Tag Archives: bar program

Show 335, August 3, 2019: Steve Nydell, General Manager, Navy Proof Food & Spirits, Long Beach

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Steve Nydell of Navy Proof Food and SpiritsDINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week is now in progress and runs through Sunday, August 11th. It’s a prime time to dine in a possible new restaurant discovery in Long Beach. On the menu with us is Steve Nydell the General Manager and Beverage Director of the newly launched Navy Proof Food & Spirits, one of the participating restaurants in DINE LBC.

The cuisine at Navy Proof Food and Spirits emphasizes technique and texture to highlight the versatility of seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced seafood and meat. A notable element that earmarks the concept is its highly-developed beverage program led by Steve Nydell, Navy Proof Food and Spirits General Manager. An approachable cocktail bar with a highly creative team of bespoke bartenders, the restaurant offers guests a rich experience with classic cocktails refreshed and re-imagined. In addition to lunch and dinner service, breakfast service is offered daily, in addition to a robust happy hour.

Boasting a world-class, bartender driven cocktail program, biodynamic wines and local brews, Navy Proof Food & Spirits guests enjoy the vast offerings of rare and distinctive spirits plus tableside cocktail service, including the Bargaining Table created with 12 – year rum, averna amaro, coffee liquor, sour cherry bitters. Groups of 2 – 6 can also enjoy the large format Cult of Sailors, made of white rum, grapefruit juice, limejuice, aperol, orgeat (almond syrup) & aromatic bitters.

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Show 158, February 6, 2016: Andrew Aoun, Corporate Wine & Spirits Manager, Taps Fish House & Brewery, The Catch and Lillie’s Q

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Andrew AnunTAPS Fish House & Brewery (Brea, Corona & Irvine) has always been known as a pioneer in brewing award-winning craft beer. Recently proprietor Joe Manzanella, not one to stand still, decided it was time to totally overhaul and elevate his bar program system-wide.

Corporate Wine & Spirits Manager, Andrew Aoun has done just that. We’ll chat with him about what it takes to totally revamp a successful bar program. The ambitious relaunch is in place at Taps Fish House & Brewery. The Catch, and Lillie’s Q.

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Show 158, February 6, 2016: Andrew Aoun, Corporate Wine & Spirits Manager, Taps Fish House & Brewery, The Catch and Lillie’s Q. Continues…

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Andrew AnunTaps is known for their long-history of brewing award winning craft beers but they also want to elevate the rest of their bar program. There is a new emphasis on freshness and quality ingredients.

All mixers and juices are prepared fresh. Even the Grenadine is made in-house. Big difference in flavor.

The well spirits have been elevated, too. No low end spirits in the well. All premium labels. For instance, George Dickel Rye is the whiskey in the well.

A new cocktail is the Pineapple Under The Sea. It’s made with Absolut Elyx Vodka and Corruba Coconut Rum. It’s served in an eye-catching copper Pineapple. Going to be hard to hang on to those.

The show-stopper is the Lime In The Coconut with Corruba Coconut Rum and Selvarey Cocoa Rum. It’s prepared tableside in dramatic fashion. It’s frozen “Mad Scientist”-style with liquid nitrogen and served in a coconut shell.

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Show 115, March 21, 2015: General Manager Jim Colombo and Mad Bar Scientist Amber, Five Crowns. Continues…

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Jim ColomboThe Five Crowns General Manager, Jim Colombo (who is also a chef by training) and resident “Mad Bar Scientist Amber” continue with their tempting overview of the creative enhancements to the restaurant to celebrate their 50th Anniversary in Corona del Mar.

There is lots more than the wonderful Lawry’s prime rib on the menu these days!

Amber is doing a whole bar program with Absinthe. She explains why Absinthe has been rediscovered in the United States.

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June 29: Kedric Francis, Tony Abou-Ganim, Thornton Winery

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Podcasts

Segment One: On the Road with Chef Jet and Producer Andy
Segment Two: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor of Coast Magazine Part One
Segment Three: Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist Part One
Segment Four: Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist Part Two
Segment Five: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor of Coast Magazine Part Two
Segment Six: David Vergari, Winemaker at Thornton Winery in Temecula

Time to talk dining…

Providence RestaurantChef Jet celebrated Father’s Day at Providence in Los Angeles. This is celebrity chef Michael Cimarusti’s (ex-Water Grill) much-praised, fine-dining seafood restaurant. In addition to the expected great seafood non-stuffy, attentive service is part of the experience. There is also a very deep wine list and an outstanding bar. Jet talks about his meal there and why this is such a popular special occasion establishment.

We’ll also answer some e-mail inquiries.

Kedric Francis of Coast Magazine and the Orange County Register MagazineMr. Suave himself, Kedric Francis, is back with us. He’s the Executive Editor of Coast Magazine and co-founding editor of the revamped OC Register Magazine.

Kedric is in-studio talking about local travel opportunities for Summer. He’s got some inspired ideas for traveling on the rails and previews the new attractions at The Disneyland Resort. It’s all child-friendly, too.

The Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-GanimWe’re delighted to welcome The Modern Mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, to the show. He’s a master barman and part magician. Tony is based in Las Vegas. He created the entire bar program (nothing short of spectacular) for the opening of Steve Wynn’s  original Bellagio, the trend-setting casino resort of it’s time.

Tony will share his inspirations for Summer cocktails and the importance of quality ice. It really makes the difference in a properly-prepared cocktail!

The Modern Mixologist also previews his new line of custom-designed bar tools.

Man about Orange County, Kedric Francis encores for another segment. This time he’s  chatting about the just-released June Restaurant Issue of Coast.

One feature profiles up and coming areas where there are pockets of distinctive dining places. Downtown Santa Ana is one of these spotlighted dining neighborhoods.

The most interesting piece, we think, is on the best restaurants in Orange County located in the worst spots. What a fun idea…

A truly underappreciated local wine country destination is the Temecula Valley. It’s 90 minutes, or less, from most areas of Orange County. It’s probably best known as the location of the Pechanga Casino Resort (largest Indian casino & hotel property in the West) but there is lots more out there.

Thornton Winery in TemeculaWhen you cross Butterfield Stage Road going East on Rancho California Road you hit the picturesque, and delightfully rural,  wine country. The first winery property you pass is the eye-catching Thornton Winery celebrating their 25th anniversary of proud family ownership in 2013. They are especially known for their premium California sparkling wines but also produce a  distinctive line of still wines under the stewardship of winemaker David Vergari.

Since the beginning Thornton has staged a highly regarded summer Champagne Jazz Series at the winery showcasing renowned contemporary jazz artists. Dave Koz performed two concerts there last weekend. It’s a superb environment to enjoy a concert in. You can also sip wine and enjoy a three-course seated dinner in the concert area.

Podcasts

Segment One: On the Road with Chef Jet and Producer Andy
Segment Two: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor of Coast Magazine Part One
Segment Three: Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist Part One
Segment Four: Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist Part Two
Segment Five: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor of Coast Magazine Part Two
Segment Six: David Vergari, Winemaker at Thornton Winery in Temecula