Show 476, May 28, 2022: Proprietor / Executive Chef Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks Part One

Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai

Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks is a 40-year old neighborhood bistro serving up Thai specialties with a notable wine list. Chef Justin Pichetrungsi pays homage to his father, Chef Chavalit Pichetrungsi with his traditional recipes alongside his own creations using locally sourced, seasonal farmers market produce. Their unique Thai Taco Tuesday (TTT) is chef-collaboration driven.

Among recent honors for Anajak Thai are Chef Jason being named a semi-finalist for a distinguished James Beard Award for “Best Chef: California.”

In addition to his regular menu with rotating specials Chef Justin creates an Omakase menu (by reservation only) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Optional supplements include a caviar pairing and a sommelier-selected wine pairing.

Standout dishes at Anajak Thai include Southern Thai Fried Chicken, Lab tot (fried pork & chicken meatballs with spicy Tamarind sauce) and Dry Aged Fish (sourced from The Joint Seafood Eatery) with chili-lime dressing.

Seating at Anajak Thai is either inside or outside along the wall of spiffed-up alley adjacent to the restaurant. It’s a true “Family Affair” as Justin’s Mom and Aunt work the floor.

Chef Justin Pichetrungsi joins us fish sauce in hand.

Show 476, May 28, 2022: Proprietor / Executive Chef Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks Part Two

Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai

Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks is a 40-year old neighborhood bistro serving up Thai specialties with a notable wine list. Chef Justin Pichetrungsi pays homage to his father, Chef Chavalit Pichetrungsi with his traditional recipes alongside his own creations using locally sourced, seasonal farmers market produce. Their unique Thai Taco Tuesday (TTT) is chef-collaboration driven.

Among recent honors for Anajak Thai are Chef Jason being named a semi-finalist for a distinguished James Beard Award for “Best Chef: California.”

In addition to his regular menu with rotating specials Chef Justin creates an Omakase menu (by reservation only) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Optional supplements include a caviar pairing and a sommelier-selected wine pairing.

Standout dishes at Anajak Thai include Southern Thai Fried Chicken, Laab Tot (fried pork & chicken meatballs with spicy Tamarind sauce) and Dry Aged Fish (sourced from The Joint Seafood Eatery) with chili-lime dressing.

Seating at Anajak Thai is either inside or outside along the wall of spiffed-up alley adjacent to the restaurant. It’s a true “Family Affair” as Justin’s Mom and Aunt work the floor.

Chef Justin Pichetrungsi continues with us fish sauce in hand.

Show 450, November 6, 2021: Chef Michael Doctulero – Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike Part One

Michael Doctulero of Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike

Chef Michael Doctulero is the Chef/Proprietor of Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike located on the lower level of Collage at Bloomingdale’s at South Coast Plaza.

“Why Mah Jong’s? By definition Mah Jong’s is a Chinese social game often accompanied with the theme of gambling. Over many years it has been played in the “benevolent society / clubs” in the depths of Chinatowns across the globe, as well as in homes and public parks everywhere.”

“Chef Mike grew up in the Cow Hallow district of San Francisco in a two-story Victorian house where he lived with his grandparents, mom, and two older sisters. They were one of the five minority families living in the predominately Italian – Irish Catholic neighborhood. His family was definitely on the lower end on economic income growing up, so his grandparents decided to boost family income by renting the extra bedrooms to merchant marines and U.S. Navy sailors who were on leave but traveled to various parts of Asia while on duty.”

“So, ingeniously, Grandma would host Mah Jong games in the kitchen on Wednesday nights, and Pinocle card games on Thursday nights. Chef Mike’s grandfather would come home after work, as the personal chef for the Presidio Army Base Commander, and cook food into the late night for the gamblers. Chef Mike, at nine years old, would make whiskey highballs for his new “uncles”, and they would tip him twenty-five cents a drink. The Chinese laundry at the end of the block would have “numbers gambling” on Fridays, also. Thus, the origins of Mah Jong’s restaurant dream.”

