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 35, July 13, 2013: Chef Jet Tila with “Sushi 411.”

SushiJet has extensive experience in teaching the sushi basics to professionals so we asked him to share the fundamentals of sushi etiquette so guests will have the ability to eat better at their favorite sushi spot. With that said Jet also respectfully suggests that you follow the course in a sushi restaurant that provides you with the most pleasure.

Sushi was originally created in China as a way to preserve fish before refrigeration. It was layered, and heavily salted and vinegared.

The three basic types of sushi are sashimi, maki, and hand rolls. It takes years of rigorous training to become a master sushi chef.

One big faux pas in a sushi bar is to mix the soy sauce and wasabi together into a pool. The shaved ginger is actually a palate cleanser and not a side salad. Jet explained where each should be properly used.

If you sit at the sushi bar the chef is stealthily watching how you eat. At a sushi bar there are the seafood equivalents of filet mignon, rib eye, and chuck. All are edible of course. If the chef sees that you aren’t discriminating then the sushi you get will be the equivalent of “chuck.”

The chef knows what’s the best because he’s been prepping it all day. Omakase (literally) “trust the chef” is the way to go for a special experience. It’s a personalized tasting menu left in the hands of the chef. The sushi chef will present you one item at a time (from lighter to heavier) to savor.

If you really want to an impression with the sushi chef send over a beer or sake for them during the meal with your compliments. You’ll likely see some incredible fish as a result…