Show 534, July 15, 2023: Preview of Long Beach Burger Week with EJ’s Pub with General Manager Richard Avila

Richard Avila Ej's Pub

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 3rd Annual Long Beach Burger Week is EJ’s Pub located in Bixby Knolls. The former Irish Pub, EJ Malloy’s, morphed into EJ’s Pub in 2017. It’s an upbeat, neighborhood sports bar offering well-prepared American comfort food, draft micro beers and ample patio seating.

One Burger Week special is their Bixby Knolls Garlic Burger. It’s a half-pound Angus beef patty with Swiss cheese, Irish stout onion spread, crispy garlic fries and pepper rings served on grilled garlic toast.

General Manager Richard Avila is out guest to preview their burger week menu with spatula in hand.

Show 533, July 8, 2023: The Hitching Post, Casmalia with General Manager Terri Strickland Part One

Terri  Strickland of the Hitching Post

“Casmalia, California, former cow-town of the Old West, is where California-style barbecuing was brought to perfection by the pioneers. The Hitching Post (having celebrated their 70th Anniversary of Ostini Family ownership last year) has brought this live-oak California-style barbecuing to perfection bringing choice, aged beef to the ultimate of gourmet flavor and tenderness while keeping alive the traditions of the old romantic West.”

“The weatherworn walls of The Hitching Post’s 120 year-old building are crammed with memories that induce an atmosphere of Western nostalgia to the romantically inclined people who can relax and trade the pressures of the fast, modern world for an evening of Old West hospitality.”

All Dinners at The Hitching Post (a full meal) (under the culinary direction of proprietor & Chef Bill Ostini) include fresh vegetable tray, bay shrimp cocktail, dinner salad, choice of home cut French fries, baked potato or grilled vegetables, garlic bread, coffee or tea, ice cream or sherbet. All entrees (including the grilled veggies) are prepared on their famous (and Instagramable) indoor barbecue pit, using local red oak wood.”

“Santa Maria Barbecue focuses on slow cooking with indirect heat but over an open wood fire rather than in a closed smoker, and typically features the large tri-tip beef roast. The Hitching Posts build on this local tradition with far more than tri-tip, marrying cowboy customs with excellent cuts of steak and seafood. This is open fire barbecue at its very highest level.”

Founder Frank Ostini Sr.’s daughter, Terri Strickland, joins us with a shrimp cocktail in hand. Terri is The Hitching Post’s General Manager.

Show 533, July 8, 2023: The Hitching Post, Casmalia with General Manager Terri Strickland Part Two

Terri  Strickland of the Hitching Post

“Casmalia, California, former cow-town of the Old West, is where California-style barbecuing was brought to perfection by the pioneers. The Hitching Post (having celebrated their 70th Anniversary of Ostini Family ownership last year) has brought this live-oak California-style barbecuing to perfection bringing choice, aged beef to the ultimate of gourmet flavor and tenderness while keeping alive the traditions of the old romantic West.”

“The weatherworn walls of The Hitching Post’s 120 year-old building are crammed with memories that induce an atmosphere of Western nostalgia to the romantically inclined people who can relax and trade the pressures of the fast, modern world for an evening of Old West hospitality.”

All Dinners at The Hitching Post (a full meal) prepared with the culinary guidance of Proprietor Chef Bill Ostini. include fresh vegetable tray, bay shrimp cocktail, dinner salad, choice of home cut French fries, baked potato or grilled vegetables, garlic bread, coffee or tea, ice cream or sherbet. All entrees are prepared on their famous (and Instagramable) indoor barbecue pit, using local red oak wood.”

“Santa Maria Barbecue focuses on slow cooking with indirect heat but over an open wood fire rather than in a closed smoker, and typically features the large tri-tip beef roast. The Hitching Posts build on this local tradition with far more than tri-tip, marrying cowboy customs with excellent cuts of steak and seafood. This is open fire barbecue at its very highest level.”

Founder Frank Ostini Sr.’s daughter, Terri Strickland, continues with us with an order of warm garlic bread at the ready. Terri is The Hitching Post’s General Manager.

Show 518, March 25, 2023: Paul Hobson, General Manager, SAHARA Las Vegas

Paul Hobson of Sahara Las Vegas

SAHARA Las Vegas on the fabled Las Vegas Strip epitomizes the timeless soul of Las Vegas. With a bold, sophisticated flair and a boutique approach to personal service, SAHARA provides guests an intimate and unexpected experience that sets a new standard for Las Vegas. Completely remodeled and reimagined for a new era after a $200 million dollar renovation, SAHARA offers three distinctive hotel towers, a variety of five-star dining options and a world-class casino. With unexpected delights around every corner, SAHARA embodies the style, sophistication and playful sense of possibility embodying the spirit of Las Vegas—all while bringing the iconic Las Vegas experience to a new generation.”

“SAHARA Las Vegas comprises an all-encompassing resort and casino with 1,613 guest rooms and suites in three distinctive towers—including the Marra Tower (where elegance meets indulgence) —each with a unique personality designed to offer contemporary and stylish settings for an amazing Las Vegas getaway.”

SAHARA Las Vegas celebrated their 70th Anniversary last year. General Manager Paul Hobson is at our service.

Show 402, December 5, 2020: Matthew DeMarte, General Manager, Connie & Ted’s, West Hollywood

Matthew de Marte wearing a mask at Connie and Ted'sConnie and Ted’s in West Hollywood is inspired by the real Connie & Ted (the grandparents of Chef Michael Cimarusti,) their love for family, and the good times they spent together fishing off the shores of New England. At Connie and Ted’s you’ll find simply prepared fish and shellfish, inspired by the classic clam shacks, oyster bars, and fish houses, that dot the New England Seaboard and the West Coast.

