Show 562, January 27, 2024: Restaurateur and Chef Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café + Mercado, Woodland Hills Part One

Sandra Cordero

Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café + Mercado in Woodland Hills is a lively Spanish Café, Market and Natural Wine Shop now serving seasonal Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gasolina features specialty coffee, Spanish Natural Wines, snacks and tinned fish to enjoy in-house or To Go.”

Paella Nights have returned and are every Third Friday and Saturday of the Month. Friday, February 16th and Saturday, February 17th are available for reservations now.

“Opened in 2015, on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café brought Spanish influenced food to the table in an entirely new way. Seasonally driven, sustainably raised and grown and locally sourced, Gasolina Cafe has always taken pride in honoring Chef Sandra’s Spanish heritage.”

Chef Sandra Cordero joins us with a properly seasoned paella pan at the ready.

Show 562, January 27, 2024: Restaurateur and Chef Sandra Cordero, Gasolina Café + Mercado, Woodland Hills Part Two

Sandra Cordero

Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café + Mercado in Woodland Hills is a lively Spanish Café, Market and Natural Wine Shop now serving seasonal Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gasolina features specialty coffee, Spanish Natural Wines, snacks and tinned fish to enjoy in-house or To Go.”

Paella Nights have returned and are every Third Friday and Saturday of the Month. Friday, February 16th and Saturday, February 17th are available for reservations now.

“Opened in 2015, on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, Chef Sandra Cordero’s Gasolina Café brought Spanish influenced food to the table in an entirely new way. Seasonally driven, sustainably raised and grown and locally sourced, Gasolina Cafe has always taken pride in honoring Chef Sandra’s Spanish heritage.”

Chef Sandra newest venture is Xuntos, a lively Spanish Tapas Bar in Downtown Santa Monica with two rooms and balconies in each space. Spanish Natural wines are on the beverage menu currently and a full liquor license is soon on the way.

Chef Sandra Cordero joins us with a properly seasoned paella pan at the ready.

Show 557, December 23, 2023: Chef Raphael Lunettea, Proprietor, Lunetta, Santa Monica

Raphael Lunetta of Lunetta All Day

Chef Raphael Lunetta is presenting an enchanting Christmas Eve Feast at Lunetta in Santa Monica served family-style. Every table is served all items on the menu including the range of sides. The repast begins with a Charcuterie and Fromage Board. The Starters include a Warm Wild Mushroom Salad and Shrimp Cocktail with marinated cucumbers, yuzu kosho tomatillo and classic tomato cocktail sauce.

The Mains are Maine Lobster Rigatoni. Almond Crusted John Dory and Tarragon Lemon Pepper Prime Rib. The range of Sides are aged gouda parmesan mashed potatoes, poached asparagus sherry mustard vinaigrette, herb potato gnocchi and farmers market roasted vegetables. Dessert is a festive Buche de Noel. The feast is priced at $125 per guest.

Chef Raphael Lunetta joins us with his Christmas Eve menu preview plus New Year’s Eve menu options (Foraged Mushroom Pappardelle) and the ongoing 3-course, Weekday Power Lunch menu.

Show 538, August 12, 2023: Hana Dreiling, Co-Founder, Holey Grail Donuts, Santa Monica & Larchmont Village

Hana Dreiling of Holey Grail Donuts

Holey Grail Donuts is the Hawaiian-born, LA-rooted donut shop with locations in Santa Monica and Larchmont Village that specializes in fried to order taro donuts with a weekly revolving menu highlighting local Hawaiian and Californian ingredients, which are sustainably and ethically sourced from locally owned farmers, who Holey Grail has cultivated deep relationships with over the years.”

Available until August 23rd is a collaboration donut as part of their Breaking Bread program, the Cosmic Churro Donut, with Chef Ludo Lefebvre. Ludo recently started a new venture, Shaman Ramen, the world’s first adaptogenic superfood ramen, where he is a partner and flavor creator for the brand.

“The collaborative flavor, Cosmic Churro Donut, includes Holey Grail Donut’s signature taro donut fried to order in coconut oil, adaptogenic cinnamon & sugar (sourced from Shaman Ramen) and brulee banana. An ode to nostalgic flavors, Holey Grail and Chef Ludo created this donut to showcase their deep passion for elevated ingredients that expand the mind and palate.”

Holey Grail Donuts Hawaii-based Co-Founder, Hana Dreiling, is our guest with a warm Cosmic Churro Donut in hand.

Show 534, July 15, 2023: Restaurateur and Chef Sandra Cordero. Xuntos Opens in Santa Monica

Sandra Cordero

XUNTOS (She-Un-Tos) is a newly launched (July 14th) Tapas and Pintxos Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero located in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. “The restaurant is space that is warm, fun, not too serious and with plenty to eat and drink. A place to enjoy the company you’re with and feel like home.”

