Show 555, December 9, 2023: The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills with Dominick DiBartolomeo Part One

Dominick DiBartolomeo of the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

“Since 1967, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills has been an institution in the world of premier gourmet specialty foods while offering genuine personal service. Their team is dedicated to providing a home for people who just simply love food.”

“Since its inception, longtime owner Norbert Wabnig had been determined to build a store that combined new world love for gourmet food while embracing the charm and simplicity of an old-world shop. New owner Dominick DiBartolomeo is bringing his own dedication and vision. The tradition of family ownership continues into what it sure to be an exciting future with a newly relocated and greatly expanded store!”

“Founded by Colonel Sigmund Roth in 1967, Roth sought to build a store with exotic cheese and food at its core. In 1978, the store was sold to Norbert Wabnig to continue Roth’s vision. In 2022, Norbert sold the store to 20-year employee Dominick DiBartolomeo to continue the tradition and bring new energy to the store. While the Cheese Store prides itself on quality service, that service is built on the foundation of family. The Cheese Store Family spends holidays packing and wrapping gift baskets, weeknights working wine tastings, and summer afternoons chatting over cheese.”

The newly expanded and enhanced store features an expansive variety of customizable cheese and meat boards in a range of sizes prepared to order. Catering services are available, too. There is a Daily Menu of premium Sandwiches and Salads. Consider the La Macellaia with Prosciutto Cotto, Finocchiona, Coppa, Spicy Ventricina and Provolone. The Tritata (Italian Chopped Salad) has Chopped Baby Gem Lettuce, Radicchio, Salami, Olives, Guindilla Peppers, Red Onion and Cherry Tomatoes with an Oregano Vinaigrette. European-style, sidewalk seating with umbrella tables will be coming in 2024.

Proprietor Dominick Dibartolomeo is our guest with cheese slicer at the ready.

Show 555, December 9, 2023: The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills with Dominick DiBartolomeo Part Two

Dominick DiBartolomeo of the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

“Since 1967, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills has been an institution in the world of premier gourmet specialty foods while offering genuine personal service. Their team is dedicated to providing a home for people who just simply love food.”

“Since its inception, longtime owner Norbert Wabnig had been determined to build a store that combined new world love for gourmet food while embracing the charm and simplicity of an old-world shop. New owner Dominick DiBartolomeo is bringing his own dedication and vision. The tradition of family ownership continues into what it sure to be an exciting future with a newly relocated and greatly expanded store!”

“Founded by Colonel Sigmund Roth in 1967, Roth sought to build a store with exotic cheese and food at its core. In 1978, the store was sold to Norbert Wabnig to continue Roth’s vision. In 2022, Norbert sold the store to 20-year employee Dominick DiBartolomeo to continue the tradition and bring new energy to the store. While the Cheese Store prides itself on quality service, that service is built on the foundation of family. The Cheese Store Family spends holidays packing and wrapping gift baskets, weeknights working wine tastings, and summer afternoons chatting over cheese.”

The newly expanded and enhanced store features an expansive variety of customizable cheese and meat boards in a range of sizes prepared to order. Catering services are available, too. There is a Daily Menu of premium Sandwiches and Salads. Consider the La Macellaia with Prosciutto Cotto, Finocchiona, Coppa, Spicy Ventricina and Provolone. The Tritata (Italian Chopped Salad) has Chopped Baby Gem Lettuce, Radicchio, Salami, Olives, Guindilla Peppers, Red Onion and Cherry Tomatoes with an Oregano Vinaigrette. European-style, sidewalk seating with umbrella tables will be coming in 2024.

Proprietor Dominick Dibartolomeo continues as our guest with cheese slicer at the ready.

Show 402, December 5, 2020: Matthew DeMarte, General Manager, Connie & Ted’s, West Hollywood

Matthew de Marte wearing a mask at Connie and Ted'sConnie and Ted’s in West Hollywood is inspired by the real Connie & Ted (the grandparents of Chef Michael Cimarusti,) their love for family, and the good times they spent together fishing off the shores of New England. At Connie and Ted’s you’ll find simply prepared fish and shellfish, inspired by the classic clam shacks, oyster bars, and fish houses, that dot the New England Seaboard and the West Coast.

General Manager Matthew DeMarte has been there since the beginning eight years ago. We reel him in to explain how Connie & Ted’s is still hospitably serving their guests (Wednesday through Sunday) with seafood specialties available for takeaway. Gift cards for Connie & Ted’s are a great item for the seafood lovers on your Holiday list.

Show 123, May 23, 2015: Executive Chef/Proprietor Andrew Kirschner, Santa Monica Yacht Club and Tar & Roses, Santa Monica

Andrew KirschnerBefore he ventured out on his own to open the popular Tar & Roses in Santa Monica in 2012, Executive Chef Andrew Kirschner was best known as Executive Chef and partner at Wilshire, also in Santa Monica.

Now Chef Kirschner is expanding his restaurant empire with the launch of the Santa Monica Yacht Club located a short walk away from Tar & Roses on Santa Monica Blvd. Unlike Tar & Roses with its emphasis on the wood-burning grill the focus at SMYC is on seafood with small plates. Also different from Tar & Roses is that SMYC has a full bar.

“With Tar & Roses Kirschner aims to share a restaurant that speaks to his travels and deeply ingredient-focused food philosophy. With influences from around the world and the rustic touch of a wood-burning oven, quality ingredients and bold flavors combine to create a menu that merges classical cuisine with modern sensibilities.”

Andrew Kirschner is our guest.

Show 121, May 9, 2015: Shake Shack’s Culinary Director, Mark Rosati

Mark Rosati of Shake ShackThe original Shake Shack opened some 11 years ago in Madison Square Park in New York. The “better burger” battle has been on ever since. Shake Shack has gained the enviable cult following of our own revered In-N-Out Burger locally.

Shake Shack debuted a large location on The Strip in Las Vegas late last December adjacent to New York-New York. A second location is planned for Summerlin. The Las Vegas Shack features over-the-top location-specific frozen custard concretes including All Shook Up which is vanilla frozen custard and chocolate toffee bits blended with a slice of banana peanut butter cheesecake from local bakery Gimme Some Sugar.

Immediately thereafter the Vegas launch there were persistent rumors of a Los Angeles location. It’s now official….The site in 2016 will be the location of the departed Koo Koo Roo in West Hollywood at 8520 Santa Monica Blvd. at the corner of West Knoll Drive. The lot is some 22,500 square feet. The Shack will seat about 150 guests inside and there will also be an outside patio. On-site parking, too…

The architect will be Michael Hsu who designed their newly opened Shack in Austin, TX. They appreciate his “dynamic aesthetic” in design

Shake Shack’s Culinary Director, Mark Rosati, is with us to preview West Hollywood. He’s now off to London for the opening of their second store there.