Podcasts

Hour One: Sol Y Sombra, AttaGirl
Hour Two: AttaGirl, Xuntos, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction and Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Sol Y Sombra at Paloma Resort with Chef Cecelia Connolly
Segments Four and Five: AttaGirl, Hermosa Beach with Founder & Chef Alice Mai
Segments Six and Seven: Xuntos in Santa Monica with Proprietress Chef Sandra Cordero
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House with “Ask the Chef”

Andy Harris, Executive Producer and Co-Host previews the show.

“Sol Y Sombra in Cathedral City is a vibrant haven for tapas lovers, celebrating the rich flavors of the Coachella Valley. A bit secluded inside the new Paloma Resort’s historic Adobe, this restaurant crafts an authentic Spanish-inspired menu supervised by Chef Cecelia Connolly using locally-grown ingredients like citrus, dates, and chilies. The paella, a standout dish, is highly praised for its “phenomenal taste” and variety, ranging from traditional to vegetarian. With exceptional service and a lively atmosphere, Sol Y Sombra aims to provide a distinctive culinary journey.” Chef Cecelia Connolly joins us.

“Escape to the sun-kissed shores and tantalize your taste buds with vibrant flavors from AttaGirl in Hermosa Beach. Step inside and be greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. Sunlight dances across the stylish interior, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance.

AttaGirl’s menu is a celebration of the Mediterranean and Middle East, with influences ranging from Greece to Spain. Chef Alice Mai (our guest), formerly of Fishing With Dynamite, curates a delectable selection of dishes in concert with Chef David LeFevre that showcase the region’s rich culinary heritage.”

“Xuntos, “together” in Gallego, is a neighborhood Tapas Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. Xuntos is the sophomore bar and restaurant venture from Chef Cordero, whose Gasolina Café (now closed) in Woodland Hills was a valley favorite for a decade. A love letter to summers in Spain and the joy of dining (and working) in restaurants, Cordero designed Xuntos to be both romantic and unrefined, where you can sit down at a cozy corner booth and eat with your hands, or stand up at the bar and give a toast. There are many new things to try and to share, with service anchored in Spanish hospitality: generosity, warmth, abundance and pride.”

Chef Sandra Cordero takes a pause from her busy kitchen be with us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

Community Gardens add vibrancy to any area and bring residents together. Chef Andrew is an advocate for encouraging and developing more Community Gardens. We’ll hear about it.

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

“Sol Y Sombra in Cathedral City is a vibrant haven for tapas lovers, celebrating the rich flavors of the Coachella Valley. A bit secluded inside The new Paloma Resort‘s historic Adobe, this restaurant crafts an authentic Spanish-inspired menu supervised by Chef Cecelia Connolly using locally-grown ingredients like citrus, dates, and chilies.”

“Diners rave about the “incredible flavors” and “artistic presentation” of each small plate, creating a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.”

“The paella, a standout dish, is highly praised for its “phenomenal taste” and variety, ranging from traditional to vegetarian. With exceptional service and a lively atmosphere, Sol Y Sombra aims to provide a distinctive culinary journey.”

“Sol Y Sombra’s mixologists create custom drinks with the freshest ingredients and top-shelf spirits. Rounding out the beverage offerings is an excellent selection of Spanish and California wines — plus, one of the desert’s best tequila lists!”

Chef Cecelia Connolly joins us.

“Escape to the sun-kissed shores and tantalize your taste buds with vibrant flavors from AttaGirl in Hermosa Beach. Step inside and be greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. Sunlight dances across the stylish interior, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance.”

“AttaGirl’s menu is a celebration of the Mediterranean and Middle East, with influences ranging from Greece to Spain. Chef Alice Mai (our guest), formerly of Fishing With Dynamite, curates a delectable selection of dishes in concert with Chef David LeFevre that showcase the region’s rich culinary heritage.”

“Each dish is intended a showstopper, crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Featuring a live wood fire, the menu includes grilled meats and seafood, market vegetable-driven mezze, spreads, and light pastas.”

“The wine & cocktail list complements the menu perfectly, offering Mediterranean varietals & drinks that enhance the dining experience.”

“A vibrant warm weather cocktail list honors Southern European archetypes that refresh after a salty day at the beach.”

“Xuntos, “together” in Gallego, is a neighborhood Tapas Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. Xuntos is the sophomore bar and restaurant venture from Chef Cordero, whose Gasolina Café (now closed) in Woodland Hills was a valley favorite for a decade. A love letter to summers in Spain and the joy of dining (and working) in restaurants, Cordero designed Xuntos to be both romantic and unrefined, where you can sit down at a cozy corner booth and eat with your hands, or stand up at the bar and give a toast.”

“The menu opens with specialties you won’t find anywhere else in LA: hand-cut jamón ibérico set on the bar & huge Galician-style empanadas with golden-brown crust on display in a glass case by the entrance. It continues with a rotating selection of pintxos (finger foods), seasonal seafood like razor clams & percebes (gooseneck barnacles), and a wide-ranging menu of tapas inspired by the farmer’s market & the iconic dishes of Galicia, Catalunya and San Sebastian, prepared & served as in Spain. There are many new things to try & to share, with service anchored in Spanish hospitality: generosity, warmth, abundance & pride.”

“The wine list by Beverage Director Scott Baker is a who’s who of the top growers in Spain today—more than half of them women—and will expand to include a library of vintages & regions not found outside of Spain. One need only settle on a bottle to know that Spain is producing perhaps the most exciting natural wines in the world right now—and certainly the most fun to drink.”

“The full bar offers Spanish twists on classic cocktails by friend Kim Stodel, house gin tonics, detours to Islay & Oaxaca, rare vermouths, bone-dry sherries, cold cervezas on draft and chupitos (Galician digestivos) to finish.”

Chef Sandra Cordero takes a break from her busy kitchen to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

Community Gardens add vibrancy to any area and bring residents together. Chef Andrew is an advocate for encouraging the establishment of more Community Gardens. We’ll hear about it.

Andrew Gruel’s Family Cookbook is available with signed copies at his Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach.

Podcasts

Hour One: Sol Y Sombra, AttaGirl
Hour Two: AttaGirl, Xuntos, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction and Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Sol Y Sombra at Paloma Resort with Chef Cecelia Connolly
Segments Four and Five: AttaGirl, Hermosa Beach with Founder & Chef Alice Mai
Segments Six and Seven: Xuntos in Santa Monica with Proprietress Chef Sandra Cordero
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House with “Ask the Chef”