Mixed reviews esp as of late may reflect a general ennui over the place. If you love Spanish food and chefs, for you Dos Besos will be solid, old fashioned, well executed, and yes, a bit forlorn. The outdoor cafe has potential for joy, but it just doesn't reach past its ropes. My tapas, sangria, and almond cake desert were lovely. As a solo diner, a lady at that, I thought service could have been more cosmopolitan, fresh, and to use an overused word, modern. On one hand I encountered a chef via phone earlier that day who was affable, warm. Then, when I met the head chef in person, he was cold, which is fine, do you. But there was no spark overall, just another semi-nice place to spend money on a Pasadena evening. A staff member was quick to give me his number, flirtatious. Between the hot and cold of the chef, and the staff, I wondered how rare it might be for a woman to come here solo to simply be quiet, people watch, eat well, and enjoy. I could be wrong, but I think the endeavor, the restaurant was a dream for the chef made true by a sugar mama (forgive the expression), and it does have that (sullen) sense of (dull) acceptance. I am glad I went, happy the chef suggested I sit outside, and appreciated the nearby lifeblood and bustle of a restaurant courtyard across the street, and the steady flow of energy into and out of Kings Taco - both visibile from the outdoor courtyard. The sangria, so good, I would love some right now. The almond cake, again, solid, well executed, but I would not say it was full of love.
Lawrence Cheng
WORST DINING EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD. Waiter poured wrong drinks in different cups and we had to hunt them down three times to refill a glass of water and three times for the check. Wasn’t particularly busy either. Also waiter forgot to bring out second mushroom dish but charged us for two. The food went down in quality. The shrimp was barely season and the mushrooms were 22$ for like 5 slices.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Mar Reroma
Had dinner with family, and I would highly recommend this place to dine. Their paella and lamb chop were delicious. Pistachio cake dessert is a must try. And the service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lindsey Clopp
Food was good but service was very slow and no one payed attention to my table. I had to flag down my waiter anytime I needed anything
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
James Moore
Great for date night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dawn Kallevig
Soooo special & delicious!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauro Miramontes
The menu is not advertised on line the food did not appear to be appetizing and did not disappoint. There's isn't none alcohol cocktails except wine, false advertising... very disappointed
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Man-Witch Tarot
The octopus was not grilled as advertised, the fish no longer cooked in salt rather grilled, menu was mediocre. Will not b returning
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Janine Nichols
The food here was really good! We tried the Octopus starter and opted for two specials; Iberian Pork Paella, and a Braised Oxtail Pasta. Our friends got the Seafood Paella. All were great.
For dessert, we got afogatos that were good and friends got bread pudding that was more like a custard and opinions were divided.
Place is super tiny but cute and they have an outdoor space that was comfortable enough, but sat directly across from a neighboring restaurant that had obnoxious mariachi music playing the entire time. Certainly not Dos Besos' fault, but it was annoying.
Service was fine. All in all, a good evening, and the food was the star.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Michele Anne Metz
My husband and I went two nights in a row because it was so good. The ingredients were fresh, the preparation excellent. I think everything on the menu is great. We particularly enjoyed the seafood paella, the tapas (tortilla español, albondigas, octopus, shrimp), and dessert (bread pudding and gâteau basque). The chef is gracious and the wait staff are charming and efficient. The interior is cozy and welcoming.
After several attempts to make a reservation because it was always full, we were able to go and the food is truly spectacular. You can feel the time and dedication that went into preparing each dish in the flavour. The Spanish touch is noticeable from the moment you walk through the door. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Paella Del Mar, Seafood, Tortilla Española, Spanish Bread Pudding
Sebastian Calderon
Sangria, ham Serrano, octopus, and seafood paella were ordered. All were amazing and service is quick. Always recommend this place when people ask me where to go for a good Spanish restaurant. I’d recommend making a reservation. Parking structures all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terra
Excellent food with friendly and attentive service in a cozy atmosphere, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jean Stewart
This is by far my favorite place to eat in Pasadena.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Tony Rodriguez
Dos Besos took me right back to Spain. We split several tapas and entrees and all of the food tasted natural, fresh, and flavorful. All dishes were cooked to perfection and seasoned with precision and care. Wonderfully curated wine list as well. The entire staff was incredibly kind and welcoming from entering to exiting the restaurant, and we could not have asked for a better experience overall. One of the best restaurants in the Pasadena and LA area!
