Union Pasadena

Located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, Union is a lively, yet intimate neighborhood Italian restaurant and wine bar offering a deeply personal, seasonally Californian interpretation of Northern Italian cuisine. Owner Marie Petulla and Executive Chef Chris Keyser have crafted a rustic yet elegant menu that bring the farmer and guest together, to celebrate the beauty of simplicity, the best local ingredients and the delight of a meal with friends.  

Our thoughtful wine list features a curated selection of Italian and Californian bottles that perfectly pair with Chef Keyser's heartfelt cooking. Everything at Union - from our starters and field selections to our handmade pastas and sustainably raised and prepared meats and fish - all pay homage to community farmers and purveyors, and are meant to be enjoyed with cherished friends and family. 

We look forward to welcoming you soon. 

CHRIS KEYSER

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Chris Keyser was in his early twenties when he started his career with Marc Vetri.   He  quickly rose through the ranks, working at Alla Spina, Osteria and Amis and was part of opening for Lo Spiedo.   “I thought I would be there for only a year to see what I can learn, but every year there were a ton of reasons to stay… we were always doing new things.”


For Chris, California was love at first sight.   He opened Vetri's West Coast restaurant in Palo Alto and then moved to  Los Angeles to work with Akasha Richmond at AR Cucina . It was there that Keyser quickly won the recognition of L.A. food critics and earned AR Cucinaa spot on LA Weekly’s “99 Essential Restaurants” list. 

Chris' passion lead him to Italy.  He  spent the summer splitting his time at prestige restaurants including Michelin-starred Frosio. He credits his time at the highly touted Cucina Cereda for the deeper development of his style. “They showed me new possibilities with cooking. They could take two ingredients, cook each one in different ways, put them together, and create something highly complex.” 

As the new executive chef at Union Pasadena, Keyser combines the influences from his vast experiences with Union’s signature sustainable practices. His simple, yet refined style lays on a foundation of the ethos of Italian cooking. “It’s about the core ideologies of Italian cuisine; the simplicity of using quality local ingredients to create flavor.  California offers endless opportunities to develop flavor – subtle and bold – complex and simple –by reaching out to our local growers, foragers, fisherman, farmers and millers.”   

MARIE PETULLA

CO-OWNER

As the co-owner and visionary behind Union, Marie draws on almost two decades of experience in restaurant hospitality and prides herself in delivering personalized service to each guest while fostering a warm family atmosphere among her team. All of her restaurants are unique in style and presentation, but what unifies them is a foundation that focuses on the importance of hospitality, community and sustainability. 

When Marie moved to the West Coast, she sought out to create a dining experience reminiscent of Chicago “I wanted to create a restaurant with amazing service and a neighborhood feel.” Her vision was Union, an intimate 50-person restaurant that support local farmers and the community. Her attention to detail has earned Union features in multiple publications including, Zagat. The Washington Post, as well as a coveted position on The Los Angeles Times list, “ Johnathon Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants.” The New York Times describes Union, as “ A rare combination of decadence…and informal without seeming slouchy.” 

But Marie’s successes come from more than personalized guest experiences. Community remains at the center of her focus, which also includes her team. “Union has never been about just one person – it is about a commitment and dedication to a vision. I believe we can achieve greatness when each team member is given equal respect and an opportunity to grow.” She has shared her management style on multiple media platforms including American Express Business, Bon Appetit, and the Los Angeles Business Journal. Marie’s infatuation with the restaurant industry keeps her constantly involved in existing and future projects. Throughout her career, Petulla has broken down barriers and kicked through ceilings in this male dominated field which has naturally led her to be an advocate and champion for women in the restaurant industry.

37 East Union Street, Pasadena
626.795-5841
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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