Show 562, January 27, 2024: Restaurateur and Chef Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café + Mercado, Woodland Hills Part One

Sandra Cordero

Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café + Mercado in Woodland Hills is a lively Spanish Café, Market and Natural Wine Shop now serving seasonal Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gasolina features specialty coffee, Spanish Natural Wines, snacks and tinned fish to enjoy in-house or To Go.”

Paella Nights have returned and are every Third Friday and Saturday of the Month. Friday, February 16th and Saturday, February 17th are available for reservations now.

“Opened in 2015, on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café brought Spanish influenced food to the table in an entirely new way. Seasonally driven, sustainably raised and grown and locally sourced, Gasolina Cafe has always taken pride in honoring Chef Sandra’s Spanish heritage.”

Chef Sandra Cordero joins us with a properly seasoned paella pan at the ready.

Show 562, January 27, 2024: Restaurateur and Chef Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café + Mercado, Woodland Hills Part Two

Sandra Cordero

Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café + Mercado in Woodland Hills is a lively Spanish Café, Market and Natural Wine Shop now serving seasonal Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gasolina features specialty coffee, Spanish Natural Wines, snacks and tinned fish to enjoy in-house or To Go.”

Paella Nights have returned and are every Third Friday and Saturday of the Month. Friday, February 16th and Saturday, February 17th are available for reservations now.

“Opened in 2015, on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café brought Spanish influenced food to the table in an entirely new way. Seasonally driven, sustainably raised and grown and locally sourced, Gasolina Cafe has always taken pride in honoring Chef Sandra’s Spanish heritage.”

Chef Sandra newest venture is Xuntos, a lively Spanish Tapas Bar in Downtown Santa Monica with two rooms and balconies in each space. Spanish Natural wines are on the beverage menu currently and a full liquor license is soon on the way.

Chef Sandra Cordero joins us with a properly seasoned paella pan at the ready.

Show 487, August 13, 2022: Executive Chef / Partner Brendan Collins, Dono, Santa Monica Part One

Brendan Collins of Greco Entertainment Group

Dono in Santa Monica is the third restaurant from Greco Entertainment Group (GEG). Led by Chef / Partner Brendan Collins, Dono celebrates bold and passionate flavors from Spain. Long known for his deft hand with global cuisines, this foray into pan-Spanish traditions ushers in prized ingredients from the Iberian Peninsula such as Jamón Ibérico and premium conservas, melding them with farm-fresh, locally-sourced produce.”

“The menu features a variety of tapas (small plates), as well as large-format dishes including paella, whole grilled Sea Bass, and Piri-Piri chicken. The bar showcases a variety of house-made sangrias and a craft cocktail program from industry veteran Gabriella Mlynarcyzk. Leaning into the laid-back Spanish lifestyle, expect gin & tonic riffs, as well as well-rounded classics. The Dono wine program highlights Spanish grapes from the Iberian Peninsula and California.”

“Dono is GEG’s newest addition to its corner hub at Wilshire and 25th in Santa Monica. The moniker was conceived in Donostia-San Sebastián, where partners Michael Greco and Brendan Collins completed their research sojourn across Spain. Dono is named in honor of St. Sebastian, continuing a GEG tradition of naming their restaurants after saints. Their original concepts, Fia and Fia Steak, are named in honor of St. Fiacre, patron saint of gardens. Dono is open for dinner Tuesdays to Sundays, happy hour ‘SaMo Siesta’ Tuesdays to Sundays and brunch Saturdays and Sundays.”

Chef Brendan Collins takes a break from his busy kitchens and joins us.

Show 487, August 13, 2022: Executive Chef / Partner Brendan Collins, Dono, Santa Monica Part Two

Brendan Collins of Greco Entertainment Group

Dono in Santa Monica is the third restaurant from Greco Entertainment Group (GEG). Led by Chef / Partner Brendan Collins, Dono celebrates bold and passionate flavors from Spain. Long known for his deft hand with global cuisines, this foray into pan-Spanish traditions ushers in prized ingredients from the Iberian Peninsula such as Jamón Ibérico and premium conservas, melding them with farm-fresh, locally-sourced produce.”

