Perle Restaurant
French restaurant · Downtown
43 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Highlights
French bistro serving Parisian classics in a cozy setting
French bistro serving Parisian classics in a cozy setting
"This quaint French bistro feels right at home in downtown Pasadena. The cozy space draws in anybody walking by, thanks to vintage frames, sturdy Mahogany tables, and a coffered wood ceiling. Whereas many restaurants are content to merely look like a French bistro, in this one Chef Dean Yasharian has the chops to cook like one too.There is no need to reinvent the wheel and he knows it, carefully preparing such sleek, straight-shot Parisian classics as Burgundy snails glistening in herbed butter; silky-smooth pork pâté wrapped in pastry; and duck à l’orange with celery root purée. Dessert is essential: the airy Gran Marnier soufflé with crème fraîche ice cream and indulgent apple tarte Tartin are exactly the kind of sweet comforts worth returning for." - Michelin Inspector
"With a small, old-fashioned dining room and a quiet front patio, there’s nothing particularly flashy about this family-run spot in Pasadena—and that’s exactly why we like it. Perle keeps things simple, providing an unfussy, romantic atmosphere and a menu of well-executed bistro food. Our favorite dish is the frisée Lyonnaise salad, which comes topped with bacon lardons, poached egg, chicken liver mousse crouton, and dijon vinaigrette. It’s a savory, rich salad that’s still light enough to categorically remain, well, a salad. And that’s important, because you should also order the moules-frites with soft, garlicky mussels and crunchy fries, and the tangy French onion soup." - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore
"Perle’s well-seasoned steak comes with sauces like bone marrow bordelaise for an extra charge, but it doesn’t really need them—it’s surprisingly perfect naked. The 10-ounce strip steak is cooked spot-on and has just enough chew and sear to satisfy, and the crispy fries are so thin they’re close to Potato Stix. And sure, the baby salad on the side might just be a few pieces of frilly lettuce, but we always appreciate something fresh and green on the plate. Bonus for parents for sophisticated children: they also have a mini steak frites on the kids’ menu for $20." - sylvio martins, brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder
"Perle checks all the boxes for a nice, romantic French restaurant: fancy chandeliers, cutesy floral table settings, and servers who will bring you extra throw pillows for maximum back support. A meal here is polished but personal, like you’ve been invited to a friend’s impeccably furnished house for dinner, though the washed-out lighting did leave us wishing there was a brightness slider in the room. The food consists of classic upscale French dishes like steak frites, coq au vin, and escargot—nothing groundbreaking, but well-executed and great for date nights, or those long, drawn-out dinners that go past your bedtime. Food Rundown Salade Lyonnaise Our favorite dish. There’s a lot happening in this salad but in the best way, like thick-cut chunks of bacon and a poached egg that oozes over the greens. There’s also a small, crunchy piece of toast with chicken liver spread that might seem random, but delivers a great contrast to the bright, vinegary dressing and cherry tomatoes. photo credit: Cathy Park Steak Frites We were pleasantly surprised this steak didn’t need béarnaise or a drizzle of some sauce to shine. It stands on its own with a buttery richness and deep sear. The fries are extra thin and are almost Potato Stix-esque in texture. And while the dainty side salad is only three mini romaine leaves, we appreciate adding something green to the plate. photo credit: Cathy Park Apple Tarte Tatin We definitely burned our mouth on the first spoonful of this dessert, but that didn’t stop us from continuing to shovel in these molten caramelized apples anyway. photo credit: Cathy Park" - Cathy Park
"A French bistro in Pasadena offering Parisian classics in a cozy and welcoming setting." - Kevin Chau
