Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • AKA Bistro - Pasadena

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at AKA Bistro - Pasadena

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size
AKA Bistro - Pasadena
AKA Bistro - Pasadena

AKA Bistro - Pasadena Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.akabistro.com/
  • Email: napasimon@sbcglobal.com
  • Phone: (626) 564-8111
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Daily: 11:30am - 3:30pm

    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 3:30pm - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday: 3:30pm - 10:30pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: American, Steak, Seafood
  • Executive Chef: James Lambrinos
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: Please contact Robert Simon for more information.
  • Private Party Facilities: AKA Bistro - Pasadena is great for hosting birthday parties, wedding rehearsals, business luncheons and many other events.
  • Private Party Contact: Igancio Juarez (626) 564-8111

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Fair Oaks
  • Public Transit: The metro stops at Holly St. or Del Mar Station are both walking distance to the restaurant.
  • Parking: Valet
  • Parking Details: We validate for valet parking and there are multiple parking garages in the area that offer 90 minutes free parking.
A word from AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Conveniently located in Old Pasadena's stylish One Colorado Plaza, a/k/a is the latest concept by renowned restaurateurs Deborah and Robert Simon, who have also operated Bistro 45 for the last 20 + years in Pasadena, and previously launched the a/k/a concept in St. Helena two and a half years ago… to critical acclaim. Drawing flavors and menu focus from California wine country sensibility and from specific, sustainable, and, where ever possible, organic sources is what a/k/a is all about. a/k/a's sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance is highlighted by gracious and abundant hospitality, and a diverse menu featuring choices for every taste. Chef Jonathan Wiener's vivid flavors pair naturally with an exceptional and well-priced wine selection and hand-crafted brews from California.Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerAmerican
  • Diners' Choice WinnerGreat for Lunch
  • Diners' Choice WinnerOutdoor Dining
Diner Reviews
  • "Table of four. We were quickly seated and helped by the server. Overall, the food was good. We tried both steaks, Filet, and Hanger Steak. They were both good, nothing over the top. My wife had the chicken and liked it. Another person in our group had the duck and enjoyed it. The server seemed as if he didn't have much experience. Overall, good experience as the food was good and the service was just okay."
    Dined on 4/11/2014
  • "Fantastic food, Great win, Relaxing atmosphere, I brought 5 important customers from France, they were still talking about it the next day!"
    Dined on 4/9/2014
  • "Good food, ambience, service and wine list. Personal attention from owner and manager is unusual and welcome. Would like to see some healthier choices on the menu."
    Dined on 4/9/2014
  • "Have always love this place. It may be a little hard to find but if you tell people it's next to Il Forniao, it'll be easier. The food here is always consistent and well prepared. The service has gotten much better over the past year. A good wine list accompanies the tasty food. This is the place to go to get away from all the younger and louder crowd. The patio is wonderful for people watching. A great place to bring your parents or if you want to impress the in-laws."
    Dined on 3/30/2014
  • "I have tried several meals on the menu from risotto to charcuterie to beef tartar. The beef tartar had a taste of old meat, the risotto was not tasty, and the charcuterie selection was a bit disapointing by its lack of originality. The butterscotch pot au creme (should be pot de creme) was good. I enjoyed it. Service was really good each time."
    Dined on 3/24/2014
  • "The food was fantastic and the service was great. The Butterscotch Pot au Crème stole the show!"
    Dined on 3/23/2014
  • "We had an 8:45 reservation and granted it was later in the evening but 4 of their dishes were sold out. Two of which were specials for the evening the other two where on their existing menu. I cannot speak for everyone else's food, but I had ordered the mussels and it was nothing at all to rave about. The mussels were small and mostly had manila clams in it. It was not worth price you pay for. For a "Bistro" I would expect much better quality seafood vs what my mother would purchase in the Asian seafood market. We had to ask 3 times, on our first round, where our bottle of wine was. Two ladies had a separate drink order and had to follow up with it. The dessert was good as well as the appetizers."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Great for lunch or dinner and for an intimate dinner for two or a larger group."
    Dined on 3/11/2014
  • "The menu was disappointing at best. The wine service was terrible. Brought a 10 year old bottle, the guy takes it and is basically shaking it while he talks to us (that breaks up and disperses the sediment of old wine), then walks away with the bottle, comes back and tells us the cork split and half is still blocking the opening. I could go on, not the most sophisticated place I've been to, and did I mention way over priced..."
    Dined on 3/8/2014
  • "It was our first time at this spot. Really good food and they were willing to make a few substitutions. We split the goat cheese salad (it's big). My husband had a rib special and I had fish. Both were yummy. The brownie dessert wasn't that great so skip. The wine list is decent but the margarita were a bit heavy on the roses lime juice."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "A bit difficult to find (not uncommon for Pasadena). Service just a bit off (took second request for bread, not terribly quick to return for payment), and I thought the soup, while good, could have been hotter."
    Dined on 2/23/2014
  • "A staple of the Pasadena area restaurants. Great food, Great Wine and Great Service! You can't go wrong here!"
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "The staff was very attentive and pleasant. The food was very good. The patio dining was a pleasure. The waiter even offered complimentary port for my friend and I."
    Dined on 2/20/2014
  • "Valentines Day date: Ask & got a secluded table - thank you The service was excellent, nice personality and attentive, we both liked the ambiance. The beet salad was excellent, Halibut was very good & the risotto watery. Most likely will make a return reservation."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "This restaurant used to be wonderful. I was so disappointed when we went for dinner this Sunday. Menu was uninspired and the food we ordered was under par. We considered not ordering and leaving after one cocktail but thought we would give them a chance. Mistake!"
