Podcasts

Hour One: MXO Mexican Steakhouse, Bar Etoile
Hour Two: Bar Etoile, Bar Becky, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction and Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Chef Wes Avila, MXO Mexican Steakhouse, West Hollywood
Segments Four and Five: Bar Etoile, Melrose Hill, with proprietors Jill Bernheimer & Julian Kurland
Segments Six and Seven: Bar Becky, Long Beach, with Executive Chef Johnathan Benvenuti
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel

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

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the emerging culinary epicenter of West Hollywood. Chef Avila was particularly inspired by his most recent travels to Monterrey, Mexico where the bustling culinary scene there inspired the creation of the MXO concept, all the while paying homage to his roots and Mexican culinary traditions. MXO, means “Mexican Origins.”” Chef Wes takes a break from the wood-fired grill to join us.

“Bar Etoile in the Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles is a natural wine focused restaurant with a full bar featuring Executive Chef Travis Hayden’s farmers market driven, seasonal cuisine with a French lean.

Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers and house potato chips, steak frites with Montpellier butter, and vibes for days. Co-owned by the team behind one of L.A.’s oldest (and best) natural wine shops (Jill Bernheimer and Julian Kurland,) expect some fantastic sips on the smart list, plus cocktails, including a damn fine martini, too.”

Co-Owners Julian Kurland and Jill Bernheimer are our guests gently pulling the cork on all that is Bar Etoile.

“Bar Becky, which quietly opened in 2024 at Long Beach Exchange (LBX) after a series of pop-ups, is an Italian American kitchen by Chef Johnathan Benvenuti, a Southern California native and Hell’s Kitchen Finalist from last season, and partner Jason Scarborough, a Michelin-star restaurant industry veteran and sommelier. Bar Becky is Chef Johnathan Benvenuti’s tribute to his mother, Becky. Open for dinner every day, the scratch kitchen features focaccia, house made pastas, and a constantly evolving collection of comforting classics and chef-driven creations. They strive to feature the freshest produce from local farmers and artisan producers.” Chef Johnathan takes a break from Brunch service to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. On a much lighter note this week (Fire Relief is still front-and-center) we’re talking about crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite fast food menu items. Chef Andrew sheepishly shares his top picks.

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

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila. known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the new culinary epicenter of West Hollywood.”

“MXO, means “Mexican Origins.” We’re big fans of Chef Wes’ going back to his very personal Angry Egret Dinette in L.A.’s Chinatown and the original Guerrilla Tacos cart.

“Chef Avila was particularly inspired by his most recent travels to Monterrey, Mexico where the bustling culinary scene there inspired the creation of the MXO concept, all the while paying homage to his roots and Mexican culinary traditions.”

Look for specialties including Grilled Cabbage Caesar, Okinawa Sweet Potato Taquitos and Pork al Pastor with pineapple.

Chef Wes takes a break from the active wood-fired grill to join us.

“Bar Etoile in the Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles is a natural wine focused restaurant with a full bar featuring Executive Chef Travis Hayden’s farmers market driven, seasonal cuisine with a French lean.”

“Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers and house potato chips, steak frites with Montpellier butter, and vibes for days. Co-owned by the team behind one of L.A.’s oldest (and best) natural wine shops (Jill Bernheimer and Julian Kurland,) expect some fantastic sips on the smart list, plus cocktails, including a damn fine martini, too.”

Co-Owners Julian Kurland and Jill Bernheimer are our guests gently pulling the cork on all that is Bar Etoile.

“Bar Becky, which quietly opened in 2024 at Long Beach Exchange (LBX) after a series of pop-ups, is an Italian American kitchen by Chef Johnathan Benvenuti, a Southern California native and Hell’s Kitchen Finalist from last season, and partner Jason Scarborough, a Michelin-star restaurant industry veteran and sommelier.”

“Bar Becky is Chef Johnathan Benvenuti’s tribute to his mother, Becky. Open for dinner every day, the scratch kitchen features focaccia, house made pastas, and a constantly evolving collection of comforting classics and chef-driven creations. They strive to feature the freshest produce from local farmers and artisan producers.”

New at Bar Becky’s is Brunch Service and a Weekend Chef’s Counter Menu (a creative and seasonal prix fixe menu offered at the counter every Friday and Saturday.)

“Bar Becky is located at LBX (Long Beach Exchange) at 3860 Worsham Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Friday from 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday from 11a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m. For reservations, please visit their website or call (562) 421-0200.”

Chef Johnathan takes a break from Brunch service 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.

On a lighter note this week (Fire Relief is still a top priority) we’re talking about crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite guilty-pleasure, fast food menu items. Chef Andrew sheepishly shares his top picks.

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

Podcasts

Hour One: MXO Mexican Steakhouse, Bar Etoile
Hour Two: Bar Etoile, Bar Becky, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction and Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Chef Wes Avila, MXO Mexican Steakhouse, West Hollywood
Segments Four and Five: Bar Etoile, Melrose Hill, with proprietors Jill Bernheimer & Julian Kurland
Segments Six and Seven: Bar Becky, Long Beach, with Executive Chef Johnathan Benvenuti
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel