Show 154, January 9, 2016: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, now, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s hugely caloric but always healthy show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

Charcoal Venice, the new inviting, neighborhood restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef and Proprietor Josiah Citrin (our guest), opened early last month on W. Washington Blvd., a burgeoning culinary destination in Venice, CA bordering Marina del Rey. A more casual concept than Citrin’s Melisse, Charcoal Venice upholds the chef’s philosophy “In Pursuit of Excellence,” with a simpler, more approachable menu.

The 3rd Annual Travel & Adventure Show returns to the San Diego Convention Center the weekend of January 16th and 17th. “The SoCal Restaurant Show” is broadcasting live from the Show on Saturday morning, January 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. Planning your next vacation has never been easier. John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm, the event’s producer, joins us with a preview of what’s in store.

We’d love to see you in San Diego on Saturday, January 16th. The producers of The Travel & Adventure Show have graciously extended a exclusive discount offer for our listeners for both One Day & Two Day admissions. A One Day Adult admission is $10 (versus $16) and a Two Day Adult Admission is $18 (versus $25.) Use the Offer Code: “JOHN.” Just visit their website and click on “Buy Tickets.”

Inspired by a Chardonnay vineyard Elliott and Lynn Dolin planted behind their ocean-view Malibu home in 2006, Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards has quickly emerged as one of the leading producers in the new Malibu Coast AVA. Following the release of just five vintages of Chardonnay ($39), the Winery has plans to expand its Malibu production to include several more wines from the region. In fall 2014 Dolin Estate broadened its scope further with the release of a new line of Central Coast Pinot Noir wines. Elliott Dolin joins us to share his unusual wine story.

“Welcome to Viviane Restaurant, a collaboration between Bombet Hospitality Group and Proper Hospitality, located in the iconic Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills. Viviane features award-winning chef Michael Hung’s (Esquire Magazine’s Best New Restaurant) modern California interpretation of classic European and American cuisine. Chef Michael’s menu is paired with a curated wine list of boutique vineyards and 1950’s inspired seasonal cocktails. Join us daily for lunch and dinner, weekdays for breakfast, and weekends for brunch. Experience food, drink, and festivity indoors or poolside in our Kelly Wearstler-designed space, a mid-century modern oasis sequestered away from the hurried pace of Los Angeles.” Chef Michael Hung (ex-Faith & Flower) is our guest.

Chef Rachel Klemek will be extending the reach of her award-winning made-from-scratch baked goods when she opens a new outpost,Blackmarket Bakery on Broadway, on Saturday, January 9th, 2016 in the downtown Santa Ana’s Santora building in the Artists Village (211 N. Broadway). Chef Klemek’s inspired approach to baking has set her apart within the county’s culinary landscape. Staying true to its roots, the new Santa Ana neighborhood bakery will highlight pastries made from her token “blackmarket” ingredients – butter, flour, sugar, and eggs. Chef Rachel joins us with all the sweet details.

Belfast-born Chef & restaurateur Geraldine (Gerri) Gilliland has been a major force on the hospitality scene in Santa Monica and environs since 1984. On St. Patrick’s Day in 2002 Gerri realized her most ambitious project to date and Finn McCool’s (a reassembled Irish pub from Newry, County Down) was launched. Irish nationals are among the employees. We’ll talk to Gerri about what authentic Irish pub food really is and her long-time friendship with the Irish Julia Child, Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School, Ireland’s best-known chef.

Anita Lau is better known to regular listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She was living in Hong Kong in the 90s before the turnover to China. Anita is recently back from a 3-week visit. We’ll continue with her insider’s view of the dining scene there during the glory days of the British. It was a very different and colorful time…

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

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