Tag Archives: Cider

Show 438, August 14, 2021: Chef & Partner Dominique Crisp, Saso, Pasadena Part Two

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Dominique Crisp of Saso

“Saso in Pasadena, (launched earlier this year) draws inspirations from three coast regions treasured by Chef Dominique Crisp: his home in Los Angeles, his upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, and his travels within Basque Country. Throughout the menu, his dedication to the slow-food movement shines with hyper-local ingredients and French-taught cooking techniques.”

“At Saso, a passion for coastal cuisine is met with Dominique’s deep appreciation and understanding of farming. Born on his family’s vineyard in Wren, Oregon – raising livestock, fishing, and harvesting has always been an essential part of his life. A respect for the land, sea, and supporting those who are sustainably harvesting the bounty is an integral ethos that flows through Saso.”

“Dominique’s goal is to emphasize the relationships he’s built with artisanal purveyors to continually develop Saso’s narrative. Not entirely a “Basque restaurant,” Saso aims to bring the energetic nature of Basque Country dining to Los Angeles with a foundation of sustainable Pacific coastal cuisine.”

“Diners can expect rotating local whole fish options, a variety of niche oysters, dramatic bar creations, flaming Spanish coffees, and an extensive reserve wine list sourced from all over the globe.”

“Saso’s bar program features a wine list highlighting rare txakolinas from the Basque Country alongside natural wines from Lumos Wine Company (the vineyard where Dominique was born). Guests are in for a spectacular happy hour with top notch imported ciders, wine and beers on draught along with a blend of classic and signature cocktails drawing inspiration from Los Angeles to Portland to San Sebastián.”

“Housed in the century-old Pasadena Playhouse, Saso’s dining room and lounge area add a contemporary touch to the building’s historic architecture, including a large-scale, custom 40ft mural from renowned LA-based artist Tim Biskup.”

“On the patio diners can enjoy a breezy, socially distanced meal in a courtyard shared with the Pasadena Playhouse, adorned with string lights and an ornate water fountain.”

On August 24th (Tuesday) Saso will be serving Dinner nightly Tuesday through Sunday. (Closed on Monday.) Lunch is Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Happy Hour on the menu those same days.

Chef Dom takes a break from prep in his busy kitchen and continues with us.

Show 416, March 13, 2021: Cider Sommelier Dan Pucci – A Modern Guide to a Historic Beverage

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Cider Expert Dan Pucci

“From pioneering cider sommelier Dan Pucci (called “the hype man cider is lucky to have” by Eater), and food writer and restaurant owner Craig Cavallo comes AMERICAN CIDER: A Modern Guide to a Historic Beverage (Ballantine Trade Paperback Original.) The first of its kind, the book chronicles the history of cidermaking in the United States, offering essential knowledge on what to drink and where the cider market is heading.”

“Cider today runs the gamut from sweet to dry, smooth to funky, made with just apples or joined by other fruits—and even hopped like beer. Like wine, ciders differ based on the apples they’re made from and where those apples were grown. In AMERICAN CIDER, experts Pucci and Cavallo give a new wave of consumers the means to taste, talk about, and choose their ciders, along with stories of the many local heroes saving heirloom apples and producing innovative, new varieties. By combining the tasting tools of beer and wine, Pucci and Cavallo illuminate the possibilities of this light, flavorful, and naturally gluten-free beverage.”

“Not to mention, cider is more than just its taste. It also has deep roots in American history, as the nation’s first popular alcoholic beverage, originally made from apples brought across the Atlantic. The authors employ a region-by-region approach to further illustrate how ciders and the apples they’re made from came to proliferate the U.S.—including demystifying Johnny Appleseed (spoiler: it’s not what you think) and the surprising effects of industrial development and government policies that benefited white men on apple production.”

“Not simply a guide to drinking, AMERICAN CIDER is at its heart a guide to being part of a community of consumers, farmers, and fermenters taking the nation’s oldest beverage into its bright, booming future as an indispensable American drink.”

Dan tells us a bit about local cider merchant Mark McTavish. One of his cider brands is 101 Cider House.

What’s an apple that grows well in California that makes good cider? We hear about the Jonathan, originally from the Hudson Valley. It’s profile in cider is “often very full-bodied, creamy, and textured with fresh fruit balanced by dried leaves and scrub grasses.”

