Outrageous Fair Food (also crave-worthy) is always a mouthwatering highlight of a visit to the OC Fair in Costa Mesa. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s and Enzo’s Pizza fame on the RCS Carnival Midway. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now for the OC Fair running through Sunday, August 13th. Think Hot Cheetos Cheese Pickle Pizza. We’re taking Fair Food at its tastiest best with The Midway Gourmet.
It’s Summer and time to revisit our “always in the know” resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. When it comes to knowledge of the season’s best there is no better resource than Robert (also known as “The Prince of Produce.”) Robert will brief us on the newest, most flavorful and freshest produce items that are available right now. Contemplate three varieties of Dragon Fruit, PinkGlow Pineapples and Yellow, Orange and Sunshine Watermelon. Hatch Pepper season is knocking at the door. Robert Schueller is our guest with a bunch of juicy Muscato Grapes in hand.
Long Beach residents and visitors alike are in for a treat as dozens of local restaurants and pop-ups will offer unique over-the-top Burgers and value-priced Burger Offers when the 3rd annual Long Beach Burger Week returns July 23-30, 2023. Organized by local non-profit Long Beach Food & Beverage, the organization felt that in addition to encouraging local and surrounding “foodies” to enjoy what the expanding Long Beach culinary community has to offer, events like Burger Week support the local economy. It’s summertime and who doesn’t love a good burger? One of the participating restaurants in the 3rd Annual Long Beach Burger Week is EJ’s Pub located in Bixby Knolls. The former Irish Pub, EJ Malloy’s, morphed into EJ’s Pub in 2017. It’s an upbeat, neighborhood sports bar offering well-prepared American comfort food, draft micro beers and ample patio seating. General Manager Richard Avila is out guest to preview their burger week menu with spatula in hand.
XUNTOS (pronounced She-Un-Tos) is a newly launched (July 14th) Tapas 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 Team loves and want to share with you.” Chef Sandra Cordero is our guest with a plate of thinly sliced Jamon Iberico at the ready.
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. First it was a 3 to 5 per cent charge added to restaurant checks to contribute to employees’ healthcare costs. This was reversable upon request. Now it’s a mandatory 18 per cent (sometimes 20 per cent) service fee added to restaurant checks that is not a gratuity but goes to (hopefully) elevating the compensation of all hourly employees. Should the server also get a real gratuity? Confused? Chef Andrew weighs in.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
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