Bay Meadows

San Mateo has a new foodie spot coming to bustling downtown in early 2017. Pausa is a Bar and Cookery that offers contemporary and authentic Italian fare made from scratch with the bounty of Northern California paired with an all Italian wine list and craft cocktails and spritzes.

The Italian cookery is brought to you by Owner Steve Ugur, a Bay Area native with a lifetime of experience in the restaurant industry, and Chef Owner Andrea Giuliani, a native Italian with over 25 years of experience in the kitchen. Two years in the making, the pair is thrilled to finally have completed the restaurant that takes the physical place of Spiedo at 223 E. 4^th Avenue.

Pausa, Italian for “pause,” is meant to be just that. The design for Pausa is meant to evoke a modern Italian experience with crafted materials and sophisticated lines within an open and light filled space. Pausa calls for guests to take a recess from life and enjoy a dining experience that transports them to a place of leisure. Seating is in three distinct areas defined by low walls of wood panels, metal, and glass with banquettes that establish a relaxed level of luxury. Diners are given an up close view of the culinary team not only with the kitchen, but also the exhibition “dough room” where they can watch the fresh pastas and house made breads being prepared.

Pausa’s menu blends traditional Italian styles with contemporary techniques and includes house made pastas and breads from the exhibition dough room as well as charcuterie cured onsite, wood-fired pizzas and hearty rotisserie dishes all visible in the restaurants large open kitchen. A few of the menu highlights include a house made charcuterie board, chestnut flour ravioli, lamb top sirloin and roasted black bass.

From the spacious bar, guests can expect fresh seasonal signature cocktails handcrafted alongside modern classics and an entirely Italian wine list comprised of both familiar and unique varietals. Pausa will also offer “Spritz Hour,” their take on American happy hour, which will feature a selection of the classic Northern Italian aperitif. The “Bastardo,” made with Lambrusco will be a must spritz at Pausa.

Pausa will be open late to fill the void of late-night dining options in San Mateo. Dinner will be served from 5-11pm Monday-Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 10pm on Sunday with lunch to follow shortly after opening. Plans for an eventual brunch launch are also in the works.

Whether the gathering is a lunch with old friends, Spritz Hour in the lively bar, a date night in the ambient dining room or a behind-the-scenes dinner experience at the Chef’s table, they hope to revitalize guests’ senses. The friendly and knowledgeable team will ensure your every pause is a memorable one. Get social with Pausa and keep your eyes open for more details about the opening: Facebook and Instagram.

 

Featuring best-in-class retailers such as Tin Pot Creamery and Blue Bottle Coffee, Bay Meadows’ Town Square is shaping up to be the ideal gathering place with more groundfloor retail, outdoor dining and pop-ups to come. Soon home to a stunning new sculpture from internationally-renowned artist Jeppe Hein, the Town Square will be the dynamic core of our urban village. With Caltrain electrification to start in 2017, the platform will be elevated and grade separations will be installed on 31^st and 28^th Avenues, making the Town Square the perfect place to relax outside for a glass of wine or an ice cream after a day of shopping and entertainment at Hillsdale Center. Join the Bay Meadows email list to stay on top of the latest.

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