Perle Restaurant — Restaurant in Pasadena

My recent experience at Perle was a fantastic one. It was during the extended week of DineLA, and my party of two made an early dinner reservation so we could start with a happy hour cocktail.

Somehow, we got through rush hour traffic about 15 minutes sooner than my navigation app originally estimated, and that put us at the restaurant almost right after opening (5 PM). The host, in a friendly way, said basically “Oh, wow, we’re still getting some things ready, but we’ll go ahead and seat you and see if we can get you started with any drinks or appetizers.”

Right after being seated, our friendly waiter, Jason, checked in and took our happy hour drink order. My S.O. and I have ordered plenty of martinis over the years (both in Europe and standard L.A. places like Musso & Frank and Smoke House), and it’s no exaggeration to say this is the best version we’ve ever had. After this experience, we tried to replicate it at home. We picked up some Grey Goose, used the vermouth and lemon bitters we had on hand.... and it wasn’t quite the same. It was good, but the Perle version seemed to also have a bit of an orange / citrusy essence. They probably use a better vermouth than what we have, as well.

Anyhow, unexpectedly, we were both presented with an amuse-bouche oyster. That was fun but heavy on the onion flavor.

Starting with prix fixe course #1, the two options we split were:

French onion soup (caramelized onions, beef broth, white wine, sourdough bread, Gruyere gratinee)

Poireaux Vinaigrette salad (leeks, bacon, hazelnuts, croutons, chopped egg, herbs, Dijon vinaigrette)

The soup was nice, but we both actually prefer the version from the Mimi’s French restaurant chain more. This one reminded me more of a vegan version we had a few months ago at the Time Out Market in Porto, Portugal, which wasn’t bad but not quite what it could be.

The second split course was:

Loup de Mer (baked European sea bass, fennel, nugget potatoes, onions, tomato concasse, green beans, sauce bourride)

Coq au Vin (red wine braised chicken legs, onions, bacon lardons, mushrooms, pomme puree)

The chicken was excellent, while the fish was about as enticing as most white fish.... That's not exactly my favorite thing to eat.

Course # 3 / dessert was:

Creme Brûlée (baked custard, vanilla bean, caramelized sugar)

Gateau aux Myrtilles (blueberry cake, extra virgin olive oil, lemon verbena, Beaumes-de-Venise, creme fraiche)

The creme brulee was so good! The caramelized sugar layer on top was like breaking through the ice on a frozen pond. And the custard…. Mmmm! The blueberry cake was nice also but simply not on that same, elevated level.

I'm seeing some mixed reviews among the more recent ratings... For our experience, with an early reservation, the waitstaff was very attentive, the food presentation was really nice, and, for the most part, it was really tasty. The "Atmosphere" rating loses a star because, in the otherwise empty restaurant at that early hour, we were seated close to a family with two screaming kids.

Be sure to look us up for plenty more reviews and...

Having had the pleasure of dining in numerous Michelin-starred establishments throughout Los Angeles, it's a challenge to find the right words to express the joy and satisfaction that come with each visit to Perle. This restaurant stands out not only for the culinary brilliance but for the heart and soul poured into every aspect of the experience.

Ambiance: Perle's atmosphere wraps you in a warm embrace the moment you walk through the door. The decor elegantly balances sophistication and comfort, creating an environment that complements the food without overshadowing it. It's like dining in a beautiful symphony where every detail plays a vital part in a harmonious composition.

Food: Perle's culinary philosophy is a refreshing blend of sophistication without pretension. The chef's commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients is apparent in every dish, reflecting a mastery over flavors and a respect for the season's bounty. Fish from the English Channel, truffles from Australia during their winter (which aligns with summer in the Northern Hemisphere), and other global delicacies are curated with careful precision to create an honest and invigorating menu. Each dish is an artwork that tantalizes your taste buds and takes you on a gastronomic adventure. From the appetizers to the desserts, every bite is crafted with precision, creativity, and love..

Service: What makes Perle stand above the rest is the extraordinary team that makes you feel at home. The staff is not just efficient and knowledgeable, they are genuinely friendly and passionate about providing the best dining experience. Their attentiveness and care add a personal touch that transforms a meal into a cherished memory.

Value: While the price tag reflects the quality and expertise invested in the cuisine, the overall experience offers value that transcends monetary evaluation. The joy, satisfaction, and sheer culinary delight that you receive make every penny spent at Perle a wise investment in happiness.

Conclusion: Perle is more than a restaurant; it's a celebration of food, a testament to culinary art, and a symbol of hospitality at its finest. If you're seeking a dining experience that not only satisfies your palate but enriches your soul, Perle is the place to be.

You will most likely catch me here on a weekly basis, like a clingy relationship, except that I'm the clingy one. But can you blame me? With food this divine and an ambiance this welcoming, Perle has become more than a favorite spot—it's a culinary love affair that I...

I wanted to love Perle but in the end I wound up just liking it. The menu is structured as a "mirror" of vegetarian and non-vegetarian cooking, with most of the traditional and rustically French fare duplicated with a vegetarian version. The menu can therefore take a little time to navigate. Two of us had the three-course prix fixe menu. The endive salad on the prix fixe menu was fresh and light. One of the prix fixe mains, "fennel basquaise," featured a large bulb of roasted fennel with plant-based chorizo, cannellini beans and a fresh tomato confit. It was nice -- the fennel was definitely the star. The other prix fixe main was a butternut squash risotto, which was creamy and well done. The French country frisee salad on the a la carte menu was outstanding. However, the big risk that didn't really pan out was a meatless coq au vin, where the "coq" was a plant-based substitute shaped into four little faux chicken legs. The exterior of the "legs" was as tough as a baked potato skin that had been in the oven for several hours. The inside was an odd imitation chicken protein that had a very strong imitation chicken flavor and weird mouth feel. On the plus side, everything on the plate for the "coq" was tasty -- mashed potatoes, pan sauce, mushrooms, etc. At the end of the meal we split a couple of plates of small French pastries known as Paris brest. These were cream-filled chocolate and hazelnut bites of total heaven. Wow-- one of the best desserts any of us had tried in a long time.

The parklet outside, where we sat, is fine, but Union Street was incredibly busy on a Friday night, and our table was positioned directly opposite the exit of the car park across the street. The garage released a steady stream of cars throughout dinner, and all of that became a bit much. I'd definitely opt for indoor dining next time (if our dog isn't with us). Service was attentive and steady. Prices are moderate -- prix fixe dinner (including the awesome Paris brest) was $45 pp without alcohol. The non-vegetarian option was $75. Wine list looked really good and included a nice selection of white Burgundies. I wouldn't rush back, and next time I'd definitely opt for something more traditional like the scallops or branzino, which...