Bar Chelou

Name: Bar Chelou
Address: 37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA, United States, 91101-5220
Telephone: (626) 808-4976
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.7

4.7

174 Reviews

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Top Tags:

Bar Chelou is Pasadena’s first true neo-bistro, a casual, convivial space that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin's broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style. 'Chelou' (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel and fun.

The restaurant is located within the Pasadena Playhouse complex.

NEED TO KNOW
for wine brought into the restaurant is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list. Liquor is not permitted to be brought into the restaurant.

Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius. We recommend parking in the municipal lot directly behind the building we share with the Playhouse or at the underground lot just across the street

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 8, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 61 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary French, European, Spanish
Hours of operation
Daily 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(626) 808-4976
Website
https://www.barchelou.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-5220
Neighborhood
Pasadena
Cross street
On El Molino Ave between E Colorado Blvd and E Green Street
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Wine

Popular dishes

What 174 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Pasadena / San Gabriel
Best Overall
Pasadena / San Gabriel
Best Food
Pasadena / San Gabriel
Best Service
Pasadena / San Gabriel
Innovative
Pasadena / San Gabriel
Healthy
Pasadena / San Gabriel
Hot spot
Pasadena / San Gabriel
Lively

174 Reviews

A
Anna
Los Angeles
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
Great spot to gather with friends. Food was very flavorful and service was excellent.
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S
Shakeress
Los Angeles
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Exceptional choices of small dishes, delightful flavors and innovative combinations. John was a terrific server with recommendations and unobtrusive check ins. We have Ben to Bar Chelou several times and it never fails to satisfy and amaze. We bring guests who are delighted with the whole experience. Thank you!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
It was our first time to visit this place, the food and the services they provided were excellent! We were here for celebrating the birthday, and they gave us an unforgettable experience by a “delicate cake.” Even though the cake was not real, but their wishes were!
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MM
MarinaM
Los Angeles
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
Overall4Food5Service5Ambience3
We loved the restaurant, but it is very noisy. Hard to carry a conversation.
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D
Deep
Los Angeles
19 reviews
2.0
19 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2023
Overall2Food2Service5Ambience1
Very strange and limited menu. Check the menu before you go. Music was so loud we couldn’t hear our own conversation. The person at the front desk was less than welcoming. We ordered a drink, paid and left.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
The Bar Needle experience was excellent. Great food, great service.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
The restaurant’s design is beautiful and unique, the cocktails and wine list are fab, the food is balanced, unique and utterly delicious and the staff were classy, knowledgable and extremely friendly and fun. Great experience!!
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JD
JeanD
Los Angeles
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Bar chelou keeps getting better. The bar does wonderful drinks and is a very stylish place to sit and have a drink and wait for a table Our margaritas were perfect Our dinner was delicious! We shared the cheese platter with the fabulous Spanish bread, followed by carrot salad, radish cakes, and green salad. The mains were the Iberian pork and trout, topped off by the toffee spice cheese cake. It was a great dinner for 5 people! Delish!
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CC
CherylC
Los Angeles
18 reviews
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2023
Overall3Food3Service5Ambience3
I had read the reviews prior to making reservations and dining before we attended the Pasadena Playhouse...timing was tight on Sunday evening, but they seated us right at 5:30 when they opened and the waiter was excellent. He suggested sharing the dishes, which was a good thing except the bread/3 cheese selection/meat appetizer was on the light side but the salad verte (only salad on the menu) was excellent. The crispy potato dish was so good served on an aiola sauce, that we ordered a second round. The other side dish shared was carrots with coconut dressing (I wouldn't order them again). The main entrees we chose were rainbow trout (very bland) and short ribs (a little overcooked) However, the wine selection was unusual (organic, carbonated (?) and odd tasting), and even though the manager tried to accommodate our selection with alternatives, I would suggest they add some better, nonorganic options. We shared a quick dessert (brulee) and went on to the theater to see a great performance of Inherit the Wind!
1 person found this helpful
VR
VickiR
Los Angeles
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Delicious inventive dishes Recommend the rainbow trout And scallop tartare Terrific service A very welcoming environment
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VP
VincentP
Los Angeles
74 reviews
vip
5.0
74 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Excellent experience that nicely complimented the play!
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n
nodiving
Central Coast
29 reviews
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2023
Overall4Food5Service4Ambience5
Bar area before seating—first rate. Ask for Eric. Dining first time? Trust your server—the menu is exotic-but portions and flavor profiles are engaging throughout. Explore! Don’t be surprised if you have no room for an entree. Save it for a return visit. Bar Chelou—could be Pasadena’s perfect pre-theater venue.
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AD
AnnaD
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 21, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Wonderful meal. Especially loved the toasts and the carrots and shelling beans. And omg the Calamansi dessert was amazing. Lovely evening.
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PH
PatriciaH
Chicago
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Can't imagine a better place to dine before a Pasadena Playhouse production...or really any time! Food is so imaginative and delicious! Service friendly and superb. Overall vibe...a happy, cool place! We'll be back...
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Jacksonville
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Absolutely f’n awesome! Clam toast fire, btg list eclectic and delicious. Staff incredible, bar team in particular.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
Overall4Food5Service5Ambience4
Superior food and drink. Excellent service. Nice room. Just a little loud.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Very interesting and satisfying food Their libations were inventive and fun.
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NN
NoName
Los Angeles
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
Everything was wonderful except the noise level, the music was being played MUCH too loudly.
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CG
CarolynG
Los Angeles
1 review
vip
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2023
Overall1Food1Service1Ambience1
i was so looking forward to going. the service people seemed very rushed. the food was not great. maybe the owner hired a topnotch pr person to get the coverage this restarurant has received. disappointed...
