Tag Archives: San Pedro

Show 549, October 28, 2023: Buono’s Pizzeria’s 50th Anniversary, San Pedro and Long Beach

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Frank Buono of Buono''s P{izzeria in Long Beach

“Buono’s Pizzeria, which opened as a family-owned, Italian deli and market in 1965 in San Pedro before eventually transitioning into a full-service pizzeria in 1973, is celebrating its 50th “pizza-versary” in November. The San Pedro landmark, which relocated from its original location at 15th and Gaffey in 2019 to the port town’s Little Italy district at 6th and Centre, invites the community to celebrate on November 13 and 14 with heavily discounted menu items and $50 gift cards giveaways to 50 lucky customers who dine at Buono’s on either day. Winners are selected at random. Both Long Beach locations will be celebrating as well.”

“Turning 50 has never tasted so good,” said Frank Buono, who now heads operations for his family’s three locations, including downtown Long Beach and West Long Beach. “As one of the few legacy restaurants still around, this is our way of saying thank you to our many loyal guests. This milestone is as much their celebration as it is ours. We wouldn’t be here without their continued support throughout the decades.” Frank Buono joins us with a signature Pizza Buona Lisa at the ready.

 “The Little Italy location spans nearly 3,000 square-feet and boasts alfresco dining available with an expansive wraparound patio. The exhibition kitchen reveals a display of culinary excellence with a gas-fired brick oven.  Both Long Beach locations offer patio dining, too, with an inviting 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space at the downtown Long Beach locale.” In addition to their popular pizzas Buono’s is also known for their pastas, sauces from Grandma Buono’s recipes and ample Italian sandwiches (hot and cold) on house-baked bread.

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Show 527, May 27, 2023: Chef Dustin Trani’s, Trani’s Dockside Station, San Pedro Part One

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Dustin Trani

Chef Dustin Trani represents the 4th generation of the Trani Family to be an owner/chef cooking in San Pedro. Currently he is best known for J. Trani’s Ristorante which is his Family’s successor restaurant to their original San Pedro establishment, Trani’s Majestic Café opened in 1925 in downtown San Pedro.

His latest venture (in the works since 2019) is the ambitious soon to officially open Trani’s Dockside Station located in San Pedro’s historic waterfront in a vintage (fully restored and renovated) 1920 building that initially served as an immigration hall. In more recent years it was the local diner, Canetti’s Seafood Grotto, which closed in 2010 after a 70-year run. The exterior has been carefully restored and preserved along with the addition of a striking, art deco neon vertical sign. The restaurant will eventually be open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The handsome and spacious Trani’s Dockside (with inside and outside patio seating) features coastal cuisine with a prominent exhibition raw bar and wood-fired cooking. The bustling wholesale fish market is located directly across the street from Trani’s. When it comes to premium seafood It doesn’t get any fresher than that.

The distinctive curved stone and mahogany wood bar top (circa 1947) was repurposed from a departed area drinking establishment of note. An antique,1,600- pound cast bronze teller’s table from the original Bank of Italy (now Bank of America) serves as the unusual community table.

Chef Dustin Trani is our guest with a platter of freshly shucked oysters at the ready.

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Show 527, May 27, 2023: Chef Dustin Trani’s, Trani’s Dockside Station, San Pedro Part Two

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Dustin Trani

Chef Dustin Trani represents the 4th generation of the Trani Family to be an owner/chef cooking in San Pedro. Currently he is best known for J. Trani’s Ristorante which is his Family’s successor restaurant to their original San Pedro establishment, Trani’s Majestic Café opened in 1925 in downtown San Pedro.

His latest venture (in the works since 2019) is the ambitious soon to officially open Trani’s Dockside Station located in San Pedro’s historic waterfront in a vintage (fully restored and renovated) 1920 building that initially served as an immigration hall. In more recent years it was the local diner, Canetti’s Seafood Grotto, which closed in 2010 after a 70-year run. The exterior has been carefully restored and preserved along with the addition of a striking, art deco neon vertical sign. The restaurant will eventually be open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The handsome and spacious Trani’s Dockside (with inside and outside patio seating) features coastal cuisine with a prominent exhibition raw bar and wood-fired cooking. The bustling wholesale fish market is located directly across the street from Trani’s. It doesn’t get any fresher than that. Think Fatty Bluefin Tartar topped with Ginger and Lime Marinated Green Apples.

The distinctive curved stone and mahogany wood bar top (circa 1947) was repurposed from a departed area drinking establishment of note. An antique,1,600- pound cast bronze teller’s table from the original Bank of Italy (now Bank of America) serves as the unusual community table.

