La Maschera Ristorante
Pasadena, CA 91103
Phone: (626) 304-0004
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Holly Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Wine Bar 2006
- Hours:
- Daily 5pm-11pm
Editorial Review for La Maschera Ristorante – by Martha Burr
In Short
Wood, leather, and mirrors lend Old-World Italian charm to this Pasadena spot. The luxe-gothic lounge features velvet chairs, settees and silk pillows, with Florentine iron lanterns casting dancing patterns on the violet-mocha-toned walls. A burnished wooden bar hosts a lively evening scene, with ambient music, an extensive listing of vintage wine. The more rustic dining room features a Tuscan-inspired menu including fresh fennel and steak salad, rolled eggplant with goat cheese, and wild mushroom gnocchi with tiger shrimp.
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User Reviews for La Maschera Ristorante
06/07/2008 Posted by maxanaga
We've been here several times over a few years and the food is always wonderful - pasta dishes are creative and flavorful without too much sauce - perfect portions. Osso buco is wonderful to find and prepared really well. The steak was amazing. The service is great, very Italian style which some consider slow but is actually authentic because they need the time to prepare the food and don't pressure you to leave as soon as you're done - very friendly too. One day our server was from Toscana and the next his colleague from Sicily. They make good recommendations and care about the ingredients. The cuisine is something you'd find in Italy, (where I lived for several years), authentic in ingredients with a North African flavor. It's my favorite Italian, if not overall, restaurant in Pasadena.
Pros: ingredients, authenticity, creativity
Cons: parking- some might not like to wait for well prepared food
05/24/2008 Posted by LAdesigngrp
I had read all the reviews and I would like to mention for those who didn't appreciate the food or the wine, obviously do NOT know what la cucina italiana is all about. My dining experience at La Maschera has been lovely! My server suggested the branzino and I'm glad I listened to him. It was like dining in the Mediterranean. If you are a wine aficionado, La Maschera is the place. Better wine list than most places in the West side (this is true). Wonderful decor (ideal for dinner for two or big parties). The list goes on an on. This is the one and only jewel in Old Towne Pasadena. Molto buono e magnifico! BRAVO! (They are very close to authentic) I will definitely return...
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