General Manager Matthew DeMarte has been there since the beginning eight years ago. We reel him in to explain how Connie & Ted’s is still hospitably serving their guests (Wednesday through Sunday) with seafood specialties available for takeaway. Gift cards for Connie & Ted’s are a great item for the seafood lovers on your Holiday list.

Show 337, August 17, 2019: Robert Hunt, General Manager, Alcazar Palm Springs

Robert Hunt of Alcazar Palm SpringsAlcazar Palm Springs (established in 2011 and a member of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels) is a serene and peaceful oasis right in the center of the cultural epicenter known as the uptown design district!”

“This lush and relaxing 34- room boutique hotel is warm, modern & sleek, featuring Imported Italian linens, flat screen TV’s, fireplaces, poolside and private patios, salt water purified pool, cooling misters, Jacuzzi and a beautiful garden courtyard to lounge with your favorite book and glass of wine.”

Mature, well-maintained landscaping with an abundance of shade trees, plants and flowers is an attraction of the property with wings built around the interior courtyard and pool. Some rooms have comfortable patios with mature Meyer lemon trees providing shade. A busy, full-time gardener tends to the botanicals.

The hands-on, welcoming and hospitable General Manager is Robert Hunt. We’ll meet him.

Show 335, August 3, 2019: Steve Nydell, General Manager, Navy Proof Food & Spirits, Long Beach

Steve Nydell of Navy Proof Food and SpiritsDINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week is now in progress and runs through Sunday, August 11th. It’s a prime time to dine in a possible new restaurant discovery in Long Beach. On the menu with us is Steve Nydell the General Manager and Beverage Director of the newly launched Navy Proof Food & Spirits, one of the participating restaurants in DINE LBC.

The cuisine at Navy Proof Food and Spirits emphasizes technique and texture to highlight the versatility of seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced seafood and meat. A notable element that earmarks the concept is its highly-developed beverage program led by Steve NydellNavy Proof Food and Spirits General Manager. An approachable cocktail bar with a highly creative team of bespoke bartenders, the restaurant offers guests a rich experience with classic cocktails refreshed and re-imagined. In addition to lunch and dinner service, breakfast service is offered daily, in addition to a robust happy hour.

Boasting a world-class, bartender driven cocktail program, biodynamic wines and local brews, Navy Proof Food & Spirits guests enjoy the vast offerings of rare and distinctive spirits plus tableside cocktail service, including the Bargaining Table created with 12 – year rum, averna amaro, coffee liquor, sour cherry bitters. Groups of 2 – 6 can also enjoy the large format Cult of Sailors, made of white rum, grapefruit juice, limejuice, aperol, orgeat (almond syrup) & aromatic bitters.

Show 327, June 8, 2019: Jonathan Wantz, General Manager, Golden Road Pub OC

Jon Wantz of Golden Road BrewingWhat’s new on Chef Henry’s varied menu at Golden Road Pub OC? What’s on tap for the Freeway Series at Angel Stadium on Monday & Tuesday nights?

We’ll also get a preview of the OC Pub’s “Almost 4th of July” festivities.

The eagerly anticipated Weekend Brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. launched this weekend. Think Churro Waffle and Street Corn Toast…

The person with all of these answers, and more, is Jonathan Wantz, General Manager of Golden Road Pub OC.

 

Show 323, May 11, 2019: Brian Kurata, General Manager, Lagasse’s Stadium, Las Vegas

Brian Kurata at Lagasse's StadiumFor the 4rd time in the show’s history we’re happily broadcasting from Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo. It’s a sport’s fan’s and foodies’ paradise. Lagasse’s Stadium is the ultimate sports bar: a restaurant with stadium-seating featuring elevated game-time classics and gourmet options from Emeril Lagasse. Executing Chef Emeril’s culinary vision in the kitchen on a daily basis is long-time Chef de Cuisine, Scott Pajak.

Watch the most exciting games and biggest sporting events at Lagasse’s Stadium, the ultimate ages 21 and over sports bar and sports book in Las Vegas.

“Named “Best Sports Bar in Las Vegas” by Las Vegas Golf & Leisure, Lagasse’s Stadium combines Emeril Lagasse’s signature cuisine and kicked-up game day eats with more than 100 HD TVs including a 9 foot x 16 foot main TV, luxury boxes, plush stadium-style seating, billiard tables, and an outdoor patio just steps from the Strip.”

“Guests can listen to any game showing via the free hearTV app on their smartphone. Now, you’ll never have to choose between great food and the big game.”

Named “Best Sports Lounge” by Vegas Seven, “Best Sports Bar” by Las Vegas Review-Journal and one of the “Top Sports Bars in Las Vegas” by Yahoo! Sports and one of the “10 Best Sports Bars Across the USA” by USA Today.

Brian Kurata, the able General Manager since 2013, is our insightful Coach.

Show 318, April 6, 2019: Mark Kamarauskas. General Manager, Golden Road Brewing Part One

Mark KamarauskasMark Kamarauskas is the seasoned and vastly experienced General Manager of Golden Road Brewing. He joined Golden Road just under two years ago after 15 years with Chicago’s giant craft beer success story, Goose Island. For most of his tenure there Mark was the Director of Operations. He worked with Goose Island’s founder, John Hall, and also orchestrated the transition after their purchase in 2011 by Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Mark joins us to discuss the challenges of growing the Golden Road Brewing enterprise while maintaining the product quality and preserving the hard-to-duplicate, entrepreneurial corporate culture.