Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: LA Weekly’s Food Editor, Michele Stueven on The Tam O’Shanter at 100 Part One
Segment Three: LA Weekly’s Food Editor, Michele Stueven on The Tam O’Shanter at 100 Part Two
Segment Four: Zapien’s Hatch Pepper Roast with Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill, Pico Rivera
Segment Five: Populaire Modern Bistro at South Coast Plaza with Executive Chef Nicholas Weber Part One
Segment Six: Populaire Modern Bistro at South Coast Plaza with Executive Chef Nicholas Weber Part Two
Segment Seven: Al Mancini, Food & Entertainment Journalist, Las Vegas, and Creator of Neon Feast Dining App
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel (Co-Host) with “Ask the Chef”

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

Happy Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy something absolutely delicious!

The venerable and architecturally significant Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village is celebrating it’s 100th birthday this year. Always a favorite of Walt Disney it’s currently overseen by the fourth-generation of the founding Frank and Van de Kamp families. Their CEO (Ryan O’Melveny Wilson) is an accomplished chef. A culmination of the anniversary festivities was a six-course centennial repast held in mid-July. The elaborate Sunday dinner highlighted significant dishes from various eras of the Tam’s historic past. Of course the signature Lawry’s Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding was on the evening’s menu.

LA Weekly’s well-respected Food Editor, Michele Stueven, was the co-host. Michele joins us to discuss the evening and the historical significance of the Tam O’Shanter on the ever-changing Los Angeles restaurant scene. We’ll also ask what restaurant openings on the horizon she is most anticipating for the balance of the year.

Every year Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera goes all out to celebrate the short Hatch Pepper season. His concluding Hatch Chile event is Zapien’s Hatch Pepper Roast set for Saturday, September 10^th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It also includes a Hatch Brunch menu in the restaurant showcasing brunch favorites prepared with Hatch Peppers. This year’s Hatch Chile Roast allows patrons to pick-up on the spot roasted Melissa’s Hatch Chiles by the case and by the preferred level of spice from mild to hot. Pre-ordering is advised. Chef Marco takes a break from his busy kitchen to provide all the savory and flavorful Hatch roasting details.

“Populaire, the much-anticipated restaurant from veteran chefs Ross Pangilinan and Nicholas Weber, opened its doors at South Coast Plaza on June 1. The two Patina Restaurant Group alums – both protégés of renowned restaurateur and Master Chef Joachim Splichal — have since forged their own respective culinary paths.” “Guests can anticipate savoring classic bistro staples with modern California flavors and twists, from Escargot Ebelskivers with Sauerkraut, Buttermilk and Parsley to a “Croque Madame” Air Waffle with Comte Crème, Parisian Ham and Quail Egg, along with Ratatouille with Egg Yolk, Aged White Cheddar, Gochugaru Chili, Olive Oil & Crostini, and Dungeness Crab Chawanmushi with Sea Urchin, Red Yuzu Kosho and Saffron Dashi. Entrée-wise, there’s Spanish Octopus with Koji Crème Fraiche, Cured Green Tomato & Hemp Seed Crumble – as well as Prime Bavette Steak with Sauce Au Poivre and Whipped Potatoes.” Chef / Proprietor Nick Weber joins us.

When we last spoke with Las Vegas-based food and entertainment journalist Al Mancini he had just launched the ambitious Neon Feast dining app. “Available now on app stores for both Apple and Android, 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 to discuss Labor Day dining in Las Vegas and provide an update on the progress of Neon Feast.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel the Founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza), Two Birds and the soon to launch, full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. When we think of sturgeon it’s best known as the source of caviar. Some of us have perhaps enjoyed smoked sturgeon in a Jewish Deli. Fresh sturgeon is a somewhat hidden delicacy. Chef Andrew shares the joys of sturgeon as a center-plate protein and its sustainability in a farm-raised system.

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

The venerable and architecturally significant Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village is celebrating it’s 100th birthday this year. Always a favorite of Walt Disney it’s currently overseen by the fourth-generation of the founding Frank and Van de Kamp families. Their CEO (Ryan O’Melveny Wilson) is an accomplished chef.

A culmination of the anniversary festivities was a six-course centennial repast held in mid-July. The elaborate Sunday dinner highlighted significant dishes from various eras of the Tam’s historic past. Of course the signature Lawry’s Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding was on the evening’s menu.

