Cafe Santorini

Cafe Santorini Restaurant Review:

Occupying a brick building in Old Pasadena, Café Santorini has been a local staple since 1993. On a nice night, we enjoy sharing Greek and Mediterranean appetizers and sipping wine on its inviting terrace, overlooking the lively street scene below. But beware: on a warm evening, everyone else in Pasadena has the same idea and this place can be jammed. The fare is primarily Greek and Italian, with a touch of Spain and the Middle East thrown into the mix. For starters, consider one of the mezze platters, filled with stuffed grape leaves, hummus, baba ghanouj, and more. The pizzas fail to impress us, but pastas and kebabs are quite good. Entrées include lamb souvlaki; a half-chicken with garlic-mashed potatoes and porcini mushroom-Marsala sauce; and even a Japanese-inspired seared ahi served over soba noodles with a ginger-lime dressing. With its adjoining banquet space and Rococo Room downstairs, Santorini accommodates a variety of private events.