aka An American Bistro Restaurant Review
One Colorado
41 Hugus Alley (De Lacey Ave.) 
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Pasadena, CA 91103
626-564-8111 | Menu
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Cuisine
Open
Lunch & Dinner dailyFeatures
- Kid-friendly
- Private room(s)
- Full bar
- Reservations suggested
- Outdoor dining
- Valet parking
- Casual
* Click here for rating key
 Robert Simon, of Pasadena’s high-end Bistro 45, has replicated his more casual American bistro concept in Napa Valley at a prime Old Pasadena location. With its big booths, lively bar and hand-blown glass chandeliers, aka’s cavernous space is not particularly warm, but the patio is pleasant and prices are agreeable. Ideal for sharing are addictive portobello “fries”---a cone of lightly battered slices of mushrooms served with a snappy truffle aïoli. Other starters include a satisfying beet salad with lotus root, fennel pollen and Fourme d’Ambert blue cheese, and seared foie gras. A crispy skinned salmon with a fondue of creamed leeks was as good as the salmon we have had at Bistro 45, while a cassoulet provides soulful comfort. More casual meals might revolve around burgers or an upscale Reuben. For dessert at this likeable bistro, we enjoyed the bread pudding with rum sauce. As expected from any Simon-owned establishment, the wine list is notable. While hardly as exhaustive as Bistro 45’s, it offers bottles from boutique wineries around the globe, many priced in the $30 or $40 range, and more than 40 poured by the glass.
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