the warm summer weather while sipping champagne and wine. It felt like a mini vacation to Paris. We ended up ordering the following: - Steak tartare (4/5) delicious and perfect execution - Salad lyonnaise (4/5) solid salad and a good starter -Escargot (3/5) good but not enough garlic - Pate compagne (3/5) a solid pate - Truffle pasta (3/5) good but the truffle flavor could be better - Branzino et ratatouille (4/5) well executed and tasty - Moule a la Normande (5/5) surprisingly my favorite dish of the night. I normally don't like mussels. These were sweet, plump, and delicious We were advised that Perle prefers to have all dishes ordered at the same time so they can course it out. Interesting because I thought the food took a very long time to start coming out and then it seemed like everything came out at once. Service was friendly and attentive. My friends brought a delicious Krug champagne and an old bottle of wine. The sommelier did a great job of opening and serving the wine. Parking is what it is in old town Pasadena. Either you find metered street parking or park at a public lot nearby and walk. Overall I think we had a great time at Perle and enjoyed the food and ambiance. What I will remember the most is how much fun it was getting together with amazing friends. LOCATION: 4/5 FOOD: 4/5 SERVICE: 4/5 VALUE: 4/5 AMBIANCE: 4/5 PET FRIENDLY: outside tables CLEANLINESS: 4/5 PARKING: 4/5 (street and public lots) read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Our first time here and we dined on Valentine's Day with a pre-fixed menu and wine pairing--it was absolutely wonderful. The ambience was intimate and romantic, the food was delicious, and the wine pairings were enhancing and palate cleansing. We were served by the Norse god Odin himself and he really made our night shine with his good humor and professionalism. The service was excellent. The beef Wellington, black truffle risotto, and duck liver mousse (with the pairing) were our standouts. We can't wait to come back and try the regular menu as well! Thank you for a great night read more
6 months ago
The food was excellent, we enjoyed the Dine LA fixed menu for $70 plus the truffle pasta was an add on for +$30. I got the French onion soup for appetizer, truffle pasta as an add-on, branzino ratatouille for the main course and a chocolate ganache dessert. The service was great and ambience is more on the loud side. We parked at the parking structure across the street for $11 flat rate after 5 PM. read more
Perle Restaurant in Old Town Pasadena is truly exceptional! From start to finish, my dining experience was nothing short of amazing. I began with the caviar service, which I absolutely loved, especially since they served it with bellinis. The escargot, perfectly cooked in herb butter, was delightful and something I would absolutely get again. The soft-shell crab, a special for the day, was served over a delicious corn succotash with a tangy sauce that complemented it beautifully. Highly recommend trying this dish if you get the chance. My favorite of the night was the rigatoni pasta with freshly shaved summer black truffles--simply incredible and bursting with flavor. Service was excellent; the staff made my birthday feel extra special with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a delectable almond cake to end the meal. The ambience is perfect for a girls' night out or a romantic dinner for two. While I dined indoors this time, the outdoor seating looked inviting and is something I'm looking forward to trying on my next visit, especially with the lovely weather. I can't wait to return!! read more
1 year ago
Cute little restaurant in Pasadena! The food, service and ambiance were on point. I would definitely recommend! read more
1 year ago
One of our favorite spot in Pasadena. Love to dine outside. Excellent creative dishes. Los of flavors packed in every dish. Frisée salad is my favorite. Excellent and professional service. read more
This restaurant is on the 2024 Michelin list and has been on the 101 best restaurants list by LA Times from 2021 to 2024. Coq au vin was very good. Totally recommend! Duck cassoulet.. I was blown away! French onion soup was very good. Escargot.. meh, it was chewy and not buttery and retained that aquatic odor -- I also believe they used the canned variety. I had the 2018 Château de La Croix des Gardes Cabernet Sauvignon and I loved it. The apple tart was amazing! The service was impeccable. Our server was patient and spoke in a slow and calm manner and we didn't feel rushed. The bus girl had such elegant and choreographed moves and kept our table meticulously clean. The price was $200 for 2. Jan, 2025 read more
6 months ago
3 years ago
A fun French spot located in Pasadena I came here with a large group of people that had made reservations early in advance. This was for dinner and our table was nicely put together and also had the small reserved sign on it. The inside is so adorable and it feels like you are stepping inside a cafe in Europe. I fell in love with it at first site. While waiting for other people to arrive our server was quite nice by serving us water and taking our drink order. The menu could either be ordered by separate items or you can have a pre-fix meal and sample different items. We just randomly picked what we wanted and ordered a cautery board which had some different cheeses, meats, and some small cute pickles. Ordered a French onion soup filled with a ton of cheese and lots of onions which I am a fan of. The fish has a nice sear and the escargot was also delicious. There was not a bad item or dish throughout our dinner. Everyone enjoyed it and said we would be back for another dinner! read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
Cozy ambience and friendly waitstaff. The food was flavorful and filling. I got the truffle pasta for the main and my husband got the duck (which we forgot to take a pic of lol) would come back again. read more
My husband and I went here for our post elopement celebratory dinner, and the service was absolutely exquisite. While it was your usual casual fine dining experience it certainly did not feel stuffy. I want to say it was a cozy seating situation where it looked like there were probably 50 people there max on a Saturday night. But let's get on with what we enjoyed: We sat at our table with a cute little "congratulations" card and were given complimentary sparkling wine to toast to our recent nuptials. We started off with the escargot, French onion soup, and simple green salad. The escargot was really tasty and served out of the shell and cooked with this delicious garlic butter sauce with the perfect crunchy bread element to cut the decadence. My husband really enjoyed his soup and how the bread was incorporated in the soup itself to add some texture. And while simple, my green salad was remarkably refreshing and light. Between courses our waiter had this pleasant way of setting out our silverware and really helped pace our meal. For our entrees I ordered the moule a la normande and my husband ordered the duck l'orange, we shared some frites, and paired it all with a gin cocktail with an egg white foam and a mezcal respectively. My mussels were super soft and easily peeled out the shell and cooked with a delicious wine sauce I soaked my frites in. Every bite my husband took of his duck was delectable, especially since he doesn't care for duck. We finished our epic meal with an apple tarte Tatin and a complimentary berry financier. What perfectly crafted desserts. The apples managed to be sweet with a bit of a bite to it on top of the soft and glazed tart, which was also not too sweet. The labneh sauce it came with perfectly complimented it. The financier was also delicious as it was crunchy on the outside and had a soft berry sauce middle. Indeed our middles were sated and satisfied, and we will have to come back to this Michelin guide restaurant for the other delicious menu items. Warning: the food menu and cocktail menu will change give or take some classic things so always check online on their website for updates. read more
Located along the restaurant row of Old Town Pasadena, Perle has a cozy interior seating option, as well as a more lively exterior option. We opted in on the interior, and got a very cozy table for two that was tucked away in the corner by large windows. It almost felt like a private dining experience as we were somewhat further from the larger dining area, so it was a very cozy experience. For the price, the food was to be expected. As appetizers, I got the French onion soup and escargots. The waiter asked if we wanted the soup split between both of us, so I agreed to it. However he failed to say that it was a $3 additional charge to split the soup. Not a huge deal but would've been nice to be communicated. Soup was alright, again, not mind blowing but okay. Escargots had a nice garlic herb butter flavor - very tasty with the little side of bread. As our entree, we ordered the moules and fries, and halibut. Having grown up in Belgium, where moules is one of their renowned foods, I was surprised at how big the mussel pieces were. There also wasn't very much of it, I guess I expected a big pot of it. The broth also had a hint of too much lime. The halibut was good - I enjoyed the accompanying coconut sauce and the crispy tapioca. Think I enjoyed the halibut more than the moules. I really enjoyed the apple tart dessert with the side of cream. It was warm (a little too hot) and it had a nice flavorful crust on the bottom. To my surprise, the side of cream was not sweet, but it balanced out the sweetness of the apple quite nicely on the palate. Wish I ordere an espresso to go with my dessert. Overall it was a pleasant experience. The service was very attentive, but not overly, and he was able to explain the menu well. I'll probably come back for lunch time. read more
Was excited to try Perle as I've been looking for a good French bistro nearby. Reservations were made fairly easily but noticed time slots do fill up quickly. Arrived a few minutes before opening and there were already people waiting to enter. We were seated in a booth towards the bar which was nice but do wish they spaced the tables apart a bit as getting in/out was a bit challenging to ensure you don't knock over anyone's drink. Started off the meal with both the steak tartare, escargot and the French onion soup. Probably the best French onion soup I've had in a long time but a bit pricey in my opinion. I find this to be too salty at most places but found it perfect here at Perle. The steak tartare was ok but wished they provided more of the baguette. The escargots were disappointing as it wasn't very flavorful. Had to add a few slices of their baguette in order to mop up the garlic butter sauce (iirc it was an extra $2 for 5 small slices). Ordered the steak frites and the truffle pasta as our mains. Loved the fries but the steak was rather bland and should've ordered a side of bernaise. The truffle pasta was good in my opinion but priced a tad bit high at $55. The side of mushrooms were good. Ended the meal with the chocolate soufflé which was ok but prefer the ones served at Alexanders. Actually enjoyed the ice cream more than the soufflé. Service was attentive but like others do have mixed feelings about the extra 4% being tacked onto the bill. Not sure if I'll be back anytime soon as there were only a few items I really enjoyed. read more