Chef Dustin Trani is our guest with a platter of freshly shucked oysters at the ready.

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Show 502, December 3, 2022: Linda Kissam, Travel Journalist – Preview of Princess Cruises’ “360-An Extraordinary Experience”

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Journalist Linda Kissam

Linda Kissam (Arizona and Seattle-based) is the immediate past President of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), a by-invitation only group of credentialed travel journalists primarily based in North America.

Last month Princess Cruises brought Linda to San Pedro to board their newest ship, Discovery Princess, to preview their new VIP amenity, 360: An Extraordinary Experience. “It’s a new, invitation-only experience from Princess Cruises that transports guests nightly to the Mediterranean – no matter where they’re actually sailing – engaging all of their senses with the tastes, sights, sounds, touches and fragrances of the Mediterranean. The fully-immersive 360: An Extraordinary Experience is the cruise line’s most epic experience ever offered and is now available onboard Discovery Princess and coming to Enchanted Princess in late January.” Among the premium cruise lines Princess has always been known for their innovations in technology enhancing the guest experience aboard luxury cruise ships.

Linda Kissam is our “Cruise Director” to share highlights of 360: An Extraordinary Experience on Discovery Princess.

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Show 354, January 4, 2020: Frank Buono, Buono’s Pizzeria Cucina Italiana, San Pedro & Long Beach Part One

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Frank Buono of Buono''s P{izzeria in Long BeachBuono’s Pizzeria Cucina Italiana is a proudly family owned Italian pizzeria with three locations in the San Pedro and Long Beach areas. Buono’s prides itself on offering authentic Italian fare like hand-kneaded pizza dough made fresh daily to homemade sausages and sauces, all served up with warm hospitality and great service. Open for lunch and dinner, craft beer and wine complement the menu.

After 54 years the original San Pedro Bruno’s Market & Deli (the predecessor to Buono’s Pizzeria) relocated late last year to a new, modern expanded space in San Pedro’s Little Italy at 222 W. 6th Street.

“While the paint may be fresh and the décor contemporary, Buono’s Pizzeria in San Pedro’s Little Italy will remain true to its origins. The scratch kitchen will continue to prepare authentic Italian pizza coupled with fresh pasta and zesty sauces. What will be new is the addition of wine and beer, an amenity not available at the original Buono’s Pizzeria.”

“The Little Italy location spans nearly 3,000 square-feet and boasts alfresco dining available with an expansive wraparound patio. The exhibition kitchen reveals a display of culinary excellence with a gas-fired brick oven as well as an 800-degree oven where Neapolitan-style pizzas bake for a quick 90 seconds.”

Their value-packed Lunch Special on Weekdays is an incredible deal. It’s “A Trip to Italy Lunch Buffet” including an ample salad bar, four gourmet pasta selections, Buono Family recipe minestrone soup and an assortment of by-the-slice pizzas (and more) for $9.99. The bonus is it’s all you can enjoy.

The Buono Family’s managing partner, Frank Buono, simmers the meat sauce for us. Frank is a 3rd generation restaurateur.

 

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Show 354, January 4, 2020: Frank Buono, Buono’s Pizzeria Cucina Italiana, San Pedro & Long Beach Part Two

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Frank Buono of Buono''s P{izzeria in Long BeachBuono’s Pizzeria Cucina Italiana is a proudly family owned Italian pizzeria with three locations in the San Pedro and Long Beach areas. Buono’s prides itself on offering authentic Italian fare like hand-kneaded pizza dough made fresh daily to homemade sausages and sauces, all served up with warm hospitality and great service. Open for lunch and dinner, craft beer and wine complement the menu.

The flagship Buono’s Pizzeria in San Pedro just relocated to San Pedro’s Little Italy (222 W. 6th Street) in an expanded, and modern, restaurant space on a visible corner with patio seating and a craft beer & wine bar.

“We (Buono Family) consider our family history an essential ingredient in our tasty menu at all three of our restaurants. Those who have already dined at any of them know how vital that legacy is to the Buono Family.”

“In 1965 Francesco and Teresa Buono opened Buono’s Market & Deli in San Pedro which became famous for their Torpedo Sandwiches, House-Made Italian Sausage, and Nonna Teresa’s Meat Sauce. In 1967 their son, Nicolaniello came from Italy and joined them here carrying a small suitcase also filled with huge hopes and dreams. And he, too, made those dreams come true when in 1973 he transformed the market and deli into the original Buono’s Pizzeria.”

