Show 477, June 4, 2022: Proprietor & Executive Chef Nathan Peitso, Sear Steakhouse, Solvang, CA Part One

Nathan Peitso of Sear Steakhouse

“Farmer and chef Nathan Peitso of Los Angeles-originated restaurant brand, Farmhouse (formerly located at the Beverly Center,) is now owner/executive chef at Solvang’s Sear Steakhouse. The Santa Barbara County wine country steakhouse, which initially opened in March 2021 under previous ownership, is located in the heart of the Danish-settled village (adjacent to the Landsby Inn) along California’s Central Coast.”

“Peitso’s plans for the restaurant include a rebrand and name change in the coming months to “Crawford’s Steakhouse,” in honor of his family name, and a variety of menu and service additions and expansions. Sear’s local farm relationships will continue to play a major role in the kitchen, as Peitso sources from Santa Ynez Valley farms in addition to his family’s Southern California-based Kenter Canyon Farms. Roan Mills, to which Peitso also has family ties, will supply all bread products bound for the steakhouse, which will also see an elevated Santa Barbara seafood presence on its dinner menu and an increase in vegetable-based dishes, in addition to multiple steak cuts and other proteins.”

“As a second-generation, Californian farmer – and now, a Santa Ynez Valley resident – Peitso intends to keep menu pricing accessible, relying on his close network of fellow farmers, fisherman, and ranchers.” There will be a fresh emphasis on showcasing local wines. Serving Dinner nightly except on Monday. For the future Weekend Brunch will be added as well as Monday night Dinner service.

Chef / Proprietor Nathan Peitso is our guest.

Show 477, June 4, 2022: Proprietor & Executive Chef Nathan Peitso, Sear Steakhouse, Solvang, CA Part Two

Nathan Peitso of Sear Steakhouse

“Farmer and chef Nathan Peitso of Los Angeles-originated restaurant brand, Farmhouse (formerly located at the Beverly Center,) is now owner/executive chef at Solvang’s Sear Steakhouse. The Santa Barbara County wine country steakhouse, which initially opened in March 2021 under previous ownership, is located in the heart of the Danish-settled village (adjacent to the Landsby Inn) along California’s Central Coast.”

“Peitso’s plans for the restaurant include a rebrand and name change in the coming months to “Crawford’s Steakhouse,” in honor of his family name, and a variety of menu and service additions and expansions. Sear’s local farm relationships will continue to play a major role in the kitchen, as Peitso sources from Santa Ynez Valley farms in addition to his family’s Southern California-based Kenter Canyon Farms. Roan Mills, to which Peitso also has family ties, will supply all bread products bound for the steakhouse, which will also see an elevated Santa Barbara seafood presence on its dinner menu and an increase in vegetable-based dishes, in addition to multiple steak cuts and other proteins.”

“As a second-generation, Californian farmer – and now, a Santa Ynez Valley resident – Peitso intends to keep menu pricing accessible, relying on his close network of fellow farmers, fisherman, and ranchers.” There will be a fresh emphasis on showcasing local wines. Serving Dinner nightly except on Monday. For the future Weekend Brunch will be added as well as Monday night Dinner service.

Proprietor Nathan Peitso takes a further break from his busy kitchen and continues with us.

Show 463, February 26, 2022: Winemaker Coby Parker-Garcia, El Lugar Wines with a preview of World of Pinot Noir

Coby Parker Garcia of World of Pinot Noir

“The World of Pinot Noir (WOPN,) the foremost event dedicated to the celebration of Pinot Noir, is returning to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara (in Santa Ynez) March 3-5, 2022 – in person, Zoom-free and featuring more than 200 premier Pinot Noir wineries from around the globe.”

“After going fully virtual in 2021, the upcoming in-person “reunion” is shaping up to be one the most exciting and delicious WOPN weekends in its 22-year history. And organizers, along with the Ritz-Carlton Bacara staff, are going to great lengths and initiating new protocols to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all guests.”

“For three days, there will be more than 20 different events and experiences for Pinot Noir-philes, including two Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday, exclusive wine-pairing dinners, tasting seminars and an opening night alfresco Reunion Party with a special musical guest.”

“WOPN, a non-profit trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small, dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring together the world’s foremost Pinot Noir producers, and in a gorgeous setting, celebrate the delicious wine grape.”

Winemaker Coby Parker-Garcia, the President of the Board of Directors for WOPN and the Founder of El Lugar Wines joins us to pull the cork on all that is World of Pinot Noir.