2 years ago
Made reservations easily on Resy for dineLA. There's a parking garage directly across the street (a few dollars for every 20mins I think up to a certain number of hrs or $11 max for the day). Arrived at 5:30 (on a Tuesday - if that helps) and was greeted immediately and taken to a table while waiting for my friend. The restaurant opens at 5pm so not many customers yet. Our waiter, George brought the various menu options and took our drink order off the bat. The other staff were great too. Food was great, all of it! I ordered the left side of the dineLA menu: the french onion soup, branzino, and the creme brulee. My friend ordered the right side: salad, chicken au something and the cheese board. We def want to come back for the mussels next time as it was a recommendation. The party at the next table beside ours made it convincing. If you're going to this place to catch up with a friend (like I did) or a date, I would suggest you come early. The volume at the end of our dinner got exponentially loud as most, if not all tables were filled and we were so glad to come in earlier. Also, there are two single bathrooms at the back left side of the restaurant that were super clean for reference, if needed. So happy we chose this place to try out. No question about returning to try other plates. read more
3 years ago
Although I had high expectations for this place, I will say that they do make good solid French food. It was quite a drive, but walking over to building felt homey. I really like how the outside area was set up. Interior was simply well designed. The dim lights really set the mood and I really like how there were candles around. It was an intimate vibe with good talk. Service was excellent and quick. Every time I finish my glass of wine, they would immediately pour me another one, then other one. I was kinda buzzed to be honest, lol. By the way corkage fee was only 30$, so of course I brought a large Cadmus bottle. Starting off with the onion soup, I will rate it a 5/5. It's not that salty, yet very flavorful. I can also taste that hint flavoring of beef broth which added a nice umami effect. The cheese on top was delicious! The cherry tomato salad was underwhelming. The orange sauce on the bottom was bland to me. Presentation is nice though, I rate it a 2/5. Coq Au Vin (braised chicken) tasted good, 4/5. It was satisfying pulling the soft chicken apart from the bone. Very easy to chew and tender. The chicken melted in my mouth. The bacon bits that came with it added a nice salty finish. Lastly, the Branzino et Ratatouille (sea bass) is also a 4/5. It wasn't fishy, but a little salty. The sweet cherry sauce underneath it helped. The skin is crispy too. Had a nice crunch like a chip. The whole experience was fun with some of the dishes being memorable and others not. Portion size was small, but the flavors were all there. It's solid and for sure top tier. It's worth to try. Gotta come back to try the other dishes. read more
2 years ago
Didn't have a reservation but was able to sit at the bar. The oysters were fresh and the escargot was delicious. I didn't really care for the steak frites though... the meat was a bit tough. The ambiance was nice with good service. read more
Service was impeccable. Restaurant is a bit small so tables very close but it's quaint and pretty. Food was delicious but I wouldn't say we will be back. French onion soup and hamachi cucumber with a glass of wine would be tempting. Have had significantly better steak at various fine steakhouses for similar prices. Crème Brule was a huge disappointment- custard didn't set and was all hot. Bummer Pricing was a bit higher than it was worth but was expected for a celebratory dinner. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Mario is such an all star. I love him, he is the most sweet and attentive and just genuine person . I am so grateful he helped us out, and I want to be his friend lol seriously made our time even that much better I really really enjoyed his company and everything just thank you so much Mario!! The food here is to die for, as my other reviews say literally everything is amazing here even the water lol I love their brunch menu it's very different from the dinner menu and their French toast, Madeline's, really stood out . I had never had those before and they are the best I've ever had and for sure in the best in Pasadena. Highly recommend their brunch and dinner love Perle, awesome location, super clean and amazing team working . Top notch for sure :) **highly recommend you come with an appetite so you can try a bunch of stuff** read more
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Pauline Z.