“XUNTOS, “together” in Gallego, serves small plates of things Chef Sandra wants you to try: from the farmer’s market to the traditional dishes of Galicia, Asturias, Catalunya & the Basque Country, as they’re eaten in Spain. The wines follow the food: natural, unrefined, generous, showcasing Spain and California, along with some others the Staff loves and want to share with you.”

“This is the 2nd restaurant from Chef Cordero, who opened GASOLINA in Woodland Hills in 2015. She is a James Beard Fellow & co-founder of Regarding Her, a national nonprofit supporting women owners in hospitality. Scott Baker, previously the Wine Director at SOMNI, is the General Manager.”

Chef Sandra Cordero is our guest with a plate of coveted, thinly sliced Jamon Iberico at the ready.

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part One

Raphael Lunetta of Lunetta All Day

“Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef / Partner Emilio Cuyuch provide their guests a chef driven neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar. Both sides feature the freshest, highly sourced ingredients, cocktails great coffee, craft beers & friendly service. All are offered in a very social environment.”

“Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Food is served either as separate items for each guest or family style to share amongst everyone at your table.”

Lunetta built spacious patios so that guests can continue the al fresco dining-out experience. Lunetta has the All-Day dining room that opens for lunch, happy hour and dinner and the Fireplace dining room and Gallery Room for dinner or a private event.

The OG patio is the outdoor seating area connected to the all-day restaurant. The Cove patio is the covered seating area in the middle of the parking lot.

Lunetta serves breakfast items until 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. The dinner menu is offered in both the all-day dining room and at night in the back fireplace dining room and Moon Bar.

“At Lunetta people matter most, seasonal makes sense, authenticity rules, quality governs, deliciousness is undeniable, pretense is absurd, comfort feels good, fun tastes better, teamwork and pride sustain it all.”

On-site parking in the rear as well as street parking.

Chef Raphael is doing a guest chef dinner at Jar in Los Angeles with Suzanne Tracht on Tuesday, July 18th.

Chef / Proprietor Raphael Lunetta is our guest.

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part Two

Raphael Lunetta of Lunetta All Day

“Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef / Partner Emilio Cuyuch provide their guests a chef driven neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar. Both sides feature the freshest, highly sourced ingredients, cocktails great coffee, craft beers & friendly service. All are offered in a very social environment.”

“Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Food is served either as separate items for each guest or family style to share amongst everyone at your table.”

Lunetta built spacious patios so that guests can continue the al fresco dining-out experience. Lunetta has the All-Day dining room that opens for lunch, happy hour and dinner and the Fireplace dining room and Gallery Room for dinner or a private event.

“Lunetta serves breakfast items until 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. The dinner menu is offered in both the all-day dining room and at night in the back fireplace dining room and Moon Bar.”

“At Lunetta people matter most, seasonal makes sense, authenticity rules, quality governs, deliciousness is undeniable, pretense is absurd, comfort feels good, fun tastes better, teamwork and pride sustain it all.”

On-site parking in the rear as well as street parking.

Chef/Proprietor Raphael Lunetta continues as our guest.

Show 501, November 26, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

“Elegant man-about-town Paul Feig, the director of “Bridesmaids”, “Spy”, and “A Simple Favor” serves up a beautifully designed cocktail and lifestyle guide, Cocktail Time! – The Ultimate Guide to Grown-Up Fun, with hilarious stories from his life.” Paul is also the co-creator of Artingstall’s Brilliant London Dry Gin, a truly versatile gin fit for a starring role behind any bar and the ideal gin for Paul’s beloved Martini.

Cocktail Time! is a love letter to the aesthetics and culture around cocktails. It’s guaranteed to make you want to up your party-giving game—or at least your home bar situation. And it’s an immensely charming and readable window into one man’s friendly obsession.”

Paul joins us with a proper gin Martini in hand (stirred and not shaken.)

