La Maschera

Great place, a little pricy. Pros: Food and Wine Cons: Closed more

Exactly as the title says, I found the restaurant and it was vacant and there was a huge sign with some court proceedings regarding it going on. Perhaps it ran into some legal issues. Cons: Its not open more

We've been here several times over a few years and the food is always wonderful - pasta dishes are creative and flavorful without too much sauce - perfect portions. Osso buco is wonderful to find and prepared really well. The steak was amazing. The service is great, very Italian style which some consider slow but is actually authentic because they need the time to prepare the food and don't pressure you to leave as soon as you're done - very friendly too. One day our server was from Toscana and the next his colleague from Sicily. They make good recommendations and care about the ingredients. The cuisine is something you'd find in Italy, (where I lived for several years), authentic in ingredients with a North African flavor. It's my favorite Italian, if not overall, restaurant in Pasadena. Pros: ingredients, authenticity, creativity Cons: parking- some might not like to wait for well prepared food more

I had read all the reviews and I would like to mention for those who didn't appreciate the food or the wine, obviously do NOT know what la cucina italiana is all about. My dining experience at La Maschera has been lovely! My server suggested the branzino and I'm glad I listened to him. It was like dining in the Mediterranean. If you are a wine aficionado, La Maschera is the place. Better wine list than most places in the West side (this is true). Wonderful decor (ideal for dinner for two or big parties). The list goes on an on. This is the one and only jewel in Old Towne Pasadena. Molto buono e magnifico! BRAVO! (They are very close to authentic) I will definitely return... more

We went to La Maschera again tonight and what a mistake! We arrived at 6:15 and were only 1 of 4 tables in the restaurant. We were seated and received water and then waited almost 20 minutes for who appeared to be the manager to wait on us. I asked for his suggestion as to a red wine choice and he said he couldn't help me - he didn't know what I would like. I tried to explain to him what my preferences were and he still said he couldn't help me! I said I didn't recognize the four Italian red wine selections (all they had by the glass) and he still said he couldn't possibly advise me and then made a face and grabbed my menu away. I asked him what the problem was and he said he just couldn't help me. \r \r This isn't our first time here and we've had very slow service in the past but this was too much. There were very few people in the restauarant and the manager person was standing around, not doing much, and certainly not waiting on people. At a bare minimum, if you're busy, you can tell the table that you will be right with them but to be ignored for almost 20 minutes and then refuse to help with the wine list and then make a face and sigh is completely unacceptable. The food isn't even that good here - they have a cheese plate that is nice but nothing is worth this treatment. We walked down to Colorado Blvd. and ate at Malagueta and could not have had better service in a wonderful atmosphere. Pros: Good cheese plate Cons: Rude and slow service more

came here on a cold wednesday night. it took a maddeningly long time for anyone to ask if we wanted a drink, but after that service improved. began with antipasti followed by duck- both were fairly good. i would recommend this place as somewhere to try, but don't go here hoping to impress. had a wonderful night, but that was more to do with the company i was keeping. more

Whatever you do... DO NOT eat at La Maschera Ristornate in Old Town Pasadena. I took our top clients there last night, for what I hoped would be a top notch dinning experience. It was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING. We waited for over 2 hours for our food. I asked the manager, after waiting nearly 2 hours, for our food and he replied, 'what's the big deal, your talking and having a good time."" When the food finally arrived, my lasagna was cold. My boss commented that nothing on the table was fresh. Our clients were polite, but I did hear one comment that he'd eaten there before and the food was terrible. I paid the $851 dollar billed and left. Yes, it was $851 and they acted like they could have cared less about our business. The resturant was not busy, only 2 other tables. I phoned the resturant today to let the owner know about our dissapointing dinner. Apparently, the man who was not helpful the previous night, was actually the owner. He was extremely rude to me on the phone. I explained my dissapointment and he replied, ""what do you want me to do about it."" I said I just want the owner to be aware that we were not satisified. ""He said that he was the owner and that if I didn' like it then I shouldn't come back and he actually hung up the phone on me. I could not beleive a resturant owner would behave so badly. Apparently, he is not concerned w/ satisfying his customers. I would avoid this resturant and pass this along to spare others from the same misfortune that we had. Cons: Service and Food - HORRIBLE more

I took my partner here for her birthday, with 8 other couples. The restaurant is fantastic, Staff was very knowledgeable about their wine offerings (suggestions were right on for 3 of the 4 types of wines we ordered). Staff was also very attentive. Food was perfect. Fabulous salads. Great choices for cheeses, everyone loved their entries. The brucheta and bean dips brought to the table at the start were also great. Decor was interesting, set a nice mood. Manager ""Sean"" is teriffic and accomodating. A+ Would come here again any day of the week. more

First I want to agree with what everyone has said about this place IT IS AMAZING. I go at least once a week and the food never disappoints. Everything is great, highly recommend any of the daily specials you can not go wrong. If you love wine and great food you really need to stop by any day of the week. This restaurant is a true gem in Pasadena. If you want to have great food not stand in those ridiculous long lines and have the same boring food at those restaurants on Colorado st, stop by and try it out. Pros: Food , Wine, Service more

