Celestino Ristorante & Bar

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141 S Lake Ave (at Between E Green Street and Cordova Street)
Pasadena, CA 91101

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(626) 795-4006
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Celestino Ristorante & Bar - Pasadena, CA
Celestino Ristorante & Bar - Pasadena, CA
Celestino Ristorante & Bar - Pasadena, CA
Celestino Ristorante & Bar - Pasadena, CA
Celestino Ristorante & Bar - Pasadena, CA
Reviews
( 7 )
( 8 )
( 6 )
( 5 )
( 5 )

Best

This is the best Italian restaurant in Pasadena-NO DOUBT about it. If you are craving for some gooood italian food, look no further: THIS IS THE PLACE.

Worst

I have been going to Celestino for about 7 years and unfortunately, the food has not been as good as it originally was. The last few times I thought I would give it another shot,...

Pasadena's BEST Italian Restaurant 5/2/2012

This is the best Italian restaurant in Pasadena-NO DOUBT about it. If you are craving for some gooood italian food, look no further: THIS IS THE PLACE. more
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celestino the best italian restaurant 7/21/2011

Celestino is the best original Italian restaurant in Pasadena. They have the best home made pasta in town. They have the greatest service you can ever have. They'll make you laugh and have a good time. I disagree to all the bad reviews. The food hasn't changed in the past few years. You have to wait to get a table in the weekend because the place is always full. It is the best place in the area. The hostess are always trying to give you the best space. but is not always possible.So guys if you want to feel like you are in Italy you need to eat in Celastino, I am Italian so I know Italian food and I am telling you after 6 years in this country Calestino is the only place where I can feel to be home... more
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Worst Italian food in SoCal 6/18/2011

My husband ordered the veal chop, which was overcooked to the point of being inedible. My ossobucco was charred. This is the worst Italian restaurant I have eaten at, and I love Italian food. more
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Yummy Rabbit Polenta 2/18/2009

I saw the mixed reviews on this restaurant and had to throw my two cents in. My wife and I really enjoyed our visit. The rabbit polenta was awesome. I also just really enjoyed the atmosphere - the owner and his family were there speaking in Italian or English with thick accents. The service was great. I actually prefer to sit inside away from the street noise - it enables the suspension of disbelief that you are no longer in Pasadena. more
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Celestino in pasadena 10/10/2008

this is a really good restaurant to go to if you are a pasta lover. i think the penne pasta is the best. The food is affordable and the restaurant has a good atmosphere but it's hard to find. more
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Going downhill 8/22/2008

I have been going to Celestino for about 7 years and unfortunately, the food has not been as good as it originally was. The last few times I thought I would give it another shot, I was again disappointed with the saltiness of their pasta, ravioli with a mushy consistency and dishes with just too much stuff going on - not very Italian if you ask me. They should get some friendly consultation from their colleagues at Il Pastaio in BH which seems to have done a better job with keeping their food quality more consistent. more
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Yummy tagliolini 12/16/2007

I ordered black and white tagliolini with scallops at this restaurant. It was very tasty and light. Everyone in our group was happy with what s/he got. We waitied for a while for bread and wine because the waitor was very busy. That was the only bad thing. Pros: The food is good Cons: Slow service more
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Became violently ill! 10/22/2007

My wife wanted to try this restaurant for her birthday so we visited it last Friday night. We had reservations and were seated immediately upon arrival. The service was good, and the ambience was nice (we sat in the outdoor patio because the front patio seemed too noisy). My wife had the angel hair pasta with tomatoes which she liked, and I had the spaghetti with seafood which tasted good. But four hours after the meal, I was violently vomitting for several hours. Since Celestino was the only restaurant I'd eaten at all evening, I have to assume it was the seafood spaghetti that caused my demise. My wife called the restaurant the next day to inform them of what had happened so that they could check their seafood supply and nobody else would fall ill. Nobody returned her call. We will NEVER return. more
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More photos could help 9/6/2007

