Show 213, March 4, 2017: Chef George Geary, Author of L.A.’s Legendary Restaurants

George GearyL.A.’s Legendary RestaurantsCelebrating the Famous Places Where Hollywood Ate, Drank, and Played is an illustrated history (with rare & unusual recipes) of dozens of landmark eateries from throughout the City of Angels. From such classics as Musso & Frank and The Brown Derby in the 1920s to the see-and-be-seen crowds at Chasen’s, Romanoffs, and Ciro’s in the mid-20th century to the dawn of California cuisine at Ma Maison and Spago Sunset in the 1970s and ‘80s, L.A.’s Legendary Restaurants celebrates the famous locations where Hollywood ate, drank, and played.

Author George Geary leads you into the glamorous restaurants inhabited by the stars through a lively narrative filled with colorful anecdotes and illustrated with vintage photographs, historic menus, and timeless ephemera. Over 100 iconic recipes for entrees, appetizers, desserts, and vintage drinks are included, and all are updated for today’s cook and kitchen.

While many people have heard the story of Elizabeth Taylor requesting that Chasen’s famous chili be flown to her on the set of Cleopatra in Rome, L.A.’s Legendary Restaurants offers facts and trivia that aren’t as well known to the general public, such as Bob Hope’s favorite place to enjoy a hot fudge sundae after the Academy Awards (C.C. Brown’s), the restaurant where part of a table was sawed off to accommodate a pregnant Lana Turner, and the pharmacy where composer Harold Arlen wrote “Over the Rainbow” for The Wizard of Oz.

The glamour of the golden age of drive-ins, drugstores, nightclubs, and hotels are also honored. What book on L.A. restaurants would be complete without tales of ice cream sundaes at C.C. Brown’s, cafeteria-style meals at Clifton’s, a late-night breakfast at Ben Frank’s, or a mai tai at Don the Beachcomber?

Author, chef and Certified Culinary Professional George Geary is our guest.

On Saturday, March 11th @ 10:30 a.m. Chef George will be at the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library with a Talk & Book-Signing for the Culinary Historians of Southern California. All are invited (it’s a free event) and books will be available for sale which Chef George Geary will sign.

Show 24, April 6, 2013: Mark Echeverria, the General Manager & Proprietor of the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood

Musso and Frank Grill in HollywoodThere is tremendous development and continued renewal going on in the heart of Hollywood and one grand institution which has endured since 1919 is the venerable Musso & Frank Grill. It’s rich history is intertwined with the great tradition of the entertainment business in Hollywood. Industry deals are still made there to this day!

Mark Echeverria is the great-grandson of John Mosso who purchased the restaurant, with a partner, in the late 20s. He is dedicated to preserving the great tradition of Musso’s in Hollywood.

Since 1919 there have been only three executive chefs at Musso & Frank Grill. The current chef, J.P. Amateau (the son of a Hollywood producer/director,) preserves the traditions of the past while keeping the menu up-to-date. Wood-burning grills are all the rage these days but Musso & Frank Grill has been expertly grilling their popular steaks over wood (in full view of the guests at the counter) since the beginning. The new room (added in 1953) has the long bar and classic cocktails are the order of the day.

Many of the waiters (attired in distinctive red jackets) and bartenders have been there for years. They are proud of being career servers and providing for their families. Sergio Gonzalez has been serving satisfied guests for 41 years and there are more like him at Musso’s.

April 6: Gustavo Arellano, Musso and Frank Grill, Scott Leibfried

Podcasts

Segment One: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Two: Gustavo Arellano, Editor of The OC Weekly & author of Taco USA – How Mexican Food Conquered America Part One
Segment Three: Gustavo Arellano, Editor of The OC Weekly & author of Taco USA – How Mexican Food Conquered America Part Two
Segment Four: Mark Echeverria, the General Manager & Proprietor of the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood
Segment Five: Chef Scott Leibfried, Gordon Ramsay’s sous chef on Fox TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen” for the past 10 years. Executive Chef of Arch Rock Fish is Santa Barbara Part One
Segment Six: Chef Scott Leibfried, Gordon Ramsay’s sous chef on Fox TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen” for the past 10 years. Executive Chef of Arch Rock Fish is Santa Barbara Part Two

Lots of tasty delights to share this week. We have an unusual take on Mexican food that will leave you thinking. From there it’s a bit of celebrity dining history in old Hollywood. We wrap it up with a prominent chef who is an accomplished expert in seafood preparation.

First it’s the “best bite of the week” with Chef Jet and Producer Andy. Thereafter it’s the cream of significant restaurant news of the week.

Gustavo Arellano of Ask a MexicanIf you think you know everything there is to know about the rich history of Mexican food in America think again. Gustavo Arellano joins us to talk about his latest book, Taco USA – How Mexican Food Conquered America. Gustavo is the accomplished and well-known editor of OC Weekly as well as one of their restaurant reviewers. He also pens the provocative, nationally syndicated column, “Ask a Mexican!

Since 1919 the venerable Musso and Frank Grill on Hollywood Blvd. has ably stood the test of time and endured. More than a handful of the career waiters there have been serving guests for 30 years or more. Every one of them is a character! There are more stories there than there is time to do them justice in the telling! That also applies to the proficient bar staff. They perfected the classic craft cocktails way before they became trendy again!

Talk about consistency. They have had three executive chefs in their entire history.

Mark Echeverria, the managing partner, and a direct descendent of one of the two founding families joins us with a salute to the ultimate in Hollywood dining history that is far from being a museum piece.

Scott Leibfried of Hells Kitchen and Arch Rock GrillYou know Chef Scott Leibfried as Gordon Ramsay’s sous chef on Fox TV’s popular “Hell’s Kitchen” series for the past 10 seasons. He’s also the Lead Chef Advisor for Fox TV’s “Kitchen Nightmares” series also starring Chef Ramsay.

He’s a real working chef. Chef Scott is Executive Chef and part owner of Arch Rock Fish in Santa Barbara.

Podcasts

Segment One: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Two: Gustavo Arellano, Editor of The OC Weekly & author of Taco USA – How Mexican Food Conquered America Part One
Segment Three: Gustavo Arellano, Editor of The OC Weekly & author of Taco USA – How Mexican Food Conquered America Part Two
Segment Four: Mark Echeverria, the General Manager & Proprietor of the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood
Segment Five: Chef Scott Leibfried, Gordon Ramsay’s sous chef on Fox TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen” for the past 10 years. Executive Chef of Arch Rock Fish is Santa Barbara Part One
Segment Six: Chef Scott Leibfried, Gordon Ramsay’s sous chef on Fox TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen” for the past 10 years. Executive Chef of Arch Rock Fish is Santa Barbara Part Two