If you love books, wine, and that cozy intellectual vibe, 1894 is an absolute must-visit in…read morePasadena. This bar is tucked inside Vroman's Bookstore (already one of the most charming and iconic bookstores in the area) so the entire experience feels like stepping into a warm, literary universe. You can browse for a new book, take in the bookstore's atmosphere, and then walk straight into the bar. Honestly, it's the perfect outing. What makes 1894 truly special is how intentionally it celebrates literature. Everything in the bar pays homage to the bookstore. The drink menu is full of clever, book-inspired names. You'll find cocktails like Pride and PearJudice Pride, Fifty Shades of Earl Grey, and other fun literary twists. Every drink feels like a little wink to readers, writers, and book lovers, and it adds such a unique charm to the experience. The vibe is super quaint and warm, dim lighting, and a creative atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours. The wine is on the pricier side ($19-$21 per glass), but the quality delivers. Customer service was excellent. One of the bartenders spent time chatting with us. He pointed out a chalk artwork behind the bar a dramatic portrait he drew himself featuring expressive, literary-style faces, like Edgar Allan Poe, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, etc. It fits perfectly with the creative, bookish aesthetic of the bar. If you're into books, wine, and unique experiences, 1894 is a spot you absolutely can't miss. Perfect for a date, a solo unwind-with-a-book moment, or a fun night with friends who appreciate a good story and a great drink.

Cute little place inside Vroman's to get a glass of wine and read! I saw that they have live jazz…read moremusic on Thursdays sometimes so I hope to check that out. Good ambiance!

We're still fans of Monopole and visit regularly, especially before a show at The Pasadena…read morePlayhouse or when they host a special wine tasting event. Our experiences have always been good. It's a quaint wine shop with a nice selection of varietals, blends, and even a few craft beers. There's a small tasting bar in the back which usually features a flight of whites and reds, along with several other selections by the glass, as well as charcuterie boards, olives, nuts, and truffle popcorn. Lucy (owner), Pattie, Nina, and the rest of the staff are friendly and accommodating, making you feel like family. On occasion, they'll also have live music. We really enjoy Monopole and recommend you check them out when you're in the area.

This Latina owned boutique wine shop is in the Playhouse District. In the back you'll find a wine…read morebar where you can enjoy a glass or a flight along with cheese & charcuterie. They carry a curated selection of small production Old World & New World offerings and even feature wine from Mexico. Wines are categorized by regions and the layout makes it easy to browse. The staff here are friendly and will happily make suggestions. There's an upstairs area for private gatherings. They also host blind tastings on Fridays and have special meet the winemaker events.

Wonderful food, music and ambiance again at Visionarium Live Italian in South Pasadena, and now…read morethey've added home made gelato! Check it out. You won't be disappointed!!

First time here, and cuisine was excellent. Fresh pasta and authentic Italian dishes! I had the…read morepesto ravioli and some amazing prosecco. Came for Sunday brunch to hear the live music of Sharon Marie Klein, I will definitely return!

I had no idea this charming little wine shop was here, even though I frequent the Sushi restaurant…read morein the same strip mall. I was searching for wine bars in the area and this place came up. I was intrigued by the concept of a florist & wine bar combo, so I stopped in to check it out. The place is quaint. There's a section with unique bottles of wine for sale in addition to potted plants. An area where Gabriel works his magic creating artistic floral arrangements, and a cozy little wine bar where you can sit and enjoy a glass or two. There was a group of friends chatting it up at the wine bar, and they were kind enough to offer me a seat. Raymond, the wine expert and owner along with Gabriel, poured me a lovely glass of Spumante Brut Rosé. It was perfectly chilled and a delight on the palate. I had a wonderful conversation with Raymond & Gabriel. They are both darling and welcoming. I look forward to returning with friends or to attend a tasting. I'm also happy to have a new spot for ordering beautiful floral bouquets. *HH Mon - Thurs 4 - 6 pm $10 Select wines by the glass. *Private parking lot.