“Executive Chef Mike Doctulero first fell in love with the kitchen when he began cooking with his grandfather at a very early age. His fondest childhood memories are those of he and his grandfather spreading newspaper on the kitchen table and devouring fresh-caught Dungeness crab they caught off the San Francisco Marina pier. Chef Mike began his culinary journey as a line cook at Rosellini’s Other Place in Seattle where he further discovered his passion for seafood. After ten years of honing his craft in Seattle, he returned to his hometown of San Francisco to open Monsoon restaurant under the teaching of Bruce Cost, fortifying his knowledge in Pacific Rim cuisine.”

“Fast forward to Orange County, where he has worked for over the past thirty years, primarily at Scott’s Seafood (now the site of Water Grill adjacent to South Coast Plaza.) Chef Mike has been creating sustainable dishes before they were industry catchwords. His cooking style reflects a philosophy that is timeless and approachable, yet also inventive and progressive. He is also known for his “Omakase style” (Trust the Chef), weaving instantaneous six to seven courses to delight his guests. He is the only Orange County Chef to receive the Golden Foodie Award for Best Seafood two years consecutively.”

Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike serves Lunch and Dinner daily with added Brunch items on the Weekends. It’s the only operating restaurant in Collage that has a full bar.

Show 450, November 6, 2021: Chef Michael Doctulero – Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike Part Two

Michael Doctulero of Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike

Chef Michael Doctulero is the Chef/Proprietor of Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike located on the lower level of Collage at Bloomingdale’s at South Coast Plaza.

“Why Mah Jong’s? By definition Mah Jong’s is a Chinese social game often accompanied with the theme of gambling. Over many years it has been played in the “benevolent society / clubs” in the depths of Chinatowns across the globe, as well as in homes and public parks everywhere.”

“Chef Mike grew up in the Cow Hallow district of San Francisco in a two-story Victorian house where he lived with his grandparents, mom, and two older sisters. They were one of the five minority families living in the predominately Italian – Irish Catholic neighborhood. His family was definitely on the lower end on economic income growing up, so his grandparents decided to boost family income by renting the extra bedrooms to merchant marines and U.S. Navy sailors who were on leave but traveled to various parts of Asia while on duty.”

“So, ingeniously, Grandma would host Mah Jong games in the kitchen on Wednesday nights, and Pinocle card games on Thursday nights. Chef Mike’s grandfather would come home after work, as the personal chef for the Presidio Army Base Commander, and cook food into the late night for the gamblers. Chef Mike, at nine years old, would make whiskey highballs for his new “uncles”, and they would tip him twenty-five cents a drink. The Chinese laundry at the end of the block would have “numbers gambling” on Fridays, also. Thus, the origins of Mah Jong’s restaurant dream.”

“Executive Chef Mike Doctulero first fell in love with the kitchen when he began cooking with his grandfather at a very early age. His fondest childhood memories are those of he and his grandfather spreading newspaper on the kitchen table and devouring fresh-caught Dungeness crab they caught off the San Francisco Marina pier. Chef Mike began his culinary journey as a line cook at Rosellini’s Other Place in Seattle where he further discovered his passion for seafood. After ten years of honing his craft in Seattle, he returned to his hometown of San Francisco to open Monsoon restaurant under the teaching of Bruce Cost, fortifying his knowledge in Pacific Rim cuisine.”

“Fast forward to Orange County, where he has worked for over the past thirty years, primarily at Scott’s Seafood (now the site of Water Grill adjacent to South Coast Plaza.) Chef Mike has been creating sustainable dishes before they were industry catchwords. His cooking style reflects a philosophy that is timeless and approachable, yet also inventive and progressive. He is also known for his “Omakase style” (Trust the Chef), weaving instantaneous six to seven courses to delight his guests. He is the only Orange County Chef to receive the Golden Foodie Award for Best Seafood two years consecutively.”

Mah Jong’s by Chef Mike serves Lunch and Dinner daily with added Brunch items on the Weekends. It’s the only operating restaurant in Collage that has a full bar.

