Bar Chelou

4.8

475 Reviews

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Innovative
Good for special occasions
Charming

Bar Chelou is a neo-bistro that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin's broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style.

'Chelou' (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel, and fun.

The restaurant is located within the Pasadena Playhouse complex. If you plan to visit the Playhouse after dinner, please book a 5:30p reservation to ensure ample timing for your dinner. We also offer concession cocktails before a showing and during intermission.

NEED TO KNOW
Wine corkage is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list.

Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius.

Gift cards are available for purchase on our website.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary French, European, Spanish
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(626) 808-4976
Website
https://www.barchelou.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-5220
Neighbourhood
Pasadena
Cross Street
Located next to the Pasadena Playhouse on El Molino Ave.
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Editor’s choice: 12 favorite restaurants in Los Angeles

Popular dishes

Marinated OlivesUS$7.00
Pan de CristalUS$7.00
Crispy PotatoesUS$13.00
aonori, aïoli
Clam ToastUS$15.00
leeks, escabeche
Burrata ToastUS$17.00
paleta ibérica, pickled peppers
Ramp ToastUS$16.00
km39, sorrel
Breakfast RadishUS$13.00
fromage blanc, furikake
BoqueronesUS$14.00
piquillo pepper
Scallop TartareUS$20.00
green garlic, meyer lemon, serrano, chips
Salade VerteUS$15.00
cava vinaigrette, quinoa, guindilla peppers, manchego
CarrotsUS$19.00
coconut dressing, lime leaf, peanuts, shoestring potatoes
Bloomsdale SpinachUS$14.00
roasted garlic broth, brown butter
Shelling BeansUS$14.00
bottarga, dill, sea beans
Sprouting CauliflowerUS$11.00
almonds, sichuan au poivre
Snap PeasUS$15.00
chistorra, cured egg yolk, anchovy
Squid US$21.00
seaweed, swiss chard
CheesesUS$22.00
plum & timur berry jam, pan de cristal
MeatsUS$24.00
jamón ibérico, coppa
Ibérico Pork ChopUS$36.00
cabbage, fennel pollen furikake
Duck LegUS$34.00
yu choy cous cous, spicy labneh, macadamia dukkah
Rainbow TroutUS$45.00
corn rice, garlic chive pil-pil
Dry-Aged Short RibUS$55.00
blackberry black vinegar, perilla
Lemon-Chamomile SemifreddoUS$14.00
calamansi, sweet fritter
Raspberry & Sumac SorbetUS$14.00
poached rhubarb, vanilla, sorrel
Bruleed CheesecakeUS$14.00
toffee date cake, spiced coffee anglaise
Matcha MousseUS$14.00
butter mochi cake, coconut sorbet, green tea tuile
Caramelized Banana BarUS$15.00
peanut butter crisp, banana custard, milk chocolate mousse

What 475 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bar Chelou in Pasadena is celebrated for its "exceptional" service, "delicious" and innovative dishes, and vibrant atmosphere. Guests rave about the "crispy potatoes," "amazing trout," and "fabulous carrots." The restaurant's strategic location next to the Pasadena Playhouse makes it a perfect pre-theater dining spot.

476 Reviews

B
Ben
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful, memorable dinner! Service was impeccable and the duck was a highlight.
Is this helpful?
A
Andrea
Los Angeles
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on February 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Will absolutely miss this spot… a real L for the Pasadena dining scene. :(
Is this helpful?
J
Jamie
VIP
Los Angeles
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on February 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We’ll miss you! One of our favorite spots. Sad to see you go.
Is this helpful?
H
Hope
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 10, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food, cool interiors. Great vibe. Will miss them when they leave. Wish we weren’t all the way across town 🥲
Is this helpful?
N
Natalie
VIP
New York City
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My favorite restaurant in the world. Farewell, my love!
Is this helpful?
P
Phillip
VIP
Las Vegas
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food and service were excellent! We definitely will come back!
Is this helpful?
J
Jacob
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food and service were exceptional! Not one bad dish. We traveled all the way from studio city and it was completely worth it. The fake bday cake dessert was a cute gimmick, but maybe a comped actual dessert for a group who’s celebrating a bday and had a tab as high as we did? Just a thought.
Is this helpful?
C
Carla
VIP
Detroit
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful romantic location and interior. We had the duck, snap peas, carrots, and bread. We could have made a meal of just vegetables sides-very creative. We ate everything. The music was very loud, which does not include lingering. (Since they were very busy, that might have been intentional.)
Is this helpful?
D
Daniel
VIP
Los Angeles
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was too salty Looks like the chefs are not tasting their food Service only came to my table 4 time One to take me water order Second to take my food order Third to drop and pick up my check All diner time which was 2 hrs was sitting with no interaction of the servers or managers
Is this helpful?
M
Mackenzie
Los Angeles
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 20, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing but it’s sooooooooo expensive for such a small quantity. We had to go to in and out after.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bar Chelou is rated 4.8 stars by 475 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-5220

Additional information

Cross Street
Located next to the Pasadena Playhouse on El Molino Ave.
Neighbourhood
Pasadena
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary French, European, Spanish
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.barchelou.com/
Phone number
(626) 808-4976

Featured in

Editor’s choice: 12 favorite restaurants in Los Angeles

Bar Chelou

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Editor’s choice: 12 favorite restaurants in Los Angeles

Ibérico Pork Chop

Rainbow Trout

Ramp Toast

Main

Marinated OlivesUS$7.00

Pan de CristalUS$7.00

Crispy PotatoesUS$13.00

Clam ToastUS$15.00

Burrata ToastUS$17.00

Ramp ToastUS$16.00

Breakfast RadishUS$13.00

BoqueronesUS$14.00

Scallop TartareUS$20.00

Salade VerteUS$15.00

CarrotsUS$19.00

Bloomsdale SpinachUS$14.00

Shelling BeansUS$14.00

Sprouting CauliflowerUS$11.00

Snap PeasUS$15.00

Squid US$21.00

CheesesUS$22.00

MeatsUS$24.00

Ibérico Pork ChopUS$36.00

Duck LegUS$34.00

Rainbow TroutUS$45.00

Dry-Aged Short RibUS$55.00

Lemon-Chamomile SemifreddoUS$14.00

Raspberry & Sumac SorbetUS$14.00

Bruleed CheesecakeUS$14.00

Matcha MousseUS$14.00

Caramelized Banana BarUS$15.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Bar Chelou restaurant rated?

Is Bar Chelou currently accepting reservations?

Permanently Closed

Additional information

Featured in

Editor’s choice: 12 favorite restaurants in Los Angeles