Show 70, April 26, 2014: Chef Jet Tila

Jet Tila and a heritage pig at Cochon 555 in 2013Anthony Bourdain has called upon Chef Jet’s expertise in Thai cuisine in the past with Travel Channel’s “No Reservations.” Mr. Bourdain’s new series is “Parts Unknown” for CNN just starting its 3rd Season on Sunday evenings. The second episode of the new season of “Parts Unknown” (April 20th air date) was Las Vegas.

Jet was tabbed by Anthony Bourdain to give him the insider’s tour of the menu at Lotus of Siam. This is one of the most critically-acclaimed Thai restaurants in the United States. Jet points out to have the best experience there you really need to know what to order from a very large menu.

Show 35, July 13, 2013: Dining discoveries of the week with Chef Jet, and Producer Andy

Marche Moderne Bouillabaisse WeekProducer Andy’s pick of the week is Marche Moderne’s Annual Bouillabaisse Week on now nightly until July 18th. All of the fish used in this iconic seafood stew from Provence is flown in from the South of France under the watchful eye of Chef / Proprietor Florent Mareneau. He is one of the most accomplished French chefs cooking in the West. There are special aperitifs and French Rose selections available to compliment the meal.

Reservations suggested at 714.434.7900 or go to Marche’s Moderne’s website.

Jet is frequently asked for a solid recommendation for Northern Thai food. As it happens his Mother, Mary, is from that area.

Khao Soi at Spicy Thai BBQJet suggests The Spicy BBQ Restaurant in the Little Armenia neighborhood of East Hollywood. It’s a small place (15 seats) so reservations are advised. They do not have a beer and wine license so it BYOB. Like most family-owned Thai restaurants it’s cash only.

Two standout dishes are khao soi and Northern-style larb.

Spicy BBQ Restaurant
5101 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323.663.4211

July 13: Mary Sue Milliken, Bill Chait, Anita Lau, Jet Tila on Sushi

Podcasts

Segment One: Dining discoveries of the week with Chef Jet and Producer Andy
Segment Two: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part One
Segment Three: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part Two
Segment Four: Mary Sue Milliken, Executive Chef & Partner of Border Grill
Segment Five: Anita Lau, creator of the Mad Hungry Woman Blog
Segment Six: Chef Jet Tila with “Sushi 411.”

Previews of potential dining adventures…

Khao Soi at Spicy Thai BBQChef Jet somewhat reluctantly shares his recommendation for Northern Thai food in Los Angeles. It’s a small place with 15 seats but worth seeking out. Their signature dish is khao soi.

Producer Andy highlights Marche Moderne’s (Penthouse @ South Coast Plaza) annual Bouillabaisse festival running nightly until July 18th. It’s an authentic Marseillaise-bouillabaisse with all the fish flown in from the South of France. Spoil yourself with the very best and a glass of Rose! Reservations are a must…

If you dine-out in Los Angeles you’ve no doubt heard of Rivera and Bestia in Downtown Los Angeles. You probably also know the Italian favorite Sotto and the Peruvian-flavored, Picca located just East of Century City. How about Short Order and Short Cake at the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax?

Bill ChaitWhat you probably don’t know is that all of these popular, chef-driven restaurants are ventures put together by low key restaurant impresario, Bill Chait. Bill joins us to discuss how he has created a string of successful, and enduring, restaurants (done on a budget) with talented celebrity chefs in a very tough business environment.

In the pipeline for Chait are Chef Walter Manzke’s Republique in the former Campanile space on La Brea Avenue and Neal Fraser’s Redbird in the former Vibiana Cathedral space in Downtown Los Angeles.

Mary Sue Milliken of Border GrillOn Monday, July 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at Border Grill Las Vegas Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, and Border Grill Executive Chef Mike Minor are teaming up with Chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood and Chefs Collaborative to host a Trash Fish Dinner. The cocktail reception and dinner will feature tasty alternatives to the seafood we love and, unfortunately, eat too much of. Understand the fish is delicious…

Mary Sue Milliken joins us to preview the fun evening with a purpose.

Time for Fair Food!

Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe from Chicken CharliesThe OC Fair is on through August 11th! Mad Hungry Woman blogger, Anita Lau, is with us to discuss what extreme foods are new at the Fair for 2013. She will actually be judging some Fair food contests during the event.

Fair food vendor, Chicken Charlie’s, always is always out there with fab fried food items. Eagerly anticipated is his new Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe’s and Bacon A-Fair’s Wild Boar on a stick (an OC Fair exclusive.)

According to the Orange County Register’s Nancy Luna, Chicken Charlie sold 50,000 deep-fried Twinkies last year at the Fair!

Other Chicken Charlie highlights are a deep-fried bacon pickle and a waffle dog.

SushiDo you crave sushi but feel somewhat compromised about proper manners and ordering technique in a sushi restaurant? When do you use the ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi? Is omakase (“trust the chef”) the best way to go? If you sit at the sushi bar how do you convey respect to the sushi chefs?

Listeners to the “SoCal Restaurant Show” are in luck. When he was helming Wazuzu at Encore Las Vegas, Jet had some of the most highly regarded sushi in Las Vegas on his menu. Backing it all up was in-house master sushi chef (and his highly trained team.) He will give us the 411 on ordering, and enjoying, sushi.

Podcasts

Segment One: Dining discoveries of the week with Chef Jet and Producer Andy
Segment Two: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part One
Segment Three: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part Two
Segment Four: Mary Sue Milliken, Executive Chef & Partner of Border Grill
Segment Five: Anita Lau, creator of the Mad Hungry Woman Blog
Segment Six: Chef Jet Tila with “Sushi 411.”