Tag Archives: Tapas

Show 686, July 4, 2026: Black Trumpet Bistro, Huntington Beach, with Restaurateur & Chef Dino Ferraro

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Dino Ferrraro of Black Trumpet Bistro

“Black Trumpet Bistro has been a Ferraro family run restaurant in the heart of Huntington Beach for 13 years. Preparing fresh sauces, soups and dessert daily makes Black Trumpet Bistro a highlight of the vibrant Huntington Beach dining scene. Chef Dino’s goal is to combine fresh ingredients, great recipes and friendly service at a fair price.”

“The Black Trumpet Bistro specializes in Mediterranean tapas, small plates that bring you flavors from Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Morocco right here to Huntington Beach, CA. They also offer full entrees including traditional French rack of lamb, Moroccan chicken tagine, and a variety of handmade Italian pastas.” A standout pasta is the Butternut Squash-filled Raviolis with Brown Butter Sage.

“Never had tapas before? Start with some of their customer favorites, including the house special risotto, truffle fries, tuna tartare, and Brussels sprouts with chorizo.”

“Pair your meal with a rich wine or the popular house-made sangria, and save room for one of the Bistro’s decadent scratch-made desserts! For a low-key night in an intimate and jazz-inspired atmosphere think of dining at Black Trumpet Bistro. It is a place where family and friends gather to enjoy hearty food and congenial conversation.”

The last Monday of the month is Chef Dino’s very popular Winemaker Dinner series. Not scheduled in December or November because of the Holidays.

Chef Dino lives in Huntington Beach with his wife Lisa and their two sons, Caleb and Joshua. Chef Dino takes a break from his busy kitchens to join us.

Show 639, August 9, 2025: Xuntos in Santa Monica with Proprietress Chef Sandra Cordero

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Sandra Cordero

“Xuntos, “together” in Gallego, is a neighborhood Tapas Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. Xuntos is the sophomore bar and restaurant venture from Chef Cordero, whose Gasolina Café (now closed) in Woodland Hills was a valley favorite for a decade. A love letter to summers in Spain and the joy of dining (and working) in restaurants, Cordero designed Xuntos to be both romantic and unrefined, where you can sit down at a cozy corner booth and eat with your hands, or stand up at the bar and give a toast.” Newly added is Lunch service with Lunch Specials.

“The menu opens with specialties you won’t find anywhere else in LA: hand-cut jamón ibérico set on the bar & huge Galician-style empanadas with golden-brown crust on display in a glass case by the entrance. It continues with a rotating selection of pintxos (finger foods), seasonal seafood like razor clams & percebes (gooseneck barnacles), and a wide-ranging menu of tapas inspired by the farmer’s market & the iconic dishes of Galicia, Catalunya and San Sebastian, prepared & served as in Spain. There are many new things to try & to share, with service anchored in Spanish hospitality: generosity, warmth, abundance & pride.”

“The wine list by Beverage Director Scott Baker is a who’s who of the top growers in Spain today—more than half of them women—and will expand to include a library of vintages & regions not found outside of Spain. One need only settle on a bottle to know that Spain is producing perhaps the most exciting natural wines in the world right now—and certainly the most fun to drink.”

“The full bar offers Spanish twists on classic cocktails by friend Kim Stodel, house gin tonics, detours to Islay & Oaxaca, rare vermouths, bone-dry sherries, cold cervezas on draft and chupitos (Galician digestivos) to finish.”

Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Chef Sandra Cordero takes a break from her busy kitchen to join us.

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

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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 437, August 7, 2021: Hany Ali, Executive Chef, Europa Village Wineries and Resort Part One

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Hany Ali of Europa Village

The well-traveled Hany Ali is the executive chef of Europa Village Wineries and Resort in the heart of the Temecula Valley wine country. His current primary area of responsibility (as the Resort expands with Italian and French winery estates in development) is overseeing the Spanish-accented cuisine at Bolero Restaurante & Cantina at Bolero at Europa Village as well as all the on-site catering and special events. Bolero Restaurante serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily as well as Sunday Brunch.

“Bolero Restaurante takes the guest on a culinary journey throughout the country of Spain—from the humble farm-to-table cuisines of Asturia, to the majesty of modern interpretations coming from San Sebastian or Barcelona. The menus celebrate the centuries-old tradition of dining and drinking together in Tapas style. Whether it is seafood, steak, roasted vegetables, olives, or the finest cheeses and charcuteries in Europe, the meal is shared by all.”

“Born and raised in Egypt, Chef Hany Ali had a passion for the culinary arts at an early age. While Chef Hany was born in Cairo, Egypt, he was raised in a coastal resort city named Hurghada. Hurghada, is best known for its beautiful white sand beaches, fresh seafood, and one of the most popular vacation spots with Europeans. It was an inspiration to a young Hany.”

