Show 291, September 22, 2018: Anita Lau, Diary of a Mad Hungry Woman

Anita Lau of Mad Hungry WomanOur favorite Mad Hungry Woman blogger, Anita Lau, has been traveling in Northern Baja. She was recently an esteemed judge at the 5th Annual Sabor de Baja, an annual food and wine pairing event staged on the lawn of the iconic Rosarita Beach Hotel overlooking the beach and blue Pacific.

Sabor de Baja is a friendly culinary competition among 27 of Baja’s top chefs, each paired with the finest Mexican wines and artisanal beer producers. It’s an all-white affair.

“The intent of the Sabor de Baja is to promote gastronomy and tourism between the U.S. and Baja. Each attendee enjoys a pairing of all the chefs creations together with the wine or beer producers. There are two main awards given that night: The first is decided by a panel of distinguished judges and the second is called the “People’s Choice” which is decided by popular voting from every attendee who submits a ballot.”

Anita also shares her discovery (and representing quite a value) in Tijuana – an omakase speakeasy, Toshi Toshi.

 

Show 258, January 27, 2018: Anita Lau, “Diary of a Mad Hungry Woman” Blogger

Anita Lau of Mad Hungry WomanOur favorite, and always opinionated, “diary of a Mad Hungry Woman” blogger, Anita Lau, has been dining in the Bay Area. One of her recent finds is Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland. Think Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Cornmeal Waffle. The owner/chef Tanya Holland is a Cheftestant on the current season of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” Anita has the bite-by-bite report for us.

“diary of a Mad Hungry Woman began in 2008 as a food journal and has slowly evolved into a restaurant critique site. It follows the food adventures of Anita Lau, a 25-year veteran in the food writing business. Originally focusing solely on the culinary, the last year has seen the site shifting towards other topics dear to her heart — the arts, music and anything food related. A Travel section has been added to feature food adventures and getaways the Mad Hungry Woman takes out-of-state and overseas.”

Show 154, January 9, 2016: Anita Lau, Diary of a Mad Hungry Woman Blogger

Anita Lau of Mad Hungry WomanAnita Lau is better known to regular listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She was living in Hong Kong in the 90s before the turnover to China. Anita is recently back from a 3-week visit. We’ll continue with her insider’s view of the dining scene there during the glory days of the British. It was a very different and colorful time…

British Hong Kong showcased traditional, authentic and refined cuisine. The perfect surviving example is the fine cuisine that is still available at the always elegant Peninsula Hotel. Contemporary fine dining in Hong Kong right now is more ostentatious.

Contemporary fine dining right now in Hong Kong is more ostentatious. Anita points out that a lot of the big deal celebrity chefs with restaurants there are seldom actually in Hong Kong. Oops…

“This blog (diary of a MAD HUNGRY WOMAN) is a journal of mostly my eating adventures, but also, other things I’m passionate about, including travel, the arts, and also, necessities to complete my life. Centered predominantly in and around Orange County, CA, some will extend to Los Angeles, San Diego and beyond. I am constantly searching for delicious food to eat and fun things to do, nothing is out of bounds. Sometimes it doesn’t end well, but I can definitely say, it will always be an interesting journey.” Anita Lau

Show 124, May 30, 2015: “Diary of a Mad Hungry Woman” Blogger – Anita Lau

anita-lau-mad-hungry-womanAnita Lau is the well-known and closely followed Diary of a Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She principally shares her Orange County and San Diego finds with her followers but there is an occasional Los Angeles find along the way, too. Her prose comes to life with her accompanying food photos. We’ll catch-up with Anita with both a profile of a San Diego and Orange County restaurant.

A new favorite of hers in La Jolla is Catania, part of Whisknladle Hospitality. She is over the moon for their Charred Local Spot Prawns. “There are no words to describe how mind-blowingly delicious these plump crustaceans are.”

In Costa Mesa Anita raves over the pre-theater dining at Leatherby’s Café Rouge at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan (a previous guest on the show) puts a lot of creativity into planning these special menus themed with the shows.

“This blog is a journal of mostly my eating adventures, but also, other things I’m passionate about, including travel, the arts, and also, necessities to complete my life. Centered predominantly in and around Orange County, CA, some will extend to Los Angeles, San Diego and beyond. I am constantly searching for delicious food to eat and fun things to do, nothing is out of bounds. Sometimes it doesn’t end well, but I can definitely say, it will always be an interesting journey.”

