Bar Chelou, housed in the same 98-year-old Spanish Colonial Revival building as the Pasadena Playhouse, brings a welcome jolt of eccentricity to local — and really, regional — dining.

Bar Chelou is open Tuesday to Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.; menu expansions are in the works, as is patio service. 37 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, (626) 808-4976, barchelou.com.

Bar Chelou, located in Old Town Pasadena, is spearheaded by chef Doug Rankin who was mentored by chef Ludo Lefebvre. The restaurant opened in January 2023 and quickly found praise from the likes ...

Since January, Bar Chelou has produced some of L.A.’s most exciting cooking, all from a rather unlikely neighborhood: Pasadena, home of countless chains and good-for-the-area restaurants.

For Bar Chelou, Rankin brought over most of his kitchen team from Bar Restaurant, including chef de cuisine, Emilio Perez, his pastry chef Raymond Morales and sous chef Peton Johnson.

After two years of service, Pasadena’s beloved award-winning restaurant Bar Chelou, will close its doors on Sunday, Feb. 16. “We are saddened to have to share some news with you,” said a ...