Show 506, January 7, 2023: Executive Chef Justin Werner, Trust Kitchen DTSA and Trust Dinner Party, Santa Ana

Justin Werner of Trust Kitchen

“The intimate, 18-seat Trust Kitchen in downtown Santa Ana is where Chef Justin Werner hosts themed tasting events, generally at least 12 food offerings, each paired by sommelier Jason Scarborough. Seating is limited and reservations are required.” It’s a Chef’s Table experience truly like no other. Upcoming Trust Events are listed as a calendar on their website. There are also Trust Lite evenings as well as special guest chefs and ingredient themed evenings. “Just come in, sit down and let us take you on an adventure”

Yelp has named Trust one of its Top 100 US Restaurants for 2023.

“As part of his visiting Guest Chef series Justin has invited long- time friend and former co-chef from Colicchio and Sons, Gabriel Pascuzzi on Saturday, January 14th. Gabriel owns three successful restaurants in Portland Oregon. The two chefs reconnected after Gabriel’s appearance on Top Chef Season 18 to host a dinner together in Portland. It’s a mashup of New York, Portland, and Orange County flavors. $275 per person, food, wine pairings, tax, and gratuity included.” The 6 p.m. seating has a few seats available. 8:30 p.m. is sold out.

“Chef Justin is New York raised and cut his culinary chops in some of Manhattan’s top-tier restaurants. He spent half a decade working at Craft for Tom Colicchio, followed by a couple of years at Thomas Keller’s Per Se before moving on to Corton where he maintained two Michelin stars as a Sous Chef for Paul Liebrandt. After winning an episode of the hit Food Network show Chopped, he used his winnings to travel to Copenhagen to intern at Noma while it was rated as the best restaurant in the world.

Upon moving back to America, he came to Orange County to work alongside Chef Jason Quinn in Playground 2.0. He then launched the critically acclaimed Porch & Swing (Orange Coast’s Restaurant of the Year) in Irvine as executive chef. When Chef Jason decided it was time for him to develop a new project, he asked Justin to come back and take the helm at Playground 2.0, which was renamed the Trust Kitchen.””

Chef Justin takes a break from his preparations in the Trust Dinner Party kitchen to join us.

Show 455, December 11, 2021: Chef / Proprietor Ross Pangilinan, Terrace by Mix Mix, South Coast Plaza Part One

Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar

TERRACE by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza focuses on well-priced, market-driven small plates. The cuisine showcases Chef Ross Pangilinan’s (Mix Mix Kitchen Bar (Santa Ana,) ReMix Kitchen Bar (Long Beach)) eclectic style, which is influenced by French, Italian, and modern Filipino flavors, as well as his refined technique. An approachable wine list offers varietals by the glass and bottle as well as rotating craft beers.”

“True to its name, the restaurant showcases full-service dining for Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch in a beautifully designed covered terrace located at the west end of the Bridge of Gardens. Features include a small wine bar, an open kitchen and a chef’s table counter offering an omakase-style tasting menu experience.”

A highlight at Terrace by Mix Mix is the three-course Express Lunch menu changing frequently. A sample entrée is Salmon Paella with sofrito, market vegetables, parmesan and gremolata.

Chef Ross Pangilinan also provides creative off-site catering.

Chef Ross takes a break from his busy Holiday kitchens and joins us.

Show 455, December 11, 2021: Chef / Proprietor Ross Pangilinan, Terrace by Mix Mix, South Coast Plaza Part Two

Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar

TERRACE by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza focuses on well-priced, market-driven small plates. The cuisine showcases Chef Ross Pangilinan’s (Mix Mix Kitchen Bar (Santa Ana,) ReMix Kitchen Bar (Long Beach)) eclectic style, which is influenced by French, Italian, and modern Filipino flavors, as well as his refined technique. An approachable wine list offers varietals by the glass and bottle as well as rotating craft beers.”

“True to its name, the restaurant showcases full-service dining for Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch in a beautifully designed covered terrace located at the west end of the Bridge of Gardens. Features include a small wine bar, an open kitchen and a chef’s table counter offering an omakase-style tasting menu experience.”

A highlight at Terrace by Mix Mix is the three-course Express Lunch menu changing frequently. A sample entrée is Salmon Paella with sofrito, market vegetables, parmesan and gremolata.

Chef Ross Pangilinan also provides creative, off-site catering.

“Chef Ross’ passion for cuisine started at a young age and he has since crafted it with a remarkable background of culinary experience including studying at Le Cordon Bleu, working at the two-Michelin-starred Les Trois Marche in France, the Patina Restaurant Group‘s Pinot Provence and Patina, where they earned a Michelin star in 2007, opening Sinatra within Encore at the Wynn in Las Vegas, and as executive chef of Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Pangilinan opened Mix Mix Kitchen Bar in Downtown Santa Ana to rave reviews in 2016 and was named Restaurant of the Year by Orange Coast Magazine and Best New Restaurant by the Golden Foodie Awards.”

Chef Ross takes another break from his busy Holiday kitchens and continues.

Show 438, August 14, 2021: Tristen Beamon, Chief Operating Officer, Wine Exchange, Santa Ana

Tristan Beamon of the Wine Exchange

“In 2015 Steve and Craig Zanotti (the original founders of Wine Exchange in 1982,) Tristen Beamon and Kyle Meyer came full circle with the Best Wines Group purchase of Wine Exchange and winex.com. The team, back together again, have now created their idea of the perfect wine sales and education platform including their state-of-the-art website, brand new wine showroom, irreverent but timely daily missives, a healthy social media following with over 500,000 views on their YouTube channel, The Extract, a progressive Pre-Arrivals offering system and, of course, those same rock-bottom prices.”

How does one of the premier wine retailers on the West Coast operate (and survive) during the pandemic? How do the principals continue to

How does one of the premier wine retailers on the West Coast operate (and survive) during the pandemic? How do the principals continue to taste and buy with all the restrictions? How does the guest experience in-store evolve? Wine Exchange carries premium wines from Europe and abroad (as well as domestic.) Typically the partners travel abroad annually to do barrel tastings that key buying decisions revolve around. How did they navigate the crazy on-again and off-again tariffs? (Keep in mind when a container of wine departs Europe the ocean voyage is 6 to 8 weeks before arriving on the West Coast.)

Wine Exchange is planning their 39th Anniversary celebration for September with all safety protocols being observed. We’ll provide details on these outside festivities as they are confirmed.

The Wine Exchange’s Chief Operating Officer, Tristen Beamon, joins us with his informed perspective.

Show 409, January 23, 2021: Kyle Meyer, Managing Partner, Wine Exchange in Santa Ana

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeIn times of crisis it’s always best to call on the calming expertise of those truly knowledgeable in their specific areas. Such is the case with our always engaging resident wine authority Kyle Meyer, the Managing Partner of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange.

On January 12th a 25 percent tariff was placed (with little advance notice) on high-alcohol wines from Europe. Wines that were already paid for by importers that were already in transit from Europe will be assessed with this significant tariff that was not known at the time of purchase.

In late 2019 a 25 percent tariff was placed on lower-alcohol European wines. We’ll discuss the unfortunate tariff situation with Kyle and how they negatively impact wine pricing.

 

Show 389, September 5, 2020: Chef / Proprietor Jason Quinn, Playground DTSA, Santa Ana

Jason QuinnFor the last nine years Playground DTLA has been the very personal expression of Proprietor and Chef Jason Quinn. Sadly COVID 19 has decimated their business. Chef Jason has announced that the entire Playground complex will conclude at the end of their lease on December 31st, 2021.

The better news is that for the next 16 months Chef Jason and team will continue to enthusiastically operate their nighttime Playground 1.9 dining experiences. These are ticketed, fine-dining evenings with patio, al fresco seating. The price is inclusive of food, beverage pairings, tax and gratuity. Perfect for a special celebratory evening. Typically hosted on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings.

Chef Jason’s favorite foods will continue to be showcased during the day (closed on Monday & Tuesday) at the fast-casual Dough Exchange located in Downtown Santa Ana, right next to Playground and Playground 1.9. The offerings at Dough Exchange are always evolving, but focuses around their freshly made bagels, rotisserie shawarma offerings, and super silky hummus with the freshest pita. “Dough Exchange truly embodies the spirit of Playground: a bunch of talented chefs and bakers making the things that they are excited about.” Also the home of Kakigori, an Instagramable fluffy shaved ice dessert from Japan. “Grab some delicious food and maybe a canned craft cocktail to enjoy on our patio.”

Playground’s Director of Libations, Jarred Dooley, is joining forces with Joe Valdovinos (both former OC Bartenders of the year) for an “Illegal Mezcal Virtual Cocktail Party on September 11th or 12th. On the menu are three original cocktails.

Chef Jason is our guest.

Show 387, August 22, 2020: Chef Gino Choi, OmG Omakase by Gino, Santa Ana

Gino Choi of OmG Omakase by GinoChef Gino Choi’s OmG Omakase by Gino in Santa Ana is a multi-course, prix fixe menu dining experience. It’s all of 10 seats and Chef Gino sources a lot of his premium fish from Japan. He’s the star of the solo nightly show. When he can accommodate diners again it’s up to 18 courses and reservations are needed way in advance.

His guests have been asking so Chef Gino has just launched a limited program of Omakase Chirashi Dinner Boxes for 2 guests for takeout. The pre-orders are taken on the Wednesday (starting at Noon) before the available nights of Saturday and Sunday. Chef Gino is limiting this to 20 orders for each night to maintain his high standards. The boxes are $120 each (plus tax.)

We’ll meet the resourceful and ever adaptable Chef Gino Choi.

Show 371, May 2, 2020: Robin Christenson, Co-Founder, Blinking Owl Distillery, Santa Ana

Robin Christenson of Blinking Owl Distillery with her Hand SanitzerThe Blinking Owl Distillery in Santa Ana is the very first craft distillery in Orange County. They also are one of the first distilleries in the state of California to hold the Type 74 Craft Distillers License allowing them to operate their tasting room and sell a few bottles of spirits. Blinking Owl crafts Vodka, Gin, several types of Whiskey, and the Scandinavian spirit, Aquavit.

“Stay Safely at Home” provisions have necessitated the temporary closing of The Tasting Room. Wanting to continue serving the community and keep their employees on the job Blinking Owl has thoughtfully shifted production to hand sanitizer (licensed) under the label of Blinking Owl Dirty Bird Hand Sanitizer. So far $50,000 in hand sanitizer has been generously donated to hospitals, First Responders and restaurants in addition to bulk sales to commercial accounts!

Spirits are still available by ordering online.

Joining us from the packaging line for Dirty Bird Hand Sanitizer is Blinking Owl’s Co-founder and Chief Financial Owl, Robin Christenson.

Show 366, March 28, 2020: Kyle Meyer, Managing Partner, Wine Exchange in Santa Ana

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeIn times of crisis it’s always best to call on the calming expertise of those truly knowledgeable in their specific areas. Such is the case with our always engaging resident wine authority Kyle Meyer, the Managing Partner of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange.

Tragically Italy and Spain have been particularly hard-hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Listeners have been asking what impact the fast-evolving health crisis will have on the current and future wine business in both Italy and Spain. How will future deliveries to the United States continue? Will global sales of these popular wines be altered? We’ll gain the accurate perspective from Kyle.

Show 358, February 2, 2020: Kyle Meyer, Wine Exchange, Santa Ana – Bordeaux, Tasting the 2017 Vintage

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeWhy is Bordeaux region of Southwest France considered one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world? Our resident wine expert, Kyle Meyer of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange, artfully pulls the cork for us on this. Last week in Los Angeles was the eagerly anticipated annual tasting of the soon-to-be-released 2017 vintage organized by the Union Des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

The Union is an affiliation of the best Bordeaux producers from all of the major Bordeaux winegrowing regions including Margaux, St Julien, Pauillac, St Estèphe, Listrac, Moulis, Haut-Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Sauternes and Barsac! More than 60 châteaux attended and winemakers and owners poured over 100 wines from the exciting, soon-to-be-released 2017 vintage.