Cider expert Dan Pucci joins us.

Show 304, December 29, 2018: Proprietor Otto Radke, Great Society Cider & Mead, Long Beach

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Ottto RadtkeWe recently revisited Great Society Cider & Mead, Southern California’s first all-cider pub located on Broadway at the edge of Downtown Long Beach. We initially discovered them as part of DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week in 2017.

They are now an integral part of the new Beach City Food Tours’ East Village Cocktail Tour. Great Society serves an unusual selection of rotating draft ciders and meads in addition to the expected craft beers.

“A social house where fine food, craft cider and mead set the stage for conversations between old and new friends alike, Great Society has the largest selection of craft cider and meads in all of Southern California. Featuring 28 draughts and more in bottles, our extensive cider and mead list showcases craft producers from nearly every corner of the world. You’ll find flavors and profiles ranging from sweet to sour, still to sparkling, barrel-aged to hopped, rare to near-impossible to find.”

We’ll revisit the proprietor, Otto Radtke.

Show 304, December 29, 2018: Proprietor Otto Radke, Great Society Cider & Mead, Long Beach Continues…

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Ottto RadtkeWe recently revisited Great Society Cider & Mead, Southern California’s first all-cider pub located on Broadway at the edge of Downtown Long Beach. We initially discovered them as part of DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week in 2017. We now continue our conversation with Proprietor Otto Radke.

“Complementing this incredible list, our food menu fuses seasonal offerings with unexpected spicing to create dishes that don’t just taste great, but pair well with whatever profile you choose. Try our signature burger with an unfiltered whiskey barrel-aged cider from Michigan; or an artisanal cheese plate with a tart, lightly sparkling Sidra from the Basque region of Spain. There’s a variety of pairings to tantalize your taste buds.”

A standout attraction is their surprisingly deep menu for Brunch on Weekends served between 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Think Cidermosas (Champagne, Cider and Orange Juice) and specialties including Salmon Benedict and Tamales (choice of chicken or cheese) & Eggs. For the ambitious appetite there is the Longshoreman’s Breakfast. It’s 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 bacon strips, 2 chicken apple sausages and toast for a modest $13.00.

“With its origins lost in history, cider remains the most noble of beverages, having played a role in Old and New World alike. These ancient elixirs, fermented mainly from apples, have been the drink of kings and presidents, farmers and the working class. Though its fortunes have occasionally wavered, cider’s incredible diversity, and close connection with the land, has led to an amazing renaissance. Cider is a beverage that deserves homage and we are the first restaurant and taphouse in Southern California to feature it!”

Show 233, July 22, 2017: Otto Radtke, Great Society Cider & Mead, DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week

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Ottto RadtkeDINE LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week is set for August 5th through August 13th, 2017. More than 60 diverse Long Beach restaurants spanning 12 neighborhoods will offer special multi-course menus at affordable prices. New to DINE LBC is Great Society Cider & Mead, Southern California’s first all-cider pub located on Broadway at the edge of Downtown. They serve an unusual selection of draft ciders and meads in addition to the expected craft beers.

“A social house where fine food, craft cider and mead set the stage for conversations between old and new friends alike, Great Society has the largest selection of craft cider and meads in all of Southern California. Featuring 20 draughts and more in bottles, our extensive cider and mead list showcases craft producers from nearly every corner of the world. You’ll find flavors and profiles ranging from sweet to sour, still to sparkling, barrel-aged to hopped, rare to near-impossible to find.”

“Complementing this incredible list, our food menu fuses seasonal offerings with unexpected spicing to create dishes that don’t just taste great, but pair well with whatever profile you choose. Try our signature burger with an unfiltered whiskey barrel-aged cider from Michigan; or an artisanal cheese plate with a tart, lightly sparkling Sidra from the Basque region of Spain. There’s a variety of pairings to tantalize your taste buds.”

“With its origins lost in history, cider remains the most noble of beverages, having played a role in Old and New World alike. These ancient elixirs, fermented mainly from apples, have been the drink of kings and presidents, farmers and the working class. Though its fortunes have occasionally wavered, cider’s incredible diversity, and close connection with the land, has led to an amazing renaissance. Cider is a beverage that deserves homage and we are the first restaurant and taphouse in Southern California to feature it!”

We’ll meet the proprietor, Otto Radtke.