The food was delicious the service was great and it's a cool little spot in Pasadena!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kj page
Outstanding!!! Excellent high quality flavorful Italian cuisine. Not the average spaghetti. Great service. It was obvious the staff Knew each dish. Memorable night out! Multiple vegetarian options.Vegetarian options: Lots of great choices! Ask staff to customize to suit. Excellent service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grrrrrrrrlf
As always, Celestino doesn't disappoint. Service is friendly and attentive, and the pastas are exceptional. We celebrated a birthday with Italian Bread pudding--on the house. It was quite yummy. The Sicilian house wine is an excellent accompaniment to dishes served with a red sauce. Kudos to Celestino!
GailB
Ragú with wild boar, risotto w/marscapone cheese and mushrooms, salmon, grilled squid special and panna cotta for dessert. Have been going here for years for business and personal occasions. they can't make a bad meal. I did not have Tony for my server, some other guy and Tony is a 10 in service, think he has been there for 30+ years. Love the Sicilian Drago brothers!
infinitifi
The food was very disappointing. We ordered 5 entrées between the 4 of us, sent one back; one was good, one passable and the rest not worth the time or money. On the plus side, the lemondrops were great and we really enjoyed our server.
Lenskid9
Food was delicious as always. Took forever to get a server to take our drink order and then he was very rushed and borderline rude. Understand it was a busy Saturday night but seemed understaffed.
HarveyC
Everything about the food and service is wonderful. It is loud and difficult for seniors to hear each other but if you don't have serious things to discuss, I would not skip this amazing resturant.
MichaelP
The food was good, would preferred a few more clams in the black and white pasta dish. Pasta was very good . Halibut dish was very good as well. I would recommend the establishment.
Dj522
This has been one of our "go to" Italian restaurants in Pasadena for many years. But it is VERY unlikely that we will be there ever again. We were there to celebrate a family birthday with high expectations. But the evening began poorly when we had to ask twice for someone to take our drinks order. Once we were all seated with drinks served, our then friendly waiter Mario told us of the specials and took our orders. Then the real problems began. One of my expectations in good restaurants is for all orders to be served together. This didn't happen. 3 meals were served, but the final 2 were at least 5 or more minutes behind. But the worst part was the food. Our 2 vegetarian guests ordered linguini alfredo, which was inedible. Another guest ordered the halibut special. I have never seen an entree served with such a tiny piece of fish! I'm guessing that it couldn't have weighed more that 2-3 ounces, and it was severely over cooked and dry. It was a disgrace to see such a tiny piece of fish served on a dinner plate which was largely empty. My husband's chicken parmesan was similarly tiny, overcooked and stringy. It was served with 2 tiny pieces of cauliflower on the side. A disgrace! My pasta dish was the only acceptable meal served to us. And to make things worse, the waiter never checked on our table again until the plates were being removed. No one was there to refill water glasses. And our request for grated cheese was ignored. I had to go out into the hallway to ask for someone to bring some to our table. At the end of our meal, the waiter RELUCTANTLY removed the uneaten alfredo dishes from our bill. When we asked to speak to the manager, he claimed that the manager wasn't there. All in all, an experience NOT to be repeated.
MattS
Celestino's was a great experience. the food was excellent, the service even better. They also accommodated my request for a quiet area since this was a business meeting. Our serve was fantastic, he knew we were meeting and his interruptions were very minimal. Thank you for a great experience!
Fantastic Bar and Food! Small- but worthy of a visit. Specialty menu items and chef specials make this a new favorite for my family and I!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli
DJ CJ
Hostess was extremely nice and cordial. The pasta was not homemade. The food was mediocre at best. Boxed desserts sitting out in the open uncovered open for eyes to see and employees breathing on them. That was a bummer to see through the window. Presentation of food was poor. Lacking atmosphere in the restaurant. We asked for a cozy private table and got one next to a door that lead outside that when opened, left you cold and drafty. It was in a hallway with four other tables. That hall was also beaten up and shabby. Looked sloppy and needed some paint and tlc. When you walk in, there’s no where to stand and everyone looks there jammed in like mice with tables sitting right in the road. Oh, the bathroom was a disaster.I could go on but I feel like the owners have forgotten their original mission. Service was good . Friendly staff. Disappointed overall. Mind you, we still left a 23 percent tip because we know it’s still hard work for the staff.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Steve Parode
First time for me at this Pasadena tradition. Service was impeccable from door to door. Our waiter knew it all and did not steer us wrong on anything from antipasti to caffe. We were a party of three early on Easter Saturday. As we rolled out the wave was rolling in but Celestino’s was ready. A can’t miss on the wine list: the Molise red. Eight years old and ready to enjoy.Vegetarian options: Salads, pastas, and fresh and cooked vegetables.Dietary restrictions: Options are available.Parking: Behind the restaurant. Your receipt is your exit voucher.Kid-friendliness: Multiple families dined around us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ossobuco Alla Milanese, Burrata Caprese
Grrrrrrrrlf
The menu always offers a good variety of dishes at different price points. Many specials are offered, daily. Everything is fresh and service is attentive. This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Pasadena, and it has been for 35 years!
Crew
This was an unusual visit to Celestino's. We went to celebrate a friend's birthday and it was her first visit there. Unfortunately, something was up with the kitchen and they were unable to prepare most of the meals that we wanted to share for her experience!We still had a meal of salads, soup and bread and a Caprese appetizer Those were all good. I understand that problems arise, so I am not downgrading their rating because of that. We'll go back with her so she can experience the real delights of Celestino's!
