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Café Santorini
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
64 W Union StPasadena, CA 91103
Neighborhood: Pasadena
(626) 564-4200
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri 11:30 am - 12 am
Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
602 reviews for Café Santorini
Review Highlights
-
"Hands down my favorite restaurant in Old Town Pasadena." In 71 reviews -
"The seafood red curry risotto was YUM." In 26 reviews -
"their lamb souvlaki is by far the best." In 29 reviews
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602 reviews in English
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Review from Alonzo M.
Cypress, CA
5/23/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I stumbled on Café Santorini a while back, while going to Crate & Barrel down the street. It had good reviews, so i had to give it a try. Ever since, I gone back quite a few times.
I would recommend their Grilled Calamari as a starter which is to die for by the way. Their Red Curry Risotto w/ Shrimp and Mussels as an entree is a must, which also is amazing. Of course lets not forget about dessert... their desserts are delicious, especially the Apple Puff Pastry w/ Cinnamon Gelato. As far as service, Café Santorini has some of the nicest and helpful staff. -
Review from Toni L.
5/20/2012 4 photos
This is one of the few restaurants in the Old Town Pasadena area that I would willingly visit.
Food: Though it's a tad pricey, you actually do seem to get what you pay for as the portions for some of the dishes seem large. You'll start the meal off with some freshly baked pita (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) crusted with an array of herbs and a light dusting of cheese. I think I ate 3 baskets of this stuff and yes, you can ask for more. I'd been craving some pizza that day, so I ordered the Santorini version (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). This delicious dish is smothered with Mediterranean beef sausage, sliced tomatoes, onions, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, and mint. Somehow, these ingredients really come together for a lovely experience. Also, the pizza crust wasn't burnt to a crisp which I feel is a must for any good thin crust pizza. My boo opted for something meaty, the Santorini lamb souvlaki (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). Oh man, that meat was tender. Plus, the mound of rice in the center was bursting with flavor. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. His meal also came with a side of scrumptious hummus (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
Atmosphere: True to the Old Town dress code, this place sports the brick walls and exposed, industrial ceilings of its brethren. If there is space they'll ask you if you'd rather eat inside or outside on their balcony. Weather permitting, ask for the balcony. It's a wonderful dining experience.
Service: Not sure if this guy was an outlier, but our waiter was attentive and courteous.
Synopsis: The food will make you drool, but since it's somewhat expensive, I'd save it for a special occasion unless you have cash to burn.Listed in: Pasadena, Persian, Middle Eastern,…
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Review from Japen G.
Anaheim, CA
5/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a wedding reception. We used the Rococo room and were served their food. So this review will just focus on the reception room, food and bar service.
First off, bar service was very good. There were 3 bar tenders and the 2 gentlemen knew their stuff. There was a female bar tender who didn't make the drinks quite as well which was a little disappointing. Was able to order a few drinks and the 2 male bartenders were very generous with the top shelf.
The ambiance and decor was dim and gave off a very romantic mood. The room was not too large and probably could fit 100 guest comfortably with a decent size dance floor. But any more and it gets a bit cramped where you have to ask others to get up just so you can mover around.
As for the food, it was a little disappointing. I choose the dry aged steak. When it came out it looked good but took one bite and it was downhill. Steak was overcooked and dry in the inside. It was being carried by the sauce and the peppercorn. Its funny how you have the server making a few jokes with the guests about eating the left overs because he thinks the food from this place is delicious. I would like to invite that guy to my house and I will cook him an amazing steak.
If that is what I experience during their catering, I can only imagine how their real service is and the quality of their food. Below average! -
Review from Antho L.
This Mediterranean eatery gets a lot of press on Yelp and I must say, it's well deserved.
I've had the Lamb Shank plate and the Boneless Half Chicken, both were good.
The Lamb Shank was fall off the bone tender and came with mushrooma, sun-dried tomatoes while having been braised in a reduced wine sauce and accompanied by garlic mash potatoes.
For my second visit, I had the Roasted Bonless Half Chicken which is an oven roasted chicken topped with porcini mushrooms in a Marsala cream sauce and served with roasted potatoes and sautéed vegetables.
These are both very satisfying plates.
The ambiance is better outside on the patio than inside. The last time, they had a plastic cover over the patio due to the colder temperatures but it's really nice to dine outdoors in warmer weather which I did on my first visit.
I know this place is categorized as a Mediteranean/Greek place, but I think they could add Italian too because they seem to have a lot of pasta and pizza dishes on the menu.
Whatever the case, the food here is pretty tasty and I would heartily agree to eat here again given the opportunity.Listed in: Restaurants Serving Lamb…
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Review from Tiffany Q.