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DP
DianeP
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Every dish was so well prepared and tasted amazing.
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EB
EllenB
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
The food was exceptional. Different and eclectic. We enjoyed each corse. Grettle, our wine person, was amazing. Even though we were not fans of the reds, she was patient and helpful in finding us wines we did like and select. I'm sure we'll be back.
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S
Shmedly
Los Angeles
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We went for a celebration - it was my second time and their first. We all loved it. The service is outstanding. The food is very tasty. The wine suggestion was perfect. The cocktails - delish. The decor is great. So nice that conservative Pasadena has a place like this!
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CE
CommonEater
Los Angeles
128 reviews
vip
5.0
128 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Bar Chelou is excellent. Service was fantastic. Beautiful bar with delicious cocktails. Wine list was impressive and accessible. For food, we loved the carrots, the radish cakes, the rainbow trout. There are a lot of phenomenal veg forward dishes. Very special, especially for Pasadena. Highly recommend.
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SA
SilvaA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 15, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Favorite restaurant, great service and the food is always consistently delicious!
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RI
RIPTonyBourdainRyanP
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
Overall4Food4Service5Ambience3
The vegetable dishes were the stars for us; radish cakes, carrots, and warm spinach in brodo, were all excellent. We shared the short rib and we liked it but didn’t love it, it wasn’t a fall off the bone short rib more of a rib steak, not bad but not as nice as the vegetable dishes. The dining room looks good, the bar looks better. All of the two tops in the middle of the dining room felt crowded, the tables on the wall are primo, had we not been dead center of the room probably would have enjoyed it more. We’ll have to invite a few friends next time and hope for the comfort of the wall. Service was ideal, informative, not pushy, totally cool, a few check ins but from different staff, that’s always nice; mellow, our preference. Had the French 75 they do, that was very good, could drink a few of those. Overall it’s a solid addition to the Pasadena area dining scene. A great easy date night or fun with friends. There are lots of interesting vegetable centric options, a solid cocktail program, pleasant staff, decent ambiance, and a few more dishes I’d like to try. Well done Bar Chelou.
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S
Steve
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 15, 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience3
I think it's a sweet, creative, local place with food more likely to impress than dissapoint with a nice air of hospitality.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 13, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Everything was perfect! The ambience, the service and the food. It’s exciting to see this creative restaurant in Pasadena. Food was beautiful and absolutely delicious — you can just tell there was so much thought, technique and TLC put into it! Can’t wait to go back
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Palm Springs
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
The ambience and energy was through the roof awesome The service was excellent. The food was amazing, so unique and delicious.
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KE
KEVIND
Orange County
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
Remarkably attentive service and the food was divine
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 11, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Food, drinks, and service were absolutely amazing. One of the best meals I’ve had in a while. Definitely going to come back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 11, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
An experience for expression and excitement…profound.
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RS
ReubenS
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
This place is top tier. so nice for Pasadena to finally get something of this caliber. This is excellent and unique food
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D
David
Los Angeles
38 reviews
vip
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
My spouse and I ordered the clam toast, carrots, cauliflower, trout, coffee drink, and the creme brûlée cheesecake. Everything was delicious. The cauliflower and the trout are heavy with sauce so just know that. Both were delicious. The cheesecake was fantastic. The coffee drink was very small and probably won't order that again,however it was good. Service was outstanding. We will go back.
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CB
ClareB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2023
Overall4Food5Service5Ambience4
Creative, full of flavor and different. Would definitely recommend for a unique experience.
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l
lisaw
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2023
Overall4Food4Service5Ambience5
The cauliflower was outstanding! The service was too!
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AC
ACri
Los Angeles
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Bar Chelou is a must on anyones regular restaurant rotation. The food, wine and cocktails are all delicious. Our server was knowledgable, kind & gracious. I wouldn't want anything else from a restaurant.
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R
Ralph
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Everything we had was on-point, definitely a memorable experience.
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DB
DavidB
Palm Springs
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Staff was outstanding - Food was interesting and delicious
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RM
RachelM
Los Angeles
86 reviews
vip
3.0
86 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2023
Overall3Food3Service4Ambience4
Good for pre theater at Pasadena Playhouse but menu is pretty limited. We stuck to the vegetarian dishes, which kind of seemed the same...all topped with various breadcrumb mixes. Heirloom tomatoes were the best. Snap peas also good. Would not get cauliflower again. It was meh. Very noisy. Great setting.
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VG
VictoriaG
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 2, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We had an amazing time celebrating our 10 year anniversary! The service was amazing, the food was incredible & the environment was gorgeous! Can’t wait to come back for a more “casual” evening! Ohh and the drinks were delicious !
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FAQs

Bar Chelou is rated 4.7 stars by 174 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 8, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 61 times today

37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-5220

Additional information

Cross street
On El Molino Ave between E Colorado Blvd and E Green Street
Neighborhood
Pasadena
Hours of operation
Daily 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary French, European, Spanish
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Wine

Website
https://www.barchelou.com/
Phone number
(626) 808-4976

Bar Chelou

Make a reservation

Additional information

Popular dishes

Carrots

Rainbow Trout

Crispy Potatoes

Menu

What 174 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Bar Chelou restaurant rated?

Is Bar Chelou currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information