Cafe Bizou

I had the worst restaurant experience of my life at Cafe Bizou recently. The service at this restaurant is so terrible that I'm still shocked by my experience. I planned a warm, intimate birthday dinner for my wife, who was turning 30. It was a very special occasion, and so I made sure we had reservations in advance. We were really looking forward to celebrating with our friends and family. Unfortunately, when we got there, everything went horribly wrong. First, despite the fact that we had reservations, we waited over 30 minutes for a table. After waiting for close to half an hour, I asked the hostess (who informed me that she was the owner's daughter) what the problem was. She told me in a very cavalier fashion that they didn't expect people would eat this long and to just wait a little bit longer. When they finally sat us, we were seated at a very small table. And when I talked to the manager about it, he rudely told me that was just the way it was, even though other parties of six were clearly sitting at bigger tables. The fact that this was a birthday dinner did not matter to him at all. He refused to apologized and just really dared us to leave. So, notwithstanding that we didn't have any other place to go, we just couldn't take it any more and left. I talked to the hostess again, who just had a smirk on her face and told me to call her dad. I called the owner just to let him know what happened, and he never bothered to call me back. Ultimately, my wife and my family had to find a restaurant last minute, and, by that time, the whole night was just lost. I just can't believe this happened to us. Birthdays, especially 30th birthdays, are important experiences, and these are things you just can't take back. I can't believe people at this restaurant can be so rude and feel nothing about having ruined such an important day in my wife's life. I can't attest to the food, but what I do know is that the people here are terrible. more

went here recently for the first time a couple of months ago, and had a really good meal. I'd describe... more

went here recently for the first time a couple of months ago, and had a really good meal. I'd describe their menu as kind of comfort food plus gou... more

As an expert on French/ Italian and all American dinning, the first look at this menu had me guessing in what direction this place was trying to go... That should of been the first hint to leave. The place was clean, except for the bathroom, you could smell it from the bar, cleaniness was an issue. \r The servers were stuck up and really didn't know much about what they were serving. The fish (Salmon and scallops) were over-cooked and the tuna was under cooked, its one thing to have seared tuna, but this tuna was sushi, nothing seared about it! The vegetable sides were tasteless and the appetizers were bland. Their ""shitake mushroom ravioli "" was dog food wrap in dried out pasta, probally frozen and just pre-heated. The soups were ok and the salads were not the freshest. \r By time we had dessert, we were to scared to even try. We figured esspresso and coffee would be a nice way to wrap up a less then mediocore meal, wrong, the esspresso was burnt, we have a theroy that the waiter had done this on purpose. Again servers were not the nicest. They rushed the entire meal, not a place to sit with friends and family and have a relaxed meal. \r Personally, if you know how well cooked food is supposed to taste and be served, then skip this place! more

My friends and I dined here on New Years Eve last year. We were seated promptly, had a great waiter (it was extremely busy) and were served hot meals! I enjoyed the fish! It was very flavorful and not to ""fishy"". My friends had the filet. It was moist, cooked to their liking, and worth the money. They served lobster bisque that was one of the best! They have a $2 corkage so bring your favorite bottle to open.\r \r We' already made our reservations for this New Years. Pros: Corkage, Prompt Seating, Service Cons: Parking in Old Town more

For the price, you cannot beat this place...particularly if you like wine. I've been there at least 20 times over the past three years and the food always ranges from a low of good to a high of truly outstanding....NEVER had a bad meal there. The prices are low (both food and wine), and the corkage fee is only $2!! Try the chicken with the balsamic reduction sauce. It's consistently great! Service not always 100 percent consistent, but, overall, a tremendous place. more

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!!!!!\r The hostess and manager were so rude that I was shocked!! I called several hours before arriving at the restaurant, and the person on the phone told me that there was no reservations for the time I wanted, but walk in-s were were 20 minute wait. When I arrived at the restaurant the hostess accused me of lying and said that she was answering phones all day, and that she never said such a thing (likely took back their word because it was busier). She said the wait would be 2hrs!! She was extremely rude and never apologized, or asked who I spoke to. The manager was even more shocking. Instead of apologizing, he told me that the hostess had a hard day, and that I shouldn't be mean to her! I couldn't believe my ears, they don't know anything about customer service. I will never be eating there again, and will be telling all the people I know never to eat there as well. I left that night, without eating there, and felt very disgusted. Cons: Shockingly rude customer service more

I ate at Cafe Bizou for the first time this last thursday. I was a little unsure of eating there being that there were mixed reviews about it. But I was pleasantly surprised, everyone there was very friendly and the food was delicious! I will definitely be going back. Pros: great service and yummy food! cheap corkage fee Cons: nothing more

Went of Friday night.\r I had steak with brandy sauce...Wonderful, flavorful and tender. the pear and beet salad was nice way to start off.\r Wife had the whitefish and she loved it. The tiramisu was light way to end the meal.\r \r This location is much better ambiance than the one in Sherman Oaks.\r \r Service was also excellent. They even served the pear flavored Absolut vodka I prefer. Pros: Food, abiance, price more

Spent two holiday evenings at Cafe Bizou. Such a deal. Unbelievable prices and two dollar corkage. No wonder it's packed! I've accepted the fact that I have to wait, even with my reservation. Especially on a Friday or Saturday night. It's worth it! Never had a bad experience. Pros: Two dollar corkage. Cons: It's always busy. more

