Show 561, January 20, 2024: Casalena Restaurant, Woodland Hills with The Makhani Siblings Part One

The Makhani Family of Casalena

Casaléna (Woodland Hills) is the premier new restaurant and events space in the West Valley. The menu boasts coastal Mediterranean flavors and emphasizes the use of seasonal, top-quality ingredients. At Casaléna, guests can be transported to their favorite European destinations, whether they choose to enjoy an intimate dinner in the outdoor sunken patio, or unwind with a late-night cocktail.” Casalena is attentively overseen by siblings Chloe, Brandon and Tyler Makhani.

“Coastal Mediterranean is the menu direction and suggests coastal cuisines ranging from Spain, Italy, France and Greece and those dishes immediately represented the brand and overall vision that the Makhani’s wanted to bring to life in the space. The ambiance exudes resort and carefree lifestyle and their intent is to transport guests to an atmosphere that provides an escape from ordinary life or the mundane day to day.”

For starters think Squash Blossoms and Sweet Corn Agnolotti.

“The Makhani’s were very specific in what they wanted to see on the menu and working with Chef Lobo Leon was fantastic because he was able to elevate and also eliminate what Casalena didn’t need. Chef Lobo also has an intuitive sense of what sells well. There are so many things that go into menu creation because of the high-volume Casalena turns out but at the same time they need to be able to have enough variety for each type of guest.”

Lunch is served Monday through Friday. Dinner is available nightly with Breakfast and Brunch on Weekends.

Joining us to provide the story of the ambitious Casalena are Chloe, Brandon and Tyler Makhani.

Show 561, January 20, 2024: Casalena Restaurant, Woodland Hills with The Makhani Siblings Part Two

The Makhani Family of Casalena

Casaléna (Woodland Hills) is the premier new restaurant and events space in the West Valley. The menu boasts coastal Mediterranean flavors and emphasizes the use of seasonal, top-quality ingredients. At Casaléna, guests can be transported to their favorite European destinations, whether they choose to enjoy an intimate dinner in the outdoor sunken patio, or unwind with a late-night cocktail.” Casalena is attentively overseen by siblings Chloe, Brandon and Tyler Makhani.

“Coastal Mediterranean is the menu direction and suggests coastal cuisines ranging from Spain, Italy, France and Greece and those dishes immediately represented the brand and overall vision that the Makhani’s wanted to bring to life in the space. The ambiance exudes resort and carefree lifestyle and their intent is to transport guests to an atmosphere that provides an escape from ordinary life or the mundane day to day.”

For starters think Squash Blossoms and Sweet Corn Agnolotti.

“The Makhani’s were very specific in what they wanted to see on the menu and working with Chef Lobo Leon was fantastic because he was able to elevate and also eliminate what Casalena didn’t need. Chef Lobo also has an intuitive sense of what sells well. There are so many things that go into menu creation because of the high-volume Casalena turns out but at the same time they need to be able to have enough variety for each type of guest.”

Lunch is served Monday through Friday. Dinner is available nightly with Breakfast and Brunch on Weekends. Late Night Menu at the Bar until Midnight is seven days.

Staying with us to continue telling the ambitious story of Casalena are Chloe, Brandon and Tyler Makhani.

Show 443, September 18, 2021: George Barker, Proprietor, Mayfield Restaurant & Market, San Juan Capistrano

George Barker of Mayfield Restaurant and Market

Mayfield Restaurant & Market is an ambitious, glowingly reviewed modern California restaurant and market located in Downtown San Juan Capistrano in an extensively refurbished historic building. It’s on two levels and includes a comfortable covered 2nd level patio. The menu has a distinctive Mediterranean and Levant flair and there is also an extensive cocktail list along with an ample selection of craft beers and natural wines. They just celebrated their Year Anniversary as a welcome addition to the burgeoning San Juan Capistrano dining scene.

A new menu item is PEI Mussels with Peach Harissa and served with 61hundred Sourdough.

The Mayfield Market is stocked with premium food products made in-house and items Mayfield uses and loves. They carry anything to do with eating and drinking well, including pantry items, natural wines, homeware, cookbooks and more.

Proprietor George Barker joins us with an update.

Show 62, February 22, 2013: Executive Chef Dustin J. Trani, DOMA Beverly Hills

Dustin TraniDoma Beverly Hills opened rather quietly at 362 N. Camden Dr. in Beverly Hills in 2012. The address is well-known as the long-standing former home of Prego.

What’s creating a lot of excitement there with foodies is the young executive chef, Dustin Trani. He’s all of 29 years-old. He has worked at a Michelin starred restaurant in Italy, cooked at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, and was chosen by the Governor to represent California in a prestigious national seafood competition in New Orleans.

He’s a 4th generation Los Angeles area Italian chef who started working at age 11 in his family’s restaurant, J. Trani’s, in San Pedro which opened in 1925. He’s also a C-CAP alum (Careers through Culinary Arts Program in High School.) His food is contemporary Mediterranean/Italian with an emphasis on seafood.

His talented pastry chef is Marissa Sharon previously at Scott Conant’s Scarpetta in Beverly Hills. Her mini-cannoli is a real standout.