Show 651, November 1, 2025: Ray Garcia, Executive Chef & Restaurateur, Broken Spanish Comedor, Culver City

Ray Garcia of Broken Spanish

Broken Spanish Comedor is a new concept from acclaimed Chef Ray Garcia (Esquire‘s Chef of the Year 2015), serving as the neighborhood friendly offshoot of his award-winning DTLA restaurant Broken Spanish. Rooted in bold Mexican flavors and Chef Garcia’s signature creativity, Broken Spanish Comedor offers a relaxed, community-centric dining experience while maintaining the same commitment to quality and innovation.”

“The menu delights long-time followers with approachable modern Mexican American fare. It is a neighborhood offshoot of Broken Spanish with the same quality, same passion, but with a community-centric approach in terms of food and drinks.”

Look for house specialties including Albondigas (Duck Meatballs with bacon, chipotle and nopales), Enchiladas (from his Mom’s recipe with chicken, leek, feta, tomatillo salsa and homemade crema) and the Torta del Chocolate with a nixtamalized corn crust and Mexican chocolate. The fresh corn tortillas are hand pressed and baked right there throughout the evening.

“The menu delights long-time followers with approachable modern Mexican American fare. It is a neighborhood offshoot of Broken Spanish with the same quality, same passion, but with a community-centric approach in terms of food and drinks”.

The creative cocktails are Tequila and Mezcal based. Also on the menu are an intriguing selection of premium Mexican wines available by the glass. Not neglected are the Zero Proof libations including a house made Orange Fanta.

“Chef Ray Garcia (ex-FIG Restaurant at the Fairmont Santa Monica), a trailblazing Los Angeles native, is redefining modern Mexican cuisine with inspired creativity. Known as a pioneer of Alta California cuisine, Garcia blends Mexican roots with the spirit of Los Angeles to create soulful, modern dishes that honor his heritage.”

Chef Ray escapes his busy kitchen to join us.

Show 224, May 20, 2017: Eric Samaniego, Executive Chef, Michael’s on Naples, Long Beach

Eric SamaniegoExecutive Chef Eric Samaniego (ex-Little Sparrow) is hosting an unusual 5-course collaboration dinner with Taco Maria’s (SoCo in Costa Mesa) acclaimed chef/proprietor Carlos Salgado on May 24th at Michael’s on Naples in Long Beach. This is part of Michael’s on Naples ongoing monthly “Guest Chef’ing” series.

Among the many accomplishments of Chef Salgado is being named one of Food & Wine’s Best Chefs of 2015. Taco Maria is known for Alta California cuisine, an intriguing fusion of Mexican and American flavors and cultures.

Chef Samaniego never reveals in advance what he and his guest chef will prepare simply because he’s not quite sure himself. The evening tends to be spontaneous, much like going to a friend’s home for dinner and leaving the menu up to the host. Both chefs will shop the local farmers’ markets and visit Farm Lot 59, the local urban farm, for ingredients just days before, which will drive the creativity of their five-course dinner.

“I really like collaborating with other chefs,” said Samaniego. “I love to try new techniques and experiment with new ideas in the kitchen. It’s even more fun when you’re cooking with someone you have tremendous respect for and consider a friend. I’m looking forward to having Chef Salgado join me on May 24.”

Chefs Samaniego joins us for an enticing preview.