Pasadena, CA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm trying Cafe Santorini for the first time right now for Mother's Day brunch and thus far, was seated promptly when we arrived at 11:15 but have been waiting for 45 minutes for our food. We've repeatedly asked the waiter for an explanation as to why there's such a long delay but we keep receiving responses with no actual answers. We patiently asked if there's something wrong with the stove or the ovens but the only answer we got was the staff isn't familiar with the special menu for Mother's Day and are extremely backed up. We've only seen two plates of food come out of the kitchen during the hour we've been here so obviously there's something else going on back in the kitchen. Watched an angry mother storm out with her child after she waited for 45 minutes for their meals.
JUST got our meals as I finished typing this on my phone. Will update later if the meal/service improves. -
Review from Anne M.
Claremont, CA
5/15/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Dined the Saturday before Mothers Day. Wanted to introduce my mother to a trendy restaurant with great food. Slow service...an hour to receive entree. Unfortunately this experience was a disappointment.
Perhaps worth one last try. -
Review from Cynthia S.
Glendale, CA
5/15/2012
We went to have dinner for a belated mother's day. The food was good but the service sucked.
1. With reservation, we were sat at the very back and end of the patio.
2. The waiter took a very long time to tend to us after the meal was served.
3. After waiting more time to get the bill, we got the wrong bill.
4. I had to get off my chair and go to the waiter twice to get the right bill and then returned to give him the payment.
5. The waiter had the nerve to ask us for a bigger tip as we were leaving the restaurant.
I'm so disappointed, I always reward great service, I'm usually an over-tipper. But I've gotten better service at an IHOP during rush hour... I will never eat there again and I don't recommend it. -
Review from Nena N.
Beverly Hills, CA
5/7/2012
Trendy Mediterranean style restaurant...
The restaurant is tucked away near the iPix Theatre, near Sushi Roku, on Union.
MY DARLING COUSIN SUGGESTED THIS GEM FOR LUNCH.
WE ORDERED:
+Hummus and Pita:Chickpea spread with garlic, lemon and tahini
+Chicken Kebob Plate:The chicken was tender and juicy. Very tasty and flavorful. It came with rice, grilled tomato and veggies (red & green bell peppers), shallots, hummus and pita bread.
+Grilled Filet of Atlantic Salmon:Seasoned and cooked salmon finished with basil beurre blanc, served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables
+AWESOME SERVICE -
Review from Sarah M.
San Gabriel, CA
5/21/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
It has already been a few weeks since we ate here, but I wanted to leave a review because I appreciated their service. We made a reservation through Yelp for 8 people on a Saturday night. We arrived about 20 minutes early and they already had the table ready. At the last minute we had to add one more person, which I know can be inconvenient but they kindly accomodated. We sat out on their patio and had a great time. Delicious food, good service, great company.
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Review from Sherena R.
Redondo Beach, CA
5/13/2012
My family and I came here for Mother's Day brunch. We were seated at 11 am, and the waitress took our order within a reasonable amount of time. We got our bread, appetizers, and drinks right away. The hummus had a bit too much lemon for me, but the baba ganoush and bruschetta were very good.
Then we waited for our food...and waited and watched as other tables got their food. Forty-five minutes after we finished our appetizers, we spoke with the wait staff and multiple people told us our food was on its way out. When we'd been waiting for over an hour, we spoke to the wait staff again and were told that our food "...will be out in 3 minutes." We tried giving them the benefit of the doubt since it was Mother's Day and waited some more. Our food never came and we were not given an explanation regarding the long wait, so at 1 pm, 2 hours after we got there, we walked out.
So disappointing. -
Review from Wan L.
This place is great! I'm definitely a Fan! If it wasn't for Yelp, I would've never discovered this hidden gem. Simply delicious!
My friend and I ordered the Ahi Tuna Salad, Seafood Cioppino and the Chicken Kebob Plate:
*Ahi Tuna Salad- Four pieces of perfectly seared Ahi on top of romaine with avocados (my fav), carrots and wonton strips...it was Okay
*Seafood Cioppino- seafood galore! Linguini topped with mussels, clams, fish, squid, baby scallops and BIG SCALLOPS! It normally comes with shrimp but we were able to substitute it for scallops...good choice! The scallops were juicy and cooked to perfection. The other items were good too (clams, mussels & squid). I didn't really care for the baby scallops or the fish (both were overcooked and tasted tough).
*Chicken Kebob Plate- MY FAVORITE DISH OF THE NIGHT! The chicken was Sooooooo tender and juicy. Very tasty and flavorful. Absolutely Love! It came with rice, grilled tomato and veggies (red & green bell peppers), shallots, hummus and pita bread. All were very good.
Service was good and the servers were very friendly. Request to sit out in the patio. We happened to be there while they had a red carpet movie premiere at Gold Class Cinemas for Stan Lee's new documentary. We had the best seat in the house! The only bad thing is the tables are pretty close to each other and you will hear your neighbors conversation (lady I don't care about how many houses you have or all the trips you've taken)...annoying!
Whenever I'm in the mood for Greek...Cafe Santorini here I come! -
Review from Lawrence L.
Covina, CA
Synopsis: Trendy Mediterranean style restaurant with decent food and a nice elevated covered patio that is particularly nice when the weather is nice. Within the brick lined confines of an architecturally old building, the ambiance of this hidden second story gem is romantic, but casual. You can get pretty full just from the selection of starters and appetizers, but the menu is varied enough to offer things that I don't normally look for in a Mediterranean restaurant like pasta, pizzas, and seafood. They have a full bar with a fairly extensive wine list; their sangria was good, but not great. This place fills up quickly around meal time for the happy hour but also subsides just as quickly beyond that. If you didn't come for the HH, then I would recommend a reservation at 800pm or later to avoid the rush...
I came with my wife and sister on a Friday evening after calling ahead to make reservations at 730pm. We arrived 10 minutes late and the place was packed, probably a happy hour echo which ended at 700pm where most things are $5. I was a bit irritated with the hostesses when I thought that they had already given our table away, so after stepping past all of the other people waiting, I gave them my best "you gave away our table?" irritated look. I don't know if it really made a difference but we were seated 10 minutes later when the next table opened up...
Our waiter that evening was attentive and once we settled in with a glass of Merlot and a couple of red sangria's http://www.yelp.com/bi..., he helped us decide upon a couple of starter plates...
The Shrimp Saltado http://www.yelp.com/bi... had plenty of melted Parmesan cheese over roasted potatoes and grilled Tiger shrimp, the bottom was lined with garlicky toast. This is a really hardy dish for a starter, sort of like a grilled shrimp and potato French bread white pizza, and I couldn't stop picking at all the potatoes covered with baked cheesy goodness...
The Manila Clams http://www.yelp.com/bi... were steamed with smoked Spanish sausages, chopped leeks, orange segments, and sweet vermouth. I generally like steamed clams but this is the first time I had it prepared this way. I found the citrus to be refreshing, but I didn't care for the flavor of the smoked sausage with the clams; the sausages had a strong flavor that dominated the dish, one that I didn't personally care for. In the preparation, most of the clam meat had fallen out of shells, perhaps indicating that they were just a touch overcooked. The clam liquor with the vermouth was slightly on the salty side...
I don't eat Stuffed Grape Leaves http://www.yelp.com/bi... but the girls ordered it and ate it up; I suppose it was good...
I can't resist ordering a Braised Lamb Shank http://www.yelp.com/bi... whenever I see it on a menu. The shank was braised perfectly and the meat was fork tender and coming off the bone easily. The flavor was so savory and went so well with the garlic mashed potatoes, like comfort food. It was topped with earthy sliced crimini (?) mushrooms sauteed and reduced in a red wine sauce with sun dried tomatoes -- so gooood!...
The Green Risotto with Pan Seared Scallops http://www.yelp.com/bi... was not very creamy as I had expected out of a curry, rather it had a more gritty texture and taste of cilantro, which I don't always like, especially since I don't regularly have it in my risotto. There was also suppose to be chopped leeks and red peppers which added to the rough texture. The scallops were fine, they had nice size, good sear and color, tasty but a little past succulent but I stop short of saying they were dry...
The toasted pita bread http://www.yelp.com/bi... that they serve here is marvelous...
We were tempted to stay and look at the dessert but we really needed to walk off our meal first so we declined. The lamb shank was terrific, and so was the Shrimp Saltado, but I though the green curry risotto was not for me. I can see myself coming back during HH for a $5 sangria, but I probably wouldn't order it again at full price ($9)... -
Review from Jane O.
Hands down my favorite Greek restaurant I've ever had. Though I question the authenticity of the fare since there was a seared ahi tuna salad on the menu, but nonetheless l enjoyed every bite of every dish that was served.
The restaurant is tucked away near the iPix Theatre, near Sushi Roku, on Union. When you first open the doors, all you see is stairs, but once you get to the top level where the actual dining area is, you will find this restaurant to be very quaint and cozy, yet full of life. This is a perfect date spot or group dinners.
For starters, we ordered from the babaghanoush and bruschetta. For the main course, we ordered seafood cioppino over linguini (see photo), beef kebab (see photo) plate, grilled chicken breast (see photo), and seared ahi tuna salad. Everything was tasty, but I favored the chicken and the babaghanoush the most. To wash it all down, we had glasses of their red sangria...delish! Almost as good as my own recipe =)
I will be back! -
Review from G W.
Burbank, CA
5/16/2012
Clams, very good. Lamb salad, very average, nothing special. Service very good. A strong average overall. Underwhelmed based on the reviews.
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Review from Jessica C.
Cerritos, CA
I avoid Saturday Traffic like a PLAGUE! I have quite an irregular work schedule so I am normally not out and about on the weekends. Much prefer the slowness of weekdays but I did get this weekend off to hit up vegas and sadly my friends didnt come through. So how do I compensate for it? Eating good food of course!
