Colette Pasadena 人生如戲

I enjoyed every dish I ordered, including Kung Pao chicken, lettuce with oyster sauce, fried tofu, French-style beef, and sticky rice. While some items were a little pricey, the lunch specials were inexpensive, and the overall quality was excellent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Thought it was an Italian or bistro place but surprised pleasantly to be a local Chinese joint. Ordered Chinese Hainan rice and loved it. Will be back with family

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

unusual selection of dishes

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Very nice place to take the family or even a date. Very good service and the ambiance was nice in the patio area. Some dishes are pricey but very good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good food. BBQ pork was good and portions large.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Inexpensive special lunch. Recommend salt & pepper pork loin.

Food was flavorful and presented very well. Our favorite was the fried shimeji mushroom. So tasty! The area was nice and quiet, lots of parking spaces. The place was clean and the servers were all very attentive and friendly. It was great restaurant all in all but it was a bit pricey for me, we actually ordered some of the cheapest items. Some of the items actually shocked me how expensive it was. I’m not from the area so maybe it’s regularly priced for Pasadena?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Colette is a French bakery hidden in a quiet corner near Old Town Pasadena. Their almond croissant is one of the best I’ve ever had—super flaky and filled with rich marzipan. The coffee is solid too. The shop is small and smells like fresh butter all the time. Great place to start a weekend morning

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena. If you love Cantonese food with a little twist, this will be a great go-to place to try out some great dishes. My all time favorite is their honey crispy shrimp, and all their fried rice dishes are worth trying, so yummy and great portions. They do offer $10 lunch specials now which is a great value for money too!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My first time June 2025 was for lunch, had fried tofu which was delicious. Good and very friendly service, all other patrons were speaking a Chinese language (a good sign). Restaurant is on the border of Sierra Madre and has a Sierra Madre vibe - sort of a fusion of Arcadia and Old Town. Beer and wine selections are great. $6 for my Tsingtao means I'll do it again. I'll have the short ribs next time.
My 2nd time July 2025 I had the Salt and Pepper pork lunch special. Same gracious service and good food. Delicious Tsing Tao beer poured into ice-cold mug. 3rd time (Aug 2025) I had the Thai pork and my third Tsing Tao which was tasty. I advise asking for a knive for both the salt-and-pepper pork and Thai pork. I'll try the orange chicken next.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellence Lunch Specials @9.99 an item
Pork chops very favorable. Great thai style sauce.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Colette is a beautiful and relaxed spot serving up refined Cantonese and Asian fusion dishes. The interior is modern and calming, and the patio is a great option, especially if you're dining with a pet or just want to enjoy the breeze.

We ordered several dishes, and each one had its own standout flavors. The pork juicy dumplings were comforting, and the crispy stuffed chicken with shrimp paste was unique and well-executed. The wagyu fried rice was flavorful, though on the pricier side. Portion sizes felt fair, especially considering the quality and presentation.

Service was attentive without being overbearing, and I appreciate that they use local ingredients when possible. The lunch and dinner specials are a great deal and worth timing your visit for. A solid addition to the Pasadena dining scene — I’d happily come back to try more!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

They have the best dim sum anywhere. This is our favorite place to go for fabulous food. They have lunch specials that are amazing. I probably could eat here every day. All their food is fantastic and the waitress and the employees are always so friendly and wonderful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food great service restroom need more clean.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

The worst place I’ve ever been to - bad taste, RAW lamb chop and BAD attitude, the server was very rude and literally threw the menu at our table

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1