Show 387, August 22, 2020: Chef Gino Choi, OmG Omakase by Gino, Santa Ana

Gino Choi of OmG Omakase by GinoChef Gino Choi’s OmG Omakase by Gino in Santa Ana is a multi-course, prix fixe menu dining experience. It’s all of 10 seats and Chef Gino sources a lot of his premium fish from Japan. He’s the star of the solo nightly show. When he can accommodate diners again it’s up to 18 courses and reservations are needed way in advance.

His guests have been asking so Chef Gino has just launched a limited program of Omakase Chirashi Dinner Boxes for 2 guests for takeout. The pre-orders are taken on the Wednesday (starting at Noon) before the available nights of Saturday and Sunday. Chef Gino is limiting this to 20 orders for each night to maintain his high standards. The boxes are $120 each (plus tax.)

We’ll meet the resourceful and ever adaptable Chef Gino Choi.

Show 326, June 1, 2019: Bar Chef / Master Mixologist Matthew Biancaniello

Celebrity Mixologist Matthew BiancanielloAcclaimed mixologist / bar chef Matthew Biancaniello creates adventurous cocktail experiences. He formulates cocktails based on farm-fresh and unique, organic ingredients. Never working off a set cocktail menu, Biancaniello visits at least five different local farmers markets a week to source his ingredients, which inspire his imaginative cocktails. This is the Art of Omakase, honoring how the customer and bartender create a special experience together.

Matthew Biancaniello, the former cocktail chef for the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s famous Library Bar, is creating cocktails the world has never tasted before. Going beyond the quotidian Whiskey Sour or Tom Collins, Biancaniello is mixing it up with imaginative drinks such as “The Heirloom Tomato Mojito”, a twenty-five-year-aged balsamic vinegar and strawberry libation named “The Last Tango in Modena,” and a fresh arugula-infused “Roquette.”

We’re artfully shaking the cocktail shaker with bar chef Matthew. He’s currently doing a Limited Residency at The Library Bar at The Hollywood Roosevelt on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight through June 26th. Matthew observes that due to the popularity of his current Residency at the Hollywood Roosevelt the look is to now extend his program there through the Summer! Cheers…

Show 35, July 13, 2013: Chef Jet Tila with “Sushi 411.”

SushiJet has extensive experience in teaching the sushi basics to professionals so we asked him to share the fundamentals of sushi etiquette so guests will have the ability to eat better at their favorite sushi spot. With that said Jet also respectfully suggests that you follow the course in a sushi restaurant that provides you with the most pleasure.

Sushi was originally created in China as a way to preserve fish before refrigeration. It was layered, and heavily salted and vinegared.

The three basic types of sushi are sashimi, maki, and hand rolls. It takes years of rigorous training to become a master sushi chef.

One big faux pas in a sushi bar is to mix the soy sauce and wasabi together into a pool. The shaved ginger is actually a palate cleanser and not a side salad. Jet explained where each should be properly used.

If you sit at the sushi bar the chef is stealthily watching how you eat. At a sushi bar there are the seafood equivalents of filet mignon, rib eye, and chuck. All are edible of course. If the chef sees that you aren’t discriminating then the sushi you get will be the equivalent of “chuck.”

The chef knows what’s the best because he’s been prepping it all day. Omakase (literally) “trust the chef” is the way to go for a special experience. It’s a personalized tasting menu left in the hands of the chef. The sushi chef will present you one item at a time (from lighter to heavier) to savor.

If you really want to an impression with the sushi chef send over a beer or sake for them during the meal with your compliments. You’ll likely see some incredible fish as a result…

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.”

Show 24, April 6, 2013: Chef Jet Tila

K-Zo in Culver CityIt’s the “Best Bite of the Week”.

For Jet it’s the omakase (“trust the chef”) sushi experience at K-Zo in Culver City.

For Andy it’s the fresh, from scratch Moscow Mule as served at Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach. The classic libation (ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and vodka) is served from a carbonated keg at the bar dispensed by a beer tap handle. The ginger beer is house-brewed.