Madre's

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897 Granite Dr
Pasadena, CA 91101

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(626) 744-0900
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Reviews
( 17 )
( 6 )
( 5 )
( 2 )
( 9 )

Best

I went to madres for mothers day and had a wonderful time with my family. I was very pleased with the menu selections and how tasty the food was. The restaurant is absolutly beaut...

Worst

I went to Madre's with my husband and my sister-in-law. We all agreed that Madre's has great service-- the staff were very attentive and friendly. The mojito was strong and good. ...

Nice 7/13/2006

Its a nice place to go on for a romantic date...as long as you have money and lots of it. The food is ok, nothin special, my mom can cook better cuban food. Its a bit too much $ for the food quality. You do get big portions and the setting is wonderful. I guess you pay for the setting. Its a beautiful building. Waiters are so polite and very nice. They also have live music on some nights. Jennfer Lopez owns this restaurant and when I asked the waiters if they ever get to see her they say they see her but they are not allowed to talk to her...that is a little odd and quite ""diva-like"" for J.lo. The tres leches dessert is excellent! Recomend if you dont mind spending a truck load. Pros: Good dessert and nice setting, romantic Cons: If you dont make reservations you may have to wait depending on what time you go. Also the food does take a while to get there. more
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Great Place, Best Cuban Food 6/29/2006

The Best Cuban Restaurant. The experience was great from the hostess to the friendly service and fine food quality, the entertainment was romantic with a very pleasant atmospher. We will be back, highly recomended. Highly recomended for all ages, we will be back with some of our friends. Very proffesional Management team with lots of Hosbitality and Guests relations. Pros: Thumbs Up Cons: Hard to find more
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Great Service and food 5/25/2006

My favorite place to visit for food, service, decor and entertainment. Highly recomended for a romantic dining experience. Try the Empanadas and the Ceviche for appetizers,. avocado salad and for entrees the Rabo Escandido and the Filete de Bistec, keep some room for home made desserts like the Tres Leches or the Flan Cubano. we highly recomend Madre's for all ages. Great Live Entertainment on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pros: The Best Cuban food, Entertainment, wonderful service Cons: Inexpensive, vallet parking, kids ok more
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Horrible Service! 5/20/2006

We got in on a Fri nite with no reservations, but had to wait 20min for the waiter. The dining room does not have booths, and the tables are literally less than a foot away from each other (it felt like the couple next to us was on our date!). When the waiter finally showed up, he asked if we wanted Evian or Perrier, and even though I said, just red wine, he still brought the large $12 bottle of Evian (upselling?). We didn't want the heavy entrees, so we planned to order a few apps,soup,salad,dessert and a bottle of wine. We were told that we MUST order an entree or that we would have to sit in the bar. We were escorted out of the dining room, but the bar was packed (unlike the dining room) and did not have space to accommodate the spread we were planning. Pros: Close to residence Cons: service, seating, loud bar more
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A study in mediocrity 5/15/2006

Beautifully decorated, great idea for a place in Pasadena, but it falls short of the mark. Lousy service, average food and pricey to boot! On the upside...the mojito was fan-freakin'-tastic!!! Pros: decor, mojito Cons: service, food more
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Romance in Pasadena 5/4/2006

I really like Madre's considering it's a celebrity run place. It's definitely beautiful inside. I've had Chicken Empanadas, Halibut, and Dulce de Leche and it was all delicious! I just love anything served with Fried Plantains. The service has always been good. Pros: Ambiance, Food more
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Our favorite restaurant 2/14/2006

We just went Madres again for a birthday and had, as usual, a great time. The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant . Music, lighting and decor make the surroundings warm and comfortable. You are not rushed. The food is so delicious! I think some of the negative comments on the food could be from people expecting ""mexican style"" food. Their food is cuban influenced and absolutely wonderful. We have been going here since it opened, at least 10 times and have never had a bad experience. more
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Not worth the trouble 12/23/2005

I went to this restaurant with a group. This place felt like a whole in the wall it was so tiny. I don't know if they were going for quaint or what but it was not comforting to be packed in like sardines. We were seated promptly and the service was prompt. The menu was not appealing at all when the food arrived it was not what we had expected and neither was the taste. My group and I go out to restaurants every 3 months and try different cuisine. I was sorely disappointed and could not wait to leave. I believe it was overpriced and you were paying for the status of the restaurant being J Lo's. My group and I do not recommend this restaurant. If you are going to see J Lo that would be the highlight of the evening and the mints as you are leaving. Pros: Service Cons: Exspensive more
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No problems here! 11/2/2005