The entrance is very small and would be hard to miss if you're not paying attention. But there is a GIANT sign right above the door that has their name on it. We strolled in at about 1700 and the hostess just kind of looked at us like what are you doing here? Asked for a table of two and I guess since it was a saturday they were fully reserved. As we stood there waiting for the hostess debating with herself if she wants to seat us or not (c'mon! its 5:00 before the dinner rush and the longest we're gunna take is an hour -___-) I took the time to observe my surrounding.
The indoor dining area is quite small. I would say that there are more seats in the patio than inside. It is quite a cute and intimate place.
After about a min or two, we finally got seated. I knew that the one thing I really wanted to try was their risotto since it gets quite a hype here on yelp. But after a couple minute studying their menu, there were SOOO many other items that I wanted to try. But unfortunately I only have one stomach so I have to pick one and save the rest to try on another visit.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
What I ordered...
Risotto Al Porcini
Grilled chicken sausage over risotto with red onions, tomatoes and a creamy porcini mushroom sauce.
I am a sucker for mushroom. Especially creamy mushroom sauces/soups. Delish! The color of this that came out looked a bit like poo? But it certainly doesn't taste like it! This was FULL of flavor. The mushroom sauce over the risotto and the mushroom pieces tasted probably just how I imagined it. The chicken sausage was ok but the star has got to be the risotto. The portion was big and I only finished half of it. It got really heavy after awhile and there is quite a bit of oil in this dish which was from the mushrooms. But I definitely recommend this if you like mushroom (:
What my date ordered...
Red Curry Risotto with Seafood
Black mussels, shrimp and clams over risotto with spinach, red onions and a creamy red curry sauce
I had a couple bite of this and it is definitely different from the one that I had. The flavor is not as strong and heavy as the Al Porcini. The red curry flavor comes through and just compliments the seafood very nicely. The portions of this was pretty big as well.
Food is delicious and will definitely come back to try some of their other dishes.
I will try and make it to one of their happy hours.
Service is...
Good overall but there are somethings throughout our meal that I was a little off putted by. serving wise is very good but somethings the server and hostess said just made me go.. really now?
Definitely come and try this place out because from the looks of their other dishes it looks pretty promising -
Review from Vivian N.
South Pasadena, CA
4/8/2012
This was a charming place! Great Atmosphere and always packed on the weekend. We finally got a table on a Monday night.
I am a BIG fan of the grilled calamari. Super fresh and really tasty. It is serviced with a bed of salad and perfect for sharing.
I ordered the Curry Risotto but unfortunately it was REALLY salty. Not sure what happened there, but I am willing to give it a chance (maybe the chef had a bad day). We also ordered the lamb, which was REALLY good!
Definitely would come back! -
Review from Mike P.
El Sereno, CA
5/1/2012
This is about my wedding reception at the Rococo Room.The food was great and the room was just fantastic. I cannot say enough about how good it turned out.
The help was wonderful, the two 'captains' ran a great show.
I'd recommend it to anyone.
Just one thing.......
I know bartenders get a bad reputation with claims of watered-down drinks, paying for expensive drinks and getting cheap ones, etc. My story is a little different.
My guests were assured by me, as I was also, that all they needed was $7 for parking. The rest I would take care of. The service charge was included in the totals, so everything they could want was taken care of. Everything.
I found this out later, that my first arriving guests were told that they were not allowed drinks from the top shelf. What? Funny, as that us what I asked for. Not too happy about that.
I found out a tip jar was on the bar top. Tip jar when the service charge is already paid for? None of the guest were told it was an open bar either. Don't you think they should have been told the tip was included? Several guests did not ask for drinks as they didn't have enough money with them, because I told them it was all covered. They thought the drinks had to be paid for because they saw people reaching into their wallets for money. That was the tip money they were reaching for. I was told that tip jars were not allowed at private occasions that had an open bar, but all the employees could see the jar and every time a tip was left, the bartender tapped the counter in 'thanks" for the tip.
The tip jar made a whole lot of money for them, on top of the 20% I had already paid. When I talked to the guests, they never knew the tip was included. They felt awful, as not one of the three bartenders told them it was already paid for. I think that was weak to have a tip jar out. They were simply double-dipping. Did it matter on how it all turned out? No. They drank the next best and everyone loved the night. Food was fantastic. I did not want to have to police the bar action but I think in this case I should have. A tip jar on the bar top when it's all been paid for, including the tip, is not right. Believe me, bartenders know all the tricks.
Oh well.
UPDATE:
May 11, 2012
About a week-and-a-half ago, I got a call from the owner and he wanted to know why the four stars and what had happened.
I explained it to him and he said he'd get back to me.
So far, I have not heard from him.
UPDATE #2:
May 20, 2012.
