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

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 594, September 14, 2024: “Sideways” – The Motion Picture, 20th Anniversary Festivities with Hitching Post Wines’ Chef Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley

Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley of Hitching Post

“This fall, the Academy Award-winning film, Sideways, will stream on Hulu in celebration of its 20th Anniversary. Hitching Post Wines has partnered with Searchlight Pictures to showcase Hitching Post Highliner Pinot Noir, the wine featured in the movie. The Highliner Pinot Noir is always one of the most consistent, highly regarded wines of Hitching Post, and the 2021 is one of the best vintages of the past two decades. This 2021 vintage has a special label to commemorate the film and the Anniversary.” 

“In celebration of this partnership, Hitching Post 2 and Hitching Wines announce a series of special events, including three Hitching Post + Sideways Winemaker Dinners scheduled for September and October. Hitching Post Wines will also offer specially produced and limited edition SIDEWAYS Highliner Pinot Noir wine available for purchase at the Buellton restaurant, the Hitching Post tasting room and select retailers throughout California.” 

Chef and Winemaker Frank Ostini and Winemaker Gray Hartley of Hitching Post Wines join us to uncork all the series of commemorative events.

Show 546, October 7, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Andy Harris about the 360 Experience on the Discovery Princess

We’re celebrating the 11th Anniversary of the debut of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM830 KLAA. Please join us.

Executive Producer Andy Harris is just off the Discovery Princess (Princess’ newest (and final) Royal Class Ship) from their special Pacific Coast Wine & Food Experience (six-day voyage) with ports of call in Victoria, BC and San Francisco. The sailing was from Vancouver to the World Cruise Terminal in San Pedro. This was also the Annual Conference for the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.) 

The show highlights this themed Princess cruise experience with the prominent, behind-the-scenes people responsible for creating memorable experiences for the cruise guests.

Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards

We’ll also speak with Winemaker Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, Napa, and the new Caymus-Suisun Winery in Suisun Valley / Fairfield. Chuck and the Culinary Team at Princess have added the very special 5-course, wine-paired Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner as an amenity on Princess ships sailing in North America.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. As nutty as it sounds both Houses of the California legislature have passed a bill prohibiting the sale of the popular plastic gift cards usable at a specific business. This would include the demise of your favorite restaurant’s branded gift cards. Chef Andrew shares his opinionated thoughts.

Podcasts

Segment Two: Chef Rudi Sodamin, Head of Culinary Arts for Princess Cruises
Segment Three: Winemaker Chuck Wagner, Caymus Vineyards, Napa & Caymus -Suisun Winery, Suisun Valley / Fairfield
Segment Four: Peter Priestley, Food and Beverage Director, Discovery Princess
Segment Five: Callum Moughan, Roving Bar Manager, Princess Cruises
Segment Six: Terri Cybuliak, Hotel General Manager, Discovery Princess
Segment Seven: Travel Journalist Stacey Wittig, Board Member and Secretary, International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association. “UNSTOPPABLE Stacey” Travel Blog
Segment Eight: Co-Host and Chef Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

Show 546, October 7, 2023: Winemaker Chuck Wagner, Caymus Vineyards, Napa & Caymus -Suisun Winery, Suisun Valley / Fairfield

Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards

Caymus Vineyards and Cabernet Sauvignon are synonymous with wine enthusiasts globally as one of the most sought-after wines to pour and share around the table for special celebrations. Now Princess Cruises is working with this renowned winery to offer the exclusive Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner, available initially on Princess ships sailing North America itineraries Alaska voyages, and eventually across all ships worldwide.”

“Available in the popular Crown Grill specialty restaurant for $140 per person, the new Winemaker Dinner leverages the expansive expertise of Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker of the renowned Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards, to deliver a five-course menu, crafted to complement the tasting notes of his wines.”

“Wagner, along with the Princess culinary team, personally selected the wines paired with the multi-course menu served. In addition to Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, he has perfectly matched up the dinner courses with varietals from the family’s other offerings, including Caymus-Suisun ‘The Walking Fool’ Red Blend, Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Sea Sun Pinot Noir and Emmolo Sparkling.”

“We have an appreciation for family, friends, delicious food and great wine, along with the many connections between them,” said Chuck Wagner, Caymus Vineyards owner and winemaker. “We love how Princess also recognizes that cruise travel fosters deeper relationships with its guests and the destinations they visit by sharing experiences around the table, and we’re thrilled to pour our wines and share our passion through a specially curated dinner with this beloved cruise line.”

We’ll meet Chuck Wagner and also hear about the new Caymus-Suisun Winery in Suisun Valley and the very special visitor experience available there.

Show 144, October 31, 2015: Susan Montgomery, Food, Wine & Travel Journalist

Susan MontgomeryFood, wine and travel writer Sue Montgomery (also a Director and the Treasurer of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association) was just in the Valle de Guadalupe in Northern Baja on a VIP food and wine tour led and orchestrated by San Diego’s Wine Vault & Bistro. WV & B’s Chris Gluck was the attentive host and tour guide.

She started with a reception at Wine Vault & Bistro with free-flowing Bloody Mediterraneans and Mexican Coffees before boarding the luxury motor coach to Mexico.

Their base in the Ensenada area for 2-nights was Hotel Coral y Marina with every guest having an ocean view.

Meals included a spectacular 4-course dinner under-the-stars at Chef Drew Deckman’s Deckman’s en El Mogor.

One of the wineries visited was Ray and Patty Magnussen’s Lechuza (Spanish for burrowing ground owl which is prevalent there) Vineyard. If you can’t make it to the Guadalupe Valley, Ray is going to be at The Vine Vault & Bistro in San Diego for a 3-night series of Lechuza Winemaker Dinners. The only date available is Tuesday evening, November 17th. Consider Wild Herb Roasted Lamb paired with 2012 Lechuza Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sue joins us to profile her hugely recommendable 3-day adventure.