Mixed reviews esp as of late may reflect a general ennui over the place. If you love Spanish food and chefs, for you Dos Besos will be solid, old fashioned, well executed, and yes, a bit forlorn. The outdoor cafe has potential for joy, but it just doesn't reach past its ropes. My tapas, sangria, and almond cake desert were lovely. As a solo diner, a lady at that, I thought service could have been more cosmopolitan, fresh, and to use an overused word, modern. On one hand I encountered a chef via phone earlier that day who was affable, warm. Then, when I met the head chef in person, he was cold, which is fine, do you. But there was no spark overall, just another semi-nice place to spend money on a Pasadena evening. A staff member was quick to give me his number, flirtatious. Between the hot and cold of the chef, and the staff, I wondered how rare it might be for a woman to come here solo to simply be quiet, people watch, eat well, and enjoy. I could be wrong, but I think the endeavor, the restaurant was a dream for the chef made true by a sugar mama (forgive the expression), and it does have that (sullen) sense of (dull) acceptance. I am glad I went, happy the chef suggested I sit outside, and appreciated the nearby lifeblood and bustle of a restaurant courtyard across the street, and the steady flow of energy into and out of Kings Taco - both visibile from the outdoor courtyard. The sangria, so good, I would love some right now. The almond cake, again, solid, well executed, but I would not say it was full of love.
WORST DINING EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD. Waiter poured wrong drinks in different cups and we had to hunt them down three times to refill a glass of water and three times for the check. Wasn’t particularly busy either. Also waiter forgot to bring out second mushroom dish but charged us for two. The food went down in quality. The shrimp was barely season and the mushrooms were 22$ for like 5 slices.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Had dinner with family, and I would highly recommend this place to dine. Their paella and lamb chop were delicious. Pistachio cake dessert is a must try. And the service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good but service was very slow and no one payed attention to my table. I had to flag down my waiter anytime I needed anything
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Great for date night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Soooo special & delicious!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The menu is not advertised on line the food did not appear to be appetizing and did not disappoint.
There's isn't none alcohol cocktails except wine, false advertising... very disappointed
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
The octopus was not grilled as advertised, the fish no longer cooked in salt rather grilled, menu was mediocre. Will not b returning
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food here was really good! We tried the Octopus starter and opted for two specials; Iberian Pork Paella, and a Braised Oxtail Pasta. Our friends got the Seafood Paella. All were great.
For dessert, we got afogatos that were good and friends got bread pudding that was more like a custard and opinions were divided.
Place is super tiny but cute and they have an outdoor space that was comfortable enough, but sat directly across from a neighboring restaurant that had obnoxious mariachi music playing the entire time. Certainly not Dos Besos' fault, but it was annoying.
Service was fine. All in all, a good evening, and the food was the star.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
My husband and I went two nights in a row because it was so good. The ingredients were fresh, the preparation excellent. I think everything on the menu is great. We particularly enjoyed the seafood paella, the tapas (tortilla español, albondigas, octopus, shrimp), and dessert (bread pudding and gâteau basque). The chef is gracious and the wait staff are charming and efficient. The interior is cozy and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
After several attempts to make a reservation because it was always full, we were able to go and the food is truly spectacular. You can feel the time and dedication that went into preparing each dish in the flavour. The Spanish touch is noticeable from the moment you walk through the door. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Paella Del Mar, Seafood, Tortilla Española, Spanish Bread Pudding
Sangria, ham Serrano, octopus, and seafood paella were ordered. All were amazing and service is quick. Always recommend this place when people ask me where to go for a good Spanish restaurant. I’d recommend making a reservation. Parking structures all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food with friendly and attentive service in a cozy atmosphere, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is by far my favorite place to eat in Pasadena.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Dos Besos took me right back to Spain. We split several tapas and entrees and all of the food tasted natural, fresh, and flavorful. All dishes were cooked to perfection and seasoned with precision and care. Wonderfully curated wine list as well. The entire staff was incredibly kind and welcoming from entering to exiting the restaurant, and we could not have asked for a better experience overall. One of the best restaurants in the Pasadena and LA area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...