Never got the call back I was promised.
My guests felt bad that they paid for tips that were paid for.
That was so weak to double-up on tips at my wedding. Never getting back to me showed it was all sanctioned.
It makes me believe they only called me because I gave them four stars and not because of my concern.
Taking tips from my guests after I had paid the 20% service charged already, was just plain deceitful.
Their running of their bar was absolutely wrong.
You cannot say that hey did not know was was going on with a tip jar in full view of three bartender and the management.
How would you feel if you paid someone for work at your house and your wife paid for the work without you knowing it was paid? Then, when you see the worker and you offer to pay for the same work, he takes it. Would you feel taken? Wouldn't you expect him to tell you: "Thank you, but it's already been taken care of."? I thought the same thing. I know better now. -
Review from Janani R.
Pasadena, CA
4/26/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Awesome service, good food.
Everyone who works there makes going there a true experience. Happy hour menu is very extensive and the sangrias are out of this world. I definitely recommend this place for a fun after-work place, or even as a quiet date. Check out their website for specifics on happy hour times and menu.
Ordered the calamari (wasnt fried..so was very good), hummus (very fresh), eggplanta pizza (not on the HH menu), red sangria, spanakopitas, garlic fries (mmmm). All great.
Thanks, yelp. -
Review from Tude L.
West Covina, CA
4/16/2012
We've been here several times and each visit is exactly like the last.
Great service, delicious food and nice ambiance.
Mediterranean flare with kabobs, wraps, salads and pizza
parking across the street, $7.00, make reservations for dinner on the weekends.....place can get packed. -
Review from Lillian C.
Arcadia, CA
3/26/2012
I came here for a nice birthday dinner the past weekend and I had a great time! I made reservations on the patio. The ambiance was really good and it was still warm because it was enclosed. There's public parking lots on union on the north side of the street that's $7 to park or there's a parking lot on De Lacy that's free for 90 min, but that can get full early.
The staff were all very friendly even though a large part of my group was really late. The food is REALLY good and here are some of the things I tried:
Mozzarella Caprese- Very fresh mozzarella! Light and great appetizer!
Bruschetta Con Pomodori- The bruschetta was nicely seasoned and was very delicious
Seafood Ciopinno over linguine- I have to say this dish was very tasty. The seafood was fresh and the sauce really complemented the linguine and seafood. There was a lot of different types of seafood in it too and they did not skimp on the ingredients!
Farfalle Con Pesto E Pollo- The sauce on this pasta was amazing! You can really taste the cilantro pesto. It's a really good chicken pasta that is different from traditional pastas.
Penne Con Pollo- Another chicken pasta. It's also pretty good for those who like a creamy white sauce.
Grilled Chicken Kabob- The chicken was nicely marinated, juicy, and not overcooked! If you're looking for a more Mediterranean dish then this is it!
I also really liked the bread that they serve... Pita bread? So delicious! I could eat so many slices of it. Also, all the portions were pretty big so depending on how much you can eat, I think you can share the pastas and entrees.
They also gave us a slice of Tiramisu for the birthday dinner and it was very moist and tasty!
I would definitely come back so I can try some other dishes on their menu! -
Review from Staci F.
Thousand Oaks, CA
5/14/2012
Amazing greek food. we went to dinner with my husband and his parents one night. Its located in a cute little european like alley in old town pasadena. We sat outside on there beautiful upstairs patio. The garlic pita bread that they serve is absolutely decadent. I ordered a chicken pasta dish that was to die for. Because this place is so great, try to avoid holidays or weekends as it gets pretty crowded. They have a great happy hour monday and tuesday nights. Great date night!
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Review from Grace C.
Beverly Hills, CA
4/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Friendly~ upbeat staff, good calamari salad, great bartender, great patrons and ambience! got there early to grab drinks by the bar~ sangria was wonderful~ after drink moved to the tables and tried out their fried smelt for app (to be adventurous) and chicken kabob for the entree. Smelt was def' interesting~ something I can eat with a glass of beer of course but something I'd try only when I want to try something new. Chicken kabob on the other hand was well cooked, moist, and wonderful. Too bad I was pretty full from bar food (fyi-calamari is worth trying out).
Will def' have in mind for next time I am craving mediterranean! -
Review from Maite H.
3/18/2012
Cafe Santorini is a great place to have lunch with the girls. I've been going to Santorini's for years now and have always enjoyed their service, food, and ambiance. One of my girlfriend's loves sitting in the patio on a nice day and that's exactly what we did during my last visit. I arrived at the restaurant, was warmly greeted and shown to my patio table located on their second floor. We ordered:
(1) Hummus and Pita:
Chickpea spread with garlic, lemon and tahini. Fresh and full of flavor!
(2) Grilled Calamari:
Grilled squid served over greens and tossed with lemon dressing. Delish!
