On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Megan Abrigo-"Face the Ace" NBC SUNDAY at 9 PM
Hostess for “Face The Ace,” NBC’s newest primetime poker show. Abrigo was born and raised on the island of Oahu where she began her career as a model. Hawaii’s lifestyle and culture has had a deep impact on this island girl. It shows in her easy going personality. She moved to Los Angeles where she graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Studio Art and Computer Science. Hollywood didn’t have to wait long for this natural exotic beauty to parlay her successful modeling career into film and television. Abrigo can be seen on NBC’s game show “Deal or No Deal” as briefcase number 6 on every episode since the pilot of the show, and makes regular appearances as the web cam girl on Comedy Central’s “Tosh.0.”
Abrigo has hosted an extreme sports show called “Dialed In,” getting to interview the riders and also show her own athleticism by trying the sport. She was featured in People’s 100 most beautiful people in May 2006 with the rest of the “Deal or No Deal” models and does other various print campaigns. She has the staring role in Chris Brown’s “Forever” music video and has recently done commercials for Spike TV, LA Inc., L’Oreal, Cover Girl, Planters Peanuts, and Coors Light. When Abrigo is not cultivating her passion of traveling the world, she enjoys photography, reading, spending time with her dog, and surfing. Hosted by Steve Schirripa ("The Sopranos"), Qualifiers Play Against World-Class Poker Pros in a Series of Heads-Up, No Limit Hold'Em Matches for a Chance at the Ultimate Prize of $1 Million
NBC BROADCAST SCHEDULE:
• August 1, 2009 – 9:00pm ET
• August 8, 2009 – 9:00pm ET
• September 12, 2009 – 2:00pm ET
• October 31, 2009 – 3:30pm ET
• November 14, 2009 – 3:00pm ET
• December 12, 2009 – 3:00pm ET
• January 2, 2010 – 2:30pm ET
Elie Seidman - CEO Oyster Hotel Reviews
Elie is the CEO of Oyster Hotel Reviews and one of its co-founders. Elie has been an entrepreneur nearly since graduating from college in 1997. After spending a year working for Trilogy in Austin, Texas (where he and Ajay Agarwal of Bain Capital Ventures first met), Elie moved back to the East Coast and was involved in the founding of his first company, Wired Business, a telecom services company funded by Norwest Venture Partners. In the fall of 2000, Elie founded Epana and, as its president and CEO, grew the company to more than 400 employees between 2002 and the end of 2005. Elie departed Epana in the spring of 2006 and spent a year as a venture partner at Lime Rock Partners, a private equity fund based in Westport, Conn. Elie resides in New York. He received his B.S.E. from the University of Pennsylvania. At Oyster Hotel Reviews, we have a very simple mission: to give a comprehensive preview of the hotels you might choose to stay at, from the beds you'll sleep in to the bathrooms you'll use to the food you'll eat. Our goal is to guide our users to the hotels that will best fit their needs. We do this by extensively photographing every place. Oyster Hotel Reviews employs tireless, smart, experienced travelers who have each seen and extensively evaluated dozens of hotels. Our team of full-time travel reporters evaluates each hotel based on the criteria that are most important to us as travelers. We use our findings to compare properties across vacation destinations to deliver consistent, objective appraisals. e visit and writing in-depth reviews based on our firsthand experiences. We pay to visit each hotel as guests. Management doesn't know we're coming to review the property, and we're not afraid to say when service wasn't perfect or a room was dirty. Our reviews are informed by the sights, smells, and sounds of a property, guest interviews, and our interactions with the staff. Unlike hotel websites, Oyster Hotel Reviews includes photos taken by our reporters to accurately reflect what it's really like to be there. We don't airbrush out power lines or adjacent buildings. The photos you see here represent the hotel as we experienced it. Other travel websites rely solely on user reviews, but those are often anonymous and unreliable. We work to differentiate one-time experiences from the parts of the hotel that will be the same when a user visits. Our reporters also have the experience to actually weigh both the upside and downside of a stay at every hotel. We focus on conducting honest reporting and thoroughly investigating each hotel we visit. Before you go on your next vacation and stay at your next hotel, see what www.Oyster.com has to say. Oyster Hotel Reviews. Been there. Slept there.
Tim Reid - Ripley's - "Ripley's Believe It or Not! Seeing Is Believing!"
This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley's Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design. This year the book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book. Be amazed at the dentist with no arms, the snake that swallowed a wallaby, an underwater sculptor and a four-eared cat! For the legions of dedicated Ripley's fans, and anyone else on the planet who loves unbelievable facts and jaw-dropping images, the latest annual in this successful series is a feast of delights.
Ivano Toscani GM Anchor Bar - Buffalo, NY "Buffalo Wings"
On a Friday night in 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar at the now famous Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. Late that evening, a group of Dominic's friends arrived at the bar with ravenous appetites. Dominic asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat. They looked like chicken wings, a part of the chicken that usually went into the stock pot for soup. Teressa had deep fried the wings and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn't take long for people to flock to the bar to experience this new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar. The phenomenon created in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo has spread across the globe. Although many have tried to duplicate Buffalo Wings, the closely guarded secret recipe is what makes Frank & Teressa's the proclaimed "Best Wings in the World."
Steve Evans - "The Movie Guy
What's happening at the movies this weekend? Steve has all the info on what to see or maybe what to pass up. The hottest films and the biggest bombs from "The Movie Guy".
Live Monday through Friday 8-9 AM PT The Nation's Premiere Food, Wine, Travel, Health, Wealth & Entertainment Show! Click HERE for more ways to listen.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thu Aug 6, 2009
On Today's Show: http://www.crntalk.com
Brian Mitchell "The Psychology of Wine: Truth and Beauty by the Glass"
Since grape juice was first fermented, wine has captured the human imagination, engaging us in a uniquely personal way. According to authors Evan and Brian Mitchell, wine—more than any other organism, aesthetic object, or experience—reflects what it means to be human. The Psychology of Wine: Truth and Beauty by the Glass parts company from the overwhelming majority of books on the subject in that it is neither a profile of some aspect of the industry, nor a collection of tasting notes. Rather, readers are invited to explore the body, mind, and soul of wine from the perspectives of flavor, metaphor, geometry, gender, and human characteristics, including beauty, honesty, and subtlety. Attention is paid also to the historical, geographical, and psychological roots of our affinity with wine and to how the language of wine is intimate to our desires, habits, customs, and culture. Entertaining and highly informative, this book will lead readers to think about wine in fresh and challenging ways.
John M. Selman proprietor Malibu Village Wines
SEVENTH Annual Malibu Wine Classic. August 29, 2009 (Sat) 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
The Wine Classic showcases the most highly regarded wineries from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, combined with top Malibu and Los Angeles area restaurants. The 2008 Malibu Wine Classic for Childhelp®, saw over 75 producers, 20 restaurants and 1000 plus attendees frolic at the Malibu Civic Center to enjoy wine, food and fun.
Chef Chris Cosentino co-host Food Networks "Chefs vs City"
This is the ultimate foodie tour. In each episode of Chefs vs. City, Food Network chefs Aarón Sánchez and Chris Cosentino challenge two local foodies in an action-packed food adventure to locate that city's biggest, boldest, most unexpected food places. From wine stomping in Malibu, to eating the spiciest curry in all of NYC, to braving the coldest room in Las Vegas, Chefs vs. City will test the wits, guts, and skills of both teams as they race to the finish line. Chris Cosentino's passion for food took seed well before he ever donned chef's whites. Growing up in Newport, Rhode Island's Italian-American community, he spent his time clamming, commercial fishing, and cranking the pasta machine in his grandmother's kitchen, developing an early affinity for great ingredients and hard work. Cosentino graduated from Johnson & Wales then went on to build his culinary résumé by working at a number of notable restaurants, including Red Sage in Washington, D.C. and Rubicon, Chez Panisse, Belon, and Redwood Park in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first executive chef position was at Incanto, which he joined in 2002, and his innovative interpretations of rustic Italian fare promptly earned the restaurant its first 3-star review from the San Francisco Chronicle. Since then Cosentino has gained national acclaim as a leading proponent of offal cookery. His approach is marked by a combination of sheer gusto, careful research and precise technique, and stems from a belief that no parts of an animal slaughtered for food should go to waste. From beef tendon to duck tongue to fish spine, he has demonstrated that the "fifth quarter" offers an untapped array of flavors and textures, proving that these "lost cuts" can make for elegant and mouthwatering dishes. Chris has a strong commitment to sustainable principles and humanely raised meats and is an avid researcher of ancient cooking techniques and culinary lore. His menus at Incanto serve to uphold respected culinary traditions and socially responsible practices, yet keep things interesting with adventurous creative meanderings. In addition to serving as Incanto's executive chef, Chris is co-creator of Boccalone (www.boccalone.com), an artisanal salumeria. Additionally, his abiding passion for offal has led him to work on the definitive cookbook on the subject, aimed at providing essential instruction on the preparation of offal for both professional and home cooks.
Joe Vento - Geno's Steaks Philadelphia, PA
Geno's Steaks was started by Joe Vento back in 1966. He figured that if he was going to sell a steak, he had to be where they were already eating them....at the "X" shaped intersection of 9th & Passyunk in South Philadelphia. Joe learned the cheese steak business from his father who in the early 1940's opened "Jim's Steaks". In 1966, Joe started "Geno's" with $6.00 in his pocket, 2 boxes of steaks and some hot dogs. His competitors all gave him six months to succeed and Joe laughed at them. As a twist of fate, there was already a Joe's Steak Place and Joe had to come up with a new name. He noticed a broken door in the back of his store on which a neighborhood boy by the name of "GINO" had painted his name. Joe liked the name but at that time, there was a food chain by that name and he did not want to confuse his business with that chain. So, he simply changed the "I" to "E" and decided to name his store GENO'S. In 1971, when their son was born, Joe and his wife Eileen decided to name him after their business. His son Geno works along with his father in a managerial capacity as well as handling many of the "behind the scene" tasks helping to make the business such a success. Since those days, Geno's has offered the best of cheese steaks. The ingredients are simple, exacting and never greasy thinly sliced rib-eye steak, melted cheese, oven-fresh baked bread and delicately grilled onions. Awaiting your piping hot sandwich on the counter outside are ketchup, mustard, relish and Joe's choice hot sauce. A Word of Warning! Be prepared and know how to order, because the service is fast and the line keeps moving. For example, on a cheese steak with onions specify which kind of cheese you'd like (Provolone, American or Cheese Whiz). By the time you have given your order, your money will be taken and your sandwich will be out the window nice and hot! At the next window you can pick up your soda, fries and coffee. Geno's is open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week. There is no indoor dining, but there are tables under canopies on the sidewalk for those who wish to enjoy sandwiches on the premises rather than drive off with them. Stop by when you're in town and see why Geno's Steaks has become a Philadelphia tradition.
Brian Mitchell "The Psychology of Wine: Truth and Beauty by the Glass"
Since grape juice was first fermented, wine has captured the human imagination, engaging us in a uniquely personal way. According to authors Evan and Brian Mitchell, wine—more than any other organism, aesthetic object, or experience—reflects what it means to be human. The Psychology of Wine: Truth and Beauty by the Glass parts company from the overwhelming majority of books on the subject in that it is neither a profile of some aspect of the industry, nor a collection of tasting notes. Rather, readers are invited to explore the body, mind, and soul of wine from the perspectives of flavor, metaphor, geometry, gender, and human characteristics, including beauty, honesty, and subtlety. Attention is paid also to the historical, geographical, and psychological roots of our affinity with wine and to how the language of wine is intimate to our desires, habits, customs, and culture. Entertaining and highly informative, this book will lead readers to think about wine in fresh and challenging ways.
John M. Selman proprietor Malibu Village Wines
SEVENTH Annual Malibu Wine Classic. August 29, 2009 (Sat) 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
The Wine Classic showcases the most highly regarded wineries from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, combined with top Malibu and Los Angeles area restaurants. The 2008 Malibu Wine Classic for Childhelp®, saw over 75 producers, 20 restaurants and 1000 plus attendees frolic at the Malibu Civic Center to enjoy wine, food and fun.
Chef Chris Cosentino co-host Food Networks "Chefs vs City"
This is the ultimate foodie tour. In each episode of Chefs vs. City, Food Network chefs Aarón Sánchez and Chris Cosentino challenge two local foodies in an action-packed food adventure to locate that city's biggest, boldest, most unexpected food places. From wine stomping in Malibu, to eating the spiciest curry in all of NYC, to braving the coldest room in Las Vegas, Chefs vs. City will test the wits, guts, and skills of both teams as they race to the finish line. Chris Cosentino's passion for food took seed well before he ever donned chef's whites. Growing up in Newport, Rhode Island's Italian-American community, he spent his time clamming, commercial fishing, and cranking the pasta machine in his grandmother's kitchen, developing an early affinity for great ingredients and hard work. Cosentino graduated from Johnson & Wales then went on to build his culinary résumé by working at a number of notable restaurants, including Red Sage in Washington, D.C. and Rubicon, Chez Panisse, Belon, and Redwood Park in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first executive chef position was at Incanto, which he joined in 2002, and his innovative interpretations of rustic Italian fare promptly earned the restaurant its first 3-star review from the San Francisco Chronicle. Since then Cosentino has gained national acclaim as a leading proponent of offal cookery. His approach is marked by a combination of sheer gusto, careful research and precise technique, and stems from a belief that no parts of an animal slaughtered for food should go to waste. From beef tendon to duck tongue to fish spine, he has demonstrated that the "fifth quarter" offers an untapped array of flavors and textures, proving that these "lost cuts" can make for elegant and mouthwatering dishes. Chris has a strong commitment to sustainable principles and humanely raised meats and is an avid researcher of ancient cooking techniques and culinary lore. His menus at Incanto serve to uphold respected culinary traditions and socially responsible practices, yet keep things interesting with adventurous creative meanderings. In addition to serving as Incanto's executive chef, Chris is co-creator of Boccalone (www.boccalone.com), an artisanal salumeria. Additionally, his abiding passion for offal has led him to work on the definitive cookbook on the subject, aimed at providing essential instruction on the preparation of offal for both professional and home cooks.
Joe Vento - Geno's Steaks Philadelphia, PA
Geno's Steaks was started by Joe Vento back in 1966. He figured that if he was going to sell a steak, he had to be where they were already eating them....at the "X" shaped intersection of 9th & Passyunk in South Philadelphia. Joe learned the cheese steak business from his father who in the early 1940's opened "Jim's Steaks". In 1966, Joe started "Geno's" with $6.00 in his pocket, 2 boxes of steaks and some hot dogs. His competitors all gave him six months to succeed and Joe laughed at them. As a twist of fate, there was already a Joe's Steak Place and Joe had to come up with a new name. He noticed a broken door in the back of his store on which a neighborhood boy by the name of "GINO" had painted his name. Joe liked the name but at that time, there was a food chain by that name and he did not want to confuse his business with that chain. So, he simply changed the "I" to "E" and decided to name his store GENO'S. In 1971, when their son was born, Joe and his wife Eileen decided to name him after their business. His son Geno works along with his father in a managerial capacity as well as handling many of the "behind the scene" tasks helping to make the business such a success. Since those days, Geno's has offered the best of cheese steaks. The ingredients are simple, exacting and never greasy thinly sliced rib-eye steak, melted cheese, oven-fresh baked bread and delicately grilled onions. Awaiting your piping hot sandwich on the counter outside are ketchup, mustard, relish and Joe's choice hot sauce. A Word of Warning! Be prepared and know how to order, because the service is fast and the line keeps moving. For example, on a cheese steak with onions specify which kind of cheese you'd like (Provolone, American or Cheese Whiz). By the time you have given your order, your money will be taken and your sandwich will be out the window nice and hot! At the next window you can pick up your soda, fries and coffee. Geno's is open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week. There is no indoor dining, but there are tables under canopies on the sidewalk for those who wish to enjoy sandwiches on the premises rather than drive off with them. Stop by when you're in town and see why Geno's Steaks has become a Philadelphia tradition.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wed Aug 5, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Larry Lipson - Costa Rica wine correspondent
He's been the Daily News restaurant critic for 50 years, but Larry Lipson has finally called it quits: "Sure, there have been editors who have leaned somewhat heavily on me - especially during one period when I was the only restaurant critic/writer in America featured in a newspaper seven days a week." Talk about knowing the restaurant scene in LA.
THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR - MELISSA D'ARABIAN
Melissa, 40 (Keller, Texas), pairs her varied culinary and life experiences to provide food lifestyle solutions and approachable recipes for today's families. As a stay-at-home mom to four young daughters, she efficiently budgets time and money to prepare the finest in fresh, home-cooked meals every day. Melissa finds culinary inspiration in family, friends, cooking classes, and world travels.
Food specialty: Family cooking at its finest
Favorite restaurant: L'Alivi – a fabulous restaurant in Paris specializing in Corsican food; it's where my husband took me on our first date (and for our anniversaries)
Three foods you can't live without (other than bread or water): Olive oil (I use it like crazy), bacon (a little goes a long way), and chicken (cost-effective and versatile)
Food you won't go near: I don't like goat cheese. My husband is still trying to convert me (like he did for lamb). I try a goat cheese of his choosing once a year. Seven years, seven tries, and so far, I still don't like it.
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: I don't think it's weird, but everyone I meet does: a huge plate of steamed broccoli served with a homemade citron mayonnaise. I can eat a pound of broccoli that way – it's addictive!
Interests: I love theatre, movies, writing, and reading non-fiction
Favorite Food Network chef: I love how they all have something different to offer; each one provides a solution to a different culinary "problem," but the one Food Network chef that had me standing in line for hours (in the rain and with a potty-training daughter) for a book signing is Bobby Flay. Who would ever guess that a year later I would get to cook for him?
Favorite shows (doesn't have to be Food Network): The Office, Iron Chef America, Amazing Race, American Idol, and Jon and Kate Plus 8
Favorite food destination: One of the best meals I ever had was an al fresco dinner in Kusadasi, Turkey. The vegetables were unbelievably fresh and sweet, the meat was all marinated in unusual flavors that worked perfectly, and the Turkish coffee was a perfect finish. Every meal I've ever eaten in Turkey has been a culinary adventure.
Culinary inspirations: I'm always imagining the role my food will take and how it nourishes others; it's always about the other person. My biggest inspirations are my family – my husband and my four daughters.
Three people, alive or dead, whom you'd like to invite to a dinner party: My mother – I miss her still everyday, but I'd love to have her so she could meet my daughters. Jay Leno – when I worked in Los Angeles, he was widely reputed as one of the hardest working and nicest men in Hollywood; I admire that. Oprah – she is a tremendous role model who uses her success to help others in countless ways.
Favorite books: The Prophet, Getting to Yes, The Dancing Wu Li Masters, the entire For Dummies series (you can become a weekend expert on almost anything!), The Writer's Journey, Nurturing Good Children Now, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, The Bible
Favorite movies: The Graduate (reminds me of my mom), Mamma Mia (reminds me of my daughters), and Spy Game (one of my first dates with my husband)
Why do you think you should be The Next Food Network Star? I relate to people in a number of key demographics: the single career woman, the stay-at-home parent, and the working parent. I've been in all of these circumstances, and my experiences drive both my way of life and my culinary point of view. I have four kids (aged four and under), but I think the fact that I'm not "supermom" makes me accessible. I want parents across America to breathe a sigh of relief when they see me on TV and to say to themselves, "if she can do it, then so can I"
Alisa Barry award-winning Bella Cucina Artful Food in Atlanta
"You can't have wine without a little something to eat," says Alisa Barry as she rummages through her fridge. Four of her girlfriends have gathered in her kitchen for wine and conversation—and to get a head start on the holidays. They will prepare spice blends, flavored salts and other concoctions to bag, box, bottle and wrap as edible gifts. Barry, who runs the award-winning Bella Cucina Artful Food in Atlanta, is in her element. This is what she does for a living. Barry dollops a spoonful of Bella Cucina's lemon-pear marmalade on a platter for her guests, then adds slivers of goat gouda, sliced fennel-sultana bread and marcona almonds. The garnish: a branch snipped from one of the olive trees that, surprisingly, not only grow but bear fruit in Barry's garden. Barry lives a few minutes from Bella Cucina's downtown production plant and retail shop. The company's artisanal pestos, preserves and sauces are now a familiar presence in specialty food stores as well as national retailers like Whole Foods Market. These conserves are so good they are quickly put to good use rather than being pushed back into the nether regions of the pantry. The clear, curvaceous jars and the natural flavors of Barry's walnut-sage pesto, Meyer lemon spread and farmhouse sun-dried-tomato pasta sauce with capers all reflect her love of Italian culinary traditions and her refined-in-California sensibility.
Larry Lipson - Costa Rica wine correspondent
He's been the Daily News restaurant critic for 50 years, but Larry Lipson has finally called it quits: "Sure, there have been editors who have leaned somewhat heavily on me - especially during one period when I was the only restaurant critic/writer in America featured in a newspaper seven days a week." Talk about knowing the restaurant scene in LA.
THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR - MELISSA D'ARABIAN
Melissa, 40 (Keller, Texas), pairs her varied culinary and life experiences to provide food lifestyle solutions and approachable recipes for today's families. As a stay-at-home mom to four young daughters, she efficiently budgets time and money to prepare the finest in fresh, home-cooked meals every day. Melissa finds culinary inspiration in family, friends, cooking classes, and world travels.
Food specialty: Family cooking at its finest
Favorite restaurant: L'Alivi – a fabulous restaurant in Paris specializing in Corsican food; it's where my husband took me on our first date (and for our anniversaries)
Three foods you can't live without (other than bread or water): Olive oil (I use it like crazy), bacon (a little goes a long way), and chicken (cost-effective and versatile)
Food you won't go near: I don't like goat cheese. My husband is still trying to convert me (like he did for lamb). I try a goat cheese of his choosing once a year. Seven years, seven tries, and so far, I still don't like it.
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: I don't think it's weird, but everyone I meet does: a huge plate of steamed broccoli served with a homemade citron mayonnaise. I can eat a pound of broccoli that way – it's addictive!
Interests: I love theatre, movies, writing, and reading non-fiction
Favorite Food Network chef: I love how they all have something different to offer; each one provides a solution to a different culinary "problem," but the one Food Network chef that had me standing in line for hours (in the rain and with a potty-training daughter) for a book signing is Bobby Flay. Who would ever guess that a year later I would get to cook for him?
Favorite shows (doesn't have to be Food Network): The Office, Iron Chef America, Amazing Race, American Idol, and Jon and Kate Plus 8
Favorite food destination: One of the best meals I ever had was an al fresco dinner in Kusadasi, Turkey. The vegetables were unbelievably fresh and sweet, the meat was all marinated in unusual flavors that worked perfectly, and the Turkish coffee was a perfect finish. Every meal I've ever eaten in Turkey has been a culinary adventure.
Culinary inspirations: I'm always imagining the role my food will take and how it nourishes others; it's always about the other person. My biggest inspirations are my family – my husband and my four daughters.
Three people, alive or dead, whom you'd like to invite to a dinner party: My mother – I miss her still everyday, but I'd love to have her so she could meet my daughters. Jay Leno – when I worked in Los Angeles, he was widely reputed as one of the hardest working and nicest men in Hollywood; I admire that. Oprah – she is a tremendous role model who uses her success to help others in countless ways.
