The Divine Dish

Union Brings Italian Cuisine with a California Twist to Pasadena

Posted on Mar 30, 2014 under Archives | No Comment

Chef Bruce Kalman spent a year perfecting his pickling talents prior to opening up Union with partner Marie Petulla, a new restaurant located in Old Town Pasadena.

Kalman, a James Beard nominated Rising Star Chef, winner of both Chopped and Knife Fight, has plenty of experience. He is alumna of celebrated restaurants including Park Avenue Café in New York, Spiaggia in Chicago, Il Piatto in New Mexico, Chelsea’s Kitchen in Phoenix, The Misfit in Santa Monica and The Churchill in West Hollywood.

 

 His new 50-seat bar and eatery is rustic and comfortable with a cement bar, exposed brick, wood tables and chairs and a huge chalkboard features the nightly specials as well as a famous Alice Waters quote, “Let things taste the way they are.”

The Northern Italian fare does just that, while adding California ingredients to traditional dishes. I stopped by to sample all of the delicious food and here is what Janie and I ate during our very lovely tasting menu. Our appetizers included house made charcuterie and pickles. 

We also loved the warm olives with calabrian chiles, smoked nuts and parmigiano reggiano cheese.

Chef Kalman’s pastas are all handmade. We sampled the tagliatelle with “head and shoulder” pork ragu and gremolata and orecchiette primavera, green spring vegetables, basil and ricotta cheese.

Our main dishes were also exceptional and included a remarkable porchetta with heirloom potatoes and a salsa verde as well as a Pacific halibut with potatoes, fennel, olives and blood oranges wrapped in parchment. We also loved this presentation.

Desserts included a gianduji chocolate budino with cocoa nib, truffle salt and a Ligurian olive oil and lemon verbena panacotta with balsamic pickled strawberries and ameretti cookies.

 

Union is located at 37 East Union Street in Old Town, Pasadena. Reservations at 626.795.5841.