Co-owner Sal Marino from The Historic Marino Ristorante In Los Angeles Talks To Us About The Recently Revamped Menu
Sal Marino from Marino Ristorante and Il Grano has been around Los Angeles forever, as part of one of the oldest Italian restaurant families in Los Angeles. Sal, his brother Mario, and his brother-in-law Stefano have recently revamped both the look and menu at Marino Ristorante, which was opened by his father nearly 30 years ago, and for a long time was a revered old-Hollywood hangout. The remodel and new menu has breathed new life into the restaurant. Marino Ristorante is deeply rooted in the idea of doing all things the right way. And well it should: original owner, chef and proprietor Ciro (Mario to American friends) Marino has been dedicated to the restaurant business for over 50 years. Today it is family owned and given its unique welcoming flavor by distinguished and friendly son, Mario Jr. And the charming lady who appears to be many places at once in the dining room is mom, Maria. And then there is the food.Described by many ‘quintessential NY Italian in Los Angeles’ Ciro and Mario knew they were in Southern California and were the first of the handful of chefs who are out daily in the early morning markets personally selecting the ingredients for the menu. Everyone from Frank Sinatra to members of the The Beatles, Jackson 5, Nat King Cole, Phil Specter and more hung out at Martoni's bar each night full three rows deep. Musicians wanting to be discovered and agents wanting to get in the door took jobs as buss boys and waiters. Major record contracts were signed and napkins were used for scribbling major movie plots. Sonny Bono hastily penned the song "Look at Me" after being refused service for his wild attire on evening- a song forever made famous by its flip side "I've Got You Babe". His old time customers Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis jr., Gary Grant, Jerry Lewis, Ann Miller, Hank Mancini and many more returned populating his tables. They were joined by a younger and more diverse but loyal and regular clientele which included screen actors Sharon Stone, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, music composers Bill Conti and Alan Silvestri, performers like LL Cool J, Snoop Dog and Placido Domingo, heads of studios, agents, lawyers and LA's top politicians.
Owner of Nine Restaurants and Dedicated Louisiana Chef John Besh Shares With Us His His New Book: "My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking"
John Besh is a chef and a native son dedicated to the culinary riches of southern Louisiana. His nine acclaimed restaurants (August, Besh Steak, Lüke, La Provence, American Sector, Domenica, Lüke San Antonio, The Soda Shop, and Borgne) celebrate the bounty and traditions of the region. In his entrepreneurial pursuits and public activities, John further preserves and promotes ingredients, techniques, and heritage, one mouthwatering dish at a time. That devotion to the importance of local ingredients and local cuisine extended to the publication of his first cookbook, My New Orleans, in 2009 and a PBS show, “Chef John Besh’s New Orleans,” based on the recipes from the book, in 2011. From the outset of his career, John’s talent and drive have earned kudos: Food & Wine named him one of the “Top 10 Best New Chefs in America,” and his flagship restaurant, August, was featured in Gourmet magazine’s “Guide to America’s Best Restaurants” and “America’s Top 50 Restaurants.” A James Beard winner, the owner of 9 restaurants, chef/host of PBS cooking show and cookbook author. Known for his dedication to local ingredients and local cuisine, his first book, "My New Orleans", and his new book, "My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking" is out just in time for the holidays.Don't forget to "Like" CRN's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/crntalkAnd "Like" Our What's Cookin' Today Page, too! http://www.facebook.com/whatscookintoday