“The menu features a variety of tapas (small plates), as well as large-format dishes including paella, whole grilled Sea Bass, and Piri-Piri chicken. The bar showcases a variety of house-made sangrias and a craft cocktail program from industry veteran Gabriella Mlynarcyzk. Leaning into the laid-back Spanish lifestyle, expect gin & tonic riffs, as well as well-rounded classics. The Dono wine program highlights Spanish grapes from the Iberian Peninsula and California.”

“Dono is GEG’s newest addition to its corner hub at Wilshire and 25th in Santa Monica. The moniker was conceived in Donostia-San Sebastián, where partners Michael Greco and Brendan Collins completed their research sojourn across Spain. Dono is named in honor of St. Sebastian, continuing a GEG tradition of naming their restaurants after saints. Their original concepts, Fia and Fia Steak, are named in honor of St. Fiacre, patron saint of gardens. Dono is open for dinner Tuesdays to Sundays, happy hour ‘SaMo Siesta’ Tuesdays to Sundays and brunch Saturdays and Sundays.”

Chef Brendan Collins takes a further break from his busy kitchens and continues with us.

Show 427, May 29, 2021: Chef /Proprietor Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café, Woodland Hills Part One

Sandra Cordero

Gasolina Café launched in 2015 on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills under the direction of Chef/Proprietor Sandra Cordero. It’s Spanish influenced food with a fresh approach. The menu is seasonally driven and ingredients are sustainably raised and grown, and locally sourced. Gasolina Cafe always takes pride in honoring Chef Sandra’s Spanish heritage.” Newly opened for Dinner on Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.” Open for Breakfast and Lunch on Wednesday through Sunday. Inside seating is available as well sidewalk patio seating. A convenient parking lot is available behind Gasolina for both day and night parking.

“Gasolina Café is more than a physical space where you can get your belly fed, or your thirst quenched…For us, it’s an extension of a lifestyle as much as anything. In other words, we’re simply looking to be the best at what we do, have a damn good time doing it, and grow our merry band of friends along the way.”

Chef Sandra Cordero joins us paella pan in hand.

Show 427, May 29, 2021: Chef /Proprietor Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café, Woodland Hills Part Two

Sandra Cordero

Gasolina Café launched in 2015 on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills under the direction of Chef/Proprietor SandraShow 427, May 29, 2021: Chef /Proprietor Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café, Woodland Hills Part One Cordero. It’s Spanish influenced food with a fresh approach. The menu is seasonally driven and ingredients are sustainably raised and grown, and locally sourced. Gasolina Cafe always takes pride in honoring Chef Sandra’s Spanish heritage.” Newly opened for Dinner on Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.” Open for Breakfast and Lunch on Wednesday through Sunday. Inside seating is available as well sidewalk patio seating. A convenient parking lot is available behind Gasolina for both day and night parking.

“Gasolina Café is more than a physical space where you can get your belly fed, or your thirst quenched…For us, it’s an extension of a lifestyle as much as anything. In other words, we’re simply looking to be the best at what we do, have a damn good time doing it, and grow our merry band of friends along the way.”

Chef Sandra Cordero continues with us paella pan in hand.

Show 414, February 27, 2021: Loquita Santa Barbara with General Manager Stephanie Perkins

Stephanie Perkins of Loquita

Loquita in Santa Barbara showcases authentic Spanish food including hot and cold tapas, wood-fired grilled seafood and meats, and seasonal paella. The Mediterranean climate and terroir of Santa Barbara County mirror that of Spain, making the translation of locally sourced produce, meats and seafood an ideal match. The wine list is comprised almost entirely of Spanish wines with exceptional local wines that pair well with the cuisine. Loquita’s cocktail list showcases Spanish vermouths, farmers’ market Sangria, hand-crafted cocktails and a rotating selection of Spain’s king of cocktails, the Gin Tonic.” 