Favorite books: The Prophet, Getting to Yes, The Dancing Wu Li Masters, the entire For Dummies series (you can become a weekend expert on almost anything!), The Writer's Journey, Nurturing Good Children Now, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, The Bible
Favorite movies: The Graduate (reminds me of my mom), Mamma Mia (reminds me of my daughters), and Spy Game (one of my first dates with my husband)
Why do you think you should be The Next Food Network Star? I relate to people in a number of key demographics: the single career woman, the stay-at-home parent, and the working parent. I've been in all of these circumstances, and my experiences drive both my way of life and my culinary point of view. I have four kids (aged four and under), but I think the fact that I'm not "supermom" makes me accessible. I want parents across America to breathe a sigh of relief when they see me on TV and to say to themselves, "if she can do it, then so can I"
Alisa Barry award-winning Bella Cucina Artful Food in Atlanta
"You can't have wine without a little something to eat," says Alisa Barry as she rummages through her fridge. Four of her girlfriends have gathered in her kitchen for wine and conversation—and to get a head start on the holidays. They will prepare spice blends, flavored salts and other concoctions to bag, box, bottle and wrap as edible gifts. Barry, who runs the award-winning Bella Cucina Artful Food in Atlanta, is in her element. This is what she does for a living. Barry dollops a spoonful of Bella Cucina's lemon-pear marmalade on a platter for her guests, then adds slivers of goat gouda, sliced fennel-sultana bread and marcona almonds. The garnish: a branch snipped from one of the olive trees that, surprisingly, not only grow but bear fruit in Barry's garden. Barry lives a few minutes from Bella Cucina's downtown production plant and retail shop. The company's artisanal pestos, preserves and sauces are now a familiar presence in specialty food stores as well as national retailers like Whole Foods Market. These conserves are so good they are quickly put to good use rather than being pushed back into the nether regions of the pantry. The clear, curvaceous jars and the natural flavors of Barry's walnut-sage pesto, Meyer lemon spread and farmhouse sun-dried-tomato pasta sauce with capers all reflect her love of Italian culinary traditions and her refined-in-California sensibility.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tues Aug 4, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Natasha - "Addicted to Beauty" Oxygen Tuesday Night at 11 PM PT/ET
Oxygen pulls back the curtain on the tantalizing world of medi-spas with a new reality workplace dramedy series, “Addicted to Beauty." which follows the outrageous staff at Changes Plastic Surgery and Spa, located in Southern California. Dianne York-Goldman, socialite and marketing expert, has brought her over-the-top employees from her previous spa to help with this new venture with well-known plastic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Lee. The staff includes: Gary, the flamboyant and outspoken receptionist; Ronnie, the eccentric concierge; Natasha, Dianne’s levelheaded assistant and Shannyn, the whip cracking spa manager. However, this group may be no match for Melanie (aka, “Mel”), Dr. Lee’s no nonsense office manager who is not afraid of giving out tough love. The workplace antics get out of control when the staff must learn to work together for the common good of the business. As the pressure increases to get the spa up and running, personalities clash and chaos ensues. Natasha has to pick up Gary’s front desk slack, Ronnie is completely averse to having Shannyn as his boss and Mel becomes fed up with the incompetency of Dianne’s staff. Overall, it’s going to be a bumpy ride to success! The series is set to premiere Tuesday, August 4 at 11PM ET/PT on Oxygen. As executive assistant and confidante to Dianne, Natasha handles every detail of her personal and professional life. Although the two women often clash, Natasha is confident in her abilities and knows exactly how to manage Dianne. Natasha prides herself on being able to say what’s on her mind, which sometimes causes tension amongst her colleagues. As for her cosmetic practices, Natasha is one of the least nipped and tucked people in the office, only having had a breast augmentation. Natasha has aspirations to one day own her own spa. Her family is hugely important to her and she enjoys cooking and baking in her spare time.
Patrick O'Connell Chef/Proprietor - The Inn at Little Washington
Patrick O'Connell, a native of Washington , D.C. , is a self-taught chef who pioneered a refined, regional American cuisine in the Virginia countryside. He has been referred to as "the Pope of American Cuisine". Selecting The Inn at Little Washington as one of the top ten restaurants in the world, Patricia Wells of The International Herald Tribune hails O'Connell as "a rare chef with a sense of near perfect taste, like a musician with perfect pitch." The Inn at Little Washington was created by Patrick O'Connell and his partner in 1978. It became America 's first 5 Star country house hotel and the first establishment in the Mobil Travel Guide's history to ever receive two 5 Star Awards—one for its restaurant, the other for its accommodations. The Inn also received AAA's highest accolades: two 5 Diamond Awards and is rated number one in all categories year after year by the Washington D.C. Zagat Restaurant Survey. Patrick and The Inn have won a total of five awards from the James Beard Foundation including Restaurant of the Year in 1993, Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region and the prestigious Outstanding Chef Award for 2001. O'Connell was one of the original inductees into "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America " and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree in the Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University . In 2008, The Inn celebrated its 30th Anniversary by commissioning a film documenting the evolution of American cuisine over the last three decades and honoring thirty American Culinary Pioneers who helped make this transformation possible. Patrick O’Connell is the author of the best selling cookbook, The Inn at Little Washington Cookbook, A Consuming Passion. His second book, Patrick O’Connell’s Refined American Cuisine was released in the Fall of 2004 and nominated for an IACP Cookbook Award. He has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, the CBS Early Show, the Martha Stewart Show, the Diane Rehm Show, the Charlie Rose Show and is a frequent guest speaker at The Smithsonian Institution and The Culinary Institute of America.
Provincetown Chamber of Commerce - Cape Cod, MA
If armies travel on their stomachs its safe to say the same is true for tourists. No one has ever gone hungry visiting Provincetown. The real surprise for our visitors is the diversity and quality of our food - from local, ethnic ‘fast food’ to outdoor cafe fare to the gourmet cuisine served in elegant dining rooms of historic mansions. Think about a very small town having a dinner party and thirty thousand people show up – obviously it’s imperative everyone’s well-fed and happy. All of Provincetown’s restaurants are locally owned and express the individual owners’ tastes and commitment to their cuisine. Given the high cost of doing business in Provincetown, only the best survive and your palate is the beneficiary of this fact of local life.
Irene Zaremski-Saltrelli - Owner - Reen's Bed & Breakfast - Rochester, NY
Welcome to Reen's Bed & Breakfast, a comfortable, affordable alternative to a hotel. Everything is more expensive this summer - except a stay at Reen's! Located in northwest Rochester's Maplewood Neighborhood, it is just three miles north of downtown and four miles south of Lake Ontario. Easy access to expressways means it's minutes from anywhere. The Murphy family was the first to live here in 1910. Rose, Irene and Calissa, three of the six Murphy children, lovingly cared for their home for sixty years. The Julians and the Clarks were residents in the 1970s and 1980s and the Saltrellis have been here since 1989. There are two porches, two sitting rooms with fire places and beamed ceilings, two oak staircases, leaded windows, hardwood floors, two original bathrooms with footed tubs, a powder room, unpainted oak woodwork galore and a stained glass window. Hostess Irene Zaremski-Saltrelli opened Reen's in 2004.
Natasha - "Addicted to Beauty" Oxygen Tuesday Night at 11 PM PT/ET
Oxygen pulls back the curtain on the tantalizing world of medi-spas with a new reality workplace dramedy series, “Addicted to Beauty." which follows the outrageous staff at Changes Plastic Surgery and Spa, located in Southern California. Dianne York-Goldman, socialite and marketing expert, has brought her over-the-top employees from her previous spa to help with this new venture with well-known plastic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Lee. The staff includes: Gary, the flamboyant and outspoken receptionist; Ronnie, the eccentric concierge; Natasha, Dianne’s levelheaded assistant and Shannyn, the whip cracking spa manager. However, this group may be no match for Melanie (aka, “Mel”), Dr. Lee’s no nonsense office manager who is not afraid of giving out tough love. The workplace antics get out of control when the staff must learn to work together for the common good of the business. As the pressure increases to get the spa up and running, personalities clash and chaos ensues. Natasha has to pick up Gary’s front desk slack, Ronnie is completely averse to having Shannyn as his boss and Mel becomes fed up with the incompetency of Dianne’s staff. Overall, it’s going to be a bumpy ride to success! The series is set to premiere Tuesday, August 4 at 11PM ET/PT on Oxygen. As executive assistant and confidante to Dianne, Natasha handles every detail of her personal and professional life. Although the two women often clash, Natasha is confident in her abilities and knows exactly how to manage Dianne. Natasha prides herself on being able to say what’s on her mind, which sometimes causes tension amongst her colleagues. As for her cosmetic practices, Natasha is one of the least nipped and tucked people in the office, only having had a breast augmentation. Natasha has aspirations to one day own her own spa. Her family is hugely important to her and she enjoys cooking and baking in her spare time.
