October 21: Table & Main, 71Above, Benjie’s New York Deli, Bruce Kalman

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Restaurateur Ryan Pernice, Table & Main and RO Hospitality
Segment Three: Restaurateur Emil Eyvazoff, 71Above, DTLA Part One
Segment Four: Restaurateur Emil Eyvazoff, 71Above, DTLA Part Two
Segment Five: Lloyd Weinstein, Proprietor, Benjies N.Y. Deli, Restaurant & Avenue K Bar, Santa Ana
Segment Six: Chef Bruce Kalman, Union and Knead & Co Part One
Segment Seven: Chef Bruce Kalman, Union and Knead & Co Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish and Trade’s Two Birds & Butterleaf

Now a salivating preview of this Saturday’s ample show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Executive Producer Andy Harris was in Roswell, GA (an incorporated City of 95,000 in the greater Atlanta area with a lot of living Civil War history) earlier this month with fellow members of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.) In this show we start our coverage of the best of Roswell with a chat with restaurateur Ryan Pernice, the founder of Table & Main restaurant, a locals’ favorite.

Soaring 950 feet above 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles, high atop the U.S. Bank Tower, 71Above celebrates the diversity of culture and landscape in the City of Angels. Proprietor Emil Eyvazoff’s key team is acclaimed Chef Vartan Abgaryan and General Manager Alex Hasbany. Chef Abgaryan’s menus offer a contemporary, modern American cuisine that references the ethnic makeup and cultural traditions of the sprawling metropolis. Emil Eyvazoff joins us.

Benjies New York Deli, Restaurant & Avenue K Bar in Santa Ana has been operating as a two-generation family owned New York style deli originated by Stan Weinstein in 1967 and still operated today by Stan’s son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd & Noriko Weinstein. On October 6th they celebrated their 50th anniversary of continuous service. The Weinstein’s strive to maintain the family-oriented-style, quality restaurant created by Stan, while keeping up with modern trends in dining. Benjies offers the truly New York style deli experience in Orange County, California—large portions, fresh products and an extensive array of menu items—mouth-watering pastrami on rye, and soul-warming Matzo Ball soup to absolutely decadent desserts. 2nd generation deli-maven Lloyd Weinstein is our guest.

October is National Pasta Month and Chef Bruce Kalman and his crew are celebrating all month long at Pasadena’s Union restaurant by raising money for American Red Cross – Disaster Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico, Texas & Florida aka #pastaforthepeople. Each week in October Chef Kalman has highlighted one of his signature pasta dishes off his menu. When the featured pasta is ordered a portion of the proceeds from that dish will go to support disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Texas & Florida via the American Red Cross. Chef Bruce is also part of the Grand Central Market’s 100th Birthday Celebration on Friday, October 27th. We’ll get Chef Bruce away from the pasta cooker for a chat.

Co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us from the road with an informative “Ask the Chef” segment.

Program Note for October 28th. We graciously stepping aside for Cal Golden Bears Football (UC Berkeley). Cal is playing Colorado in Boulder at Folsom Field. We’ll be back on Saturday morning, November 4th at the usual 10:00 a.m. start with our regular tasty shenanigans.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Ryan PerniceExecutive Producer Andy Harris was in Roswell, GA (an incorporated City of 95,000 in the greater Atlanta area with a lot of living history from the Civil War) earlier this month with fellow members of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.) In this show we start our coverage of the best of Roswell with a chat with restaurateur Ryan Pernice, the founder of Table & Main restaurant, a true locals’ favorite.

A simple, seasonal, and Southern dining experience, Table & Main offers a place for people to come and enjoy themselves at a cozy restored homestead on lively Canton Street in Roswell, Georgia. Diners enjoy quality dishes evocative of the South and home-style cooking like Chef Woody Back’s famous fried chicken that some patrons argue rivals grandma’s recipe. Table & Main proudly promotes itself as the place to get your bourbon on Canton Street with its well-stocked bourbon bar and beautiful patio where partakers can relax, surrender their troubles, and enjoy the hospitality and attention of the restaurant.

“Founded by Ryan Pernice, RO Hospitality opened its first restaurant, Table & Main, in Roswell, GA in 2011 with a clear, confident vision of becoming the neighborhood’s adopted clubhouse. We’re proud of our progress towards achieving that goal, being tremendously fortunate to work with amazing people as we hone our community focus at two additional concepts: Osteria Mattone and Coalition Food and Beverage. Our team relies on five major characteristics to nurture the tradition of excellent hospitality our restaurants represent: Warmth, Optimism, Ownership, Conviction, and Loyalty. With those key traits uplifting our Cuisine, Service & Story, we will create such positive experiences for our guests that they will seek to make us a part of their daily lives.”

Emil EyvazoffSoaring 950 feet above 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles, high atop the U.S. Bank Tower, 71Above celebrates the diversity of culture and landscape in the City of Angels. Proprietor Emil Eyvazoff’s key team is acclaimed Chef Vartan Abgaryan and General Manager Alex Hasbany. Chef Abgaryan’s menus offer a contemporary, modern American cuisine that references the ethnic makeup and cultural traditions of the sprawling metropolis. Emil Eyvazoff joins us.

71Above diners revel in extraordinary unobstructed scenery, expanding for miles in all directions.  Tag Front partnered with SageGlass Company to create a seamless view protected from the elements by technological engineering that automatically darken and lightens the glass panes surrounding the restaurant, offering shading in the light of day, while magically lightening as dusk and nightfall arrive.

Upon entering the restaurant from the lobby of the US Bank Tower, guests arrive on the 71st floor in a centralized enclosed area that dramatically expands outward as the full restaurant and views are revealed. Tag Front references the geography of the landscape below, as well as the flight patterns above through the use of various design motifs.  The 71Above logo on the front entrance floor extends outward in every direction, landing at table tops capped by a compass, alongside artistic directionals beautifully positioned on mirrored partitions that highlight the closest local, and farthest international destinations.

The structural layout of the space affords an unusual mix of seating options, including “quieter dining” for private events or those that prefer to be outside the noise and bustle of the busy restaurant; the chef’s tables, which offer up-close views into the open kitchen; the lively main dining room and the robust atmosphere of the adjoining bar and lounge. Guest may opt to select their preferred dining atmosphere during the TOCK reservations process.

Guests will discover an extensive mixology program in the bar and lounge areas, as well as curated cocktail selections designed to pair with each course of the dining experience.

Chef Abgaryan offers a dining journey that includes a two-course lunch ($35.00 pp), three-course dinner ($75.00 pp), guided chef’s tasting menus, along with curated wine and cocktail parings ($45.00 pp).  Each menu offering concludes with an array of extraordinary dessert offerings by Executive Pastry Chef Gregory Baumgartner.

Emil Eyvazoff is a native of Los Angeles and among the pioneers in the renaissance of Downtown. Eyvazoff began in Downtown’s hospitality and nightlife scene in 2004 with the development of Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant and Elevate Lounge.  Eyvazoff was approached by the ownership of the U.S. Bank Tower in 2013 to develop a unique restaurant concept for the 71st floor. Over the next three years, 71Above was born.  Passionate about food and wine, Eyvazoff belongs to several societies, including the Chevaliers du Tastevin and Commanderie de Bordeaux.

Lloyd WeinsteinBenjies New York Deli, Restaurant & Avenue K Bar in Santa Ana has been operating as a two-generation family owned New York-style deli originated by Stan Weinstein in 1967 and still operated today by Stan’s son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd & Noriko Weinstein. On October 6th they celebrated their 50th anniversary of continuous service.

The Weinstein’s strive to maintain the family-oriented-style, quality restaurant created by Stan, while keeping up with modern trends in dining. Benjies offers the truly New York style deli experience in Orange County, California—large portions, fresh products and an extensive array of menu items—mouth-watering pastrami on rye, and soul-warming Matzo Ball soup to absolutely decadent desserts.

Added in the last 18 months is the Avenue K Bar with a modern stylish atmosphere. On the menu are a broad selection of ice cold craft beers on tap and specialty cocktails. Also available in Avenue K is Benjies’ full menu along with a standout Happy Hour appetizer and cocktail Menu served from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. With multiple HD, wall-mounted large-screen televisions placed strategically around the room it’s a great spot to enjoy college and pro football as well as Anaheim Ducks Hockey.

2nd generation deli-maven Lloyd Weinstein is our guest.

Bruce Kalman on Union PasadenaOctober is National Pasta Month and Chef Bruce Kalman and his crew are celebrating all month long at Pasadena’s Union Restaurant by raising money for American Red Cross – Disaster Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico, Texas & Florida aka #pastaforthepeople.

Each week in October Chef Kalman has highlighted one of his signature pasta dishes off his menu. When the featured pasta is ordered a portion of the proceeds from that dish will go to support disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Texas & Florida via the American Red Cross.

For the concluding week of October 22nd to 31st the featured dish is Tagliatelle with pork ragu, Grana Padano and gremolata.

Chef Bruce is also part of the Grand Central Market’s 100th Birthday Celebration on Friday, October 27th. He operates Knead & Co. pasta bar + market there.

We’ll get Chef Bruce away from the pasta cooker for a chat.

Chef Bruce Kalman of Union and Knead & Co. pasta bar + market will compete on Season 15 of Bravo’s Top Chef” which launches on Thursday evening, December 7th.

The Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series will follow 15 diverse chefs from across the country as they battle it out for the coveted title amid the breathtaking landscapes and thriving culinary scenes in Denver, Boulder, Telluride and Aspen. Host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio return to the judges table alongside Gail Simmons and Graham Elliot.

For a sneak peek, visit the Bravo’s Top Chef site.

Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Bruce Kalman has spent almost his entire life working in kitchens. His culinary career began at a local pizzeria owned by a family friend, where he fell in love with fresh ingredients and the beat of the kitchen. He attended a small hands-on culinary program at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, NJ, where he began to hone his skills and perfect his simple approach to great food.

Bruce has since traveled the United States, working in New York City with David Burke at Park Ave Cafe, and in Chicago with Paul Bartalotta at Spiaggia. His executive chef stints span the nation from Chicago (Okno, Green Dolphin Street and Coco Pazzo) to Santa Fe, NM (Il Piatto) and Phoenix, AZ (Chelsea’s Kitchen).

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Fifth Anniversary of the SoCal Restaurant ShowCo-host, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us from the road with an informative “Ask the Chef” segment.

Last week Anthony Bourdain of CNN’s “Parts Unknown” gave an exclusive interview to Business Insider with Chef Danny Bowien. Along the way Bourdain provided an epic rant on his dislike of Yelp! We’ll get Chef Andrew’s informed perspective.

Chef Andrew Gruel connects with us by phone this week after launching the first Slapfish in New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Restaurateur Ryan Pernice, Table & Main and RO Hospitality
Segment Three: Restaurateur Emil Eyvazoff, 71Above, DTLA Part One
Segment Four: Restaurateur Emil Eyvazoff, 71Above, DTLA Part Two
Segment Five: Lloyd Weinstein, Proprietor, Benjies N.Y. Deli, Restaurant & Avenue K Bar, Santa Ana
Segment Six: Chef Bruce Kalman, Union and Knead & Co Part One
Segment Seven: Chef Bruce Kalman, Union and Knead & Co Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish and Trade’s Two Birds & Butterleaf

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