A favorite Tapa is the Almejas. It’s little neck clams with cantimpalo chorizo, salsa verde, can sumoi with grilled ciabatta.

Loquita has reopened for socially distanced patio and outdoor dining nightly at 5:00 p.m. and for takeaway. 

General Manager Stephanie Perkins is our amiable guide.

Show 397, October 31, 2020: Chef & Proprietor Jonathan Blackford of Fork & Knife in Costa Mesa Part Two

Jonathan Blackford of A Restaurant and CDM Restaurant“Led by Chef Jonathan Blackford (ex-A Restaurant and CdM Restaurant,) the newly launched Fork & Knife in Costa Mesa aims to present a menu of progressive, modern dishes that are meant to be enjoyed at home. Serving as an extension of the home kitchen, the concept presents globally inspired dishes that focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors while presenting an innovative experience.

“Fork & Knife’s honest approach to cooking comes through in seasonal, from-scratch fully prepared meals and inspired grab-and-go items that change daily, ranging from sandwiches and prepared pastas, to easy-to-eat-on-the-go dishes and desserts. The kitchen also oversees the production of house-made retail-focused items such as fresh-made pastas, jams, sauces, dressings and more.”

“Last Friday Chef Blackford introduced his signature Paella, which is offered every Friday for pick-up between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Every week, Chef Blackford presents a different Paella, beginning initially with Seafood & Chorizo, cooked in a large traditional steel pan. The Paella is not available for pre-order, and is sold first come, first serve for $28 per order.”

Fork & Knife has created a special Cubano Sandwich that has attracted the attention of proprietor Dean Kim of the ever- popular OC Baking Co. He’s a genuine foodie. We gently ask Chef Jonathan about Baker Dean’s obsession with the sandwich. It’s apparently a daily habit.

Show 358, February 2, 2020: Melting Pot Food Tours Part Two

Scalia Sisters of Melting Pot Food ToursOne of the best ways to come to know a city is through its food. When we go to a new city we’ve found our best insiders introduction is by partaking of a highly regarded, local food walking tour. One of the premier food walking tour operators locally is the long-established Melting Pot Food Tours. The principals are Lisa and Diane Scalia (sisters.) The Scalias hospitably continue the background tour for us.

One of Melting Pot’s proprietary tours is the La Espanola Meats VIP Tour and Paella Lunch. This tour, dining and shopping experience is produced by Melting Pot Food Tours in cooperation with the Dona Juana family of La Espanola Meats in Harbor City, CA. “Our two-generation family of hosts are the premier purveyors of fine, authentic Spanish charcuterie, cheeses, wines, and a myriad of imported specialties.”

“The experience begins with an exclusive tour of La Espanola’s manufacturing facilities, where premium sausages and cured meats are crafted with recipes procured from Spain’s finest master artisans. Following the tour, a specially-prepared patio lunch of tapas and paella is served with wine, plus homemade churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce.”

Show 298, November 17, 2018: Chef / Innkeeper Dean Thomas, Inn at Europa Village, Europa Village Winery, Temecula

Dean ThomasChef Dean Thomas is the well-traveled and personable Innkeeper (along with his wife, Nicole) of the Inn at Europa Village located on a hill adjacent to Temecula’s Europa Village Winery. The panoramic views of the Temecula Valley from the property are very special. He has even cooked Spanish paella with Celebrity Chef Jose Andres at a charity benefit in the Cayman Islands.

The long-in-the-works Groundbreaking for Europa Village’s Spanish winery, restaurant and casitas (Bolero) took place earlier in the month. Chef Dean artfully prepared an abundant table of Spanish cheeses and proper accompaniments as well as two giant pans (imported from Spain) of incredibly tasty paella for the hungry VIPs. Looking at a debut date of early 2020 for Bolero.

Chef Dean will provide all the scrumptious details of what the future holds.