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AKA Bistro - Pasadena Reviews List
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.
See more AKA Bistro - Pasadena details
64 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 64 reviews
5 stars
(20)
4 stars
(29)
3 stars
(10)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(32)
- great for outdoor dining(30)
- good for groups(23)
- notable wine list(17)
- special occasion(16)
- great for lunch(14)
AKA Bistro - Pasadena Reviews List
Review 1 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food, excellent service.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice patio area seating. Well thought out menu. We will be back."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was excellent but service was slow. I asked for a 12 noon reservation & was told that wasn't available so I took 11:45. The restaurant was empty-why couldn't I had a 12 noon?"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
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Review 3 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Go with a Group
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"If you're looking for a place to take a large group for passable food and a moderate bar in the heart of old town Pasadena, then this is your place. AKA Bistro can easily and comfortably accommodate you indoors or out in a pleasant setting. Be sure to make reservations, and be sure to be a group numbering over six if you want the best attention. Feel free to arrive as late as you want, but arrive in full number (eventually), for you will not get the same respect that a larger paying group does."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 4 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
We ate at AKA Bistro on a
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We ate at AKA Bistro on a Sunday night, and the place was practically empty. It was the start of Restaurant Week in Pasadena, but no mention of a special menu was made until asked. The service was amateurish, and the food was forgettable."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2006
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Review 5 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
AKA a great place to go
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a nice lunch with family before son's graduation 4/20.
Service was good and the food was delicious.
We will go there again when in the area I am sure.
I liked the courtyard ambiance."
Service was good and the food was delicious.
We will go there again when in the area I am sure.
I liked the courtyard ambiance."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 6 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great find in center of Old Town!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great for lunch or dinner, inside or out! We have been there twice recently. Once for dinner in the larger private room for a party and also for an outdoor patio lunch during the week. The food, atmosphere and service has been impeccable. I enjoyed the duck confit salad at lunch while my friend had the quinoa and kale. If that sounds too healthy, there are great burgers and sandwiches too. The owners, Robert and Deborah Simon, also own Bistro 45 in Pasadena. AKA Bistro may bring me back to Old Town Pasadena!"
Dined on 04/18/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
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Review 7 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I love that this restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I love that this restaurant serves organic food and makes it so tasty!!"
Dined on 04/10/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My wife & I "discovered" AKA
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife & I "discovered" AKA Bistro a year or so ago from a review in a local newspaper. We decided to give it a try and are so glad we did. We have been back several times and have never been disappointed. My wife begins looking forward to the portobello fries (appetizer) and the butterscotch pot au creme as soon as we've made the reservations. We've taken guests there and AKA never disappoints. The staff is extremely pleasant and helpful in determining the best wine to have with your meal."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 9 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
portobello fries need to be
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"portobello fries need to be classified as a dangerous addictive substance. Mussels - really good. pasta in red sauce - the sauce was too sweet - kind of like from a jar. the texture of the past was v. good."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2006
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Review 10 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly
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Review 11 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
very delicious and nice service.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"very delicious and nice service."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 12 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Very nice atmosphere, we enjoyed
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very nice atmosphere, we enjoyed the Portobello fries and a great wine."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 13 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Fairly unremarkable in ever
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Fairly unremarkable in ever facet."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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Review 14 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Scrumptious
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"OMGoodness! This place is worth the drive, no matter how far. From the Santa Clarita Valley and from Corona, my family met at this gem! Everything we ate was excellent. The portobello fries are more than enough reason to take a trip to old town Pasadena! Definite do over and over and over again!"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 15 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was excellent. Everyone
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was excellent. Everyone loved the Portobello fries & we all were happy w/our meal choices. There were 8 of us & they put us in a room by ourselves & it was great."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 16 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The Bulgur chicken salad was
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The Bulgur chicken salad was not tasty at all. The chicken tastes old and none of the flavors came through in the dish although looked great on the menu. A bit too expensive for what it is."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2010
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Review 17 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We've eaten tree several times
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We've eaten tree several times and will return, Robert Simon is an excellent host. The menu consists of small plates and large plates as with the current trend in menus. I had risotto with small scallops a wonderful bit rich plate to start. It would made a reasonable sized entree. The filet main course was excellent. The menu is fairly priced for a local bistro type place"
Dined on 02/26/2013
2003
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Sublime food!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The menu is straightforward and simple -- the kinds of things you'd see at many bistro-styled restaurants. But the ingredients and skill of the chef takes it to the next level. Our table split the mushroom risotto, and it was sublime. Incredibly good -- I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I ordered the mussels. They were great. The broth was amazing -- if it were socially acceptable, I would drink it. Everything else was great too."
Dined on 02/25/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 19 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The ambiance and food at this
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The ambiance and food at this restaurant was great. However, our waiter took a long time to greet us to take our order. After we were seated it took at least 15 minutes before somebody came to greet us whereas, other tables around us that were seated at the same time were greeted promptly by their respective waiter."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 20 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was very good though
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food was very good though some items were very salty. Service was excellent. Restaurant is lovely, but very subdued. It wasn't very lively."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 21 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
don't go on a Sat night
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"we had an 8:30 reservation and showed 10 min early. Was told that we were early and if wouldn't mind waiting. Sure, so we go to the bar, where they were understaffed and waited about 10min or so to be given a drink menu and then another 5 min to place a drink order. By now it's 8:50pm and we're noticing people walking in and being seated. The host comes over to the bar and asked if we had reservations. I guess within the half our he had completely forgotten about us. We were finally seated at 9pm, mind you the place wasn't busy at all, just seemed that they were poorly staffed and had some older gentlemen busing and setting up tables. We were thinking they were family that were brought in last minute to help."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2006
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Review 22 for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Service!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Impeccable service, and the pork chops are a must have."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for AKA Bistro - Pasadena
Based on the average of (42) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic