Show 365, March 21, 2020: Executive Chef Vincent, Selanne Steak Tavern, Laguna Beach

Vince Terusa of Selanne Steak TavernBack in January we introduced you to Executive Chef Vincent Terusa of Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach. During the unfortunate embargo on dining-in Selanne is providing discounted curbside take-out. They also are offering the menu from their casual spot, the Penalty Box. Also on offer is their “From the Butcher” Take-Out Menu featuring Cedar River Farms All-Natural Beef, Darling Downs Australian Wagyu Beef, Mary’s Chicken and Skuna Bay Alaskan Salmon.

Selanne Steak Tavern, an upscale tavern and steak house, is located in a historic 1934 converted residence on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach serving modern American fare, a stellar wine collection, artisan cocktails and a range of beers in a light and airy ambiance. The various dining rooms include a warm tavern-style bar, a bistro-style wine room, a more formal upstairs and beautiful outdoor dining. The ownership team includes NHL Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne – also known as The Finnish Flash – a 2007 Stanley Cup winner, former star player for the Anaheim Ducks, and six-time Olympian.

Executive Chef Vince Terusa, who has been at the restaurant since the beginning (and was promoted to Executive Chef,) is our guest.

Show 354, January 4, 2020: Executive Chef Vince Terusa, Selanne Steak Tavern, Laguna Beach Part One

Vince Terusa of Selanne Steak TavernSelanne Steak Tavern, an upscale tavern and steak house, is located in a historic 1934 converted residence on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach serving modern American fare, a stellar wine collection, artisan cocktails and a range of beers in a light and airy ambiance. The various dining rooms include a warm tavern-style bar, a bistro-style wine room, a more formal upstairs and beautiful outdoor dining. The ownership team includes NHL Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne – also known as The Finnish Flash – a 2007 Stanley Cup winner, former star player for the Anaheim Ducks, and six-time Olympian.

“Selanne Steak Tavern supports local farms and fisheries that practice sustainability, humane, steroid-free raising techniques and pesticide-free growing environments. Choices of First Courses include Farmers Market Soup, Beet “Ravioli” with artisanal goat cheese and hazelnut, Wagyu Beef Tartare with chips, and Pacific Diver Scallops. There’s a selection of tempting Greens and Sides like Selanne’s Mac and Cheese – a five cheese fondue with a brioche crumb topping that pleases carnivores and vegetarians alike.”

“At dinner nightly, entrees feature succulent Steaks and Chops: Angus Filet Mignon 8 or 12 ounces, Flat Iron 8-ounce Wagyu, Rib Eye 14-ounce Prime, the signature Lord Stanley Cut 38-ounce Wagyu and more – all served with seasonal marrow butter, as well as a variety of sauces on the side. Poultry, Game and Fish tempt with dishes such as Jidori Chicken with truffle jus poulet and trumpets, and Skuna Bay Salmon with farro and celery root. Executive Chef Vince Terusa makes use of the restaurant’s well-stocked herb garden, which includes parsley, thyme, lavender, rosemary, chives and more.”

Executive Chef Vince Terusa, who has been there since the beginning, is our guest.

Show 311, February 16, 2019: Executive Chef Jo-Jo Doyle, Director of Operations, Honda Center, Anaheim

Jo Jo DoyleChef Jo-Jo Doyle is the Executive Chef & Director at Honda Center which celebrated its 25th birthday last year. They, unusually, manage all the food and beverage at Honda Center themselves to maintain quality control.

It’s everything from a giant meatball with al dente pasta to sit-down dining options in the Club Restaurants. Quite the premium wine cellar, too. Gluten-free and healthy snacks, too, from the Melissa’s carts.

We’ll find out what’s new on the menu with Chef Jo-Jo.

Show 311, February 16, 2019: Executive Chef Jo-Jo Doyle, Director of Operations, Honda Center, Anaheim Continues…

Jo Jo DoyleChef Jo-Jo Doyle is the Executive Chef & Director at Honda Center which celebrated its 25th birthday last year. They, unusually, manage all the food and beverage at Honda Center themselves to maintain quality control. It’s everything from a giant meatball with pasta to sit-down dining options in the Club Restaurants. Gluten-free and healthy snacks, too, from the Melissa’s carts.

Honda Center Food & Beverage Highlights :

  • Wine Cellar preserved by Sub-Zero: opened in December 2018 and features over 250 bottles from over 200 winemakers. It is the first of its kind in U.S. arenas. Sommeliers assist guests with bottle purchases that are poured into a decanter and can be enjoyed from their seats. Bottles are available for purchase from suites, in-seat, and at onsite restaurants. Wine is also available by the glass. (Open to guests on the Pacific Premier Club Level.)
  • Specialty Cocktails: Honda Center staff creates a specialty cocktail for each concert that comes to the building. Each one being handcrafted to the audience and themed to the artist/tour. We’ve received great feedback from guests who love to see what we have for each show.
  • Express Eats & The Kitchen: this unique location opened at the beginning of the ’17-’18 hockey season and features quick grab and go options at Express Eats and fresh sharable items at The Kitchen. The most popular item in this area are the three types of loaded fries: chicken, pastrami, and tri-tip.
  • Southern California: This stand is fresh twist on Southern favorites with a SoCal twist! Items like shrimp po’boy burritos, hot chicken sandwiches, and beignets are among the top sellers.

We’ll find out more of what’s new on the menu as we continue our conversation with Chef Jo-Jo.

Show 306, January 12, 2019: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s flavorful show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, and upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always thanks for being a part of our loyal listening audience.

Food journalist Farley Elliott is the Senior Editor for Eater L.A. He typically contributes six pieces a day, five days a week to this very widely read on-line magazine and newsletter. We’ll get the latest news on the greater L.A. dining scene with Farley including what’s on the top of his list for significant restaurant openings in the new year.

A chef’s secret weapon in sourcing exotic produce items is Kerry Clasby known as the Intuitive Forager. Kerry is particularly beloved in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas hospitality communities. She has her own farm in Malibu as well as procuring from farmers markets all over California. We’ll find out what is sprouting with Kerry as she bounces back from the devastation of the Woolsey Fire.

The upcoming Newport Beach Restaurant Week is a 14-day dining event that takes place January 14 -27, 2019. The event showcases Newport Beach as one of Orange County’s premier dining destinations offering diners a wide variety of culinary experiences. Participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus with lunches available for just $10, $15, $20, or $25, and dinners for $20, $30, $40 or $50. Partner William Lewis of The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar (a participating restaurant) joins us with a preview.

One of our most reliable sources of key restaurant news in Las Vegas is Al Mancini, who is a staff writer for The Las Vegas Review Journal covering food, restaurants and other aspects of entertainment. Al has been working the Vegas food scene since 2003. He was one of the creators of the popular, and widely referenced, Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide series. The huge restaurant news of the moment is L.A.’s own Chef Roy Choi (Kogi BBQ) opening his first venture outside of California, Best Friend restaurant at the new Park MGM.

Al shares a preview of what is on the menu there with us.

San Diego County’s largest and most successful dining event, San Diego Restaurant Week (January 20 to 27, 2019) was launched with the intention of spotlighting the city as a premier dining destination. Held twice annually, this beloved culinary tradition features San Diego’s best restaurants offering fixed price, three-course dinners and two-course lunches. 3rd generation restaurateur Andy Baumann of Tom Ham’s Lighthouse previews the event.

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

Program Note : For next Saturday, January 19th only we follow Ducks Hockey from 3 to 5:00 p.m. Please join us.

Show 146, November 14, 2015: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

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

Next a tantalizing preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately loaded show and not, with 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…

We step aside a bit early today at 11:30 a.m. for Fighting Irish Football.

Tom Gordon’s and Cris Petersen’s The Pepper Project promotes U.S. importation of fine Kampot pepper as a way to support Cambodians and the country’s economy. It’s an extraordinary pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. The Pepper Project is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Orange gift shop boutique on Sunday, Nov. 15th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We’ll get the inside information on what’s available from Tom Gordon.

Our regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, has some handy Thanksgiving cooking tips to share. Take a deep breath, be calm, and Chef Andrew is here to help relieve a bit of the stress.

Celebrity Chef Jet Tila was the initiating Co-Host of “The SoCal Restaurant Show” for the first two years. You also know him as one of the three permanent judges on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown.” Coming up this month is “Cutthroat Kitchen’s” second, no-holds barred Superstar Sabotage tournament. Think Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Duff Goldman, Bobby Deen and Sherry Yard, among others. Chef Jet is the Judge for the episodes airing on November 18th and 25th. Chef Jet joins us to tease these episodes and, perhaps, a bit moré…

Julie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available there are now made in-house!

San Francisco is a City devoted to drink. Our guest, Duggan McDonnell, is the author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre – A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails. During the 1870s and ‘80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail.

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

Show 146, November 14, 2015: Julie Margolin, Director of Food and Beverage, Honda Center

Julie MargolinJulie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available are now made in-house! This includes the much-talked-about brownies.

We’ll get briefed on the new sandwiches and premium burgers at Standing O as well as what’s happening at Shock Top Terrace with the chef inspired entrees. They are now even baking their own bread in-house for the sandwiches at Honda Center.

