November 11: Chopsticks on Pho, Suzanne Goin, Madiera Wine, Al Mancini

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chopsticks on Pho, Surrey, BC with Proprietors Steven Lee and Lynn Le
Segment Three: Executive Chef / Partner Suzanne Goin, Dahlia Lounge & Bar, Caldo Verde, Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel Part One
Segment Four: Executive Chef / Partner Suzanne Goin, Dahlia Lounge & Bar, Caldo Verde, Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel Part Two
Segment Five: Madeira Wine with Sommelier and Wines of Portugal Brand Ambassador Eugenio Jardim Part One
Segment Six: Madeira Wine with Sommelier and Wines of Portugal Brand Ambassador Eugenio Jardim Part One
Segment Seven: Al Mancini, Las Vegas Food & Entertainment Journalist. Creator of Neon Feast dining App for Las Vegas
Segment Eight: Co-Host and Chef Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

Andy Harris, Executive Producer and Co-host previews the show.

Steven Lee and Lynn Le are the proprietors of Chopsticks on Pho – Vietnamese Noodle House located in Surrey, British Columbia and celebrating their 11^th anniversary this year. We were recently there as guests of Discover Surrey. “Born and raised from two different parts of Vietnam, North and South, Steven and Lynn fled the country by boats with their parents and siblings at a young age. Deeply grateful for the love and care of their new homeland, Canada, they settled in. Running a restaurant and taking care of guests with good food was a dream of Lynn’s. Eleven years ago that dream was finally realized with the founding of Chopsticks on Pho in Surrey.” They are widely known for their Curry Pho, and Lemongrass Chicken and BBQ Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches that come with a rich dipping broth. They have just introduced a line of jarred Curry Pho Sauces (Vegan, Chicken and Beef) along with signature O-Peanut Sauce. Steven and Lynn join us to share their realized dream.

“This Summer Dahlia, an intimate cocktail lounge serving Iberian-inspired bites, was added to Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel’s roster of dynamic dining outlets helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group. The latest outlet joins signature Portuguese-inspired restaurant Caldo Verde on the ground floor and rooftop lounge Cara Cara to complete a trifecta of distinct and immersive dining destinations. Dahlia (named after Mexico’s native flower) offers a space for hotel guests and visitors alike to enjoy elevated invocations of classic and non-alcoholic cocktails, focusing on the history and backbone of mixology but using high-end, rare and small-batch liquors. Drinks are created or finished table-side from Dahlia’s Cocktail Cart through which guests can have a bespoke experience, engaging with the “cart tender” and having access to the lounge’s range of iconic and hard to find spirits.” Chef Suzanne Goin takes a break from her busy kitchen to join us.

“Madeira Wine from Portugal can be appreciated at any time. According to each type, Dry Madeiras are great with aperitifs, as well as the Medium Dry ones, which are also a wonderful complement of soups. Cheeses are perfect to pair with Medium Sweet Madeiras, while Sweet Madeiras are ideal for sweets, chocolate and with an excellent premium coffee. Food matching with Madeira Wine suggestions are endless and they can be truly surprising, offering flavors, aromas, textures, and unique sensations, You just have to dare yourself!”

Sommelier and Wines of Portugal US Brand Ambassador Eugenio Jardim is our guest to help us discover the beauty and versatility of Madeira Wine.

The 2^nd year anniversary of Las Vegas-based food and entertainment journalist Al Mancini’s ambitious Neon Feast dining app is on the horizon. Lots of new features have now been added to the updated App. “Available now on app stores for both Apple and Android (as well as on Neon Feast’s website), Neon Feast solves the “where to eat” dilemma for both visitors and locals with listings curated by dozens of local and nationally prominent food & beverage experts, searchable through a unique combination of filters and capabilities.” Al Mancini is our guest with current highlights of the Las Vegas dining scene including the high-end culinary aspects of the inaugural Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix – Saturday November 18, 2023. Also, the incredible story of the new Winnie & Ethel’s coffee shop in Downtown which was a turn-key, million-dollar prize awarded to the lucky co-owners from the Developer of the Center (Drapper Companies) they are in.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. The Holidays are arriving soon and stress-free Holiday cooking is always the objective. As a working chef Andrew has plenty of experience with cooking wisely for the Holidays for both demanding guests and Family. Chef Andrew joins us with his continuing series of genuinely useful Holiday cooking tips. Have a properly sharpened chef’s knife at the ready.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Steven Lee and Lynn Le of Chopsticks on Pho

“Born and raised from two different parts of Vietnam, North and South, Steven and Lynn fled the country by boats with their parents and siblings at a young age. Deeply grateful for the love and care of their new homeland, Canada, they settled in. As fate had, perhaps, already written, they met each other one day in the beautiful yet cold city of Edmonton, Alberta.”

“When they first met, Steven was a college student and Lynn was a high school teenager. He asked “What is your passion?” She replied, “People and food.” Steven nodded, “me too! and what is your dream?” Lynn answered, “Well, growing up in my mother’s kitchen and truly inspired by her cooking, I would love to run my own restaurant someday”.

“Almost two decades later together as a couple going through life, schooling, jobs, and now as parents with two little ones at the ages of four and two years old, Steven looked at Lynn and said, “ It’s time that you go after your dream! ”

“And so Chopsticks on Pho – A Vietnamese Noodle House was born.” They are widely known for their Curry Pho, and Lemongrass Chicken and BBQ Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches that come with a rich dipping broth. Chopsticks on Pho has just introduced a line of premium jarred Curry Pho Sauces (Vegan, Chicken and Beef) along with their signature O-Peanut Sauce. “All you need is love and yummy sauces.”

Steven and Lynn join us to share their realized dream.

“This last Summer Dahlia, an intimate cocktail lounge serving Iberian-inspired bites, was added to Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel’s roster of dynamic dining outlets helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group. The latest outlet joins signature Portuguese-inspired restaurant Caldo Verde on the ground floor and rooftop lounge Cara Cara to complete a trifecta of distinct and immersive dining destinations.”

“Dahlia (named after Mexico’s native flower) offers a space for hotel guests and visitors alike to enjoy elevated invocations of classic and non-alcoholic cocktails, focusing on the history and backbone of mixology but using high-end, rare and small-batch liquors. Drinks are created or finished table-side from Dahlia’s Cocktail Cart through which guests can have a bespoke experience, engaging with the “cart tender” and having access to the lounge’s range of iconic and hard to find spirits. Cocktails are served alongside Iberian-inspired bites such as Jamon Iberico Tartine with Braised Leeks and Rodolfe’s Butter; Tinned Ria de Arosa Mussels en Escabeche with Radish, Guindillas and Grilled AOC Boule; and a festive Fondue de Azores with Croutons, Sopressata, Apple and Fennel. The just desserts include Baked Alaska with Blood Orange and Pineapple for dessert.”

Chef Suzanne Goin takes a break from her busy kitchen to join us.

“Food matching with Madeira Wine suggestions are endless and they can be truly surprising, offering flavors, aromas, textures, and unique sensations, You just have to dare yourself!”

Sommelier and Wines of Portugal US Brand Ambassador Eugenio Jardim is our guest to help us discover the beauty and versatility of Madeira wine.

The 2^nd year anniversary of notable Las Vegas-based food and entertainment journalist Al Mancini’s ambitious Neon Feast dining app is on the horizon. Lots of new features have now been added to the updated App. “Available now on app stores for both Apple and Android (as well as on Neon Feast’s website), Neon Feast solves the “where to eat” dilemma for both visitors and locals with listings curated by dozens of local and nationally prominent food & beverage experts, searchable through a unique combination of filters and capabilities.”

“The weekly “Food and Loathing” podcast created by Al Mancini is a savage journey into the stomach of the Las Vegas restaurant and bar scene – with occasional detours to explore some of the valley’s other decadent offerings (edible and otherwise).” Each week, veteran food writer Al Mancini offers the lowdown on what’s new, what’s hot and what’s delicious in America’s most glamorous culinary city. Al invites you into his insider conversations with the chefs, bartenders, journalists, and other experts who know where to go – and what to order when you get there.”

Al Mancini is our guest with highlights of the Las Vegas dining scene including the high-end culinary aspects of the inaugural Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix – Saturday November 18, 2023. Also, the incredible story of the new Winnie & Ethel’s coffee shop in Downtown which was a turn-key, million-dollar prize awarded to the co-owners from the Developer of the Center (Dapper Companies) they are in.

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

The Holidays are arriving soon and stress-free Holiday cooking is always the objective. As a working chef Andrew has plenty of experience with cooking wisely for the Holidays for both demanding guests and Family. Chef Andrew is continuing his helpful series of genuinely useful Holiday cooking tips. Have a properly sharpened chef’s knife at the ready.