When we last spoke with Chefs Ross Pangilinan (Terrace by Mix Mix) and Nick Weber they had just debuted their collaboration, Populaire at South Coast Plaza. They are also the official in-house caterers and oversee Verdant, the café at the spectacular new Orange County Museum of Art in the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus in Costa Mesa. “OCMA’s café Verdant offers a fresh, innovative, plant-forward menu that rotates and highlights the bounty of local and seasonal produce in Southern California. Chef Ross leads Verdant with Chef Nick Weber and General Manager Alyssa McDiarmid, both alumnae of the Patina Group.” An example of a menu item is the Vegetable Tagine with farmers market vegetables, dates, apricot, almonds, basmati rice, mint and cilantro emulsion. Also charcuterie and cheese boards are available. Chefs Ross and Nick take a break from their busy Holiday kitchens to join us along with Alyssa McDiarmid, Managing Partner for Catering by Mix Mix at OCMA.
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Sarah Simms Hendrix and Boo Simms are Lady & Larder. The enterprise is 100% lady-owned. They are both twin sisters and best friends. They grew up in the kitchen. Sarah’s and Boo’s little dream shop located in Santa Monica, California showcases American made cheese, charcuterie, beer and wine along with a curated assortment of seasonal accompaniments including locally grown flowers, fresh bread, caviar, tinned fish, jam, mustard and honey. The sisters believe in supporting a 100% domestic and sustainable food culture; one that will continue to thrive for generations to come.” Sarah Simms takes a break from assembling a colorful cheese board to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel the Founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza), Two Birds and the soon to launch, full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. What’s the 411 on this 4 per cent surcharge you now see on the checks of many fine-dining restaurants for a “contribution to staff health care” costs? Should you tip on this, too? We’ll ask the chef…Now that the Thanksgiving feast 2022 is behind us the mission is what creatively can be done with the typically abundant leftovers. Chefs don’t waste food. Chef Andrew provides his own culinary inspiration.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Show 501, November 26, 2022: Sarah Simms Hendrix, Lady & Larder, Santa Monica Part One

Sarah Simms of Lady and Larder

Sarah Simms Hendrix and Boo Simms are Lady & Larder. The enterprise is 100% lady-owned. They are both twin sisters and best friends. They grew up in the kitchen. Sarah’s and Boo’s little dream shop located in Santa Monica, California showcases American made cheese, charcuterie, beer and wine along with a curated assortment of seasonal accompaniments including locally grown flowers, fresh bread, caviar, tinned fish, jam, mustard and honey. The sisters believe in supporting a 100% domestic and sustainable food culture; one that will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

“Lady & Larder’s goal is simple: offer the very best stuff they can get their hands on. They have found that the finest ingredients come from small batch, local producers and Sarah and Boo, like you, know there are no substitutes for quality. These American farmers, craftsmen, butchers, wine makers, beer brewers and master cheesemakers are truly the best of the best. Lady & Larder is so proud to support their unwavering commitment and dedication to their craft.”

Shop Offerings: Full-Service Cut-to-Order Cheese and Charcueterie Counter, Blooms by the Bunch, Fresh Baguettes and Loaves, Larder Staples such as Olive Oil, Flake Salt and Cultured Butter, Caviar, Farmers Market Produce, Rotating Craft Beer Case, Natural Wines, Hand-Dipped Candles and our Apertif Wall featuring Small Batch Vermouth, Tinned Fish and Linen Cocktail Napkins. They offer their Secret Lunch Menu daily from 12-3PM featuring Sandwiches, Salad and Picnic Boxes. With 24 hours notice, they offer their Lady and Larder Cheese and Charcuterie Boards or Crudites Boards and custom Cheese Cakes.”

Sarah Simms takes a break from assembling a colorful cheese board to join us.

Show 501, November 26, 2022: Sarah Simms Hendrix, Lady & Larder, Santa Monica Part Two

Sarah Simms of Lady and Larder

Sarah Simms Hendrix and Boo Simms are Lady & Larder. The enterprise is 100% lady-owned. They are both twin sisters and best friends. They grew up in the kitchen. Sarah’s and Boo’s little dream shop located in Santa Monica, California showcases American made cheese, charcuterie, beer and wine along with a curated assortment of seasonal accompaniments including locally grown flowers, fresh bread, caviar, tinned fish, jam, mustard and honey. The sisters believe in supporting a 100% domestic and sustainable food culture; one that will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

“Lady & Larder’s goal is simple: offer the very best stuff they can get their hands on. They have found that the finest ingredients come from small batch, local producers and Sarah and Boo, like you, know there are no substitutes for quality. These American farmers, craftsmen, butchers, wine makers, beer brewers and master cheesemakers are truly the best of the best. Lady & Larder is so proud to support their unwavering commitment and dedication to their craft.”

Shop Offerings: Full-Service Cut-to-Order Cheese and Charcueterie Counter, Blooms by the Bunch, Fresh Baguettes and Loaves, Larder Staples such as Olive Oil, Flake Salt and Cultured Butter, Caviar, Farmers Market Produce, Rotating Craft Beer Case, Natural Wines, Hand-Dipped Candles and our Apertif Wall featuring Small Batch Vermouth, Tinned Fish and Linen Cocktail Napkins. They offer their Secret Lunch Menu daily from 12-3PM featuring Sandwiches, Salad and Picnic Boxes. With 24 hours notice, they offer their Lady and Larder Cheese and Charcuterie Boards or Crudites Boards and custom Cheese Cakes.”

Sarah Simms takes a 2nd break from assembling a colorful cheese and charcuterie board to continue with us.