Our friends at Melissa’s are always adding to their selection of healthy and satisfying snacks at Honda Center. Their carts feature whole fruit, gluten-free snacks and trail mix.

Craft beer is well-represented at Honda Center, too. We get updated on the wide variety of thirst-satisfying offerings including what’s on tap with Golden Road Brewing and Hangar 24.

The Executive Chef of Honda Center, Chef Jo-Jo Doyle, will be on with us in January to continue this conversation…

November 14: Andrew Gruel, Jet Tila, Pepper Project, Honda Center, Duggan McDonnell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Tom Gordon, Co-Founder, The Pepper Project
Segment Three: Co-Host & Executive Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Julie Margolin, Director of Food and Beverage, Honda Center
Segment Six: Master Barman Duggan McDonnell, San Francisco

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

Next tantalizing preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately loaded show and not, with 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…

Tom Gordon’s and Cris Petersen’s The Pepper Project promotes U.S. importation of fine Kampot pepper as a way to support Cambodians and the country’s economy. Its an extraordinary pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. The Pepper Project is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Orange gift shop boutique on Sunday, Nov. 15th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We’ll get the inside information on what’s available from Tom Gordon.

Our regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, has some handy Thanksgiving cooking tips to share. Take a deep breath, be calm, and Chef Andrew is here to help relieve a bit of the stress.

Celebrity Chef Jet Tila was the Co-Host of “The SoCal Restaurant Show” for the first two years. You also know him as one of the three permanent judges on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown.” Coming up this month is “Cutthroat Kitchen’s” second, no-holds barred “Superstar Sabotage” tournament. Think Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Duff Goldman, Bobby Dean and Sherry Yard, among others. Chef Jet is the Judge for the episodes airing on November 18th and 25th. Chef Jet joins us to tease these episodes and, perhaps, a bit moré…

Julie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available there are now made in-house!

San Francisco is a City devoted to drink. Our guest, Duggan McDonnell, is the author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre – A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails. During the 1870s and ‘80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail.

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

The Pepper ProjectTom Gordon’s and Cris Petersen’s The Pepper Project promotes U.S. importation of fine Kampot pepper as a way to support Cambodians and the country’s economy. It’s a distinctive pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. The peppercorns come in black, white and red varieties.

“To us, Cambodia is more than a pin on the map or one of 1000 places to see before you die. Although the life expectancy is around 60, an entire generation of fathers is missing and there are tens of thousands of amputees as a result of land mine injuries, this is not a place to pity.”

“This is a country filled with people who persevere, who always have a warm smile and who are grateful for every day.”

“Our mission is to get the word out about all the treasures that Cambodia has to offer starting with Kampot pepper, a spice that is highly regarded in many parts of Europe but that most people have never heard of.”

The Pepper Project USA is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Orange gift shop boutique on Sunday, Nov. 15th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We’ll get the inside information on the wide variety of affordable Cambodian handmade crafts and unusual comestibles available from Tom Gordon. It’s Holiday shopping for a cause

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, has some handy Thanksgiving cooking tips to share. Just in time…Keep in mind he’s a real, working executive chef with an impressive cooking background.

Take a deep breath, be calm, and Chef Andrew is here to help relieve a bit of the November 26th stress.

Jet Tila at Cochon 555Celebrity Chef Jet Tila was the Co-Host of “The SoCal Restaurant Show” for the first two years. You also know him as one of the three permanent judges on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown.”

Coming up this month is “Cutthroat Kitchen’s” second, no-holds barred Superstar Sabotage tournament. Think Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Duff Goldman, Bobby Deen and Sherry Yard, among others. Chef Jet is the Judge for the episodes airing on November 18th and 25th.

Chef Jet has created a new menu item for Veggie Grill. It’s a Seoul Bowl. It’s Chargrilled Veggie Steak, Chickin, or Organic Glazed Tofu, carrots, house-pickled red onions, cabbage, arugula, scallions, sesame seeds, stir-fried super grains, rice and Korean gochujang sauce.

Chef Jet joins us to tease these episodes and, perhaps, a bit moré…

Julie MargolinJulie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available are now made in-house!

We’ll get briefed on the new sandwiches and premium burgers at Standing O as well as what’s happening at Shock Top Terrace with the chef inspired entrees.

Craft beer is well-represented at Honda Center, too. We get updated on the wide variety of thirst-satisfying offerings.

Duggan McDonnellSan Francisco is a City devoted to drink and other causes. Our guest, Duggan McDonnell, is the author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre – A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails.

During the 1870s and ‘80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail. From this, San Francisco’s electrifying nightlife was born and a few generations later, the city’s farm-to-glass cocktails have never tasted better.