Thank you, Yadira, for your thoughtful review. We appreciate it very…
2 years ago
Perle has an amazing charm to it. My partner and I love to cook so we try to expirence as much as we can in the find dining world. Perle also has a Michelin star, and her and I always try to expand our experiences in food to learn and take it into the kitchen with us when we cook. The environment is relaxing, classy, and a little tight, but you get lost in the food and the service. From what I gathered, they are French fine dining restaurants, and it really had that vibe in ambiance and decor. The service was amazing, Ruben was our server and was very prompt in taking care of us. Then we had Hazel and Jorge, who came and cleaned up and checked in. I greatly appreciate how attentive they were. They also had amazing suggestions for the dishes we were asking about. Each course was very delicious, but we did have ideas as we enjoyed the characteristics of what we ate. The mushroom escargot was very good with the pesto. We got hits of citrus, and it would have really come. Through with a little more. The French onion soup... was perfect... the duck Cobb salad was light and harty but needed a little more dressing, and we drizzled some pepper on it. I had the Branzino et Ratatouille, and it was fantastic. The Ratatouille complemented the flavor of Branzino and the crisp on the Branzino. My partner got the Steak Fritas, the fries were perfect, and the steak had a nice char around it and good flavors. My partner ordered the steak med rare, and I thought it was pretty delicious, but it did have more of a rare texture to it. The sauce was pretty delicious when paired. For dessert, I got the lemon custard with white chocolate, and my partner got the chocolate cake. Both were amazing ways to end the evening, along with my birthday sweet bread. I enjoyed my dining experience overall and would definitely be back to enjoy more of the menu. read more
We walked in on a Friday early evening with no reservation. The host accommodated us with two seats at the bar in the back, which we were very happy about given how busy they were and the fact that it was fully booked online. I was very excited and hyped after reading all the great reviews. We ordered: - Escargot: 4/5. Great flavor, and they had already removed the shells. Wish it came with bread, though. - French onion soup: 4/5. Again, pretty good, but I've definitely had better. - Coq au Vin: 3/5. Maybe I'm biased, but it's not as decadent as some other places I've been to, and it's nothing to write home about. The mushrooms in there were my favorite because they soaked up all the flavors. - Dover Sole Meunière: 2/5. This was disappointing for $80. The fish was slightly dry and bland. It barely had any flavors other than bits of lemon on top, which made for a very sour bite. Drinks: They only offer beer and wine, so their cocktails are mostly soju/sake-based. - PASSION FRUIT DAIQUIRI: 5/5. So refreshing and tasty. Highly recommended! - ALSACE SPRITZ: 4/5. Pretty decent as well. Service: I have to say that although the food was subpar and not what I had expected, the service was excellent! From the host and waitstaff to the bartender who took care of us throughout the night, everyone was so welcoming, warm, and made us feel very special. I could be tempted to come back and try the tasting menu because I do like the atmosphere and appreciate the service. read more
3 years ago
Made an indoor reservation for 5:45pm on a Saturday and got seated right away when we got there. Food: Ordered the following: 1. Steak tartare 2. Escargot 3. Truffle pasta 4. Coq au vin Steak tartare: really good! Very flavorful and delightful! Highly recommend and probably the best dish out of everything we ordered! Escargot: very flavorful as well and pairs great with the baguette but wouldn't say it's surprising in any way. Truffle pasta: the portion is definitely on the smaller side but love the truffle flavor! If you like truffle this is a must! Coq au vin: surprisingly the mushrooms in there are amazingly good because of the sauce! The onions are slightly caramelized and good as well! The chicken leg itself is slightly dry on the inside so recommend if you dip it in the sauce for more flavor. Service: Great service! Note that an additional 4% is already added to your check to support the operations of the restaurant. Ambience: there are both indoor and outdoor seating and there is a bar toward the back of the restaurant. Great ambience overall! read more
2 years ago