(3) Grilled Filet of Atlantic Salmon:
My perfectly seasoned and cooked salmon finished with basil beurre blanc, served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables was yummylicious!
The other orders included:
- Seared Ahi Tuna Salad
- Seafood Cioppino Over Linguine
- Grilled Chicken Kebob
- Fettuccine Con Gamberetti
Everyone enjoyed their lunch entrees and the friendly service. Yes, the restaurant can get noisy....it's a festive atmosphere. And yes, parking can be a pain if you're not familiar with the area. However, the food is tasty, the service is attentive, and the prices are reasonable. I'm still a fan and will continue to dine at the restaurant for brunch, lunch, or dinner when I'm in the area! 4 Stars!Listed in: A Sultan's Feast
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Review from Susie C.
Arcadia, CA
5/14/2012 Seated via OpenTable
pretty decent food... not the best, not the worst. We came here this past saturday... (the saturday before mother's day) service was metiocre to poor.. we had to wait an hour for our food. They kept saying that the food was coming after the 30 minute mark... but it didn't actually come out until after an hour. The most memorable dish we ate was the mussels... the vegetarian butter nut squash was also good. Patio area was pretty. Overall, it was just ok... but i've definitely had better Mediterranean food with much better service.
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Review from Ryan A.
Pasadena, CA
4/8/2012
Situated on a rooftop in Old Town Pasadena, Cafe Santorini is an amazing Mediterranean restaurant. I've come her on several occasions--for lunch and dinner--and each time have not been disappointed. The LAMB WRAP and SEARED AHI TUNA SALAD are both great entrees. Before your meal, you will be served freshly baked bread, which is seasoned with rosemary and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Given the choice of restaurants in Pasadena, this is one that I highly recommend and would definitely come back when I'm craving my Mediterranean fix! -
Review from Joyan C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/15/2012
Absolutely delicious! Our group ordered pretty much the entire happy hour menu and everything tasted great. Favorites were the feta pizza and calamari. Everything was just really high quality and tasty. My first thought when biting into the pizza was that this food was better than any of the food we at when we visited Italy!
The sangria is really good too. Happy hour was $5 dollars a plate. Service was great, atmosphere was classy and elegant. -
Review from Stephen C.
Pasadena, CA
4/7/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Came here for my dad's birthday. The service here is amazing.
We ordered the mozzarella caprice, calamari, and salad for appetizers. I have to say the Calamari was amazing. I could definitely tell the calamari was fresh and well prepared. The caprice was also delicious as well!
The highlight of the entrees was definitely the green curry risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly and not rubbery at all and had great texture to it.
The restaurant also has a nice patio outside where we sat and also an inside area. This is a great place to go on a warm weather day.
Overall, great place for a saturday or sunday lunch. -
Review from Paul M.
3/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
4.5 stars
Impeccable and seamless five-star service from the moment you walk through the door to the moment you leave. Be it the host, the bartender, the server, the management or the busser: everyone is on the same page: make the experience special.
And special it is. The enclosed patio overlooking Old Town is romantic without being stuffy. Perfect for that special someone (or multiple someones, you rascal!) But also perfectly appropriate for Gays Night Out, which is what brought the gaggle of gays and me to the destination several visits ago. Despite our somewhat raucous behavior, we were never once shushed or frowned upon, but beneficently humored.
The sangria is perfection, as are most of the cocktails, but the food itself can be inconsistent, which is the only thing that keep it from earning a fifth star. Never bad, mind you, but just not consistently excellent.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Robert V.
Alhambra, CA
5/9/2012
I came in with my boyfriend here the other night and it was an interesting experience. The service is not the fastest but really who cares when they treat you so nicely. I mean, in Europe they take forever and having traveled there, I'm used to servers taking their time which I think is okay unless you're starving which then i recommend going to a fast food restaurant. haha
The food I got was delicious, I read some reviews on yelp and ordered the lamb, which was perfectly cooked. My boyfriend ordered some chicken plate which tasted horrible (i had to at least take a bite). He sent back the food and got a plate which I can't remember the name of it, but was exquisite. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy on the butter but overall, delicious!
The server was apologetic but we knew this was not her fault and we loved the nice decor the restaurant had. We'll come back for more!Comment from Nagy E. of Café Santorini 5/9/2012
Robert, thank you for the kind review despite of the little… More » -
Review from Joyce Y.
3/20/2012
I really wanted to like this place and give more stars but it was just ok. I left a little bit disappointed.
When I arrived, the hostess was friendly. But our waitress didn't tend to our table too much.
The food was ok and expensive. Bread was burnt.
I understand that risotto takes awhile to make and can be difficult to achieve the creaminess. However, Cafe Santorini does not know how to do risotto well. The rice was al dente and hard!! No creaminess at all. But, the scallops were good. If you don't like cilantro, don't get the green curry risotto with scallops. $23, over priced for under-cooked risotto.