Patrick O'Connell Chef/Proprietor - The Inn at Little Washington
Patrick O'Connell, a native of Washington , D.C. , is a self-taught chef who pioneered a refined, regional American cuisine in the Virginia countryside. He has been referred to as "the Pope of American Cuisine". Selecting The Inn at Little Washington as one of the top ten restaurants in the world, Patricia Wells of The International Herald Tribune hails O'Connell as "a rare chef with a sense of near perfect taste, like a musician with perfect pitch." The Inn at Little Washington was created by Patrick O'Connell and his partner in 1978. It became America 's first 5 Star country house hotel and the first establishment in the Mobil Travel Guide's history to ever receive two 5 Star Awards—one for its restaurant, the other for its accommodations. The Inn also received AAA's highest accolades: two 5 Diamond Awards and is rated number one in all categories year after year by the Washington D.C. Zagat Restaurant Survey. Patrick and The Inn have won a total of five awards from the James Beard Foundation including Restaurant of the Year in 1993, Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region and the prestigious Outstanding Chef Award for 2001. O'Connell was one of the original inductees into "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America " and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree in the Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University . In 2008, The Inn celebrated its 30th Anniversary by commissioning a film documenting the evolution of American cuisine over the last three decades and honoring thirty American Culinary Pioneers who helped make this transformation possible. Patrick O’Connell is the author of the best selling cookbook, The Inn at Little Washington Cookbook, A Consuming Passion. His second book, Patrick O’Connell’s Refined American Cuisine was released in the Fall of 2004 and nominated for an IACP Cookbook Award. He has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, the CBS Early Show, the Martha Stewart Show, the Diane Rehm Show, the Charlie Rose Show and is a frequent guest speaker at The Smithsonian Institution and The Culinary Institute of America.
Provincetown Chamber of Commerce - Cape Cod, MA
If armies travel on their stomachs its safe to say the same is true for tourists. No one has ever gone hungry visiting Provincetown. The real surprise for our visitors is the diversity and quality of our food - from local, ethnic ‘fast food’ to outdoor cafe fare to the gourmet cuisine served in elegant dining rooms of historic mansions. Think about a very small town having a dinner party and thirty thousand people show up – obviously it’s imperative everyone’s well-fed and happy. All of Provincetown’s restaurants are locally owned and express the individual owners’ tastes and commitment to their cuisine. Given the high cost of doing business in Provincetown, only the best survive and your palate is the beneficiary of this fact of local life.
Irene Zaremski-Saltrelli - Owner - Reen's Bed & Breakfast - Rochester, NY
Welcome to Reen's Bed & Breakfast, a comfortable, affordable alternative to a hotel. Everything is more expensive this summer - except a stay at Reen's! Located in northwest Rochester's Maplewood Neighborhood, it is just three miles north of downtown and four miles south of Lake Ontario. Easy access to expressways means it's minutes from anywhere. The Murphy family was the first to live here in 1910. Rose, Irene and Calissa, three of the six Murphy children, lovingly cared for their home for sixty years. The Julians and the Clarks were residents in the 1970s and 1980s and the Saltrellis have been here since 1989. There are two porches, two sitting rooms with fire places and beamed ceilings, two oak staircases, leaded windows, hardwood floors, two original bathrooms with footed tubs, a powder room, unpainted oak woodwork galore and a stained glass window. Hostess Irene Zaremski-Saltrelli opened Reen's in 2004.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Mon Aug 03, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Mayte Garcia - Judge on NBC's "Dance Your Ass Off" TONIGHT at 10 PM PT/ET
Mayte Garcia will showcase her knowledge of dance as a judge on Oxygen’s new dance/weight losscompetition series “Dance Your Ass Off.” Garcia started ballet training when she was three years old and soon after started performing as a belly dancer across the U.S. She appeared on the television program “That’s Incredible” as the youngest professional belly dancer at the age of eight. Garcia moved with her family to Germany and continued her study of dance, where she had the opportunity to perform with the classical ballet company Wiesbaden Staatstheater. In 1990, she caught the attention of music artist Prince and received her breakthrough role touring with Prince’s “Diamonds and Pearls” album and appearing in his music video “Seven.” Soon after, Garcia elevated her role and became the focus of his next album. Garcia’s exceptional choreography skills span a variety of dance styles, including hip hop, salsa and freestyle, and she has captured the attention of music icons, including pop superstar Britney Spears. Garcia was hired on by choreographer Wade Robson for the music video “Slave 4 U,” and was responsible for teaching Britney Spears the belly dancing moves for the video and her memorable live performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. She was also the director of the New Power Generation Dance Company and toured throughout the world showcasing the choreographic works of several well-known choreographers as well as her own.
Dr. Joel Fisher - The Wine Guru with a report on events nationwide
Joel M. Fisher, PhD is the wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson Magazine's tasting panel.
Gary Jaffe Owner Jaffe Estates - Napa Valley and Alan Balik
Who’d have guessed that a person could spend so much time studying the heavens and still keep their feet firmly planted in the soil? For Gary and Pam Jaffe, spotting new stars in the Orion Nebula, or counting Saturn’s rings brings a fresh perspective on bud break along the vines, or the bright taste of young wine in the mouth. With its silver-domed observatory perched on the edge of the vineyard, Jaffe Estate marries the agricultural and the celestial, the earth and the sky, to create transcendent wines. Two of Gary’s enduring passions come together here: a lifelong fascination with astronomy and a love for the Napa Valley that began decades ago. Drawn first by the striking beauty of the Valley and surrounding hills, it was the collaborative approach to growing wine grapes that compelled him to stay. He had never before encountered an industry in which competitors routinely helped one another succeed. The more time he spent here, the clearer it became that Napa’s winemakers are committed to maintaining its reputation as the premiere viticultural region in the country. Collective success takes precedence over individual gain. Gary embraced the “we’re all in this together” spirit of the place, the mutual effort it takes to make some of the world’s finest wines. Now that the Jaffes live in the Valley year-round, they are able to fully participate while giving back to the community. Pam created the popular Holiday Home Tour as a fund-raiser for the St. Helena elementary school, and both she and Gary are active in a variety of charitable organizations. Then there are the groups of local school kids who visit the observatory for up-close views of star clusters, planets and other celestial sights. The Jaffes encourage every one of them to come back as often as they like. Most do--usually with an excited parent in tow. Pam exemplifies the ethos of both the Jaffe Estate and the larger Napa Valley. For her, this is the ideal place to raise a family, to commune joyfully with the natural world, to live life abundantly. Pam spent her young adulthood touring Asia and Africa. She lived on the retired Navy ship her documentary filmmaker father outfitted to accommodate his wife and children, along with a battery of cousins, friends, deck hands, tutors and film crew. And yet, for a woman who has traveled extensively--even to the stars--there is no better place than this patch of earth she and Gary tend as a loving legacy for their children.
