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TAKE A PAUSE

PAUSA offers fresh, authentic, and contemporary Italian fare made from scratch with the bounty of Northern California. Chef-Owner Andrea Giuliani creates dishes that complement an all Italian wine list, craft cocktails, and spritzes. Pausa is Italian for “pause” and Owners Steve Ugur and Giuliani invite you to take a short recess from your daily pace of life to enjoy a dining experience that transports you to a place of leisure. Whether you are gathering for Spritz Hour in the lively bar or outdoor parklet, a date night in the ambient dining room, or a behind-the-scenes dinner experience at the Chef’s table, our team will ensure your next pause is a memorable one.

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Team BIOS

  • Executive Chef/Co-Founder & Owner

    A Veneto native, Chef Andrea Giuliani has over 30 years of experience in kitchens throughout Italy and the Bay Area. In 2005 Giuliani made his journey to the United States ready to bring his passion for food and wine to California. His first job when he arrived was Executive Chef at Spiedo Restaurant in San Mateo where he unknowingly met his future business partner, Steven Ugur. The two became fast friends and gained a great deal of respect for one another’s specialties, Giuliani’s in the kitchen and Ugur’s in the dining room.

    After two years at Spiedo, Chef Andrea moved on and headed to the heart of Silicon Valley where he led the kitchen at Piatti Restaurant in Santa Clara. During his five years at Piatti he acquired a great deal of knowledge about the business side of running a restaurant in America. He took what he learned and next applied it to his work at Piazza D’Angelo, a well known Italian restaurant in Marin County that has been around for more than 30 years. When Chef Andrea learned that Spiedo would be closing, he reconnected with Ugur and soon after a plan was hatched to turn the space into something fresh and vibrant – Pausa Bar & Cookery.

    True to his Italian roots, but inspired by the bounty of Northern California, Giuliani is excited to bring his passion for cooking back to San Mateo. At Pausa, Chef Andrea is creating approachable Italian cuisine, elevated by fresh, high-quality ingredients and modern cooking techniques. But food is not his only passion, Italian wine is very much a part of Giuliani’s repertoire which is showcased in Pausa’s all Italian wine list.

  • Co-Founder & Owner

    A San Mateo native, Steve Ugur grew up in the restaurant business working in his family’s establishments for as long as he can remember. Even while he earned his Associate’s Degree at the College of San Mateo, Ugur was ever-present in the businesses including a major role as the general manager, leading the front-of-house team at Porterhouse in San Mateo. During his tenure, Ugur refined his own customer service skills and instilled a passion for the hospitality business into his employees throughout the years.

    In 2013 Ugur made his first real foray into the back of the house by giving into his curiosity about butchering and charcuterie and completing a stage at Harris Steakhouse in San Francisco. The art of dry aging beef at Harris inspired him to introduce a similar program at Porterhouse with the addition of grass fed and finished beef from local ranches in Northern California. Between 2014 and 2015 he traveled twice to France to stage with award-winning butcher Pierre Sajous in the mid-Pyrenees. Upon his return, he continued to lead the team at Porterhouse as the only restaurant with a dry aging program on the Peninsula.

    At Pausa, Ugur will continue to use his well-rounded experience to build a team that shares his desire to exceed guest expectations. In addition to his passion for food and hospitality, Steve has a great love for Italian wine which helped him during his collaboration with Chef Andrea in designing an all-Italian wine list. From the creation of the Spritz cocktails to the charcuterie program, Steve has a devoted interest in every aspect of Pausa and looks forward to sharing it with San Mateo and the surrounding Bay Area.