After less than a year, Executive Chef Robert Humphreys, a 28-year-old Pasadena native, was forced to close Siena Ristorante in Old Pasadena. Phil and Carmen Castañeda, who co-owned Siena with Humphreys, still operate Mojitos Restaurant and Rum Bar around the corner.

In Humphreys’ farewell e-mail, he wrote, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all of our wonderful customers over the last year. It has been a great privilege and an incredible pleasure to serve you. I can’t thank you enough for your support and encouragement – and for giving me the opportunity to share my love of food with you. I am deeply saddened by this unfortunate circumstance, and I hope our paths will cross again in the near future.”