Hubby got the lamb souvlaki and he didn't enjoy it. He said the meat was chewy and under cooked and lacked flavor.
Our friend got the sausage risotto and it looked better than my risotto but not sure how it tasted.
Overall, just ok. -
Review from Annie K.
Los Angeles, CA
5/5/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Very nice atmosphere. I tried the popular red curry seafood risotto and it lived up to my expectation. My friend ordered their pizza and equally tasted well. Will come back for more dishes. One star off is because it was a Saturday lunch, and with many customers, the service was not so promptly.
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Review from Ricardo G.
Los Angeles, CA
4/29/2012 6 Check-ins Here
Cafe Santorini is my favorite restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine in Pasadena. The Baba Ganush is by far the best I have ever eaten. Several standouts on the Menu include a delightful salmon in buerre blanc sauce as well as a richly flavor seafood cioppino . And don't forget to order the tarte tatin with cinnamon ice cream. Oh, and did I forget to mention the warm herbed focaccia served upon arrival? Yum. The wait staff is highly attentive too. Ever since the new manager Nagi took over, the restaurant has become even better. I highly recommend Cafe Santorini.
Comment from Nagy E. of Café Santorini 4/29/2012
Thank you Ricardo for your kind words. We appreciate you… More » -
Review from Jennifer W.
Los Angeles, CA
So I vowed to never come back to Café Santorini for happy hour, but we decided to give it another try last night. Boy were we thrilled that the service for happy hour was so much better!!!
Adam was a great bartender, very attentive even though I came less than 10 minutes before happy hour ended (7pm)!! He was able to punch in my additional sangria orders, but waited until I was ready for them to serve it to me. I love me some sangria, and I love it even more when it's not watered down!
[Sangria] 5/5
They offer red or white sangria for $5 during happy hour. White sangria is my favorite, I've had the sangria here a handful of times and last night was by far the best. The right amount of wine and fruit, not overly tart and not overly sweet. The fruit chunks were easily eatable and very fresh.
[Manila Clams] 5/5 http://www.yelp.com/bi...
This dish is $5 during happy hour, infused with citrus flavor (orange/pineapple?) and served with sausage! Definitely a light dish that can be shared!
[Some mushroom dish that I can't remember the name of] 4/5 http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Also $5 during happy hour. This dish has a creamy broth and premium sliced mushrooms (not your every day ones). You'll definitely need to share this one because it's super rich. My boyfriend hates mushrooms, but her enjoyed the broth! :)
Café Santorini is located in that courtyard with Gold Class Cinemas, Sushi Roku, AKA an American Bistro, and Johnny Rockets. It's on the second level. You'll fall in love with how beautiful the restaurant is! Happy eating!Listed in: Good for Groups, Mom & Pop Shops, Outdoor Seating, MUST TRY!, Just Alcohol
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/2/2011
***Don't come here for happy hour!***
I still love Café Santorini and I will come here again, but… Read more »
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Review from Lyn F.
Pasadena, CA
4/25/2012
IMHO, I felt like this place is okay. There are certain things that needed improvement. Food was just okay. Lamb was a bit dry. Service was okay. Waiter was not too attentive, but at least he wasn't rude. haha. I felt like the seating arrangements were a bit squished. They seem to jam pack everyone a little bit close together. I felt like we were sitting at the same table next to the couple next tous. I want cozy but not too cozy, ya know! lol
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Review from Bethany B.
Hermosa Beach, CA
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Last night (Wednesday PM), I was placed in charge of finding a dinner spot for three coworkers and myself, and picked this one due to its great Yelp reviews. Thanks, guys! This place was a hit.
I made a 6:30PM reservation just to be sure we'd have a table. When we arrived, we were seated on the patio with a good amount of other people (neither crowded nor deserted). Staff came up quickly to get us water and give us the cocktail menu.
We shared hummus and pita wedges for a starter. Tasted great and was a generous enough portion to share among the group.
For a main dish, I got the Farfalle con Pesto e Pollo (grilled chicken breast over bowtie pasta with cilantro pesto, Parmesan and diced tomatoes). I was really happy with this dish, it tasted great and there was a nice sized chicken breast on top of the pasta. Pesto was thick but not pasty. Pretty large portion, too.
Coworkers ordered:
- Fettuccine di Casa (house fettuccine), no complaints
- Shrimp Cappellini al Checca (shrimp pasta), also great
- Santorini Pizza (pizza with sausage, tomato slices, onion, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese and mint), tasty and big enough to split among two people.
Overall great experience. I got lucky and found parking on Union, but coworkers also found nearby garages to pull into. -
Review from Tracy S.
