Acclaimed Brewer and Restaurateur Ian McCall (ex-Riip Beer Co.in Huntington Beach) has ventured out on his own with the newly launched ISM Brewing in Downtown Long Beach. In addition to a rotating selection of 15 of his acclaimed craft beers (and prominent guest beers and wine & cider) he has Chef Fonzy De Zuniga (ex-Descanso) in the kitchen crafting elevated pub food including a Salmon Melt with Confit Atlantic Salmon, chipotle mayo, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeno, cilantro, cucumber and smoked cheddar cheese served on a grilled country loaf from the OC’s Crema Artisan Bakery. Weekend Brunch has just started. Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing and Tap Room.

“Preen is an award-winning, international architecture and Interiors firm with twenty years of experience specializing in hospitality design. Preen offers everything needed to build a project down to the matchbook.” They are based in a historic building in Los Angeles’ Chinatown. Projects in their expansive portfolio include Pine & Crane in the South Park neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles, the Howlin’ Ray’s in Pasadena (in the fondly-remembered Adohr Milk Farm building) and Piccalilli in Culver City. Preen has also designed a few of the distinctive establishments in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza. A current effort in development is acclaimed Chef Chef Tim Hollingsworth’s Otium Las Vegas in the Waldorf Astoria in the Aria Campus (the former Mandarin Oriental hotel.) Preen’s inspirational founder, Alexis Readinger, is our guest to explore the mysterious world of restaurant design.

Our favorite globe-trotting travel journalist and TV personality, Darley Newman, is back with a new season of travel adventures. “Join multi-Emmy nominated Darley Newman for Season 11 of TRAVELS WITH DARLEY and experience an enticing blend of culture, history, and gastronomy across a captivating array of destinations in the USA (including Lafayette, Louisiana and Route 66 in Illinois) and to South Korea. Thirteen half-hour episodes debut on PBS stations starting January 11, 2024, including the launch of TRAVELS WITH DARLEY: “Revolutionary Road Trips” in the lead up to the 2026 commemorations of America’s 250th. TRAVELS WITH DARLEY invites viewers on a journey of discovery as Darley Newman explores the heart and soul of each place she visits.” Darley takes a brief detour from the road to join us.

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 the fast-casual 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. We’re continuing the spirited conversation about mandatory Service Charges of 18 to 20 per cent now being added onto restaurant checks (this is not a Tip) along with a possible 3 to 5 per cent contribution to employee health care. Adding a “Tip” above and beyond this is typically not discouraged. To make matters worse the “Service Charge” is taxable. Chef Andrew will weigh in on this highly controversial and befuddling development.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

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