Show 590, August 17, 2024: Zuzu’s Petals, Long Beach, with Co-Proprietor Evan Papadakis

Posted on August 18, 2024 by Adam Bell

“Zuzu’s Petals located in the East Village area of Long Beach is a one-of-a-kind brunch (breakfast and lunch, too) restaurant that combines the best of Contemporary American cuisine. Their dishes are crafted with locally sourced, organic ingredients, and they incorporate unique flavors and spices from around the world.” Open seven days with a sidewalk patio.

“Their cooks under the direction of partners Evan Papakakis and Chef Jessie Franco take pride in preparing each dish with care, infusing them with flavors and textures that are sure to delight your senses. Zuzu’s Petals commitment to quality extends to all aspects of establishment, from their friendly and attentive staff to their artfully-designed space that makes guests feel right at home.”

The establishment is also a thoughtful tribute to the Frank Capra Hollywood classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Proprietor Evan Papadakis is our guest to unwrap all that is Zuzu’s Petals.

Show 533, July 8, 2023: Long Beach Burger Week Preview with Chef Kat Vacharabul of Hangry Belly

Posted on July 9, 2023 by Adam Bell

“Long Beach residents and visitors alike are in for a treat as dozens of local restaurants and pop-ups will offer unique over-the-top Burgers and value-priced Burger Offers when the 3rd annual Long Beach Burger Week returns July 23-20, 2023. Organized by local non-profit Long Beach Food & Beverage, the organization felt that in addition to encouraging local and surrounding “foodies” to enjoy what the expanding Long Beach culinary community has to offer, events like Burger Week support the local economy. It’s summertime and who doesn’t love a good burger?”

One of the participating restaurants in the 3^rd Annual Long Beach Burger Week is Chef Kat’s fast-casual, Hangry Belly (established in 2020) located in SteelCraft in Bixby Knolls. It’s locally owned. “When you’re feeling hangry, Hangry Belly has got you covered.”

Offering a chef-inspired menu of over-the-top gourmet, creative burgers and generous portions of premium sides made with passion, there’s an option to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. From their sweet and savory We Be Jammin Burger (1/2 pound Beef Patty, Swiss, Onion Jam, Prosciutto, Arugula, Tomato, Garlic Aioli and served on a Potato Bun) to their spicy Fire Belly Burger.

Breakfast specialties centered around house-made biscuits are available Thursday through Sunday. Seek out their rotating selection of house-prepared decadent desserts including an Ube Brownie. (Their slogan is “No one leaves hangry…”) Hangry Belly will keep your bellies filled and wanting more!

Chef Kat Vacharabul joins us with spatula in hand.

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part One

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Adam Bell

“Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef / Partner Emilio Cuyuch provide their guests a chef driven neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar. Both sides feature the freshest, highly sourced ingredients, cocktails great coffee, craft beers & friendly service. All are offered in a very social environment.”

“Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Food is served either as separate items for each guest or family style to share amongst everyone at your table.”

Lunetta built spacious patios so that guests can continue the al fresco dining-out experience. Lunetta has the All-Day dining room that opens for lunch, happy hour and dinner and the Fireplace dining room and Gallery Room for dinner or a private event.

The OG patio is the outdoor seating area connected to the all-day restaurant. The Cove patio is the covered seating area in the middle of the parking lot.

Lunetta serves breakfast items until 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. The dinner menu is offered in both the all-day dining room and at night in the back fireplace dining room and Moon Bar.

“At Lunetta people matter most, seasonal makes sense, authenticity rules, quality governs, deliciousness is undeniable, pretense is absurd, comfort feels good, fun tastes better, teamwork and pride sustain it all.”

On-site parking in the rear as well as street parking.

Chef Raphael is doing a guest chef dinner at Jar in Los Angeles with Suzanne Tracht on Tuesday, July 18th.

Chef / Proprietor Raphael Lunetta is our guest.

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part Two

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Adam Bell

“Lunetta serves breakfast items until 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. The dinner menu is offered in both the all-day dining room and at night in the back fireplace dining room and Moon Bar.”

On-site parking in the rear as well as street parking.

Chef/Proprietor Raphael Lunetta continues as our guest.

Show 494, October 8, 2022: Chef Henry Pineda, Proprietor, Lola’s by MFK, Anaheim Part One

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Adam Bell

“With the full-service Lola’s by MFK in the former CaliVino Wine Pub space off Katella Avenue next door to Angel Stadium, Chef Henry Pineda, 31, is celebrating his mother’s Filipino and father’s Guatemalan roots through the lens of his favorite meal serving a Modern Filipino Brunch from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 7 days. Dinner will eventually follow. Chef Henry operates Lola’s by MFK with his wife and business partner, Amanda “Panda” Pineda.

“Every year on my birthday we don’t go to dinner, we go to breakfast,” said Pineda, who grew up in L.A and moved to Anaheim when he was six. “Breakfast was always the meal where my family ate together. My dad worked the graveyard shift and would just be coming home right before my mom was about to head out.”

