Bistro 45

Great place for a date night or a large party. The wait staff is gracious, attentive as if you are a special guest at their house. The taste of the foods are creative and can I just say yummy!. Try the filet, great quality and preparation. Simple it may seem but many businesses don't do it justice. It melts like butter. emmmmmm\r I have to add Victoria is the GM yet mingles with the crowd, greets you as you come in and makes you feel so welcomed. Customer service is so important, and this woman knows what she is doing! Can't wait to visit again. more

the owner mixes the leftover wine and liquor at the end of the night and sells is back. Cons: you will be ripped off more

Went to Bistro 45 based on the reviews on here and never even made it to the table.\r We were sitting at the bar waiting for the rest of our party enjoying a glass of wine when something happened.\r A gray haired waiter with a mustache came to the bar and asked for a macallan on the rocks. The bartender told him they did not have it. The server then said ""F*** these ____ just pour them anything, they won't know"".\r We paid our bill and told the maitre 'd that our party called and needed to cancel and we left.\r There are too many great choices out there for me to listen to that kind of disrespect and language from some rude bitter waiter. more

It was our first time at this restaurant, so we didn't know what to expect besides a little higher bill. We had to wait about 10 minutes, which wasn't too bad even though we had reservations. The ambience was pleasant, but a little on the loud side. The air conditioning was set a little too cool for me, but it was probably comfortable for the men in sports jackets. Our waiter was very pleasant and helpful. The food was nicely served and we enjoyed everything we ordered! We had the scallop salad and calamari for starters. Both were very good. For entrees we had the duck breast and the blue nose sea bass. Again both entrees were delicious including the accompanying vegetables. For dessert I had the chocolate soup. This is a small chocolate souffle served with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a small serving of warm chocolate sauce. It was the best! My husband had the Blue, Black & White...or something like that. It was blueberry ice cream inside chocolate ganache with creme fraiche. That was also very yummy. \r We were very happy we tried this restaurant and will return on a week day.\r more

We really enjoyed ourselves here. A party of 4 very picky eaters and everyone loved their dishes (I had the scallops and thought they were great - and the risotto with them was wonderful...oh, and the chocolate soup was scrumptious), and had a lovely time sitting outside on the patio....though I do think they could do a lot more with the patio decor-wise. The service was amazing - everyone very attentative and friendly. We brought a bottle of wine with us and also bought one from the wine list, and loved that the corkage fee for the one we brought was then waived. All in all a great experience, for not a bad price more

How do you describe perfection? Bistro 45.\r What an adorable off the beaten path treasure.\r Very attentive staff and the food, excellent. Presentation, setting, (the outdoor patio is lovely). It was a wonderful time.\r If the world famous Fleur de Lis in San Francisco is too far, this is your lucky day. Pros: wonderful Cons: didn't find one more

We had read all of the glowing reviews for Bistro 45 and just had to check it out ourselves. The building is absolutely adorable, a tiny Art Deco gem on otherwise quiet Mentor Avenue. Valet parking available at what I consider to be a reasonable $4.50.\r \r We were warmly greeted by the manager and the owner of the restaurant. Granted, we were checking the place out for a private event so I'm sure we received the best service possible. We were offered drinks and then we were given a mini tour of the space. The main dining room and the patio are both very cute and cozy.\r \r Now onto the food. They had an extensive selection of seafood, we started off with the Tiger Prawn Ravioli and then for the main course I had the Australian Sea Bass and he had the Beef Tenderloin. Both were melt in your mouth good, the creamed spinach (which was really more of a very lightly sauteed spinach with a barely-there cream sauce) was unbelievable. The added touches such as a Blue cheese fritter were just as good and the flavors were very well balanced. Wine selection was also incredible, with a huge number of choices.\r \r For desert, he had the famous Chocolate Soup, which was probably the best chocolate desert we've ever tasted, hands down. I had the Apple Bread Pudding with this incredible nutty caramel ice cream that is better eaten than described!\r \r One more thing to be mentioned: the service staff here is incredibly attentive. We had a few different people checking up on us throughout the night, and not in an overbearing obnoxious way, but in a very friendly way. Bistro 45 works to earn your business and they did a great job!\r \r Pros: Service, great food Cons: Is slightly pricey but WORTH IT! more

I decided after three visits that I was gonna visit this place 45 times this year. So far I'm 11 visits and it's already May, I better get a move on...my best advice for Bistro 45 is go, enjoy the food, and leave the numerical shenanigans by the wayside... Pros: Great food, great ambience Cons: James and Scott more

Me and my husband feel so lucky that we found this Amazing place. It is by far our favorite restaurant. It is quite reasonable for such great food. We have never had a bad, or even mediocre meal here, and we come for every special occasion. We are always in awe, and leave happy and content. Great service, beautiful ambiance. Try it, you will not be sorry. Pros: Best food ever. Not over crowded, great service, good price. more

My Girlfriend and I called last minute on a Saturday night for a table and despite the fact that the restaurant was closed for a private party they set up a special area for us. Unfortunately, we finished our meal at the same time the private party was winding down and it had begun to rain. The poor valet attendants were pushed to the limit and we were stuck behind a line of 30 something drunk office folk. Our waiter realizing our situation jumped out the side door and asked the valet attendant to bring our car around. In a nutshell, excellent and attentive service, some solid food, and a comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommended Bistro 45. more

