Show 468, April 2, 2022: Steven Goodale, Proprietor, Park 1039, San Luis Obispo

Steven Goodale of Park 1039

Park 1039 in San Luis Obispo was built with the dream of bringing together products that inspire the staff, and a team that genuinely loves what they do.”

“Owner Steven Goodale is the heart of Park 1039 and has worked tirelessly to open a top-notch eatery and market for the last three years. Goodale is passionate about fine wines, especially when it comes to France. Steve humbly wants everyone to experience the best food and wine the world has to offer, and bring a unique selection of offerings to his beautiful City of San Luis Obispo.”

“Park 1039 aims to celebrate food that is alive – an expression of nature. The Chefs are passionate about foraging for wild herbs, flowers and even sea water for finishing salt. The products that can’t be made in-house are thoughtfully sourced from local farmers or high-quality import producers. The Chefs are dedicated to creating seasonal offerings that make their high-quality ingredients the star of each course.”

Also on the menu are a wide variety of specialty cheeses, customized food gift baskets and Cheese & Charcuterie Boards.

Show 378, June 20, 2020: Donato Poto, Co-Proprietor, Providence Restaurant, Hollywood

Donato Poto of Providence plus Connie and Ted'sFor 15 years, Providence in Hollywood has elevated the standard of modern American seafood restaurants with exemplary service. Newly reopened for dine-in you can again experience Chef Michael Cimarusti’s award-winning cuisine in the heart of Los Angeles, welcomed by one of L.A.’s legendary hosts, co-owner Donato Poto.

“Chef Cimarusti is completely dedicated to procuring the finest sustainable seafood—from regional coasts and international waters—and treats those ingredients with uncompromising respect and sophisticated technique. “First and foremost, what guides us here is sustainability,” Cimarusti says. “We use only wild-caught, sustainable products, mostly from American waters, and look to highlight their finest qualities.””

Restaurateur Donato Poto is with us to reminisce, celebrate the 15th Anniversary and look to the future.

Show 355, January 11, 2020: Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, Ashland, Oregon

Drew Gibbs of the Alchemy Restaurant and BarAlchemy Restaurant and Bar, located in an historic former residence in Ashland, Oregon, is as popular with the locals as well as visitors for a memorable dining experience with inventive cocktails and an artfully selected wine list. Proprietor Drew Gibbs is also a Certified Sommelier. It’s housed on the ground floor of The Winchester Inn.

“Alchemy Restaurant and Bar…Cuisine Transformed.” “Come explore the world of Alchemy…Tinctures, Elixirs and Transmutations. We focus on craft cocktails, boutique wines, and innovative cuisine to transform your experience into something truly memorable. Serving dinner, bistro fare and Sunday brunch in a setting that melds classic and contemporary in one breath.”

“The Winchester Inn is an award-winning hotel that has been a landmark in Ashland, Oregon for over 35 years. A family run establishment since it was founded in 1983, the inn and restaurant have provided luxury and comfort with a touch of familiarity and home to thousands of guests.”

“The 21-room inn offers guests supreme levels of quality, luxury and service: rooms, suites, cottages, tiered English gardens, award winning dining at Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, and convenient access to shopping, art galleries, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in downtown Ashland.”

“The inn has received numerous accolades, including Conde Nast “Best in the US”, placing it in the ‘Top 75’ list. The New York Times has described the Winchester Inn as “Ashland’s premier historic inn.””

Drew artfully pulls the cork on Alchemy Restaurant and Bar for us.

Show 348, November 9, 2019: Sean Sheehan, Sheehan Winery, Albuquerque, NM

Sean Sheehan of Sheehan WinerySheehan Winery is committed to making high-quality, all natural, boutique wines in New Mexico. Our winery was founded in 2015 by Sean Sheehan, who learned the craft by serving for more than a decade as lead winemaker at some of New Mexico’s finest wineries.”

“Our wines are made exclusively from New Mexico-grown grapes. Sheehan Winery wines reflect the unique combination of sun, high altitude, dry climate and soil of the New Mexico climate. We invite you to enjoy them!”

Winemaker Sean Sheehan is with us to pull the cork.

Show 282, July 21, 2018: Steve Massis, Proprietor, The Attic, Long Beach

Steve and Calvin MassisEat your heart out Long Beach! DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week returns August 4 to 12, 2018. Experience cuisine that delights the palate and defines the art of dining in Long Beach. Held annually, Dine LBC features value-oriented two or three course menus from dozens of Long Beach’s best restaurants in twelve unique neighborhoods throughout the city.

The Attic on Broadway (with a distinct Southern flair and ample libations) is one of the participating restaurants.

“Enjoy fresh Southern cuisine with a Southern California twist!”

It’s Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days plus Weekend Brunch. Dog-friendly and seating inside the restored Craftsman bungalow or on 2 shaded patios.

We’ll meet hands-on proprietor Steve Massis.