On your website need photos to view online of to show your facility especially if the group is new to your restaurant. Also what do you have available for groups who would like to book a reservation for a special event? more
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Nice Restaurant 8/22/2007

We expected high prices and very good food, and Celestino met our expectations. The wait staff was very fast, and the menu was bigger than I expected - I had a hard time choosing, and that was before the specials were read. I went for the gorgonzola risotto, and a bowl of mushroom soup. It was filling and very flavorful, although the risotto was a little runnier than I would have preferred. We also had the calamari friti appetizer, which was light and very good. Overall, I was impressed, but the price is a little prohibitive to come here too often ($35/person after tax and tip.) Definitely a place I would take my wife for a special occasion. Pros: Good Food, Nice Restaurant Atmosphere Cons: Price more
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Food is good but don't go there with a group 6/7/2007

The food is good but don't go there with a group of people. They wouldn't split bills for customers who want to pay their own: ... why taking a higher tip (18%!) for a group, if you don't provide "more" service ... ???\r \r However, if you are just a small party paying together, the food is great and the service, even though not perfect, is pretty good more
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If you like rice as risotto:( 12/1/2006

I read lots of nice reviews about Celestino, and I had gone there once before with a friend. The first time was pleasant. However, the second visit was a disappointment since I looked forward to having risotto with squid ink, but got long grain rice instead. It tasted more like fried rice with squid ink than what the menu indicated: risotto with squid ink. We were hoping for a quiet, romantic dinner, so you should try going on a weekday since on a Friday night, it got a little noisy. The wine selection was also a disappointment. The Sardinian Grenache could have been better used for cooking with its high acidic content than for sipping with dinner. Cons: Vegetables were soft. more
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FROM A NEW YORKER WHO KNOWS FOOD! 6/4/2006

This placed is jam packed for a reason. This is a terrific restaurant. The selection, preparation, and don't forget taste, are wonderful. Yes, it's a little pricey and conjested but the service was charmingly ""old school"". Overall this has been my favorite dining experience in LA and I'm sure to return. Perhaps others have had an off night or perhaps they let one small aspect ruin their entire evening. BUT this is a place worth travelling out of your way for. I've dined at NY's best establishments and this place is on par! I went during prime time-dinner Saturday evening. But please stay away...this place is busy enough and I'd love to have less people there when I'm out with my date. Pros: service, quality, variety of choices Cons: too popular! more
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Lost its edge... 5/24/2006

Went here for a special occasion, as we usually do with this restaurant, but were underwhelmed. Seating was prompt and the restaurant had a nice bustle for 6.30 on Tuesday. We ordered a couple of glasses of champagne, which were flat, and though promptly changed on request, a restaurant of this quality should have noticed. The wine we ordered wasnt available and we were brought an alternative for the same price which we were assured was more expensive, though it was not on the list so we couldnt compare the prices. Appetizers were moderate, scallops a little bitter perhaps, and the souffle too rich. My wifes main course of red beet risotto was colorful but bland; the langoustine tagliatelli was very good and I would recommend. Desserts were of the quality we had expected for the entire meal. Overall not bad, but for the price and reputation I expected more. Pros: Ambience, Desserts more
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Decent Italian 5/14/2006

This place was extremely crowded, and even with reservations folks sometimes have to wait quite a while, especially on a Friday night.\r \r The ambiance is quite good - it is nice inside though noisy as heck. The service is pretty good as well.\r \r The food was okay - I had a mushroom soup which was delicious, but my capellini pomodoro was incredibly oily. I could have made a better capellini pomodoro. PROS: Good ambiance, service CONS: Crowded, food is not worth the price more
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Just not that good! 5/10/2006

After reviews we tried last night. Don't sit outside at dinner time, it is very noisey from street traffic. Service was very good, but the food way below my standards. We had two first courses: the mushroom souflee, which was good, and the beef carpaccio which had a too strong lemon sauce. Otherwise it was average compared to others. We had rabbit(meat good, gravy non-descript and Oso Bucco, a huge piece in brown gravy on a very runny bed of saffron rice. The meat had a strong after taste. With one glass of wine and a 20% tip for the good service, the meal was $88.00. Not worth the money and definitely of below average quality. I eat good Italian food weekly and this just didn't compare. Pros: Street Parking, Service Cons: Noise on Street, food more
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Delightful 1/20/2006

Nothing but good to say about our dinner here on a Wed. night. even at 6 PM restaurant the restaurant was bustling. The owner circulates; wait staff very attentive to all! Pumpkin tortellini were scrumptious; my langoustino and pasta tasted of the sea even tho they were a bit skimpy on the crustaecean itself. All pasta is home-made. Many Italian wines on list. This place has a loyal following. Many come pre-theater as well. Highly recommend for a NICE night out... Pros: service, parking in back, food more
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Scicilian Food! 12/22/2005

I do not know about the mixed reviews I read here on service. Our dinner last night in the totally full restaurant was just right! SNAPPY and EFFICIENT SEVICE by our knowledgeable waiter topped off our meal. Tomato/bread soup was properly balanced, not too sweet; pheasant/morel with home-made pappardelle was rich and creamy; pasta with scallops and saffron sauce was deemed delcious; and spaghetti with fresh sardines/raisins/pine nuts is a Scicilian favorite. They have stayed true to their roots by keeping these dishes on the menu. It had been 5 yrs since we'd dined here. I would say the service was excellent, the food very good and the menu is expanded. HURRAY. I will most certainly return. Pros: menu, good service, parking Cons: noisy more
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Perfectly Horrible Customer Service 7/20/2005

Had a great time with friends until table clean-up. The waiter dropped a fork, along w/sauce and noodle, on top of my friends head. Then he spilled another plates sauce on my other friends brand new AlbertaFerretti top and a white Dior bag. We thought someone would handle this situation immediately, but not until we asked for the manager. The manager insisted arrogantly that accidents do happen, &insincerely recited an apology. He offered to take care of the cleaning bill, but my friend had to leave the states the next morning &the white bag didnt look repairable. After she told the manager, he again recited his so-called apology with his indifferent &artificial attitude, made an additional offer for free desert, but we just wanted to leave the awful experience behind. After this perfect demonstration of horrible customer service, I recommend others not to suffer the dreadful dining experience Celestino offer. Cons: Service more
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Good find 3/17/2005

What a nice find! Extensive, reasonably priced wine list and varied menu. Contrary to prior postings, portions are more than adequate. This isn't Claim Jumper! Service was friendly if a bit slow. Pros: Extensive menu, Extensive wine list, Friendly service Cons: Slow service more
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Menu for Celestino Ristorante & Bar


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Owner Message

  • La Vita E Bella! Come To Celestino's To Enjoy & Indulge In Authentic Traditional Italian Food, Featuring Homemade Pasta That Is Made Fresh Daily, Including Ravioli, Hearty Lasagna & Others. We Offer Fresh Seasonal Organic Delicacies, That Have Been Selected By Drago & Imported From Italy, Including Black & White Truffles, Fresh Porcini Mushrooms, Pheasant, Wild Boar, Free Range Veal, Tuscany Steak, Palenta, Buffalo Mozzarella & Many More Specialties Including, Bottarga, Spaghetti With Fresh Sardines.. Don't Miss Out On An Opportunity To Join Us On Sundays To Share A Celestino Tradition,With The Added Value Of Our Complimentary Corkage Fee. In Addition If You Would Like To Participate In Our Region Food & Wine Diners,Please Call Us At (626)476-0527 Or Email Us At Reservations@Celestinopasadena.Com. For Any Further Information Regarding Private Parties For Guests Between 15-60 People,You Can Go To Our Website,www.celestinopasadena.com Celestino Restaurant & Bar - 141 S. Lake Ave. Pasadena CA 91101

Editorial

  • The Scene
    This Pasadena outpost of Celestino Drago's empire is a perfect hideaway for elegant dining. The room is modern, with a few wooden accents added for warmth. A small bar easily...

  • 12/14/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm Sat 5:30pm-11pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: South Pasadena
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