The food was delicious the service was great and it's a cool little spot in Pasadena!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding!!! Excellent high quality flavorful Italian cuisine. Not the average spaghetti. Great service. It was obvious the staff Knew each dish. Memorable night out! Multiple vegetarian options.Vegetarian options: Lots of great choices! Ask staff to customize to suit. Excellent service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As always, Celestino doesn't disappoint. Service is friendly and attentive, and the pastas are exceptional. We celebrated a birthday with Italian Bread pudding--on the house. It was quite yummy. The Sicilian house wine is an excellent accompaniment to dishes served with a red sauce. Kudos to Celestino!
Ragú with wild boar, risotto w/marscapone cheese and mushrooms, salmon, grilled squid special and panna cotta for dessert. Have been going here for years for business and personal occasions. they can't make a bad meal. I did not have Tony for my server, some other guy and Tony is a 10 in service, think he has been there for 30+ years. Love the Sicilian Drago brothers!
The food was very disappointing. We ordered 5 entrées between the 4 of us, sent one back; one was good, one passable and the rest not worth the time or money. On the plus side, the lemondrops were great and we really enjoyed our server.
Food was delicious as always. Took forever to get a server to take our drink order and then he was very rushed and borderline rude. Understand it was a busy Saturday night but seemed understaffed.
Everything about the food and service is wonderful. It is loud and difficult for seniors to hear each other but if you don't have serious things to discuss, I would not skip this amazing resturant.
The food was good, would preferred a few more clams in the black and white pasta dish. Pasta was very good . Halibut dish was very good as well. I would recommend the establishment.
This has been one of our "go to" Italian restaurants in Pasadena for many years. But it is VERY unlikely that we will be there ever again. We were there to celebrate a family birthday with high expectations. But the evening began poorly when we had to ask twice for someone to take our drinks order. Once we were all seated with drinks served, our then friendly waiter Mario told us of the specials and took our orders. Then the real problems began. One of my expectations in good restaurants is for all orders to be served together. This didn't happen. 3 meals were served, but the final 2 were at least 5 or more minutes behind. But the worst part was the food. Our 2 vegetarian guests ordered linguini alfredo, which was inedible. Another guest ordered the halibut special. I have never seen an entree served with such a tiny piece of fish! I'm guessing that it couldn't have weighed more that 2-3 ounces, and it was severely over cooked and dry. It was a disgrace to see such a tiny piece of fish served on a dinner plate which was largely empty. My husband's chicken parmesan was similarly tiny, overcooked and stringy. It was served with 2 tiny pieces of cauliflower on the side. A disgrace! My pasta dish was the only acceptable meal served to us. And to make things worse, the waiter never checked on our table again until the plates were being removed. No one was there to refill water glasses. And our request for grated cheese was ignored. I had to go out into the hallway to ask for someone to bring some to our table. At the end of our meal, the waiter RELUCTANTLY removed the uneaten alfredo dishes from our bill. When we asked to speak to the manager, he claimed that the manager wasn't there. All in all, an experience NOT to be repeated.
Celestino's was a great experience. the food was excellent, the service even better. They also accommodated my request for a quiet area since this was a business meeting. Our serve was fantastic, he knew we were meeting and his interruptions were very minimal. Thank you for a great experience!
Restaurantji Recommends
Fantastic Bar and Food! Small- but worthy of a visit. Specialty menu items and chef specials make this a new favorite for my family and I!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli
Hostess was extremely nice and cordial. The pasta was not homemade. The food was mediocre at best. Boxed desserts sitting out in the open uncovered open for eyes to see and employees breathing on them. That was a bummer to see through the window. Presentation of food was poor. Lacking atmosphere in the restaurant. We asked for a cozy private table and got one next to a door that lead outside that when opened, left you cold and drafty. It was in a hallway with four other tables. That hall was also beaten up and shabby. Looked sloppy and needed some paint and tlc. When you walk in, there’s no where to stand and everyone looks there jammed in like mice with tables sitting right in the road. Oh, the bathroom was a disaster.I could go on but I feel like the owners have forgotten their original mission. Service was good . Friendly staff. Disappointed overall. Mind you, we still left a 23 percent tip because we know it’s still hard work for the staff.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
First time for me at this Pasadena tradition. Service was impeccable from door to door. Our waiter knew it all and did not steer us wrong on anything from antipasti to caffe. We were a party of three early on Easter Saturday. As we rolled out the wave was rolling in but Celestino’s was ready. A can’t miss on the wine list: the Molise red. Eight years old and ready to enjoy.Vegetarian options: Salads, pastas, and fresh and cooked vegetables.Dietary restrictions: Options are available.Parking: Behind the restaurant. Your receipt is your exit voucher.Kid-friendliness: Multiple families dined around us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ossobuco Alla Milanese, Burrata Caprese
The menu always offers a good variety of dishes at different price points. Many specials are offered, daily. Everything is fresh and service is attentive. This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Pasadena, and it has been for 35 years!
This was an unusual visit to Celestino's. We went to celebrate a friend's birthday and it was her first visit there. Unfortunately, something was up with the kitchen and they were unable to prepare most of the meals that we wanted to share for her experience!We still had a meal of salads, soup and bread and a Caprese appetizer Those were all good. I understand that problems arise, so I am not downgrading their rating because of that. We'll go back with her so she can experience the real delights of Celestino's!