McDonnell (part culinary anthropologist and part whimsical professor) masterfully weaves essays on prominent spirits, insights into San Francisco’s historic love affair with amaro, and recipes for his Bartender’s Secret Formulas together with 25 iconic cocktail recipes made famous by the City by the Bay. The recipes range from the legendary Pisco Punch and the ingenious Mai Tai, to the Gold Rush era Sazerac and the more modern Lemon Drop.

An additional 45 recipes show the evolution of these classic elixirs over time, resulting in such liquor-splashed favorites as The Revolver and The Last Word.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Tom Gordon, Co-Founder, The Pepper Project
Segment Three: Co-Host & Executive Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Julie Margolin, Director of Food and Beverage, Honda Center
Segment Six: Master Barman Duggan McDonnell, San Francisco

Show 115, March 21, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Louie JocsonOne of the OC’s best and brightest, youthful culinary talents, Chef Louie Jocson, joins us this morning as Guest Host. He’s the new Directory of Culinary Operations for the growing Zov’s family of restaurants. Now a preview of today’s over-stuffed show…

Cochon 555, probably the country’s most talked about culinary competition returns to Los Angeles on March 29, 2015 to celebrate family farms, heritage breed pigs and today’s emerging chef community. Attendees of this one-of-a-kind culinary competition embark on a journey to the new hyper-local culinary landscape, one whole pig at a time. Brady Lowe, the founder of Cochon 555, joins us with the pork-a-licious details.

Spring is here so the time is right to get an overview of the highlights in Spring produce. Our favorite produce savant, Robert Schueller, of Melissa’s World Variety Produce is with us to share what’s fresh from the fields. We’ll be talking about Kale, Kumquats, Rhubarb and Ojai Pixie Tangerines with a few cooking tips added for good measure.

Look who is turning 50 this year! 2015 marks the 50-year legacy of memorable dining at Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. To celebrate, the Lawry’s family and Executive Chef Steve Kling have unveiled a brand new menu and beverage program unlike any other menu this fabled establishment has offered in it’s 50-year history. It’s not your Grandparents’ Five Crowns anymore (although they are still most welcome.) General Manager Jim Colombo (who is also a chef by training) and resident Mad Bar Scientist Amber join us with a tempting overview of the enhancements.

Top of the Market located on the Bay in San Diego just South of the USS Midway Museum offers an extensive variety of fresh fish, oysters and shellfish with a sophisticated twists. New executive chef, Ivan Flowers, has only enhanced the already proven concept. Incomparable views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and Point Loma make Top of the Market the ideal location for destination dining while in San Diego. Chef Ivan is our guest highlighting the addition of the new Spring ingredients.

EAT LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week returns for its big 2nd year from March 22nd to March 28th. One of the participating restaurants is the newly opened Panxa Cocina. It’s in the former Christy’s space on E. Broadway. Chef Arthur Gonzalez (ex-ROE Restaurant) is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner. It’s Santa Fe, New Mexico-style cuisine with rich, bold flavors and a lot of imagination. Chef Art is with us for the menu highlights.

Finally a chance to chat with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson, the new Director of Culinary Operations for the growing Family of Zov’s restaurants. Chef Louie most recently created the highly regarded Red Table in Huntington Beach, a locals’ favorite. He sold his interest to his former partners to join Zov’s. Earlier in his career he was the Co-Executive Chef of the highly regarded Antonello’s in South Coast Plaza Villagee.

We’re stepping aside for Ducks Hockey on Saturday morning, March 28th. (The Ducks are facing-off against the New York Islanders in Uniondale, Long Island.) We’ll be back, as usual, with the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on Saturday morning, April 4th at 10:00 a.m. Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish returns as Guest Host.

 

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

Show 109, February 7, 2015: Julie Margolin, Director of Food & Beverage Services, Honda Center

Standing O at Honda CenterJulie Margolin is the Honda Center’s busy Director of Food & Beverage Services. Before joining Honda Center Margolin was with Levy Restaurants as part of the opening team at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Over 500 employees are part of the food and beverage operations there. Honda Center is one of the few facilities in the country who runs their own food and beverage operations. It’s a massive undertaking and costly. This was done strictly to improve the quality of the food and beverage program there.

Julie explains that during the Ducks (Hockey) season guests might be at the Honda Center three to four times per week. That requires a lot of variety on their menus!

She works alongside Honda Center’s Executive Chef, Jo-Jo Doyle. Julie joins us to talk about what’s new for the current season including the menu in Standing “O”. Getting a lot of attention is the one-pound Meatball served over Penne at the new Bowl’d Over located at Section 433. Also there is a newly opened Wahoo’s Fish Taco at Honda Center. They are a new franchisee of Wahoo’s.