We had great service & delicious food @ Madres! It's only open until 10pm & we were a party of 7, but we never felt rushed. The mojitos were yummy, the empanadas appetizer was delicious, & all our main entrees were given the thumbs-up = you know its good when your family is not offering to share! We brought our own wine although the corkage fee was high at $25, it was still a better deal than buying a bottle there. Although we were the last diners left in the restaurant, they never asked us to leave; they just turned the lights on a bit brighter! The entire staff were very courteous and the service from our waitress was very professional & polite. And of course, the decor is really beautiful & comfortable - not over-done or stuffy! I definately recommend Madres! Pros: good food, great trio, comfortable Cons: high corkage fee more
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Good Latin Restaurant 10/12/2005

I have visited this restaurant several times since it oppened. The food is great the service can be improved but the ambiance is the best part of the restaurant. The trio is great and thier happy hour specials are defiantely a bargain. Pros: food Cons: service, service, service more
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The Best In L.A. 3/16/2005

EACH TIME I VISIT THIS RESTAURANT I GET THE BEST OF SERVICE, FOOD QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE AND ATTENTION. THE ENTERTAINMENT IS GREAT, IT COULD NOT BE BETTER Pros: FOOD, SERVICE, QUALITY more
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Great Food 3/6/2005

Had dinner at Madres Sat. and it was really good. I ate almost my entire plate(which I hardley ever do). Our dinner came out really fast, I was actually surprised. The servers were nice, especially the bar tender, and the music was beautiful. They came over and sang to my friends and I. It's a very romantic setting but it was fun with friends. Though it was a little small inside. Pros: food, atmosphere, valet parking more
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Nice Place 12/9/2004

I went to Madres on Dec. 8th at 8:00 pm. They have friendly valet, host, and servers. However, they let you go over the menu for 20 minutes before asking you what you want to order. There were 5 tables with customers, so it wasn't even busy. The dining room is beautiful and it is a romantic setting. The music also helps the mood. more
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Pleasantly Surprised! 4/23/2004

First, let it be known that I am NOT a J-Lo fan. However reluctant I was to go when my celeb-obsessed girlfriends suggested that we have our girl's night out holiday dinner there, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. Not only was the food absolutely heavenly (raves from our entire group) but the decor and ambience was amazing. The service was very accomodating and efficient as well! Pros: Romantic Decor, VERY nice bartenders, Terrific food more
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Bad Service 1/16/2004

The ambience of the restuarant was great and the musicians were fabulous with their beautiful singing voices. Unfortunately, the dining experience was ruined by excruciatingly slow service. Pros: ambience Cons: service more
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Target Chic & Dry Food 9/9/2003

With the money you spend on a dry, tasteless beef platter here, you can: go to Target and buy a bunch of cheap 'shabby chic' whitewashed furniture and accessories and a barbecue, because you're going to be more satisfied than dining here. We had reservations but were seated 45 minutes later, and when the waitress finally asked us to order she seemed impatient and unwilling to explain any of the dishes-- perhaps she didn't want to admit that we were tossing our money down the hole. Pros: cheap "chic" look Cons: waiting to be seated, impatient staff, dry food more
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Dry Food 9/8/2003

Meat dishes that don't have sauces were over cooked and rather dry. I would recommend ordering the beans and rice seperately and mixing it yourself if you like congri. Pros: Pretty interior, Price Cons: Food more
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Madres experience 9/3/2003

I took my wife to Madres in December for our anniversary. Initially I took her because she is a big Jennifer Lopez fan. Once we got there we were swept away in the wonderful Latino atmosphere that was welcoming as well as endearing. Once I leaked to the waitress that it was our anniversary we were treated to a mariachi band as well as complimentary dessert and a personal congratulations from the manager himself. Not many places go to such lengths. The food was wonderful and flavorful with ample portions. The service was five star. Thank you Madres for making our anniversary a rememberable one. It's not every day that you travel 20 hours to eat dinner! Sincerely, the McGraws Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service Cons: Limited Parking, somewhat crowded more
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Go for the RIGHT reasons... 9/2/2003

If you're looking to eat good food in a GREAT atmosphere, eat here. The prices are NOT too high. In fact, I spent less on the main course than on two drinks. If you're going because you're jealous of Jennifer Lopez and you want to find another reason to hate her, I offer you some advice: 1. Get a life! 2. Don't bother, because if this wasn't a 'celebrity' restaurant, you would adore it. Furthermore, no one likes the pathetic winer who has to find minute details to complain about. Some of the most successful chain restaurants have given me more problems than I've read about here, and we all keep going back. Pros: Atmosphere, Staff, Food more
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Menu for Madre's


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Jennifer Lopez wanted her place to feel like Mom's house, if Mom's swanky dining room had 40 crystal chandeliers. Other details recall Old Havana, such as menus designed like...

  • 12/18/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sun-Thu 5pm-10pm Fri-Sat 5pm-10:30pm
  • Payments: Cash, Visa, American Express, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: South Pasadena
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