I wandered into Pastel expecting a study in refinement, the kind of upmarket bar-eatery where shadows fall just right, where the lighting is moody, modern, and intentionally flattering. The sort of place where you might imagine your reflection sipping a martini before you actually order one. The ambience delivered. The evening, however… had other plans. The hommous with green tahini arrived first, familiar, but with a Turkish twist that suggested someone in the kitchen still believes in flavour as a noble pursuit. Bright, confident, promising. Then came the beef tartare. A dish charming enough to be described as cute as a button, though it fought back with the kind of gristle that makes you question whether the cow had unresolved personal issues. Seasoning? Ambitious. Aggressive. Perhaps even vengeful. The prawn toast with Tom Yum mayo followed. Intriguing, yes. But saltier than the seas the prawns once called home. And the octopus skewer, with its hopeful salsa verde? A resilient creature. One that clung to its rubbery defiance with admirable, if misplaced, commitment. But the food was merely the prelude. The service, or the concept of it seemed preoccupied with time. Not my time, mind you. Theirs. The bar manager (or what felt like the main man on the floor) carried the air of someone attempting to break a personal record in “table turnover speed.” As we tried to graze our way through the menu, he hurried us along with the subtlety of a departing train. The order was pushed through as if the kitchen were seconds from collapse. Then, with a hint of disappointed confusion: “Is that it?" (Apparently the pass is only small, so get in early) I found myself wondering whether Pastel was the name, or merely the filter one should apply to soften the experience. At the end of it all, one word summarised both the palate and the personality of the evening: Salt. In the food. In the service. In the aftertaste of the whole affair. Pastel may be moody and modern, but dining there felt like stepping into a study of how hospitality loses its warmth one grain at a time. A lesson in flavour, yes. But perhaps not the one they intended.

Absolutely loved the atmosphere here! The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between cozy and stylish. Dim lighting, good decor and great music. Definitely a good spot for a romantic date night or relaxed evening catching up with friends. My friend and I loved everything about this place from food, drinks and service. Also a special shout out to our waiter who recommended a very good wine to us. Will definitely be back!

Sat at the bar for dinner and had a really nice experience. It’s a beautiful venue with delicious, innovative food. The wine range is super solid too. Loved all the dishes I tried - especially the octopus skewer.

One of my favourite restaurants in adl. Been multiple times, I think they need to cut me off honestly. The food is amazing every single time, the staff are SO friendly and I’ve seen them do anything to accommodate people dietary needs. I love love love their use of lamps and mood lighting. They do have some down lights in the main dining area which I just avoid by booking the back “terrace” area. I recommend pastels to anyone asking for dinner recs.

Absolutely loved this place! The décor, music, and lighting were just perfect for a relaxed lunch. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and always smiling, offering great recommendations not only for the food but also for the wine. The food was outstanding! fresh flavours, perfectly cooked, ideal portions, and simply delicious. A place I’ll be coming back to!