Such an adorable spot. Great place to stop for a glass of wine. Inside it is romantic and full of…read moremagical vibes. With all the beautiful loose flowers and bouquets you can't help get swept up in the layout of this quint wine bar. Highly recommend stopping by for a glass of wine and having a chat with the sweet owners. You can tell this is a true passion of theirs. They are going a marvelous job. I would love to come back soon for a visit on my next day off.

This was a fabulous special date night and makes you feel like a rockstar. From the velvet rope to…read morethe speakeasy/literati vibe, this place feels swanky and sophisticated. You can almost imagine a 60s beatnik, decked out in a black beret and turtleneck, sitting in the corner, reading Thoreau. The charcuterie board was delicious and the wine lovely. Great for special occasions...or a last minute surprise, like it was for us!

Waiter Manuel. This…read moreis a review reflected on you, solely. Being kind is the moral of the story, from the beginning you were passive agressive with your comments and tone. Being in a party of 4 girls coming from high tea, we were dressed in elegant dresses, first comment was asking if we were coming from church, followed by eye flutters, short "okay" with an upward inflation to a joke about the day, an impatient comment about hurrying up and trying the wine while we were talking, asked for water when we were out, were left to pour the rest of our wine, didn't ask how the food was all the while was attentive to the table behind us, the cherry on top comment was when we were discussing the bill at the end, he was hovering at the table behind ours, then when we were ready, we asked to split the bill into 2, my portion on mine and the rest on another card, he then said "this isn't like a drive through, we can't do it that way" so I asked him to explain his comment, cause it was passive agressive and rude. After he wasnt able to becuase he wasnt expecting me to call out his rude comment, I had to then break it down and specify what I had ordered, he then sold "okayyyy....so how much, cause we don't itemize?" I had to again express for him to specify how they do it cause he has still yet to explain where his attitude is coming from and explain how they do their check splits, from my understanding it just felt like he wanted to play dumb and make me to the math, one I did he was like "ohh, okay" should have asked for the manager but we paid and left, I hasnt had this experience before being a returning customer, but he needs an attitude adjustment as his attitude was completely out of pocket. Do better Manuel, you alone got your place of work a 1 star. The rest of the staff was kind, facility beautiful and food and wine was good. This restaurant is not reflected in the 1 star.

Oops, forgot to post this from my drafts... What an experience! This all-vegan wine bar is next to…read moreits sister establishment, ID-Eclair, and lives up to the family reputation. The food pairs perfectly with the wine, and everything is genuinely mind-blowing to the tastebuds. The decor is meticulously and intentionally placed and makes the place feel so cozy. Whoever designed this restaurant is a true genius and perfectionist. They have a comprehensive multi-page wine menu that lists taste profiles and origins. I know nothing about wine, but if you're a wine snob, I'm sure you'll find great joy in choosing the right wine for you. The highlight of the experience was the staff working there. Emily and Alfredo are so very welcoming and kind. It's probably the best service I've received at a restaurant and I truly cannot overstate just how phenomenal they are. They went the extra mile to make us feel at home. On top of that, even though we've only been there a handful of times over the course of a year, they remembered us and even where we were visiting from. Thank you Emily and Alfredo!

Stumbled across La Cave Wine Bar while waiting for our dinner reservation and I'm so glad we did…read more I've never really been a wine drinker, but my group and I wanted to learn more about different wine types and what pairs best with meat or seafood. The service was incredibly friendly and our winetender was very knowledgeable. She walked us through five different wines and explained the flavors and pairing suggestions in a way that was easy to understand. There was also a customer at the bar who was very friendly and showed us pictures of her wine adventures. She even recommended visiting Sonoma or Temecula for future wine tasting trips. We ended up choosing a red wine to bring to dinner and it was perfect. We would love to come back again the next time we are in Pasadena.

We walked in the restaurant on a Friday night and were seated right away (party of 6). The inside…read morerestaurant is small but they have a back patio area that allows you to forget you are next to a parking lot. We ordered six wines, calamari, truffle fries, Mac and cheese, scicillian arracini and the pepperoni and pig pizzas! All of it was delicious and we actually ordered the truffle fries twice. The fries weren't the crispiest but they had were seasoned well and you tasted the truffle oil with the cheese. The pizza had a delicious crust and the toppings tasted fresh. The pig pizza was spicier than I anticipated but it was still enjoyable. The vibe of the place really feels good for having a drink of wine before your meal. The area is surrounded by brick walls and nice comfortable chairs. Our waiter (I forgot his name tbh) was also helpful when we asked for our wine preference. We will definitely return to this place. I would definitely recommend.

Found this place on Yelp and decided to stop in for dinner. Quaint dining area/bar with a compact…read moremenu of shared plates, pizzas, and some specialties. Decent wine list. Jordan waited on us and his wine service skills were far better than most "wine" places. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. We'd definitely return. NOTE: Associated with Charlie's Trio Cafe next door.

It had been a while since my last visit, and it was just as incredible as I remembered. I can't get…read moreenough of this place. We ordered the Gruyère poppers, scallops crudo, beet salad, braised cabbage, and steak, and finished with the strawberry trifle. Every single dish was outstanding. We almost added another protein, but our server wisely advised against it, and she was absolutely right. I truly love this restaurant and will definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the menu.

Alright, so I was a big fan of Agnes and I'm surprised I haven't written a review simply on the…read morefact that they have deep-fried cheese curds that rival some authentic Wisconsin spots. But this past weekend I sort of had a bit of a bummer of an experience. I ordered a small cheese platter for my wife and I to pick up for an at-home date night. I added some cheeses we loved when we were there in December - I dropped them in the notes of the order AND sent an email to confirm. When I didn't hear back I tried calling, which went straight to a recording. So, of course when I picked up the platter it wasn't what we wanted. I was told emails aren't answered on the weekend, they don't pick up the phone and they're still working out the system. Thwarted by three modes of communication. Pretty disappointing. And for the $120 price tag, I was a little underwhelmed. I probably would have been better off just buying the cheeses from them, and getting the crackers and the accoutrements somewhere else and assemble it myself at home. I'll probably still eat here because there are some solid dishes, and the back patio is a beautiful spot to bring the family (pup included), but I just won't be ordering a cheese platter again, unfortunately.

This is one of my favorite places in Pasadena for a great spicy margarita! Last time I was there,…read moreArturo H did an amazing job! His recommendations and service were on point!

Came in on a Friday evening and sat at a high-top by the bar. We started with the pita and hummus,…read moreand the bread and butter with a side of sea salt. Honestly, I could've skipped the hummus, but the bread and butter was excellent perfectly toasted, soft butter, with a side of sea salt. For entrées, we ordered the vodka pasta and the spicy pasta. The vodka pasta is a must-order super flavorful and definitely the standout. The spicy pasta had a slight Cajun kick, which was good, but I personally preferred the vodka. For drinks, the pineapple margarita was really good. We ended with dessert: the Devil's Advocate flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and a strawberry shortcake both were delicious and a great way to finish the meal. Overall, it was a great experience. The entire staff was extremely friendly even the busser and food runner checked in to make sure we had everything we needed. Despite the restaurant being busy and fully packed, the service never slipped. Will definitely be back.

Cute but very busy place! Came here after I found out the…read moreoriginal coffee shop I wanted to try near the area is closed on Sundays. Republik is pretty big inside, with lots of outdoor space and seating as well. It was very busy when we arrived, and there was a line, but it moved pretty quickly and I got my order in a decent amount of time. I saw they had an Ube latte, so of course that is what I ordered, and it did not disappoint. Very flavorful and delicious. Service was good, and the baristas were all busy but took the time to greet everyone and thank them as we all picked up our orders. There is lots of free street parking in this area of Pasadena, so that was a breeze.

I love the colors and flavors of the avocado toast. The avocado was incredibly fresh. The cherry…read moretomatoes were robust And crisp. The addition of the pumpkin seeds and black sesame seeds added to the flavor. I ordered a vanilla latte with cinnamon in it hands-down there's the best vanilla latte I've ever had. It had the wow factor.