LA Weekly’s well-respected Food Editor, Michele Stueven, was the co-host. Michele joins us to recap the memorable evening and the historical significance of the Tam O’Shanter on the Los Angeles restaurant scene. We’ll also ask what restaurant openings on the horizon she is most anticipating for the balance of the year.

Every year Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera goes all out to celebrate the short Hatch Pepper season. His concluding Hatch Chile event is Zapien’s Hatch Pepper Roast set for Saturday, September 10^th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It also includes a Hatch Brunch menu in the restaurant showcasing brunch favorites prepared with Hatch Peppers.

This year’s Hatch Chile Roast allows patrons to pick-up on the spot freshly-roasted Melissa’s Hatch Chiles by the case and by the preferred level of spice from mild to hot. Pre-ordering is advised. Chef Marco takes a break from his busy kitchen to provide all the savory Hatch roasting details.

“Populaire, the much-anticipated restaurant from veteran chefs Ross Pangilinan and Nicholas Weber, opened its doors at South Coast Plaza on June 1. The two Patina Restaurant Group alums – both protégés of renowned restaurateur and Master Chef Joachim Splichal — have since forged their own respective culinary paths.”

“Pangilinan currently owns and operates several successful restaurants, including Terrace by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza, Mix Mix Kitchen & Bar in Santa Ana (which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019) and ReMix Kitchen & Bar in Long Beach. Weber most recently served as executive chef of 24 Carrots, one of OC’s most sought-after catering companies, along with previous executive chef roles at Catal Restaurant at Downtown Disney, Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa and The Cannery in Newport Beach.”

“Guests can anticipate savoring classic bistro staples with modern California flavors and twists, from Escargot Ebelskivers with Sauerkraut, Buttermilk and Parsley to a “Croque Madame” Air Waffle with Comte Crème, Parisian Ham and Quail Egg, along with Ratatouille with Egg Yolk, Aged White Cheddar, Gochugaru Chili, Olive Oil & Crostini, and Dungeness Crab Chawanmushi with Sea Urchin, Red Yuzu Kosho and Saffron Dashi. Entrée-wise, there’s Spanish Octopus with Koji Crème Fraiche, Cured Green Tomato & Hemp Seed Crumble – as well as Prime Bavette Steak with Sauce Au Poivre and Whipped Potatoes.”

Populaire is located at South Coast Plaza on Level 2, Saks Fifth Avenue wing.

Chef Nick Weber joins us.

When we last spoke with Las Vegas-based food and entertainment journalist Al Mancini he had just launched the ambitious Neon Feast dining app.

“Available now on app stores for both Apple and Android, 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.”

“In contrast to other crowdsourced restaurant review apps, the list of venues on Neon Feast is limited to only those that the experts recommend, currently approaching 500 eateries. The diverse all-star panel includes prominent local and national food writers, local chefs and foodies who were invited to share the restaurants they would recommend to friends and family (without compensation). Restaurants cannot “buy-in” to be included on the app, although premium features allow them to add reservation buttons, one-touch Uber calls and other elements. Some of the searchable filters and lists include cuisine types, neighborhoods, date night spots, late-night dining, breathtaking views, etc.”

Al Mancini is our guest to discuss Labor Day dining in Las Vegas and provide an update on the progress of Neon Feast.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel the Founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza), Two Birds and the soon to launch, full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

When we think of sturgeon it’s best known as the source of caviar. Some of us have perhaps enjoyed smoked sturgeon in a Jewish Deli. Fresh sturgeon is a somewhat hidden delicacy. Chef Andrew shares the joys of sturgeon as a center-plate protein and its sustainability in a farm-raised system.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: LA Weekly’s Food Editor, Michele Stueven on The Tam O’Shanter at 100 Part One
Segment Three: LA Weekly’s Food Editor, Michele Stueven on The Tam O’Shanter at 100 Part Two
Segment Four: Zapien’s Hatch Pepper Roast with Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill, Pico Rivera
Segment Five: Populaire Modern Bistro at South Coast Plaza with Executive Chef Nicholas Weber Part One
Segment Six: Populaire Modern Bistro at South Coast Plaza with Executive Chef Nicholas Weber Part Two
Segment Seven: Al Mancini, Food & Entertainment Journalist, Las Vegas, and Creator of Neon Feast Dining App
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel (Co-Host) with “Ask the Chef”