I was excited to celebrate my father's birthday at cafe bizou in Pasadena. I've heard so many great things about the place, but was extremely disappointed by my experience. We made reservations for 6:30pm, arrived just before 6:30pm, but did not get a table until 7:15pm. The entire point of reservations is so you don't have to wait. People that just walked in with us sat down before us. I complained to the manager about the wait and his response to me was, ""it's the luck of the draw."" He never apologized, offered a chair or even a glass of water. He said some people wait longer than 45 minutes to get a table, especially when it's more crowded than what it was. I asked even when you make reservations and to my surprise, he said ""yes."" Hearing this from the manager really gave me and my family a horrible impression of the restaurant. When we were finally seated, it took 30 minutes to have our order taken. The waiter was nice and did a great job, but everything took so long. We didn't leave until 9:30pm because of all the waiting. If management learns some manners and hospitality, and they did something about the waiting then this place would be great. As of now, this place is one of the last places I would go. I'd even go to Denny's over this place. Pros: Most of the food was good and the atmosphere is romantic. Cons: The sea bass was old, management service was horrible, and all the waiting was ridiculous. more

This is one of the hidden gems in Pasadena- away from the crowds on Colorado. My husband and I stumbled on this place walking to another restaurant. I remember a co-worker mentioning Cafe Bizou as a favorite restaurant of hers. The menu is clearly posted outside so you can browes before walking in. To our surprise, there was only 1 table left for 2, as we didn't have reservations on a Sat night. The service is amazing- from all the attention of the waitor to all his assistants. Prices were increadibly reasonable. Presentation is amazing. The lobster is a must- perfectly tender and not dry at all. For dessert, there is this banana cream piled on top of a fillo pastry and surrounded by warm melted chocolate. wooo weee... I can't remember the name, but you gotta try it. As the previous writter said- it's worth the wait if you need to. You will not be disappointed. Pros: food, service, romantic ambiance Cons: nothing more

The reviews on this site are way off. I recently returned to Cafe Bizou having missed eating there for awhile. What use to be a good restaurant has become a great one! They've overhauled the entire place. Not only is the atmosphere beautiful the value is astonishing. Where else are you going to get lobster for twenty bucks? And their corkage fee is only two dollars! This alone warrants a return visit. \r \r One review mentioned it was hot...well their review was posted in the middle of April during a heat wave. You try keeping a busy reaturant ice cold when it's 115 degrees outside and the door is constantly being walked through by the hundreds of people who love this place. \r \r As far a service goes...it was excellent. You can have a three course dinner here with wine for under thirty dollars a person. C'mon! I've spent triple that on a night out and the service was snobbish at best. This place is real. It's not some fancy French snob house. It's a restaurant whose goal is exceptional food at an exceptional price.\r \r And to the reviewer who said he waited thrity minutes with a reservation...get a drink at the bar and be grateful you have a reservation. Patience is a virtue. I walked in on a Saturday night without a resevation and waited over an hour. Not only did the Maitre D remember me every time he came to the bar, he continually reassured me that my table was coming up. Attention like that is a rare thing. But good things come to those who wait. \r \r This is a popular place and it's almost always packed so clearly they are doing something right. Make a reservation and if you have to wait don't get upset, get a drink. Just remember the reason you're waiting is none of the tables want to leave because this place is a gem. All the naysayers on this website clearly missed the point of Cafe Bizou. Pros: Two dollar corkage Cons: Valet. Use the parking lot. more

when we got there. it was all fine and dandy. the food was okay. the french are better for their pastries. we had a corner table. it was dark small and hot. but i got over it because maybe thats what peopel liked. but int he end, the server told us we stiffed them ont he bill when we even left extra for that basard of a waiter. just because we are college students he thinks he could do that to us. well they havent heard the last of me. taking our money. hoity toity place. i would rather have gotten dinner at a fast food place than this. at least they appreciate extra gratuity. Pros: nice and cozy Cons: much. more

This place gets crowded on the weekends, so if romantic is what you are looking for, I would go somewhere else, or try to go on a weekend. It is perfect for a group of four. The sauces they use for the food are good, although there seems to be less variation from dish to dish then I would like. Not on the cutting edge, but an enjoyable place nevertheless. more

Literally, uncomfortably hot. I suggest holding on to your menu and using it as a fan as our table, and several others did. This is the second time it seemed that the AC was malfunctioning, and when we mentioned it to the waiter he claimed it was working, but I think that's the standard answer they give. The bar area was about 10 degrees cooler. Not sure if I'd go back. Pros: location, atmosphere Cons: heat, low energy service more

First, the host/hostess was not around to greet us for 10 minutes. When he finally showed up, he was either drunk or high. My Crispy Potato Scaled Salmon was ok but the spinach was too salty & what is up with the sauces? It came with both white wine and port sauces and it was just too much. The major disappointment was the steak au poivre. The steak was sliced to 6 little pieces and they were swimming in this butter white wine sauce without any pepper corns. I don't eat red meat but I clearly remember the steak au poivre serves with the whole steak in this delicious pepper corn sauce. Whatever the sauce they served on his steak turned out to be the same on my salmon. The service was fine and the french onion soup was decent but not worth the money. more

had a great evening with delicious food, ambience and awesome service. Pros: Food, romantic Cons: parking more

The food here is decent, but nothing really stands out. They try and have a French menu, but the entrees are not particularly flavorful. I'd go with the appetizers and the desserts if you aren't too hungry. more

We've been to Bizou since they first opened in Pasadena, we always liked the restaurant. However, both food quality & service degraded substantially during our last several visits. 1) It was a Thurs night, we walked in at around 8:35. The host told us that the will be closing the kitchen soon because the restaurant is not very busy. He looked at me as if he wanted us to leave but we decided to sit. 2) When we got seated, the first thing the waiter said was ""Our kitchen is closing soon, you'l have to order quick"". 3) We ordered soup & salad and appertizers. Everything came at once. It was just not possible for the little booth to accomodate all these food at the same time (we had to get rid of the bread to make rm). Pros: Price (Wine & Food) Cons: Service, Inconsistency. more