Show 364, March 14, 2020: Winemaker Richard Sanford, Alma Rosa Winery, Santa Rita Hills

Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa WineryAlma Rosa Winery was founded in 2005 by California wine industry pioneer Richard Sanford and his wife, Thekla. They named the winery after the 1839 Rancho Santa Rosa land grant that historically encompassed this region of Santa Barbara County. Richard Sanford was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the area in 1971 after detailed research of climate and geologic records. Richard went on to launch two wineries before creating Alma Rosa (which he sold in 2015.)” Today Richard serves as Founder and Winery Ambassador for Alma Rosa Winery. Richard pulls the cork on Alma Rosa for us.

“Richard Sanford was inducted into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame in 2012 for his contributions to the California wine industry. Following his service in Vietnam, Richard Sanford dreamed of discovering a West Coast climate zone similar to the Burgundy region of France and producing wine that would rival the best in the world. With a degree in Geography from UC Berkeley, he identified a remarkable geographic anomaly: the transverse mountain ranges of California where the valleys open to the west, allowing cool maritime air to moderate the growing climate.”

“After locating acreage with well-drained soils in the targeted climate zone, Richard planted the first Pinot Noir vineyard in the Central Coast in 1971 — the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. A decade later, he and his wife Thekla founded Sanford Winery, where they produced award-winning wines for over 25 years.”

“In 2005, the Sanfords launched Alma Rosa Winery to pursue their commitment to organic farming and sustainable business practices. Today, those practices are continued by Bob & Barb Zorich, who purchased Alma Rosa Winery in 2014.”

Richard invites listeners to visit for a sit-down tasting experience in Alma Rosa Winery’s stunning Buellton tasting room. Guests are able to enjoy the Alma Rosa wines in a welcoming and well-appointed tasting room that is comfortably furnished and filled with the beautiful natural light of Santa Barbara County. They offer a rotating selection of 5 wines to taste from their portfolio of Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Rhone varietals and sparkling wines.

Show 345, October 19, 2019: Travel Journalist Darley Newman, “Travels with Darley” on KCET Part Two

Darley Newman“Step out of your comfort zone and take a break from your work week by traveling the world with “Travels with Darley,” which broadcasts Monday through Friday for Southern California viewers at 6:30 p.m. on PBS’ KCET.”

“From California to Dubai, award-winning TV host Darley Newman joins local experts and guides to reveal bucket list adventures and fascinating foods. “Travels with Darley” debuted on PBS stations in 2016. This new season (the 7th) marks the 41st half hour of the series, which is now back in production.”

“Highlights of the series include making kouign-amann, Europe’s fattiest pastry, along France’s Cote d’Azur, Danish bakeries and local wine along California’s Central Coast in Solvang and top sushi haunts in Tokyo. Darley also attempts extreme adventures that everyday people can enjoy on their travels, taking on the world’s fastest zip line in Wales, highest artificial climbing wall in Reno, tallest commercial bungee in Macao, freestyle skiing with Olympian Jonny Moseley and swimming with sharks in Dubai… in the mall. The latest and seventh season of the series takes viewers to Dubai, Hong Kong, Macao, Santa Fe, Nevada, California and the Adirondacks.

Show 314, March 9, 2019: Chef John Cox and The Bear and Star’s (Los Olivos) Pop-Up at Jar

John CoxOn Sunday, March 10, 2019, JAR (Los Angeles) is hosting Chef John Cox with THE BEAR AND STAR POP-UP showcasing specialty selections from this Central Coast gem. Chef John and Katie Parker McDonald, the granddaughter of the late Fess Parker, will be on hand with their 30′ custom-built reverse-flow Texas smoker to smoke and grill meats and produce sourced from the Fess Parker Ranch and farm for this one-night-only dinner.

Chef Suzanne Tracht and her team will complement the menu with Jar’s favorite salads and desserts.

In 2017, Chef Cox teamed with siblings Eli and Ashley Parker of the famed Fess Parker family in Santa Barbara County to open The Bear and Star restaurant, located in the heart of Los Olivos, California, a concept of “refined ranch cuisine” inspired by Texan family recipes with a California sensibility. Cox and the Parkers combined resources to realize their dream of creating a true ecosystem on the 710-acre family ranch designed to supply the restaurant. Shepherded by John’s passion and vision, the ranch and its ecosystem exceed expectations of sustaining the restaurant with responsibly raised Wagyu beef, pork, rabbits, quail, chicken, bees and organically grown vegetables, herbs and fruits.

Suzanne TrachtJAR, a modern chophouse in the heart of Los Angeles, impresses Angelenos with the allure of Chef Suzanne Tracht’s familiar retro dishes from the American culinary repertoire, including her signature Pot Roast, Kansas City Steak, wild and sustainable fish, Lemon Grass Chicken, Black Mussels with Lobster Béarnaise and Fennel Salt, award-winning French Fries, market-fresh sides and perfectly mixed martinis.