Provincetown Chamber of Commerce - Cape Cod, MA
If armies travel on their stomachs its safe to say the same is true for tourists. No one has ever gone hungry visiting Provincetown. The real surprise for our visitors is the diversity and quality of our food - from local, ethnic ‘fast food’ to outdoor cafe fare to the gourmet cuisine served in elegant dining rooms of historic mansions. Think about a very small town having a dinner party and thirty thousand people show up – obviously it’s imperative everyone’s well-fed and happy. All of Provincetown’s restaurants are locally owned and express the individual owners’ tastes and commitment to their cuisine. Given the high cost of doing business in Provincetown, only the best survive and your palate is the beneficiary of this fact of local life.
Larry Van Aalst Sommelier "Equus Restaurant"
The Equus Restaurant and Loungebar has been transformed into an inviting casual dining experience. The California fusion menu highlights local ingredients and emphasizes classic flavors with Mediterranean, Spanish and French influences. The Loungebar features Friday evening wine tasting and Saturday entertainment. Equus Restaurant and Loungebar…make it your next stop.
Mayte Garcia - Judge on NBC's "Dance Your Ass Off" TONIGHT at 10 PM PT/ET
Mayte Garcia will showcase her knowledge of dance as a judge on Oxygen’s new dance/weight losscompetition series “Dance Your Ass Off.” Garcia started ballet training when she was three years old and soon after started performing as a belly dancer across the U.S. She appeared on the television program “That’s Incredible” as the youngest professional belly dancer at the age of eight. Garcia moved with her family to Germany and continued her study of dance, where she had the opportunity to perform with the classical ballet company Wiesbaden Staatstheater. In 1990, she caught the attention of music artist Prince and received her breakthrough role touring with Prince’s “Diamonds and Pearls” album and appearing in his music video “Seven.” Soon after, Garcia elevated her role and became the focus of his next album. Garcia’s exceptional choreography skills span a variety of dance styles, including hip hop, salsa and freestyle, and she has captured the attention of music icons, including pop superstar Britney Spears. Garcia was hired on by choreographer Wade Robson for the music video “Slave 4 U,” and was responsible for teaching Britney Spears the belly dancing moves for the video and her memorable live performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. She was also the director of the New Power Generation Dance Company and toured throughout the world showcasing the choreographic works of several well-known choreographers as well as her own.
Dr. Joel Fisher - The Wine Guru with a report on events nationwide
Joel M. Fisher, PhD is the wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson Magazine's tasting panel.
Gary Jaffe Owner Jaffe Estates - Napa Valley and Alan Balik
Who’d have guessed that a person could spend so much time studying the heavens and still keep their feet firmly planted in the soil? For Gary and Pam Jaffe, spotting new stars in the Orion Nebula, or counting Saturn’s rings brings a fresh perspective on bud break along the vines, or the bright taste of young wine in the mouth. With its silver-domed observatory perched on the edge of the vineyard, Jaffe Estate marries the agricultural and the celestial, the earth and the sky, to create transcendent wines. Two of Gary’s enduring passions come together here: a lifelong fascination with astronomy and a love for the Napa Valley that began decades ago. Drawn first by the striking beauty of the Valley and surrounding hills, it was the collaborative approach to growing wine grapes that compelled him to stay. He had never before encountered an industry in which competitors routinely helped one another succeed. The more time he spent here, the clearer it became that Napa’s winemakers are committed to maintaining its reputation as the premiere viticultural region in the country. Collective success takes precedence over individual gain. Gary embraced the “we’re all in this together” spirit of the place, the mutual effort it takes to make some of the world’s finest wines. Now that the Jaffes live in the Valley year-round, they are able to fully participate while giving back to the community. Pam created the popular Holiday Home Tour as a fund-raiser for the St. Helena elementary school, and both she and Gary are active in a variety of charitable organizations. Then there are the groups of local school kids who visit the observatory for up-close views of star clusters, planets and other celestial sights. The Jaffes encourage every one of them to come back as often as they like. Most do--usually with an excited parent in tow. Pam exemplifies the ethos of both the Jaffe Estate and the larger Napa Valley. For her, this is the ideal place to raise a family, to commune joyfully with the natural world, to live life abundantly. Pam spent her young adulthood touring Asia and Africa. She lived on the retired Navy ship her documentary filmmaker father outfitted to accommodate his wife and children, along with a battery of cousins, friends, deck hands, tutors and film crew. And yet, for a woman who has traveled extensively--even to the stars--there is no better place than this patch of earth she and Gary tend as a loving legacy for their children.
Provincetown Chamber of Commerce - Cape Cod, MA
If armies travel on their stomachs its safe to say the same is true for tourists. No one has ever gone hungry visiting Provincetown. The real surprise for our visitors is the diversity and quality of our food - from local, ethnic ‘fast food’ to outdoor cafe fare to the gourmet cuisine served in elegant dining rooms of historic mansions. Think about a very small town having a dinner party and thirty thousand people show up – obviously it’s imperative everyone’s well-fed and happy. All of Provincetown’s restaurants are locally owned and express the individual owners’ tastes and commitment to their cuisine. Given the high cost of doing business in Provincetown, only the best survive and your palate is the beneficiary of this fact of local life.
Larry Van Aalst Sommelier "Equus Restaurant"
The Equus Restaurant and Loungebar has been transformed into an inviting casual dining experience. The California fusion menu highlights local ingredients and emphasizes classic flavors with Mediterranean, Spanish and French influences. The Loungebar features Friday evening wine tasting and Saturday entertainment. Equus Restaurant and Loungebar…make it your next stop.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fri Jul 31, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Dr. Ayala Laufer Cahana
Herbs have been used to add flavor to food across cultures for centuries and known for their wonderful healthful benefits. With so many people living in urban areas such as LA, people don’t have access to fresh herbs, know how to blend them or have time to fit them into their daily diet. Ayala’s Herbal Water, the only USDA Organic Certified water of its kind, has been created to reach the health minded and foodies alike with their original delicious blends of culinary herbs.
Q: Who is Dr. Ayala?
Dr. Ayala (Ayala Laufer-Cahana, M.D.) is the creator of these drinks. She is a pediatrician, a mom, a lifelong vegetarian and an artist.
Q: How did she come up with the idea for this company?
As a mom, Dr. Ayala was constantly searching for healthy ways to nourish her family. She started making these drinks at home using herbs from her garden. Her family and friends enjoyed her herbal waters so much, Dr. Ayala considered sharing them on a larger scale. She decided to start a company offering this unique and healthy alternative to sugary mainstream beverages.