2/27/2012
I've had this placed bookmarked for a while and was finally able to try it on Valentines Day! :) The place was really really packed, and we got seated literally about 2 inches away from the next table. On top of that, I couldn't really back my seat up, because there was a walk-way rope right behind me. But I wasn't too upset because it was expected. Vday is like Christmas for restaurants! lol
I wanted the Penne Con Pollo, but I was SERVED the Farfalle Con Pollo Pesto. :(. BOO!! But I ate it anyways..It was grilled chicken over farfalle pasta in a cilantro pesto sauce with parmesan cheese and diced tomatoes. I don't mind eating cilantro and pesto in small doses, but as a pasta sauce it tasted kind of funky. Definitely not what I would have ordered at all. However, few bites into the dish, it got better. I wouldn't say I'd order it again though, but I enjoyed it. Definitely an acquired taste.
When we finished our meal, the waiter came by and asked us if we were getting married. Wait, huh, WHAT? When is it ever appropriate to ask that question...? It was so odd and kind of rude. Maybe it's a kind of Greek humor? lol.
I still enjoyed my dinner. I would like to come back and try a dish that I chose myself. And I'd definitely like to enjoy the restaurant when it's less packed. -
Review from Jon-Michael G.
Moreno Valley, CA
2/28/2012
Great place to take someone on a date I was pretty impressed by the service and outstanding food if its summertime you must sit outside to enjoy the summer time weather great food and maybe a drink or two!
What I had.
Chicken kabob with Hummus and pita
Fettuccine di case
Purred potato soup
Grilled Calamari
Hummus and pita
AND!!
Complimentary Tiramisu
+The Good
+Takes reservations
+Ambiance is really cozy
+Outdoor seating !
+Has Bar!
+Friendly staff
+Spectacular food
+Prompt Waiters
+Romantic
-The Bad
-Downstairs restroom
-No private parking
-Sharing fee
Overall the food was spectacular we didn't have any complaints with anything but those stated above.This place is a must go. -
Review from Thomas D.
Northridge, CA
3/16/2012
Was dinner best described by simile. (metaphor? simile..)
The beef was like eating leather, not quite Keds, maybe more Converse.
Risotto porcini was like being at the movies, as it was apparently soaked in popcorn butter.
Waiter was like Lefty in that he never showed up (well he did once) and when he did, he didn't clean up our plates/glasses, extremely lame and uncaring (was Friday night but still..)
The interior was like, pretty ok, +.1 for nice lookin' if loud
=like, 1.1 stars
"Unite and fight!"
Avoid. -
Review from Elay L.
El Monte, CA
Crowded.
Could be romantic.
Bar.
Nice Service.
MAKE SURE you get reservations unless you like waiting half an hour or longer during the weekend nights.
Food- GOOOOD! well at least what we tried was:
- the Santorini Lamb was tender and delicious. This is coming from a girl whose really picky about Lamb. Most I have tried, I no like, but this was good. Came with rice, some sauces, and grilled veggies.
-Red Curry Seafood Risotto- Wow. Yum! I think initially I just wanted to gobble in all down but since I was around other people so I had to use a fork and be civil.
Oh yeah, peach martini is yummy. Strong cause you can taste the vodka but the peach flavor taste so fresh. If I wasn't recovering from a cold, I would have downed a few.
Overall great experience. Will be going back for more! -
Review from Christina T.
Alhambra, CA
2/15/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend and I went here Monday night for our early Valentine's day celebration, and I'm glad it's become our new tradition. Even for 2/13, there were a lot of couples probably celebrating like us. I love how it's tucked away on the second floor of the building; sitting outdoors is a must! It's super romantic with all the little lights, and it's warm from all the heat lamps, so it wasn't uncomfortable in the least. One thing I did notice, however, was how closely packed the tables were. It may be because I only come here around Vday and they want everything in twos, but it's a little bit awkward to have a romantic time with some random couple next to you also trying to do the same thing. This happened the last time we came here also. The waiter/waitresses end up leaning over the unlucky table in the aisle.
The food is really good though:
Bread: 4/5 Refills please!
Tuna Tartar: 5/5! TRY this! It's my favorite! the tuna has a layer of avocado in the center, and it comes with thin, crispy chips. I wish they gave more of the chips, but the tuna came in a larger portion than I expected for an appetizer so that was fantastic. My bf and I gobbled it right up.
Fettucini con Gamberetti: 4/5 made al dente style, perfectly. Comes with tiger shrimp, which is always a plus in my book.
Beef Bruscette with hummus and pita: 4/5 The meat come in little chunks, so I'd say get it medium rare. I ordered it done Medium, and it came out a bit too tough. It comes with rice, cooked tomato and mixed bell peppers. Hummus was good. I kind of thought the pita tasted like a toasted tortilla, but my bf liked it.
Nice portions--we were stuffed and came home with leftovers!
Lastly, of course:
Service: 5/5 Always on time to fill our water, refill our bread, bring the next course, ask if we wanted dessert. Very nice staff. Can't wait to be back next year!