Show 275, May 26, 2018: Chef / Proprietor Tyler Hansen, the Oystercatcher, Coupeville, Whidbey Island, WA

Tyler HansenCentrally located on Whidbey Island, WA in Coupeville, the Oystercatcher has proudly served simple, good, food for more than 18 years. Chef Tyler Hansen (3rd chef/proprietor) and his team create a harmonious and authentic farm-to-table menu to showcase all what the island, and the region has to offer. They even make the extraordinary effort to bake daily all the breads used in the restaurant. The bread is so popular that it’s sold to other Island restaurants and retail markets.

“Historically the island provided an abundance of food, with the prairie serving as a sacred place for those who lived there. We honor that tradition at the restaurant today working with the farmers who continue to keep that heritage alive on the island.”

“Creating the entire experience from scratch is what makes the restaurant tick. The first wheat fields on Whidbey were harvested in September to mill the local flour for the bread. Being involved with the growing process to the finished product on the plate is the passion that drives the kitchen.”

Chef Tyler is about to go into his lunch service so he’d breaking away to chat with us.

 

Show 248, November 18, 2017: Chef Nacho Cadena, La Leche, Puerto Vallarta

Nacho CadenaChef Nacho Cadena is the proprietor of Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated La Leche restaurant and also a goodwill ambassador for Puerto Vallarta.

“We like to reinterpret the culinary tradition irreverently, making the most of local products to reinvent the menu every day, making La Leche a fun, delicious and extraordinary space to live together.”

“Each one of us has a certain essence that makes this kitchen something special and unique. Our bases: surprise, contrast, difference, fun and exquisiteness.”

“With a unique, minimalist and forceful style, the interior design proposes a monochromatic atmosphere where each diner awakens their senses by interacting with stimulating plates in a space conceived as a canvas, which will be intervened by the cuisine of Chef Alfonso Cadena (Chef Nacho’s son) and his dear visitors.”

Chef Nacho Cadena, the patriarch of Le Leche, is our guest.

 

Show 211, February 18, 2017: Dan Tapia, Proprietor, 4th and Olive Restaurant, Long Beach

Dan Tapia and barman John Putman of 4th an d Olive in Long BeachThe newly opened 4th and Olive in the East Village of Long Beach is a traditional Franco-German restaurant and beer garden serving Alsatian style food. Under the culinary direction of Chef Alex McGroarty, the restaurant features housemade dishes such as sausages, braised meats, pretzels, sauerkraut and other comfort foods of the region, plus unique European beers and wines.

Unique to the restaurant industry, disabled veterans were actively recruited to staff 4th and Olive, resulting in a 50 per cent make up of current employees. Tapia, a proud Navy veteran and recovering quadriplegic himself who was injured during a stint in the Navy and currently uses a cane, is committed to creating jobs for other disabled vets that are having difficulty finding employment because of their physical challenges. The layout of the restaurant and kitchen were designed with these challenges in mind.

Smoked Salmon Toast for Brunch at 4th and Olive“The 4th and Olive team is excited to serve authentic Alsatian style food to food lovers in Long Beach,” Tapia said. “Along with our great menu and friendly service, my personal goal is to bring attention to the challenges other disabled vets face when they are willing and capable of doing just as good a job as an able-bodied person.”

Weekend Brunch (think German Pancake) is served Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 3pm. The restaurant is open for dinner 4:30 – 10pm Monday through Thursday and 4:30 – 11pm Friday and Saturday.

Proprietor Dan Tapia is our guest.

Show 137, September 5, 2015: Chef / Proprietor Florent Marneau, Marche Moderne

Florent and Amelia Marneau of Marche Moderne at South Coast PlazaIf you’re a fan of bouillabaisse, the celebrated fresh seafood stew from Provence, then you need to head over to Marche Moderne in South Coast Plaza. Nightly from September 10th through Sunday, September 20th is their annual Bouillabaisse 2015 festival! It’s an occasion worthy of celebration.

Chef/Proprietor Florent Marneau flies in his fish from the South of France. In the bouillabaisse you’ll see Saint-Pierre, Daurade Royale or Seabream and Rouget or Rascasse. There is also a carefully selected group of Rose wines (available by the glass or bottle) to pair with the bouillabaisse.

The keys to a great bouillabaisse are the broth (made with fish bones) and the quality of the fish.

These nights at Marche Moderne are very popular. Reservations are needed.

Show 98, November 22, 2014: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours / Wine Tours Santa Ynez Valley

Eric John ReynoldsThe primo attraction in California’s charmingly rural Santa Ynez Valley is the diversity of noteworthy wineries. The wine trail there includes Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. How do you navigate the Valley? The “SoCal Restaurant Show” recently left that in the expert hands of Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, based right there.

All of their accommodating hosts have Level One sommelier training and are treated as VIPs at the carefully selected wineries included on the tour. As a Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours guest you are guaranteed a warm welcome at each of the four carefully selected winery stops. A picnic lunch is part of excursion and you get picked up at your hotel. Some of their personable hosts have actually managed winery tasting rooms.

“Just sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty and wonderful boutique wineries that Santa Barbara wine country has to offer.”

We’ll meet the proprietor and founder, Eric John Reynolds.