Bistro de la Gare

“Hard to find a good French place that isn't all fusion or trend chasing. I love their old school confit and duck breast. The fact that they still serve their steak with black pepper corn sauce and haricots verte shows they are sticking with traditional French preparations. The appetizer terrine platter with the chicken liver and pate was sublime with gentle subtle flavors that satisfy without being overwhelming. Service was great. The waitress was very enthusiastic and you can tell she loves the food and her job.”

“Being French you can trust me when I state this is the Best French Restaurant in Los Angeles County Each and every dishes was succulent, cooked to the perfection. We were served with the most impressive food and the most amazing service experience I ever had. We’ll be back over and over again. Thank to all the impressive professional staff. Chef Bruno and Fabienne extended the French tradition to the perfection”

“We had a wonderful dinner here last week to celebrate our anniversary. We sat outside and there was a nice vibe with the South Pasadena Farmer's market going on at the same time. Note, it happens every Thursday from 4 to 7 and parking can be hard to find. We started off with the chicken liver mousse and tempura prawns which were great. My wife had the brazino which was a special for the night and the skin was perfectly crispy. I had another special on the menu that night which was the beef cheeks. Very tender, almost like brisket in texture. Finished off with the apple tart. All delicious and had wonderful service. We'll definitely will be back.”

“Wandered out for a meal with a couple of possible destinations in mind. Arriving at this bistro, the quiet street, inviting tea lights and cozy corner lured me in (well out, as I had my dog with me). My total indecisiveness was met with patience and helpful input, so I landed on the Endive salad and the barramundi special. The flavors were well balanced, it was a rare meal where I did not need to ask for condiments and the portions were perfect. I highly recommend this lovely spot.”

“We visited Bistro del Agare in South Pasadena to celebrate an important birthday, and unfortunately, it was not the experience we hoped for. We ordered a variety of dishes — burger, escargot, trout, kids’ filet mignon, onion soup, and mushroom soup. The biggest disappointment was the mushroom soup; for a French restaurant, I expected it to be one of the highlights, but it was bland and simply not good. The rest of the dishes were average at best, nowhere near the high prices they charge. The space is very small, with little to no decoration, and it doesn’t offer the charm or ambiance you’d expect for the cost of the meal. Service was okay, nothing special, and the dessert was forgettable. We were hoping for a memorable dinner for my husband’s birthday, but the overall experience — from food to ambiance — just didn’t justify the high prices. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great choice for a celebration, especially with kids.”