Show 312, February 23, 2019: Executive Chef Beto Huizar, Mad & Vin at The Landsby, Solvang

Beto HuizarThe Landsby’s signature restaurant is Mad & Vin showcasing wine-country inspired cuisine. The executive chef is Beto Huizar. It’s honestly “farm-to-kitchen” fresh ingredients as Chef Beto shops the weekly Wednesday afternoon Solvang Farmers Market.

Each dish is prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients from California’s Central Coast. Seating for breakfast, lunch or dinner is in the welcoming dining room or dine alfresco on the outdoor patio overlooking the striking interior courtyard. Sunday Brunch is on the horizon.

A Dinner specialty is the Roasted Chicken Skillet. It’s herb-marinated free-range chicken with chorizo whipped potatoes, sautéed spinach and preserved lemon.

Happy Hour at the popular Lobby Bar (soon to expand) is seven days a week. It’s a favorite with the locals for quick, chef-driven bites and quality libations.

 

Show 51, December 7, 2013: Barbara Fairchild, former long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine, educator, food journalist, and cookbook author Continues…

Rotisserie Georgette in New York CityOn to New York…

Barbara has been particularly taken by the new Rotisserie Georgette. Georgette Farkas was Chef Daniel Boulud’s highly regarded ace public relations and marketing person for many years.

Barbara had already been there for lunch and was going back for dinner!

Barbara also graciously shared her find for favorite classic French Bistro on New York which is a bit under the dining radar. It’s Le Bateau Ivre, established in 1999. She suggests them for for mussels, onion soup, and roasted chicken.

In concluding Barbara shared her memories of the very popular Judy Rodgers of San Francisco’s iconic Zuni Café. She passed away last week.

Show 45, October 26, 2013: Jonathan Waxman, owner/chef of Barbuto in New York City

Jonathan WaxmanHe’s affectionately known as the Obi-Wan Kenobi of chefs because of his practical, no-nonsense approach to cooking and we’re talking about the Manhattan-based Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto in the West Village. You’ve seen him competing on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” His most recent cookbook is Italian, My Way: More Than 150 Simple and Inspired Recipes That Breathe New Life into Italian Classics by Jonathan Waxman and Tom Colicchio (Apr 5, 2011.) The roasted chicken recipe as served at Barbuto is a classic.

We have great affection for him in California for his early years with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse and as a recognized pioneer of California cuisine.

He’s in Las Vegas for “Life is Beautiful” Festival and was honored Friday night at the kick-off dinner, “Grill and Guitars,” with a menu prepared by celebrity chefs including Aaron Sanchez, Michael Symon and Nancy Silverton.

Lucky Rice Market 2013

We were out on July 27, 2013 at the 2nd annual LA edition of the LuckyRice Festival and Night Market featuring our own Jet Tila and host Sang Yoon of Lukshon, but also past guests like the team from Seoul Sausage Company and some of the best Asian inspired food and cocktails we’ve had all year! Some of the restaurants we tried include Spice Table, Night+Market, Starry Kitchen, BEP Vietnamese Kitchen, B Sweet Catering, Phorage, RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen, Komodo, Zengo, Ayara Thai Kitchen and a lot more. Not to mention the Katsuya VIP Dragon Lounge. Missed it? Check out our photo gallery to see all the fun we had. Balloon Animals? Oh, yes. That was a blast.