I'm starting to make the rounds around the higher-end restaurants of Pasadena. Though I'm not a local, I come to the area every once in a while and like to try something new. Last night, it was time to try Bistro 45.\r \r In a quaint building on a one-way street, it's easily missed if you're not looking carefully. Valet parking was $4.50 but there was plenty of free street parking on a Wednesday evening. Once inside, the hostess was friendly and we were seated promptly. The lights were dim and tables were candled; but the well-heeled atmosphere was relaxed and warm. We started out with a three-2oz wine sampler, and settled on a nice little Pino Noir for the main course. I started with a house salad and my companion had the tri-tip salad. I tried a bit of the tri-tip and was amazed; never had I sampled such tender tri-tip! On a salad! My salad was simple but flavorful, and was just what I wanted. The halibut was served with steamed spinach that was garnished with a bit of lemon to give it a unique zest, and scalloped potatoes which were tart and complimented the dish nicely. Their Kobe beef was very tender and moist. For dessert, splitting the chocolate soup is recommended. More a chocolate souffle than a soup, the chocolate sauce poured on top would be overpowering if not for a dabble of vanilla ice cream and freshly-brewed coffee. $80pp. Pros: friendly staff, awesome food, chill atmosphere Cons: $4.50 valet more

The food here was very good and you get great service from the maitre'd who is also very knowledgeable.\r They even keep your sparkling water bottle cold for you! more

Having seen and heard about the restaurant for quite some time, I was pleased that it was participating in the San Pellegrino Dine Out, which offered prix fixe meals for $35. \r \r From the time we called in for last minute reservations (called in 15 minutes before we showed on a Tuesday) to the time we left, the service from the entire staff was excellent. I'm on crutches and upon first walking in, the hostess Gigi was genuinely concerned about my condition and asked if there were any special seating arrangements I needed in order to be comfortable. She was extremely sweet, friendly and kind. Her attitude set the tone for a fantastic evening. Even though we were dining off the prix fixe menu, it was not a watered down version of the regular menu and we were not treated like some cheap joe schmoes that didn't order off the full menu. \r \r I asked for a wine pairing that would go well with what the prix fixe menu had to offer and we were brought a yummy pinot noir that matched up perfectly with our meal. Throuough our 3 courses, we were truly able to sample some of the best the restaurant had to offer, including the chocolate soup souffle dessert...in my lady friends opinion, ""it was the most unique dessert I've ever tasted"" \r \r The ambiance was soft and romantic and we were never rushed throughout any point of our meal. Upon leaving and talking to Gigi again, we inquired about the patio seating, which was not open the day we dined. She proceeded to give us a tour, explain the set up and spent time answering our questions as my friend and I were both interested in using it for a private party event. \r \r Overall our experience was fantastic and I can't wait to dine there again with such fabulous folks. Thanks Bistro 45! \r Pros: ambiance more

We celebrated our 25th anniversary here with seven friends and it was perfect. Every course was outstanding. I particularly recommend the scallops, and you must save room for one of the incredible desserts such as chocolate soup. The wine list alone is worth the trip. The service was first rate. Our waiter was knowledgeable and pleasant. Although this is not considered a ""child friendly"" restaurant, we had a well-behaved two-year-old in our party. They happily provided a child seat as well as a ""not on the menu"" meal suitable for her. Yes it is pricey, but you really get what you pay for. This restaurant is definitely one of my favorites and I can't wait to go back! Pros: excellent menu, good service more

You will be extremely satisfied after your dining experience at Bistro 45... it's unassuming from the outside, situated among run-of-the-mill buildings on a side street in Pasadena, but the ambience and food inside is anything but ordinary. Presentation was valued, as expressed by each server attending to you almost non-stop, replacing glasses and napkins just so, making sure everything looked perfect. But as much of a fuss as was put into the appearance of the place, the food did NOT take a back seat by any means. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful... delectible! Perfectly-sized portions of outstanding food and wonderfully attentive staff make this place a must. Pros: outstanding food, great service, wonderful variety of entrees Cons: a little pricey, but not terrible! more

My husband and I ate at Bistro 45 for the first time this evening. We were initially skeptical because the only table we could get was the one in the front room near the bar. However, this turned out not to be a problem. In fact, it was a very lovely spot, and one of the quietest tables iin the restaurant. We both had 2 appetizers and a dessert. My salad with Bermuda Triangle goat cheese and figs and my duck confit ravioli were amazing. My husband's short ribs were also fantastic. For dessert, the blackberry marscapone tart is a must. Sevice was great. We will definitely be back. Pros: service, food Cons: a little pricey more

bad food -big price- rude owner. the prices are huge and the salads are what i got in finland...limp.blah..fishy Cons: owner, food, prices more

I am writing this review simply for selfish reasons. I want to make sure this restaurant, Bistro 45, is visited by enough new patrons to keep it in business for as long as I am physically capable to patronize myself. I have never had a bad experience in 10 years. We use it for special occasions, but also find an excuse to be there 3-4x per year. The service, wine list and food is unsurpassed in the greater Los Angeles area. Bistro 45 is simply the best! Pros: SERVICE, WINE LIST, EASE OF VALET PARKING more

One of the top restaurants in Pasadena. There's a Manager there by the name of Dave that was really helpful. The lady at the front desk (I think it was Gee Gee), was great. Everyone there is happy and organized. A great place to dine. Great Wine List Pros: wine list, ambiance, people more

Bistro 45 is another great place to dine in Pasadena. The service was exactly on the mark - to the point that they had a birthday card for me when we were seated! Nice personal touches & very delicious food. The presentation was excellent. Another can't miss! Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere more