Bean Restaurant Group and the Picknelly family have united their families, their visions, and their commitment to excellent food paired with unparalleled service at Union Kitchen in West Hartford Center.
Union Kitchen will have its grand opening on Dec. 5. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Union Kitchen will have its official grand opening on Dec. 5, but word has gotten out about the soft opening and the LaSalle Road restaurant already seems to be exceeding expectations in its mission of serving American comfort food in what the owners term a “polished-casual” atmosphere.
Zach Shuman, a West Hartford native and Hall High School graduate, is now a corporate chef with Bean Restaurant Group as well as executive chef and partner at Union Kitchen. “I always had visions of coming back to the Center,” he told We-Ha.com in a recent interview.
Shuman described the cuisine at Union Kitchen as classic American fare that’s “chef-driven yet approachable.” He knows that West Hartford has turned into quite the “foodie” town, and he understands that service can make or break a restaurant when there are so many dining options from which to choose.
There are a wide variety of affordably-priced dishes ($12-$14) at Union Kitchen, and they are anything but basic. The Union Burger is served on a brioche bun with braised onion, the honey fried chicken sandwich is served with an aioili spread, there’s a pork belly BLT, and the seared tuna sandwich is served on focaccia with arugula, roasted tomato, and scallion aioli. All are accompanied by crispy fries.
A selection of pastas includes short rib mac and cheese, vegetable lasagna, pork and sausage with Sunday sauce, and braised veal with pasta, priced at $16-$24.
The menu also includes meat loaf (braised short rib with onion purée, truffle fries, and grated parmesan for $27); roasted half chicken served with whipped potato, baby spinach, and artichoke butter ($24); the Faroe Island salmon with warm lump crab salad, lemon creamed peas, and lentils ($28); or a New York Strip steak with boursin, herb potato wedges, and sweet wine braised shallot ($32); as well as several other entrees.
Mussels with pork belly in mustard broth with soft pretzel bites. Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The poutine is already a favorite among the appetizers ($7-$9), as are the mussels (with pork belly and mustard broth, and served with soft pretzel bites) and fried Brussels sprouts. Charcuterie and cheese plates are available with two, three, or four selections ($10-$18).
Definitely leave room for dessert. The choices ($7-$9) include mason jar chocolate mousse, sticky toffee bread pudding with whipped cream and butter pecan ice cream, and warm apple strudel with cinnamon ice cream.
The interior of Union Kitchen is a complete transformation from the space’s previous incarnation as Noble & Co. Although diners may recognize the gray and white tile floor and spectacular marble bar backed with a wall of copper, everything else has been changed to fit the vision of Niemitz Design Group of Boston, which designed the renovation of Union Kitchen as well as several of Bean Restaurant Group’s other properties.
The kitchen has been opened up and is now visible behind a wall of glass. The entryway vestibule is also glassed in, and brand new windows will be able to open fully to the sidewalk in nice weather, a concept being adopted by many restaurants in the Center. The bar area features high-top tables, and there is booth seating against the dining room wall.
“Union” has multiple meanings in the restaurant’s name, one of which is to honor the union of the Yee family of Massachusetts’ Bean Restaurant Group, and the Picknelly family of Peter Pan Bus Lines – which have joined forces as owners of Union Kitchen. The company is headquartered at Union Station in Springfield.
“We’re so proud to be part of the West Hartford community,” Peter Picknelly told We-Ha.com at a friends and family event last week. He stopped at each table, chatting with diners and eager to meet everyone in the room.
Union Kitchen is the group’s first foray into Connecticut, and both the Picknelly and Yee families have entered into this venture backed by their commitment and legacy of good service, reliability, and building camaraderie and connections.
“We’ve been watching this market for two years,” Bean Restaurant Group Principal Managing Partner Andy Yee said. West Hartford has been transformed into such a great food destination, and he said that they have really wanted to become a part of it.
The goal of a “polished-casual” atmosphere will be achieved through creating a comfortable and welcoming space with exceptional service, Yee noted.
Cone Flakes Double IPA (FIrefly Hollow Brewing) and Doubly Awkward Hug IPA (Kent Falls Brewing). Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mike Ladden, who previously owned Noble & Co. as well as McLadden’s next door, remains a key member of Bean Restaurant Group and serves as corporate beverage director. For Union Kitchen, he has put together a selection of local draft beers and signature cocktails, as well as an approachable wine list to perfectly complement the menu.
Union Kitchen, at 43 LaSalle Rd. in West Hartford Center serves the same menu throughout the day. The kitchen is open Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. The bar will remain open until 11 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday, until midnight on Thursday through Saturday, and until 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Reservations can be made by calling 860-519-1767.
For more information, visit www.unionkitchenct.com or follow Union Kitchen on Facebook or Instagram (@unionkitchen_ct).
Bean Restaurant Group, founded by Johnny and Linda Yee, has been a force in the Massachusetts restaurant scene for generations. Restaurants include The Halfway House Lounge, Johnny’s Bar & Grille, Johnny’s Tavern, Johnny’s Tap Room, IYA Sushi and Noodle Kitchen, The Student Prince, Johnny’s Roadside, Wurst Haus, and the historical HuKe Lau (currently closed). The Picknelly Family is well-known for establishing the Peter Pan Bus Lines. Presently, they own and operate five restaurants throughout Massachusetts and now one in Connecticut in conjunction with the Bean Restaurant Group.
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Faroe Island Salmon with warm lump crab salad, lemon creamed peas, and lentils. Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fried Brussels sprouts. Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bar at Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
At the end of the dining room, a glass wall provides a view into the kitchen. Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Andy Yee (left) and Peter Picknelly have partnered to open Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Peter Picknelly (back row, left) and Andy Yee with (seated, from left) Sarah Dolan, Catherine Ribeiro, and Eat In CT founder Jeannette Punsoni Dardenne at a friends and family event. Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Crusty bread with olive oil. Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
[…] In other food news, on Wednesday night Union Kitchen had its ribbon cutting with its owners and officials from the town and the Chamber of Commerce, followed by the official grand opening! So far the feedback is very positive, and everyone likes how visible the restaurant is from the LaSalle Road sidewalk. Click here to read the feature story about Union Kitchen. […]
[…] The Yee family’s Massachusetts-based Bean Restaurant Group, in partnership with Peter Picknelly, CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines, made its first foray into Connecticut when it purchased the former Noble & Co. at 43 Lasalle Rd. – now Union Kitchen – and the McLadden…. […]