I would likely leave it as is and I use table cloths anyhow. However if it bothers you, I think the first thing I would suggest is cleaning it to see if some of the difference is simply dirt. If it was waxed sometimes the wax will yellow over time. Sometimes colour differences are just from sun bleaching. If the leafs were seldom used and the top faded in the light you might be able to get them closer looking by using a coloured wax or similar finish on the table top. I could tell you about how to do partial finish removal with solvents to balance colours but the methods are too risky to explain over the internet. Unless it is a very special piece of furniture don't worry too much about things like "patina" because it is far more important to have a usable piece of furniture that pleases you. Besides, a lot of people confuse dirt with patina and if you can simply wash it off with a soapy rag then it is dirt, not patina. Edit: I almost forgot, if it is pine there is a chance the finish is oil. You might have heard it called Danish oil or something similar but it is really just double boiled linseed oil. The same thing that used to be used as the base for oil paints. The point is that with an oil finish you can retouch it by wiping a thin layer on. Different brands of it have slightly different additives like drying accelerators and colour added. If you go to a paint store they usually carry oil finish in small cans of different shades or tints so you should be able to colour match easily, wiping on a thin coat and letting it dry before wiping on another coat makes it very controllable. The more coats you put on the darker the tint will seem. This post was edited by scafool on Mon, Aug 25, 14 at 1:44

Your planned approach is correct. A varnish would be about the most durable finish that you can apply outside an industrial setting. Most quality oil-based varnishes will impart some amber color. "Golden Glow" means different things to different people. The natural color of the wood and the choice of varnish will have impact on the resulting color. Once stripped and sanded, wet the top with a bit of mineral spirits to get a preview of the natural color. If that's not enough color, you can use a stain before varnishing. Waterlox would be an excellent choice. Polyurethane would do if you wish. Wiping on Arm-r-seal (General Finishes wiping poly) would work. Here is a link that might be useful: wipe on varnish finish

I would like to repaint or stain this older kitchen table we have. Kitchen cabinets are white and glazed, sofa is a brownish/gray, barstools are a blackish iron with cream seats. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Sand it, use good quality wood cleaner/brightener combo, that will remove all that stuff and apply good quality stain.