Show 610, January 4, 2025: Baby Blues BBQ, Venice, with Founder Rick McCarthy

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Adam Bell

December 2024 marks the 20^th Anniversary of Baby Blues BBQ in Venice. They recently reopened after a devastating fire.

“Meat up at this LA take on a down-south smokehouse—Baby Blues fires up savory by the pound, serving quality ‘que to LA’s throngs of Dixie transplants. From the peppery punch of the Sliced Brisket Platter, to some good ol’ fashioned fried green tomatoes, the comfort-fueled menu presents enough smoke and soul to satiate even the most homesick southerner. Each table is equipped with an assortment of house-made regional-style sauces, including a molasses-based sweet BBQ sauce and the legendary “XXX” sauce, a one-two-three punch of habanero, poblano, and serrano, for those looking to eat the heat.”

“The funky roadhouse meets rock n’ roll brothel décor all jives with the laid-back, beer-swilling relaxed vibe of the joint. As the saying goes, “smoke ‘em if you got ‘em”… and fortunately for LA’s carnivores, this meatery has ‘em in spades.”

“Baby Blues BBQ takes pride in its classics–house-smoked brisket and pork, mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread and their irresistible banana pudding. Everything is made in-house and from scratch, including spice rubs and barbecue sauce. They offer a range of vegan options and serve beer and wine. Baby Blues BBQ specializes in catering events of all sizes–whether for takeout or on-site–and can bring their smoker trailer locations. Early this year a back patio will open for private events.”

“Baby Blues BBQ highlights include Hushpuppies, Fried Green Tomatoes, Smokin’ Wings, Memphis-style Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork, Brisket, Tri-Tip, Gulf Coast Catfish and Grilled Tiger Shrimp. The menu features nearly 20 sides, and their Plant-Based section offers Country-Fried Tofu Sandwiches, Sautéed Spinach, Baked Beans, and Vegan Corn Muffins. To pair with BBQ, draft beer, cans and bottles are available. Beers like Skyduster West Coast IPA and Santa Monica Pale Ale are on tap. A selection of red and white wines and refreshing Frosé are available, too.”

Baby Blues BBQ has been profiled on Guy Fieri’s ever-popular “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on Food Network and a follow-up piece will air later this year.

Founder & Proprietor Rick McCarthy describes their BBQ style as “hybrid,” with notes pulled from North Carolina, Texas, and Memphis. Rick is our well-informed guide to all things Baby Blues BBQ.

Show 211, February 18, 2017: Judy Walker, Golden Rule Charity – Benefit for Chef Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House, Anaheim

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Adam Bell

Chef Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House is passionate about his long-time efforts to feed hungry kids in need daily with nutritious food prepared in his own kitchens. His restaurant was recently devastated by a horrific fire and remains closed. It’s going to take time and over $1 million to restore. Insurance will not cover it all.

Orange County chefs & restaurateurs are generously rallying to support Bruno’s charity, Caterina’s Club, and his employees with a benefit on Monday evening, February 20th at Highway 39 Event Center in Anaheim.

VIP is from 5 to 8:00 p.m. with wine and beer included is a $75 donation.

General Admission is from 6 to 8:00 p.m. and is a $50 donation.

“The Anaheim White House restaurant has been severely damaged in a fire and will close indefinitely. The 1909 Colonial-style mansion was converted into a restaurant now owned by Chef Bruno Serato, who feeds pasta each night to 2,000 at-risk, disadvantaged children from the restaurant’s kitchen. He has done so for more than a decade.”

“Bruno is an Italian immigrant who came to the U.S. with $50 in his pocket and through hard work saved the money to open his restaurant 30 years ago. Bruno is known worldwide for feeding the children, finding housing for their families and helping at-risk youth land jobs in the hospitality field. He even mortgaged his own home during the recession to keep his charity work going.”

Organizer Judy Walker of Golden Rule Charity joins us with the specifics.

Show 83, August 9, 2014: Manuel Alvarez of AlXimia Vino Elemental winery

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Adam Bell

One of the most important (and historic) wine regions in Mexico is the Valle de Guadalupe located about an hour and one-half South of Tijuana. The best of these wines are slowly finding their way North to Southern California. Manuel Alvarez of AlXimia Vino Elemental winery joins us from the Valle de Guadalupe with his Family’s story. His brother is the winemaker.

Wine tasting and tours are available to visitors at this architecturally significant winery. It looks like a sleek flying saucer has landed.

“AlXimia is a wine-making project born from the meeting of the senses and the world, with special attention to the earth, the plant, the fruit and its benefits. We are trying to understand, use and preserve nature.

Baja California is wine country, and wines are, in our view, the product of the transmutation of the four natural elements:

the earth that nourishes and gives rise to the vineyards
the scarce water that is vital in the Valle de Guadalupe
the fresh air that comes from the sea and
the fire in the form of the heat from the sun, providing the freshness and warmth needed to ripen the grapes and give them the adequate acidity, while at the same time generating the energy needed for the process
When you assemble these 4 elements, the space (or ether) becomes the fifth element that makes possible their existence.

AlXimia is a family business focused on the work of the sensible. It is a group born at home, amidst the respect for the environment, in the tradition of teaching and knowledge transfer. AlXimia travels through the wine trail manifested in a free and existential thinking against the structured and accurate scientific thought process, daring to innovate. Started by a mathematician turned winemaker, this amazing winery was built by an innovative architect, the mathematician-winemaker and his astronomer father.”