Chefs John & Suzanne briefly escape their busy kitchens to provide the enticing menu details.

Show 279, June 30, 2018: Chef Curtis Stone, Maude, Gwen and SHARE by Curtis Stone

Curtis StoneRealizing a lifelong dream, Chef Curtis Stone opened his first solo restaurant, Maude (Beverly Hills, CA), in February 2014. Affectionately named after his late paternal grandmother, the restaurant pays homage to Curtis’ first culinary mentor whose sensibilities are resonant throughout the restaurant experience.

The menu at Maude is a set multi-course chef’s tasting menu that is created around one of the world’s great wine regions. Maude’s “menu-less” format and intimate 24-seat dining room and open kitchen chef’s counter, invites guests to put their trust into the hands of the chef.

Chef Curtis is our guest to discuss the next wine region, The Central Coast, on Maude’s menu.

Show 279, June 30, 2018: Chef Curtis Stone, Maude, Gwen and SHARE by Curtis Stone Continues…

Curtis Stone“Get out your sunscreen and put on your Ray-Bans because summer at Maude is a road trip up the Central Coast of California. After our European journeys through the old world vines of Rioja and Burgundy, Curtis and the Maude Squad have decided to embrace the beauty of their own backyard in a bit of a staycation, visiting local farmers, purveyors, and winemakers.”

“Expect Executive Chef Justin Hilbert to unearth a treasure trove of shellfish for this new menu from simple bites that taste of the ocean to conceptual uses of seafood that will surprise and delight. As always, the wine team has uncovered gems from small producers and will also pair seasonal courses with the big guns – the California icons who put this region on the wine map.”

“The Central Coast is a right of passage for wine lovers. The ingredients inspire endless possibilities.”

Chef Curtis also updates us on Gwen, his butcher shop and restaurant in Hollywood. “The opening of Gwen is a decade-long dream realized for Curtis and his brother, Luke, who were first inspired by Gwen’s namesake: their maternal grandmother who lived on a farm outside of Melbourne. It was on Gwen’s farm where they were first exposed to livestock farming, which instilled in them great respect for the process of raising animals for food.”

“Both started their careers in a butcher shop, before Curtis went on to cook in Michelin-starred restaurants while Luke honed his business acumen as the owner and manager of a corporate floristy business in Australia. Working together, they have brought a world-class butcher shop and dining experience to Los Angeles.”

Chef Curtis also has a fine dining association with Princess Cruises. It’s Chef Curtis at sea with SHARE by Curtis Stone on The Ruby Princess, The Emerald Princess and Sun Princess. It’s a six-course fine-dining experience.

Show 76, June 14, 2014: Guest Host Kedric Francis and Producer Andy preview the show

Guest Host Kedric Francis and Producer Andy preview the show.

Barbara Fairchild, the well-traveled Restaurant & Travel Editor for grapecollective.com, is back with us to share some inspired and practical travel tips. Also a profile of a big deal celebrity chef flagship restaurant in London.

It’s the 9th Anniversary of Chef Michael Cimarusti’s and Donato Poto’s Providence in Hollywood. The Los Angeles Times’ restaurant critic, Jonathan Gold, recently named them the Number 1 establishment in his annual listing of the “101 Best Restaurants – 2014.”

One of the foremost goat cheeses available in the United States, Belle Chevre, is made in a tiny town located in northern Alabama. It’s quite a success story!

You’ve seen Chef Ben Ford on Andrew Zimmern’s “Bizarre Foods America” on Travel Channel and are probably familiar with his landmark Culver City Gastropub, Ford’s Filling Station. His new book is Taming The Feast: Ben Ford’s Field Guide To Adventurous Cooking.

Hinoki & The Bird, hidden in a luxury high rise condo tower in Century City, features Pan-Asian cooking. We’ll meet executive chef Kuniko Yagi.

Guest Host Kedric Francis has been doing some traveling up the Central Coast. Some inspired dining and lodging tips are on the way.

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

Show 76, June 14, 2014: Guest Host Kedric Francis, Executive Editor, The Orange County Register Magazine, Coast Orange County Magazine

Kedric Francis of Coast Magazine and the Orange County Register MagazineOur always debonair man about Orange County, Kedric Francis, did a little recent vacation swing down the Central Coast. The main destination was oceanfront The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Kedric spotlights the notable food and accommodations along the way. The report is family-friendly, too.

Also some breaking OC restaurant news including the tip that Venice’s Superba Snack Bar (Chef Jason Neroni) is on the way to a coastal Orange County City…