“Pineda has worked in restaurants since age 18 starting at Mama Cozza’s in Anaheim. He’s also cooked at Orange Hill in Orange; ADYA in Anaheim; Starfish in Laguna Beach; Shabu Shabu in Santa Ana; Smoking Ribs in Garden Grove; and The Penthouse inside The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. Pineda opened MFK by Aysee’s original location on the border of Anaheim and Buena Park in 2016 at age 26. That restaurant tragically burned down one night in September 2020 when a fire spontaneously broke out.”

Pineda’s Brunch classics include Lola’s Crispy Sisig, Adobo Fried Rice Omelet, Ube Pancakes, Sweet Avocado Pancakes and Ube Tres Leches French Toast. Lola’s beer and wine license just came through so Filipino craft beer (unusually on tap) and exotic fruit-based libations will soon appear on the menu.

Chef Henry takes a break from the Brunch rush to join us with spatula in hand.

Show 494, October 8, 2022: Chef Henry Pineda, Proprietor, Lola’s by MFK, Anaheim Part Two

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Adam Bell

Chef Henry takes a second break from the Brunch rush to rejoin us with spatula in hand.

Show 475, May 21, 2022: Restaurateur Denise Andreini, Café Andreini, Arroyo Grande, CA Part One

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Adam Bell

In the Village of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County the place for the best coffee (locally roasted) and full breakfast (since 1996) is the locals’ favorite, Cafe Andreini. This was Arroyo Grande’s first coffee house. Proprietress Denise Andreini was born and raised in Arroyo Grande and graduated from Cal Poly San Louis Obispo. She returned to Arroyo Grande after a time in the Bay Area to raise her Family.

Café Andreini is known for their abundant breakfast burritos, open-faced sandwiches, avocado toast, acai bowls and lots more. They serve local beer and wine on tap as well as Kombucha. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended hours to 4:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“Café Andreini prides itself on being part of the amazing community that is Arroyo Grande, and realizes that coffee isn’t just about a great cup of coffee but it’s about community. That’s why they have partnered with some stellar local businesses, to bring guests the freshest menu items. Giving back to the community goes beyond good food and wine. Over the many years Café Andreini has donated and participated in fundraisers with local charities, schools and businesses.”

Founder Denise Andreini joins us with an Americano in hand.

Show 475, May 21, 2022: Restaurateur Denise Andreini, Café Andreini, Arroyo Grande, CA Part Two

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Adam Bell

Café Andreini is known for their abundant breakfast burritos, open-faced sandwiches, avocado toast, acai bowls, pastries and lots more. They serve local beer and wine on tap as well as Kombucha. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended hours to 4:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It’s available as a special events spot at night.

Founder Denise Andreini continues with us now with a breakfast burrito in hand.

Show 462, February 19, 2022: Paul Tyler, Owner / General Manager, John O’Groats, West Los Angeles

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Adam Bell

“John O’Groats, a beloved, multi-award-winning restaurant based in the Rancho Park area of West Los Angeles, will celebrate its 40^th Anniversary on Saturday, February 26, 2022. The restaurant has been owned and managed by the Jacoby / Tyler Family since its inception and has been cited by dozens of top national and Southern California media outlets as serving “The Best Breakfast in Los Angeles.””

“To celebrate this milestone, John O’Groats will award each of the first 40 Parties to arrive for Breakfast on the Morning of February 26, 2022, a $40 Gift Certificate!”

“Owner and General Manager Paul Tyler has been operating John O’Groats on a daily basis for decades, having taken up the baton from his parents – Angelica and (the late) Robert Jacoby – who originally founded the beloved restaurant on February 26, 1982.”

“Regarding the 40^th anniversary milestone of his family-owned business, Paul Tyler said, “We love our customers – it’s as simple as that. Our customers are what drive our business, and we have long been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received by the Southern California community over these past 40 years. Our customers simply love what we have to offer, which includes our famous fresh-made biscuits and pancakes, along with dozens of other breakfast and lunch specialties. We also pride ourselves on our catering and event services, and we are able to make any of our menu items available for take-out or to be included on an event’s catering menu.”

“Adds Angelica Jacoby, “The key to our success in this business is simple: you have to like people. My son Paul is a real people person – a very nice man who has always been an extrovert. His role here at John O’Groats isn’t a job for him – it’s his life.””

Paul, a Cornell University School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration graduate, is responsible for many signature menu items at John O’Groats. Vegetarian Hash and Eggs comes with fresh vegetables, home fries, apples, onion sauteed in olive oil and two eggs any style. Huevos O’Groats is a biscuit dough tortilla with black beans, onion, peppers, two eggs over medium, cheese, sour cream and fresh salsa.

Paul Tyler joins us with a plate of his Huevos O’Groats in hand.

Show 457, January 8, 2022: Anne Marie Panoringan, Voice of OC’s Food Columnist Part One

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie joins us in-studio to profile a handful of her newly discovered restaurants in the OC in 2021, her “Five Wishes for 2022” and a look ahead at some noteworthy restaurant openings in the OC in 2022 on the horizon.

We’ll lastly get a tantalizing preview of Anne Marie’s next Voice of OC column which publishes on Thursday, January 14th. Anne Marie will share some of her favorite new dining spots of 2021.