Show 104, January 3, 2015: Anita Lau, Mad Hungry Woman

Anita Lau of Diary of a Mad Hungry WomanAnita Lau, The Mad Hungry Woman, is one of the most widely read food bloggers covering Southern California. She concentrates on dining finds in Orange County and San Diego with an occasional side of L.A. eating. Lau’s approach is interactive with her readers as they frequently have the opportunity to win meals at the restaurants she profiles.

Coming in 2015 is an expanded version of her popular e-newsletter that now will be published monthly.

Anita will graciously share with us her “5 Favorite Asian Restaurants of 2014.” Her top pick is Rakiraki Ramen and Tsukemen located in San Diego’s Chinatown. There are also Orange County options as well as an L.A. Pick (Pine and Crane.)

Show 79, July 12, 2014: Show 79, July 12, 2014: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris preview the show

Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris preview the show.

Open Sesame, serving authentic Lebanese food since 1999, is an incredible success story. They have recently opened a new location in Los Angeles just East of CBS Television City.

Our inside “Man in Las Vegas,” Brock Radke, is back with us with a report on a handful of recent major restaurant openings on The Strip. Brock is the Food Editor for Las Vegas Weekly.

The Mad Hungry Woman blogger, Anita Lau, returns with a commentary on a San Diego restaurant favorite (Rakiraki.) She also shares her experience of being a guest judge on Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Seth Makowsky of the Makowsky Restaurant Group recently relocated to Los Angeles from Orlando. He specializes in restructuring, advancing and creating restaurant companies.

Food and travel journalist Roger Paige is also known as The Focused Traveler. His day job is as Administrative Director of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. Roger reports on some of his recent road adventures including a visit to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN.

Our own Jet Tila has just launched his YouTube Channel, “Jet Fuel.” He has a preview of what to expect.

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

Show 79, July 12, 2014: Anita Lau, The Mad Hungry Woman blogger

Anita Lau of Diary of a Mad Hungry WomanThe Mad Hungry Woman blogger, Anita Lau, returns with a profile of a San Diego restaurant favorite, Rakiraki. “If I had to sum this eatery up in a sentence, it would be “love at first bite.”

“There is no doubt this is my favorite ramen spot in Southern California.”

Anita also shares her experience of being a guest judge on Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen.” The episode aired June 19th. She is an unabashed Gordon Ramsay fan. She also explains why she is now affectionately known as “Human Grumpy Cat.”

Show 49, November 23, 2013: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

It’s a day of unusually colorful characters on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.”

Enjoy the unlikely saga of The Big Cheese of The Grilled Cheese Truck, Dave Danhi. We’ll also have the Mad Hungry Woman blogger with us talking about a recent dining discovery in San Diego that’s a delightful Italian-Japanese fusion.

Show 49, November 23, 2013: Anita Lau of the “Mad Hungry Woman” Blog

Anita Lau of Diary of a Mad Hungry WomanAnita Lau is best known to the listening audience of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the creative force behind the “Mad Hungry Woman” blog. Anita is regularly out and about in Orange County, San Diego, and sometimes even the Los Angeles area reporting on her dining out adventures. She particularly seeks out the less obvious hidden gems.

San Diego, we haven’t forgotten you.

Anita Lau of the Mad Hungry Woman blog is with us with a San Diego dining discovery. Anita was a finalist for a Golden Foodie award in Journalism this year.

Anita’s find is Ristorante Kaz. This is an intriguing Japanese Italian fusion cuisine spot. Anita’s favorite bite was an angel hair pasta dish with creamy sea urchin with spinach and salmon roe.

November 23: Grilled Cheese Truck, Barbara Fairchild, Mad Hungry Woman, Anaheim White House, Brad A. Johnson, Skyler Reeves

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part One
Segment Three: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part Two
Segment Four: Barbara Fairchild, past long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine, food journalist, cookbook author, educator
Segment Five: Anita Lau of the “Mad Hungry Woman” Blog
Segment Six: Bruno Serato, chef/proprietor of Anaheim White House
Segment Seven: Brad A. Johnson, restaurant critic for the Orange County Register
Segment Eight: Skyler Reeves, master barman

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

It’s a day of unusually colorful characters on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.”

Enjoy the unlikely saga of The Big Cheese of The Grilled Cheese Truck, Dave Danhi. We’ll also have the Mad Hungry Woman blogger with us talking about a recent dining discovery in San Diego that’s a delightful Italian-Japanese fusion.

Dave Danhi of the Grilled Cheese TruckDave Danhi is the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck. This was the first gourmet food truck to go national and there are big plans to expand through a novel franchising program. A huge following on social media was the initial key to getting this business going. The Big Cheese himself joins us to recount this unlikely success story.

