Casual Bistro Wants to Bring French Charm to Old Pasadena

A casual French bistro is coming for the heart of Pasadena sometime late this year or early 2020. Perle will land along Union Street, around the corner from Russell’s and the always-packed Ramen Tatsunoya, as part of the redone food and retail development at Union and Fair Oaks.

Perle arrives in Pasadena courtesy of chef Dean Yasharian. Previously, Yasharian was the longtime executive chef of Chateau Marmont, but has a finer dining background working under Daniel Boulud, even opening up Bar Boulud in London years back. Now he’s taking that French technique to the Los Angeles suburbs.

The plan for Perle is to open as an easygoing French bistro, stuffed with classic fare that makes the restaurant feel like a warm weeknight hangout. Union across the street does much the same thing for Italian food already, and there’s certainly room for Pasadena’s dining scene to add another local-friendly contender. Expect dim lighting and beer and wine, with brunch to come down the line.

Yasharian says that Perle is still coming along, but it doesn’t have a projected opening date so far.

Perle. 43 E. Union St., Pasadena, CA.

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