Q: How do you pronounce her name? “Eye-ah-lah”
David James Elliott ("General Braxton" on NBC's "The Storm")
SUNDAY AUG 2 9 PM ET/PT ON NBC David James Elliott stars in NBC’s new miniseries “The Storm” as General Braxton. Elliott, the Canadian star of the hit, one hour legal show, “JAG” (NBC, 1995-96; CBS 1997-2005,) was recently cast in the lead role of Alex Kinter on the miniseries “Impact!” Before that, he was seen as District Attorney Conlon on the second season of Jerry Bruckheimer’s hit series “Close to Home.” Best known for his role on “JAG,” Elliott captivated audiences for ten years as navy lawyer, “Lieutenant Harmon Rabb.” “JAG,” which featured explosive action, dramatic stories, and film-quality special effects, was one of the most powerful and ambitious military legal dramas on television. The show earned numerous awards including the 2001 Imagen Foundation Award for a Primetime Television Series and the ASCAP Award for Top Television Series in 2000, 2003, and 2004. For his role on “JAG,” Elliott won the 2000 TV Guide Award for Favorite Actor in a Dramatic Series, was nominated by TV Guide for Actor of the Year in a Dramatic Series in 2001, and landed a spot on People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful List. Elliott may seem like a natural in front of the camera, but he did not always aspire to be the talented actor he is today. The second of three sons, he was born in Toronto, Canada. As a child, Elliott had a wild imagination and enjoyed playing make-believe war games. One of his high school teachers, impressed by his reading of “King Lear” in a theater history class, encouraged him to consider pursuing an acting career. While at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, one of the most prestigious acting schools in Canada, Elliott auditioned for “The Stratford Shakespearean Festival Company,” earning a job with the acting troupe for two years. He then went on to win the Jean Chalmers Award for Most Promising Young Actor of the Season. Soon after, Elliott caught the attention of the producers of the Canadian television show “Street Legal,” while performing the role of “Dick,” a dim-witted stripper in “B-Movie: The Play.” The show was a breakout hit and made Elliott a household name in Canada. Elliott’s breakthrough performance on “Street Legal” was just the beginning of his ongoing success. Elliott landed a role in “Police Academy 3: Back in Training.” Soon after, he decided to move from Canada to Los Angeles to further pursue his acting career. Upon his arrival in L.A. he immediately began doing guest appearances on various TV shows including “China Beach,” “The Hidden Room,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and “Dark Justice.” In 1992, he landed a recurring role as a pro-baseball player in the long running hit series “Knots Landing,” and later that year he starred in the syndicated series “The Untouchables” (1992-1993) as Treasury Agent Paul Robbins. Elliott also had a recurring guest role as Terry Parsons on the hit series, “Melrose Place.” He recently starred opposite Patricia Arquette in “Medium” as her ‘other life’ husband. One of his most memorable TV appearances was when he played “Carl the Moving Guy,” an anti-abortion furniture mover on “Seinfeld.” He credits that one time gig for opening bigger doors than he could ever knock down in any of his previous acting series. “I’ve always made a good living doing drama,” says Elliott, “but I learned that if you do a comedy, the whole world opens up.” Furthermore, Elliott had roles in movies including the 1997 “Clockwatchers” with Parker Posey and Lisa Kudrow, as well as “The Shrink Is In” (2001) with Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Additionally, he had starring roles in the TV movies “Code 11-14” (2003) and “The Man Who Lost Himself” (2005). Elliott produced and starred in the made-for-TV movie “Dodson’s Journey” (2001), the first project for his production company, Firefly Productions. Off camera, he directed the “JAG” episodes “Lifeline” and “Take it Like a Man.” He also wrote an episode of the show. Elliott married his co-star, Nanci Chambers, in a quiet wedding in 1993. In his spare time he enjoys playing with his 2 children, reading, golfing, writing, and watching old movies. He also loves to go running and has competed in many marathons and triathlons. “The Storm” is an epic miniseries event where the changeable forces of nature combine -- in the air, on land, in the seas -- as the world counts down its final, catastrophic hours. Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Treat Williams (“Everwood”) and James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek”) star in this ultimate tale of man against nature.
David Vergari Owner/Winemaker - Vergari Wines
Founded in 2003 by owner/winemaker David Vergari, Vergari Wines strives to produce Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards that are exclusively suited to those varietals. David shepards the wine from vine to bottle, ages them solely in French oak barrels and trusts that if he’s doing his job well, each wine will display its own “voice” – its own distinctive and unique character. While studying Enology and Viticulture at UC Davis, David interned at Sonoma-Cutrer and The Hess Collection in Napa Valley, and worked abroad at Coldstream Hills in Australia and Covisa in Spain. Landing back in California, David worked his way up to Research Enologist at Joseph Phelps Vineyard before moving to Rutz Cellars in the Russian River Valley, where he not only became the winemaker, but honed his skills and appreciation for Pinot Noir. Then, after four years as Head Winemaker at Maddalena Vineyards, David decided to launch his own label, Vergari Wines. In his spare time, David acts as a consulting winemaker and teaches extension wine courses at UC Irvine. David ascribes his life-long interest in wine at least in part to his Italian ancestry. His first memory of wine goes back to when he was five years old, in his great-uncle’s cellar in San Francisco tasting "Dago Red" - cut with water, of course! For a while in his twenties he worked as a financial analyst, but winemaking was in his blood, and inevitably he decided to change careers and follow his passion. David makes his wines at Owl Ridge Wine Services in Sebastopol, California, formerly co-owned by friends and fellow winemakers Greg LaFollette and Greg Bjornstad. David became fast friends with the two Gregs while attending UC Davis and vowed that one day he would make wine at their facility. The third generation of his family from western Sonoma County, David divides his time between the winery and vineyards in Northern California and his home life with wife Katie Orth in Sierra Madre, Southern California. David’s philosophy; “Give every lot of grapes the attention and careful handling it needs, let the wine find its voice while knowing when to stay out of the way, and always remember that wine is something to be enjoyed – like the company of an old friend.”
Steve Evans - "The Movie Guy
What's happening at the movies this weekend? Steve has all the info on what to see or maybe what to pass up. The hottest films and the biggest bombs from "The Movie Guy".
Dr. Ayala Laufer Cahana
Herbs have been used to add flavor to food across cultures for centuries and known for their wonderful healthful benefits. With so many people living in urban areas such as LA, people don’t have access to fresh herbs, know how to blend them or have time to fit them into their daily diet. Ayala’s Herbal Water, the only USDA Organic Certified water of its kind, has been created to reach the health minded and foodies alike with their original delicious blends of culinary herbs.
Q: Who is Dr. Ayala?
Dr. Ayala (Ayala Laufer-Cahana, M.D.) is the creator of these drinks. She is a pediatrician, a mom, a lifelong vegetarian and an artist.
Q: How did she come up with the idea for this company?
As a mom, Dr. Ayala was constantly searching for healthy ways to nourish her family. She started making these drinks at home using herbs from her garden. Her family and friends enjoyed her herbal waters so much, Dr. Ayala considered sharing them on a larger scale. She decided to start a company offering this unique and healthy alternative to sugary mainstream beverages.
Q: How do you pronounce her name? “Eye-ah-lah”
David James Elliott ("General Braxton" on NBC's "The Storm")
SUNDAY AUG 2 9 PM ET/PT ON NBC David James Elliott stars in NBC’s new miniseries “The Storm” as General Braxton. Elliott, the Canadian star of the hit, one hour legal show, “JAG” (NBC, 1995-96; CBS 1997-2005,) was recently cast in the lead role of Alex Kinter on the miniseries “Impact!” Before that, he was seen as District Attorney Conlon on the second season of Jerry Bruckheimer’s hit series “Close to Home.” Best known for his role on “JAG,” Elliott captivated audiences for ten years as navy lawyer, “Lieutenant Harmon Rabb.” “JAG,” which featured explosive action, dramatic stories, and film-quality special effects, was one of the most powerful and ambitious military legal dramas on television. The show earned numerous awards including the 2001 Imagen Foundation Award for a Primetime Television Series and the ASCAP Award for Top Television Series in 2000, 2003, and 2004. For his role on “JAG,” Elliott won the 2000 TV Guide Award for Favorite Actor in a Dramatic Series, was nominated by TV Guide for Actor of the Year in a Dramatic Series in 2001, and landed a spot on People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful List. Elliott may seem like a natural in front of the camera, but he did not always aspire to be the talented actor he is today. The second of three sons, he was born in Toronto, Canada. As a child, Elliott had a wild imagination and enjoyed playing make-believe war games. One of his high school teachers, impressed by his reading of “King Lear” in a theater history class, encouraged him to consider pursuing an acting career. While at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, one of the most prestigious acting schools in Canada, Elliott auditioned for “The Stratford Shakespearean Festival Company,” earning a job with the acting troupe for two years. He then went on to win the Jean Chalmers Award for Most Promising Young Actor of the Season. Soon after, Elliott caught the attention of the producers of the Canadian television show “Street Legal,” while performing the role of “Dick,” a dim-witted stripper in “B-Movie: The Play.” The show was a breakout hit and made Elliott a household name in Canada. Elliott’s breakthrough performance on “Street Legal” was just the beginning of his ongoing success. Elliott landed a role in “Police Academy 3: Back in Training.” Soon after, he decided to move from Canada to Los Angeles to further pursue his acting career. Upon his arrival in L.A. he immediately began doing guest appearances on various TV shows including “China Beach,” “The Hidden Room,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and “Dark Justice.” In 1992, he landed a recurring role as a pro-baseball player in the long running hit series “Knots Landing,” and later that year he starred in the syndicated series “The Untouchables” (1992-1993) as Treasury Agent Paul Robbins. Elliott also had a recurring guest role as Terry Parsons on the hit series, “Melrose Place.” He recently starred opposite Patricia Arquette in “Medium” as her ‘other life’ husband. One of his most memorable TV appearances was when he played “Carl the Moving Guy,” an anti-abortion furniture mover on “Seinfeld.” He credits that one time gig for opening bigger doors than he could ever knock down in any of his previous acting series. “I’ve always made a good living doing drama,” says Elliott, “but I learned that if you do a comedy, the whole world opens up.” Furthermore, Elliott had roles in movies including the 1997 “Clockwatchers” with Parker Posey and Lisa Kudrow, as well as “The Shrink Is In” (2001) with Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Additionally, he had starring roles in the TV movies “Code 11-14” (2003) and “The Man Who Lost Himself” (2005). Elliott produced and starred in the made-for-TV movie “Dodson’s Journey” (2001), the first project for his production company, Firefly Productions. Off camera, he directed the “JAG” episodes “Lifeline” and “Take it Like a Man.” He also wrote an episode of the show. Elliott married his co-star, Nanci Chambers, in a quiet wedding in 1993. In his spare time he enjoys playing with his 2 children, reading, golfing, writing, and watching old movies. He also loves to go running and has competed in many marathons and triathlons. “The Storm” is an epic miniseries event where the changeable forces of nature combine -- in the air, on land, in the seas -- as the world counts down its final, catastrophic hours. Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Treat Williams (“Everwood”) and James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek”) star in this ultimate tale of man against nature.