Dave is also a much sought-out executive recruiter for the Hospitality Industry. His firm is DD Factor. We’ll talk to him about this little known (but vitally important) field, also. You honestly don’t find suitable executive chefs and general managers on CraigsList!

Dave completes the fascinating story of how The Grilled Cheese Truck got to where it is today (a national phenomenon) and what the future holds. Keep in mind he’s a high level executive chef by background.

Dave also profiles his other business entity, DD Factor. This is an executive recruiting firm designed just for the hospitality business. If you need an executive chef this is the place to go.

Barbara FairchildMost Californians remember Barbara Fairchild as the long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine. She now is an accomplished cookbook author, food journalist, and educator.

Barbara was recently in the relatively unspoiled Sonoma County Wine Country. She shares some of her best dining experiences including the One-Star Michelin Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant in Forestville (housed in a real Farmhouse,) and the more casual Healdsburg Shed in Healdsburg.

Barbara will join us again in December to share her recent San Francisco dining adventures.

Anita Lau of Diary of a Mad Hungry WomanAnita Lau is best known to the listening audience of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the creative force behind the “Mad Hungry Woman” blog. Anita is regularly out and about in Orange County, San Diego, and sometimes even the Los Angeles area reporting on her dining out adventures. She particularly seeks out the less obvious hidden gems.

San Diego, we haven’t forgotten you.

Anita Lau of the Mad Hungry Woman blog is with us with a San Diego dining discovery. Anita was a finalist for a Golden Foodie award in Journalism this year.

Anita’s find is Ristorante Kaz. This is an intriguing Japanese Italian fusion cuisine spot. Anita’s favorite bite was an angel hair pasta dish with creamy sea urchin with spinach and salmon roe.

Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White HouseThe ever gracious Bruno Serato is the highly visible owner and culinary force behind the historic Anaheim White House. It’s housed in a stately mansion dating back to 1909. Bruno has been the keeper of the flame there since 1987. This year the menu was enhanced to offer premium steaks, too. Bruno likes to now characterize the establishment as an “Italian Steak House.”

The Holidays are Bruno’s favorite time of the year as he fund-raises to benefit the Caterina’s Club’s Motel Kids. December marks his annual toy drive to collect gifts for some 2,000 Motel Kids. Every night Bruno feeds 500 hungry kids.

It all starts with the 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Dinner at the Anaheim White House on Sunday, November 24th. It always sells out so make your plans accordingly. There is real snow on the ground…

Bruno has just introduced a new 3-course Sunday Brunch Menu with free-flowing Champagne at the Anaheim White House.

Photography by Brad A JohnsonBrad A. Johnson is the James Beard Award-winning restaurant critic for The Orange County Register. He’s been there about a year now.

Brad has just written his anxiously awaited, first 4-Star review. It’s quite a “wow” but, perhaps, a bit unexpected…

Brad talks about what is worthy of 4-Stars and the restaurant earning that rarified praise. This was actually three articles in The Register, including a Sunday “Travel” piece.

Skyler ReevesSkyler Reeves is a master barman. Denizens of Downtown Los Angeles’ popular nightlife scene will know him from 213 Downtown. He’s one of the best…

His new project is co-producing the upcoming “Golden State of Cocktails.” It takes place January 27th through 30th on the historic top floor of the Los Angeles Times Building in Downtown Los Angeles. This space was the former executive offices and the grandeur of the floor will surely impress. The educational event is designed for the trade as well as beverage enthusiasts.

“California’s long awaited large-scale cocktail event is finally here: Announcing Golden State of Cocktails! Staged in Los Angeles, the West Coast’s largest city and California’s anchor, Golden State of Cocktails celebrates all aspects of cocktail culture, both industry and consumer, from San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego and everywhere in between. Be a part of the inaugural event in one or more ways. From experiential interactive labs, take-away stations and brand immersion rooms to small- and large-scale parties, Golden State of Cocktails takes a hands-on approach to the learning experience and celebrates the best of what California cocktail culture is all about.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part One
Segment Three: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part Two
Segment Four: Barbara Fairchild, past long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine, food journalist, cookbook author, educator
Segment Five: Anita Lau of the “Mad Hungry Woman” Blog
Segment Six: Bruno Serato, chef/proprietor of Anaheim White House
Segment Seven: Brad A. Johnson, restaurant critic for the Orange County Register
Segment Eight: Skyler Reeves, master barman