Today his wife Antonia and their four children, Frank, George, Oreste and Teresa, continue to share their love of Italy and its cuisine by offering a menu that beautifully reflects the Buono Family roots. Those who are discovering this treasure for the first time are in for a wonderous experience, highlighted by Buono Family memories dating back more than half a century. Those who have joined us before eagerly anticipate what they know is a delicious meal to come!”

We continue to hand-knead the fresh pizza dough and simmer Grandma Teresa’s meat sauce with principal Frank Buono.

 

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Show 334, July 27, 2019: Crazy Fish Grill and Market, San Pedro

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Dannesh Alam of Crazy Fish Grill and MarketSan Pedro’s Crazy Fish Grill and Market in Garden Village center is new to DINE LBC. Crazy Fish was founded by a group of five guys who share a “crazy” passion for fresh seafood. They just celebrated their one-year anniversary.

“We decided to take our passion for seafood and provide a fast casual restaurant that promotes sustainability without reducing affordability. We know that the City of San Pedro (Los Angeles) shares this passion with us, so we look forward to serving you fresh fish daily for years to come.”

Don’t miss the generously portioned Swordfish Sandwich with fries or the house-prepared Poke & Chips.

For Dine LBC they have a “Crazy” 3-course seafood meal for $25. Entrée selections include a choice of Swordfish Tacos, Local Halibut or Coconut Shrimp & Chips.

We’ve reeled in partner Dannesh Alam to explain more…

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Show 259, February 3, 2018: Executive Chef Dustin Trani, J. Trani’s, San Pedro Part One

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Dustin TraniExecutive Chef Dustin Trani of the iconic J. Trani’s restaurant in San Pedro represents the 4th generation of Italian cuisine in the Trani Family. J. Trani’s opened in San Pedro in 1925.

He’s a big fan of pristine seafood from Alaska. Chef Justin is featured in a new video from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) educating C-CAP students (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) on how to prepare blast flash frozen, fresh, sustainable Alaska seafood. Chef Dustin is a loyal C-CAP alum himself.

In this video the C-CAP students had the opportunity to learn about two species of Alaskan seafood, how to best care and prepare frozen fresh seafood, along with tips about dish development, plating, and dish presentation.

In addition to nightly Dinner, J. Trani’s serves lunch on Thursday & Friday, and Sunday Brunch.

We’re chilling with Chef Dustin.

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Show 259, February 3, 2018: Executive Chef Dustin Trani, J. Trani’s, San Pedro Part Two

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Dustin TraniExecutive Chef Dustin Trani of the iconic J. Trani’s restaurant in San Pedro represents the 4th generation of Italian cuisine in the Trani Family. The restaurant has been a local landmark since 1925.

Chef Dustin is a big fan of pristine seafood from Alaska. He is featured in a new video from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) educating C-CAP students (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) on how to prepare blast flash frozen, fresh, sustainable Alaska seafood. Chef Dustin is a loyal C-CAP alum himself.

Dustin J Trani has been a fixture at J Trani’s since age 6, where he now serves as executive chef. Dustin’s love for cooking was fostered by his grandfather J Trani, Sr. and his father Jim Trani, Jr.

After learning the family secrets, Dustin set out around the world; studying pasta in the Italian truffle region, serving as chef at the People’s Café in Zagreb, Croatia and exploring Asian food while training at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand before returning to San Pedro.

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Show 193, October 15, 2016: Frank Buono, CEO, Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria, Long Beach and San Pedro

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Frank BuonoOver 50 years ago Nicolaniello Buono opened a modest Italian Grocery and Deli in San Pedro. In 1973 that transitioned into Buono’s Italian Pizzeria. There are now two locations in Long Beach and the original in San Pedro. The Flagship is at 250 W. Ocean Blvd. in the heart of Downtown Long Beach. Two generations of the Buono Family are still actively involved.

“From the pizza fashioned from hand-kneaded dough made fresh daily, to the homemade sauces and sausages, to the fresh mozzarella, and the gas-fired brick ovens, eating at Buono’s is like dining at a pizzeria in the Old Country. When you order any of their Italian specialties, such as lasagna, spaghetti, eggplant parmigiana, or linguini e vongole, you are tasting a bit of Italy near the shores of the Pacific.

All of the Italian sandwich rolls used on the menu at Buono’s are baked in-house, daily.

A sign of a successful restaurant is the longevity of their staff. Many of the co-workers at Buono’s (both in the front and back-of-the-house) have been there for years.

Family CEO, Frank, hand-kneads the dough for us.

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