This is a superb wine bar with a tasty menu that satisfies. No, this is not a martini bar so the espresso-tinis well have to be left at PF Changs for the night. The wine selection and the wait staff's appreciation for quality wines is impressive. The thin pizzas are a perfect match with a fine glass of vino. I love the Moroccan decor and the B&W silent films that are screened in the bar area. Occasionally there is live music and it is a real treat. This is not the trendiest place in town and Paris Hilton would never be seen here. Does it get any better than that? more

My boyfriend & I LOVE this place for the fantastic food & service, and my girlfriends like the cute sommelier & delicious wines!!!\r \r ...but it seems like whenever I go in there on a Sunday or weeknight, the place is empty! \r \r PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't let this unpretentious little gem die out! \r \r They told me they would bring back the Tango Dancers if there were enough of a Demand! Great value for the location right on Fairoaks just north of Colorado... \r \r SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUISNESSES! (yes, that means you getting your parking validated @ the Cheesecake factory...) more

My husband and I went for dinner here and really enjoyed our waiter. The chardonnay by the glass was a very nice italian wine but the food was a disappointment.\r We wouldn't go back Pros: service Cons: food was very average more

This restaurant is the so romantic! I found this place on the internet as a last minute anniversary plan...expecting anything. We walked in and I was surprised at the amazingly romantic feel! It is right outside of oldtown with the feel of a dark Italian villa. The food melts in your mouth...a must try is the egglant rolled goatcheese with pest on top! The wine is fabulous and at a great price! After this evening, I told everyone I knew about it...well another evening I really wanted to go to dinner somewhere I could have a smoke and some really good wine. I didn't realize that it had a back patio but when I found out I was once again pleasantly surprised! They have a beautiful patio with a large wall fountain enchanting italian music, what more can I ask for? (The down side of the patio is that after 8 or 9 pm McMurphy's next door starts pumping obnoxious music in to your seren environment) The waiters are all beautiful and have amazing accents and great knowledge of good wines and the best foods. You need to experience this! Pros: Beautiful and enchanting Tuscan Villa style ambiance Cons: I hate that McMurphy's is next door! more

Best pizza (thin crust) in the area. Wonderfully gracious host and staff. Patio is romantic and European. more

seriously? seriously. I don't understand the hype? I don't understand the rave reviews? Went on an early weeknight. The restaurant at that time was pretty empty. Food and drinks are below par. A friend of mine ordered a espresso martini after her meal and the poor bartender had such a hard time.. simply didn't know what he was doing. Wish I could have hopped behind the bar and gave the guy a hand.... took him nearly twenty minutes to put the martini (a bad one, at that) on our table.. more

We heard about La Maschera Ristorante from friends and decided to check it out. We chose the evening meal and we were not disappointed. The restaurant is relative small but has a disarming ambiance and charm in a relaxed Italian atmosphere that will make you glad that you came. The service was excellent and the meal first rate. I had the Agnello Alla Mostarda (Grilled Lamb Chops) which was superb. A pleasant surprise was a visit to our table by Chef Adnen Marouani who stopped by to make sure we were satisfied with our selection. We noted a Wine and Olive Bar (which we did not visit) that was full of customers that were obviously enjoying themselveswe will defiantly explore this offering on our next visit. La Maschera is a great choice in Old Town Pasadena..an area known for outstanding dining. Pros: Service and Italian Food more

La Maschera is an elegant ristorante with an old world charm but, with a relaxed feel. It was without pretense. The food was amazing and the wine selection was endless and the service was top notch. I can not wait to return to relax in their beautiful lounge and I will definitely return for the dining experience. more

AWESOME, SOPHISTICATED HIP-TO-BE-SCENE wine bar. simply the best L.A. has to offer PERIOD. The food and the wines were superb, I love this restaurant. The food is fantastic, I've never been disappointed here. We were seated right away, which is really wonderful. Our server was really nice, no attitude at all. I would put this restaurant as one of the top restaurants in L.A. Highly recommended. \r \r more

It's about time Pasadena! Finally a hip restaurant w/class. Not too expensive----Not too cheap. Great food, great service, great spot for a date you wanna impress w/out overdoin' it. The lamb ragu w/the asiago cheese-stuffed gnocchi was out of this world! And my date loved her salmon pizza baked on super-thin & crispy focaccia bread. And our server wouldn't let us go until we tried the chocolate ganache Mousse cup for desert ...""Oh My God!""\r \r Thanks for opening your doors La Maschera, we'll certainly be back soon. Pros: Thumbs up! more

Off the beaten-path, by no accident I'm sure, it might not be the easiest place to find, but once you find it, you'll never forget La Maschera!\r \r Without a doubt, this precious gem is already becoming one of Pasadena's best kept secrets. The intimate dining room has a warm, inviting feel to it, with its dark sensual colors, and low lighting. Candles everywhere! It's a place you instantly love as soon as you walk through that big, brown door. \r \r Don't be surprised if the owner, Chef Adnen, not only prepares your dinner but personally serves it to you as well. The food is amazing! His turkey lasagna is to die for! And how can you not find the perfect wine when there's 30 wines by the glass to choose from. . . \r \r After dinner, stretch your legs in the alluring wine lounge w/ a glass of Fonseca Bin 27, like we did. Big, soft pillows, lit-candles, and hand-carved tables create a relaxing vibe to chill. Oh! And wait 'til you taste all the cheeses & olives! \r \r Make reservations early, 'cuz there's usually a wait on Fri/Sat nights. \r \r \r Bravo, La Maschera, Bravo!\r Pros: No place like it in Old Town . . . one of a kind. more