Was here for an event. The drinks were phenomenal. I got the drink with black charcoal which was quite pretty and savory. Also got a drink with foam and that was a bit floral and balanced. I enjoyed both. For appetizers, we tried the truffle arancini 4/5. Crispy, warm, umami goodness but not the best I've had. The caviar service was my fave. 5/5. Great quality and matching it with the warm blini was smart move. The duck liver pate was also irresistible. 5/5. Very well balanced and not too heavy, somehow. The brioche in particular carried the bites. For the main, we had a seafood tower which had probably one of the best crab legs I've ever had. 6/5. They were just so fresh and with a hint of sea sweetness. Absolutely divine. The veggie sides it came with were actually also surprisingly spectacular. 5/5. It was just steamed potatoes and carrots but they were so flavorful on their own and the quality of the produce shined through. It was flavorful and likely blanched very well. For dessert, the chocolate truffle was perfection in a bite. 5/5. Crunchy, thin layer of dark chocolate and inside is a soft melt in your mouth truffle. The lemon meringue bites were nothing special, but they were still good. 4/5. The small apple pie burnt fritters were great too. 4/5. I loved the texture and the level of sweetness, which was indeed super sweet but some of the bitterness from toasting balanced it out. Service was great and attentive and the place reminded me of a small restaurant in Paris. Cute. I'd likely come back to try more of the menu. read more
3 years ago
WOW. I can't believe I'm just now discovering this restaurant after all these years! I really don't know what to say other than the food is EXCELLENT and the service is very attentive. My only advice would be if ordering the caviar, order the 1oz serving since I thought the 1/2 oz was not enough (although I can put down some caviar). I will DEFINITELY be returning! read more
Blessed to have outdoor fine dining seating in Pasadena! Came by for brunch, and their menu is limited but still has some great things to offer. Really enjoyed their eggs since I was looking for some thing that wasn't as dense but still filling. Probably my favorite item on the menu were the madeleines. They're tiny and bite-size but they hit the spot when it comes to light and airy sweets. I'll have to come back during dinner time since there's a full menu. Most of the dishes were very egg heavy given brunch time. The servers were really kind in suggesting specialties and recommendations for appetizers. The Bloody Mary went very well with the oysters. read more
4 years ago
We went to see a Sondheim musical at the Pasadena Playhouse on a Sunday and my husband found Perle (named after the Michelin- trained Chef Yasharian's daughter) and it was a gem! The menu is reminiscent of what you would find in French restaurants but more importantly, Perle captured the taste and the ambiance. Here are tips and helpful info: 1. Parking - came for 5:30 Sunday dinner and no street parking so used public parking a block away on Union Street - $10 2. Reservation - decided same day to come so no indoor reservations but found a 5:30 outdoor reservation. It was cold (right after CA winter storms) but took a chance and the patio heaters helped. Bar dining also available so check out their website 3. Service - everyone (front staff, guy who sat us down- manager?, wait staff) was super friendly 4. Food and drinks - here we go... Drinks Alsace Spritz - reminded me of its Italian twin, Aperol Spritz (perfect accompaniment to a cream- rich meal), acted as good palate cleanser for me French 1975 (special menu)- identical to Tom Collins using champagne instead of soda water (lemony and refreshing) Starters Escargot (6 pieces) - in its shell which is a rarity and perfectly well seasoned Served with a side order of the perfect baguette and butter sprinkled with salt and pepper Pate de canard - since the California law banning foie gras in 2004, this is as close as we can to fg and it was the perfect bite French Onion soups - gooey fromage and cooked to perfection Main entree Steak with frites - my hubby said it was ok for he asked for medium rare and cooked medium but he finished to the last bite and of course we were both admiring and enjoying then perfectly cooked pomme frites Moules en frites - tried it first in Belgium and Paris 20 years ago so I order it when I see on the menu. This version was way better than the ones I had in Europe so kudos to the chef Tip- On second thought, I would have ordered a salad instead of the French Onion soup before the moules (served with broth :)) but my eyes were hungrier than my tummy Chocolate soufflé - takes 20 minutes to make so keep in mind to place your order early so no need to wait after meal. This was served with homemade French vanilla ice cream (wow) NOTE: Tasting/ Pre Fixe menu was available but we decided to order ala carte for all our favorites were on that menu and so glad we did The Chef trained with Daniel Boulud and Gordon Ramsay before opening Perle in March 2020 - the fact that it survived the pandemic is a miracle. Nous serons de retour! read more
More info about Perle Restaurant
43 E Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
Directions
(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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19 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Perle Restaurant - newamerican - Updated September 2026
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