“After graduation from the International Culinary Institute in Egypt, Chef Hany decided to travel through Europe and Asia exposing his palate to as many different types of cuisines as possible. This allowed him to broaden his talents as a chef and gave him the experience and knowledge needed to begin his career.”

“After over 13 years in the most highly regarded hotels and restaurants in the U.S. Hany found a home in the Temecula Valley Wine Country as the Executive Chef leading the culinary team at Ponte Winery. With a love for the valley, a deep appreciation for each ingredient, and a thirst for unique and thoughtful wine, he hoped his passion was palpable in every plate, sip and bite.”

“With all his many accomplishments, experiences, and rave reviews, Europa Village Wineries and Resort are pleased to have Chef Hany Ali as their Executive Chef and being part of a “food culture that respects local produce, farmers and ranchers.” He showcases that back-to-the-land reverence with farm-fresh valley produce — with some vegetables and herbs harvested just moments beforehand in the kitchen garden out back. But while the sourcing may be local, Chef Hany’s influences are global, resulting in flavorful, inventive border-crossing cuisine. He provides guests with the exceptional service, dedication, and immense love and passion for food that they have come to expect from Europa Village.”

We entice Chef Hany away from his busy kitchens for a chat.

Show 437, August 7, 2021: Hany Ali, Executive Chef, Europa Village Wineries and Resort Part Two

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Hany Ali of Europa Village

The well-traveled Hany Ali is the executive chef of Europa Village Wineries and Resort in the heart of the Temecula Valley wine country. His current primary area of responsibility (as the Resort expands with Italian and French winery estates in development) is overseeing the Spanish-accented cuisine at Bolero Restaurante & Cantina at Bolero at Europa Village as well as all the on-site catering and special events. Bolero Restaurante serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily as well as Sunday Brunch.

“Bolero Restaurante takes the guest on a culinary journey throughout the country of Spain—from the humble farm-to-table cuisines of Asturia, to the majesty of modern interpretations coming from San Sebastian or Barcelona. The menus celebrate the centuries-old tradition of dining and drinking together in Tapas style. Whether it is seafood, steak, roasted vegetables, olives, or the finest cheeses and charcuteries in Europe, the meal is shared by all.”

“Born and raised in Egypt, Chef Hany Ali had a passion for the culinary arts at an early age. While Chef Hany was born in Cairo, Egypt, he was raised in a coastal resort city named Hurghada. Hurghada, is best known for its beautiful white sand beaches, fresh seafood, and one of the most popular vacation spots with Europeans. It was an inspiration to a young Hany.”

“After graduation from the International Culinary Institute in Egypt, Chef Hany decided to travel through Europe and Asia exposing his palate to as many different types of cuisines as possible. This allowed him to broaden his talents as a chef and gave him the experience and knowledge needed to begin his career.”

“After over 13 years in the most highly regarded hotels and restaurants in the U.S. Hany found a home in the Temecula Valley Wine Country as the Executive Chef leading the culinary team at Ponte Winery. With a love for the valley, a deep appreciation for each ingredient, and a thirst for unique and thoughtful wine, he hoped his passion was palpable in every plate, sip and bite.”

“With all his many accomplishments, experiences, and rave reviews, Europa Village Wineries and Resort are pleased to have Chef Hany Ali as their Executive Chef and being part of a “food culture that respects local produce, farmers and ranchers.” He showcases that back-to-the-land reverence with farm-fresh valley produce — with some vegetables and herbs harvested just moments beforehand in the kitchen garden out back. But while the sourcing may be local, Chef Hany’s influences are global, resulting in flavorful, inventive border-crossing cuisine. He provides guests with the exceptional service, dedication, and immense love and passion for food that they have come to expect from Europa Village.”

Chef Hany takes a break from his busy kitchens and rejoins us.

Show 414, February 27, 2021: Loquita Santa Barbara with General Manager Stephanie Perkins

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Stephanie Perkins of Loquita

“Loquita in Santa Barbara showcases authentic Spanish food including hot and cold tapas, wood-fired grilled seafood and meats, and seasonal paella. The Mediterranean climate and terroir of Santa Barbara County mirror that of Spain, making the translation of locally sourced produce, meats and seafood an ideal match. The wine list is comprised almost entirely of Spanish wines with exceptional local wines that pair well with the cuisine. Loquita’s cocktail list showcases Spanish vermouths, farmers’ market Sangria, hand-crafted cocktails and a rotating selection of Spain’s king of cocktails, the Gin Tonic.” 

A favorite Tapa is the Almejas. It’s little neck clams with cantimpalo chorizo, salsa verde, can sumoi with grilled ciabatta.

Loquita has reopened for socially distanced patio and outdoor dining nightly at 5:00 p.m. and for takeaway. 

General Manager Stephanie Perkins is our amiable guide.