    Dined on 2/2/2014
  • "Dark inside in the evening but there is a large outside deck that opens onto a charming courtyard. A very interesting menu with different options -- well prepared. I had the chicken salad with avacado, craisens and a light lemon dressing on a bed of greens. It was very good, healthy tasting and light. My husband's rueban sandwich was lean and well prepared. A very good meal."
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "Great atmosphere and food; friendly and generous staff"
    Dined on 1/10/2014
  • "The restaurant manager was great however our server was terrible. The dishes recommended were lackluster at best. With a wealth of choices in Pasadena we won't be going back."
    Dined on 1/5/2014
  • "First time to this location and the food and overall ambience was excellent. Varied menu that alloed young teenagers to enjoy themselves. We had a very secluded table near the wine room making it easy to mingle and enjoy our guests. Highly recommend this place in Old Town Pasadena as I have tried alot of places and this one is a gem."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "Our reservation requested a vegan meal, but they didn't seem prepared to service a vegan diet. The vegan food was a flavorful plate of vegetables prepared off menu, but wasn't sufficient to sustain a person past an hour and there were no vegan desserts. During the dessert order, two people requested tea. The group finished dessert before we were able to get anyone's attention about the tea that hadn't arrived, so we cancelled the tea and ordered the check. When they brought the check, they brought tea--on the house--and apologized. The manager and the server were nice and seemed to want customers to be happy. The restaurant has a comfortable, modern atmosphere inside and great outdoor seating."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "AKA Bistro was a great experience. It has a courtyard out front for those waiting to meet up with friends, it has great seating outside when the weather is nice, and it had reasonably priced food that was all good. We were seated inside since we had a group of 8. All of us tried something different from the menu (Burgers, Soup, Salads, Sandwiches) all were good. The service was attentive without being too much, i like that they have three or four people all checking on us vs. having to wait for one server. Definately will return."
    Dined on 12/27/2013
  • "We came here for the first time and we were impressed. The wait staff was very friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious! We really enjoyed the Sautéed Calamari and the Mojitos were excellent. We were treated to a sorbet assortment, and I thought the Pear sorbet was refreshing. We met the managers, Max and Nuelle and they were very kind and appreciated that we came for the first time. We will definitely be returning !"
    Dined on 12/21/2013
  • "AKA Bistro was a great place for my dept holiday party. I enjoyed the food so much, I went back with a friend. Good food, pleasant atmosphere. It was a great way to end a day a work."
    Dined on 12/19/2013
  • "AKA never disappoints..wonderful outdoor patio, great music, good menu selection and fantastic wine list..will return"
    Dined on 11/25/2013
  • "Thoroughly enjoyed the mussel entree. Portabello mushroom fries are great. Drink service and atmosphere fabulous. We were dining late with medium sized party and never felt rushed by staff. Very friendly and helpful. Highly Recommend for all occasions"
    Dined on 11/22/2013
  • "Robert Simon has another winner with AKA. The menu plays up the best of the season so the flavors are always fresh. The portobello fries are served piping hot with an aioli mayonnaise that only makes you wish for more. I'm never disappointed here...and a recent birthday party held here was perfect ...the food, the wine, the staff...all made for a truly nive event."
    Dined on 11/20/2013
  • "We went late on a Friday at about 10:00 PM and the restaurant was fairly quiet at that time. The menu had several unusual items. I had a roasted chicken quinoa salad that was excellent. My husband had grilled and sauteed calamari which was also very good and so nice not to have the traditional deep fried. I had an excellent glass of red wine from Santa Barbara. The service was good. There is a large outside deck overlooking a square that is very charming."
    Dined on 11/15/2013
  • "Grilled octopus was exceptionally tender and flavorful with wonderful seasoning and crisp veggies. It's a delicious and different presentation that I'd enjoy again and again. The steamed mussels with toasted bread and aioli were also very tasty. The mussels were small yet flavorful and abundant. Happy Hour wines were also very good. A great neighborhood find, especially if you are going to the Norton Simon just up the street! We were there at 5 pm so it was quiet, so it's hard to judge the noise level at that hour."
    Dined on 11/1/2013
  • "The location was good and the staff was friendly but the food was too salty. The portabello fries was covered with salt as well as the fries. Also the Caesar salad was drenched in dressing."
    Dined on 10/6/2013
  • "Perfect on all dimensions: greeting, service, atmosphere and most of all thr Food. Filet mignon, chicken, homemade pasta, portabello fries wrere prepared and served impeccably. This was a special occasion and it was memorable. Thank you. We will be back!"
    Dined on 9/12/2013
  • "Dined here post-Labor Day with a Friday 6:15 PM reservation requesting inside seating. Nice table for four. All good! We all enjoyed the Deep-Fried Portabella Mushroom Strips! Tantalizingly good, with a delicious dipping sauce! We followed with Bruschetta, good but not particularly unique. Entrées were delicious and distinctive. Three of four rated excellent. Our Server needed a little work, but I'm confident that coaching and counseling can yield an excellent Server. Don't give-up on her! All-in-all, a very nice eatery! Just needs some fine tuning of Service. We'll be back!"
    Dined on 9/6/2013
  • "AKA Bistro was such a great find. The food is amazing. The ambiance was really great - dim lit, romantic, tall-backed/private booths. And the service was personable and friendly. I had an overall really great experience. I definitely recommend this place for date night! Must order the meatballs! Melt. In. Your. Mouth!"
    Dined on 3/30/2013
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • Pasadena / San Gabriel Winners
  • American
  • Great for Lunch
  • Outdoor Dining
Learn more ›