Agnes is a restaurant & cheesery in Pasadena, CA from chef/owners Vanessa & Thomas Tilaka Kalb, inspired by the timeless tradition of gathering around a table with loved ones to share good food, good drinks and of course, excellent cheese.
Rooted in classic American regional cooking, the menu takes an honest and elevated approach on nostalgia and comfort. The cheesery showcases cut-to-order cheeses, an array of related provisions, takeaway wines by the bottle and mid-day sandwich/salad offerings.
Named after Kalb’s maternal grandmother, Agnes has lunch and dinner Tues – Sat. Located in the historic district of tree-lined Green Street, the restaurant is housed in the former horse stable of the Fire Department with indoor/outdoor seating.
Zane
Food: I’ll mention my three favorites here to keep it shortened. I enjoyed the spinach and leek dip very much, the chips were delicious – crunchy, light, and airy with great flavor from whatever oil they fried it in. The dip I loved, the cheese flavor was strong and it was easy enough to get onto a chip. I liked the potato dumplings (gnocchi not dumplings) the sauce was very creamy, and Parmesan, and the bits of broccoli added a nice soft texture. I loved the crunchy pieces of bacon on top. The lettuces salad was also great, crisp, fresh greens meet with sweet dates, sweet dressing, and sliced almonds to make a delicious salad.
Service: We had a reservation for 7:30, but we were seated at 7:45 instead, and the hostess was on the phone talking to another customer for about 10 minutes. Why have reservations if they can’t be on time? Our server was nice though and the food came out fast.
Atmosphere: I liked how it was part store, part restaurant. The cheese displayed in the front made for a welcoming entrance. The left half had tables which made it look like a restaurant, while the other had wine for display and other items, making it like a store.
Overall: Really delicious food and cute vibe, the service just fell a little short for me.
… moremoses roberts
The place looks elegant but also humbly. The staff was awesome and the food was generous potions and exquisitely tasteful. Even the drink was astonishing. The fusion with raspberry and lemonade and the ment tea leaves was like nothing I tried before.
… moreM M
We had a wonderful brunch experience at Agnes! The cheese board was definitely the highlight, offering a great selection of cheeses with enough variety to keep things interesting and never repetitive. It felt like the perfect way to start the meal. Since it was brunch, we also ordered toast and salad. The crème brûlée toast stood out it was sweet, indulgent, and quite filling, almost like having dessert for breakfast. On the lighter side, the Babé Farms Lettuces salad was beautifully done, with fresh mixed greens paired with Aries cheese, smoked almonds, and dates, all tied together with a mustard shallot vinaigrette. The combination of crunchy nuts and sweet dates made it both refreshing and satisfying.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is another big plus. With exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and a spacious patio, it feels open and stylish, yet still comfortable and welcoming. The way the dining room, bar, and market space flow together makes it feel unique and versatile. I also appreciated how extensive the menu is there are options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, which makes it a place you could easily visit again and again for different occasions. On top of that, the drink selection is varied enough to complement any meal. Overall, Agnes is a spot that delivers not only on flavor but also on ambiance and versatility.
… moreUberrimaefidei
I’ve had their “Tommy Salame” before. It was adequately sized and normally priced for the quality you’re getting. This time I got the “Chicken Parm Sando.” I would say it was truly overpriced for the quantity you are getting. $21 for a small 6 inch sub makes no sense even if all the ingredients maybe organic or better quality. I would have priced that at $16 maximum because I know their overhead costs may be on the higher end. I just was expecting a bigger and more filling sandwich for that hefty price tag. Overall, it tasted great and homemade which I appreciate. However, it was a bit too acidic per my preference leaving me with some heartburn. I also got the $4 “Rye Brownie.” It had a more dark chocolate flavor and the texture was more wet like fudge rather than pillowy softness. I also experienced some heartburn from that. I wanted to purchase a tiny box of a single serving chocolate covered honeycomb but it was priced at $20. I mean online the “Honeymoon” brand sells it $12.50 each. I just found everything on their shelves from chocolates to jams priced double or triple what you would pay for elsewhere all to appease their rent and salaries. I really like their dedication to quality and freshness. And it’s truly an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. They just need to work on adequately pricing their food and products according to the market.
… moreAlicia Romero
Three of us took a friend for her 30th birthday based on a recommendation. However, it didn’t live up to the hype. We went on Saturday night, 7:30 p.m. reservation. We got seated about 10 minutes after our reservation time which was expected. A server offered to take our drink order within a few minutes. Then another one went up to our table for the same purpose only a few minutes after the original order. With one vegetarian in the group, we attempted to order a mix of entrees that offered something for everyone. The Cheese Board was too small for four hungry women who had just gotten massages. The Crispy Tater Tots tasted just like any other, minus the crispy. The Beets and Pears was meh. The Grilled Cauliflower wasn’t available but they made it with broccolini and that was okay. Unfortunately, there weren’t any distinguishing seasonings or flavors that stood out. The carnivores ordered the fried chicken and skirt steak. They said it was good. We each one cocktail which didn’t wow anyone. While we asked the server for her assessment on whether she thought we had ordered enough and she said it was a lot of food. It wasn’t given the family-style service and small portions. There was a long delay between each order, including our drinks. We found ourselves done in between orders as we looked toward the kitchen area hoping to see a server with one of our orders.
Since we were celebrating a birthday, we asked to see the dessert menu which was very unimpressive (root beer float, some kind of bread pudding, sorbet and some chocolate taco). We assumed that they would bring some kind of dessert for the birthday girl but no such luck. She did, however, get a birthday card as soon as she sat down. I would recommend this if one wants a light meal with loud ambiance in a restaurant-deli ambiance. I will not be returning for a light meal nor a dinner as the food and service were nothing spectacular, especially for a tab of $326.72.
… moreAlison Patch
Wonderfully indulgent food. Atmosphere isnt as cozy as we had hoped (back patio was closed) but the staff was so kind and thoughtful on our anniversary (giving us a free champagne toast) and the food was so yummy. We weren’t drinking beyond the champagne but the meal was 10/10 for cheese lovers.
… moreJason Hoffer
Went for brunch and it was an excellent overall experience. Started with a cheese board that was delicious. For the mains we split the tater tot casserole and the sticky toffee pancakes. It was a perfect sweet and savory combination. The casserole was an amazing combo of flavors and textures and the sticky toffee pancakes were incredible, but not ridiculously sweet. Definitely going back to try other items on the menu.
… moreAlbert Alexander
Visited this venue during Dine LA, and have to say, it was worth it. They served about five/six different entree dishes, appetizers, main entree and dessert. The only appetizer I remembered (that was delicious) was the cornbread eclairs with chicken liver mousse. It’s a very popular spot with patio, inside, and sidewalk seating options. Very crowded, so, I recommend plan accordingly. Unfortunately, no parking, so, have to drive around and look for available meter parking.
… moreBenjamin Franke (Solstice Son)
I’ve never met Agnes… but she’s got style. This place is such an interesting blend of modern ambiance and interior design. Natural light, brick walls, a crackling fire. And amazing cheese and wine of course. My friend and I were the only two in there and I bet it’s quite the spot in the evening. I’ll be coming back.
… moreElise Ver Haar
Been here multiple times, for brunch, lunch and dinner. Everything is a hit, every time. Never had a single dish or beverage that wasn’t delicious. The ambiance is great, casual but nice. All the staff is so kind and helpful. We didn’t feel rushed but food came out in good time. I cannot recommend Agnes enough.
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