David Vergari Owner/Winemaker - Vergari Wines
Founded in 2003 by owner/winemaker David Vergari, Vergari Wines strives to produce Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards that are exclusively suited to those varietals. David shepards the wine from vine to bottle, ages them solely in French oak barrels and trusts that if he’s doing his job well, each wine will display its own “voice” – its own distinctive and unique character. While studying Enology and Viticulture at UC Davis, David interned at Sonoma-Cutrer and The Hess Collection in Napa Valley, and worked abroad at Coldstream Hills in Australia and Covisa in Spain. Landing back in California, David worked his way up to Research Enologist at Joseph Phelps Vineyard before moving to Rutz Cellars in the Russian River Valley, where he not only became the winemaker, but honed his skills and appreciation for Pinot Noir. Then, after four years as Head Winemaker at Maddalena Vineyards, David decided to launch his own label, Vergari Wines. In his spare time, David acts as a consulting winemaker and teaches extension wine courses at UC Irvine. David ascribes his life-long interest in wine at least in part to his Italian ancestry. His first memory of wine goes back to when he was five years old, in his great-uncle’s cellar in San Francisco tasting "Dago Red" - cut with water, of course! For a while in his twenties he worked as a financial analyst, but winemaking was in his blood, and inevitably he decided to change careers and follow his passion. David makes his wines at Owl Ridge Wine Services in Sebastopol, California, formerly co-owned by friends and fellow winemakers Greg LaFollette and Greg Bjornstad. David became fast friends with the two Gregs while attending UC Davis and vowed that one day he would make wine at their facility. The third generation of his family from western Sonoma County, David divides his time between the winery and vineyards in Northern California and his home life with wife Katie Orth in Sierra Madre, Southern California. David’s philosophy; “Give every lot of grapes the attention and careful handling it needs, let the wine find its voice while knowing when to stay out of the way, and always remember that wine is something to be enjoyed – like the company of an old friend.”
Steve Evans - "The Movie Guy
What's happening at the movies this weekend? Steve has all the info on what to see or maybe what to pass up. The hottest films and the biggest bombs from "The Movie Guy".
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thu Jul 30, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Eric Drath - Producer and Director - "ASSAULT IN THE RING" HBO Aug 1
HBO Sports will present ASSAULT IN THE RING, a documentary about the ill-fated bout between Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto and its subsequent effect on both boxers. Debuting SATURDAY, AUG. 1 on HBO, the special will explore the events that profoundly impacted the New York sports landscape and the world of boxing, and changed the lives of two athletes.
ASSAULT IN THE RING revisits a boxing scandal considered one of the sport’s darkest hours, and traces a man’s despairing journey following his alleged involvement in a criminal plot. The documentary examines new evidence about this boxing match turned 30-minute assault, and reveals much more about the pre-fight activities of Luis Resto, his trainer Panama Lewis and the athletic commission representatives. On June 16, 1983, undefeated welterweight Billy Collins Jr. set out to fulfill every boxer’s dream of fighting in the world’s most famous arena – Madison Square Garden. Collins’ opponent, Luis Resto of the Bronx, had his own dream of rising to the occasion in front of hometown fans. But what began as a match that Nashville native Collins was favored to win changed both athletes’ lives – ending Collins’ career dreams and landing Resto in prison. Resto seemingly reached a fighter’s ultimate goal by upsetting Collins, but his post-fight victory celebration was short-lived when it was discovered that the padding had been illegally removed from Resto’s gloves by his trainer, Panama Lewis, before the fight. Resto was subsequently incarcerated and banned from the sport, while the brutally beaten Collins went into a tragic downward spiral. Lewis, whose official career as a trainer came to an end that night, was also subsequently banned, and speaks for the first time in ASSAULT IN THE RING about the events of the fight and their impact. Others interviewed include: former New York State Athletic Commission chairman Jack Prenderville; members of the prosecution, defense and jury from the 1985 trial in New York; and Billy Jr.’s widow, Andrea.
Chef Rocco DiSpirito - Bravo’s “Top Chef” and NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”
Rocco DiSpirito is the author of 5 cook books including Flavor, Rocco's Italian American, Rocco's Real Life Recipes and DiSpirito's fifth book Rocco Gets Real: Cook At Home Everyday was published October 2008. A unique cookbook that empowers the everyday home cook with easy to make recipes, step by step photos and illustrations, making his unique approach to food accessible to just about anyone. Dispirito also makes regular appearances on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” As the summer season strolls along, and restaurant choices seem either slim or expensive, many of your viewers are likely looking for more options to dine at home. Chef Rocco DiSpirito will offer listeners several suggestions on how to elevate an ordinary night in into a restaurant quality meal. From navigating the grocery store for the best possible ingredients, to building a menu of options that are sure to please, Chef Rocco will provide viewers with tips and tricks for delicious dinners.
Chef Larry Nicola "Mexico Restaurante y Barra"
What's pink and orange and red all over? Larry Nicola's newest restaurant, Mexico Restaurante y Barra. Nicola, one of Los Angeles 's highly regarded and innovative restaurateurs, brings a unique, affordable addition to the city's quality Mexican food repertoire. The new restaurant and bar looks like a funky beach joint uprooted from coastal Mexico and plopped down in West Hollywood . It's hard to miss the huge, pink neon " Mexico " sign that Nicola bought 12 years ago at a neighborhood antiques store. That " Mexico " sign and his love for the cuisine are what inspired him to open Mexico Restaurante y Barra. Upon entering, a brass plaque announces that the building was used as a recording studio for The Doors in 1970. "L.A. Woman" was recorded in what is now the downstairs bathroom. These days the sound of a live mariachi band fills the air on weekend nights. Restaurant patron's ears and eyes squint from the pulsating fiesta atmosphere vibrating off lights strung across upstairs and downstairs open-air patios. Everything sparkles against magenta, orange and turquoise walls. Brilliant-colored plates, flower-patterned oilcloth tablecloths, red umbrellas and bright pink chairs promise a happy vibe. Patio heaters warm nippy nights, plus boldly striped Mexican serapes hang on chair backs for use by chilly fashionistas. An intensely pink barroom offers a cozy place to dine, with a half dozen dining tables below, piñatas above and view into the kitchen beyond.
In keeping with the laid-back beach concept, an outdoor staircase to the upper patio and indoor lounge/bar creaks under the steps. Once inside, guests will spot bar stools looking like conga drums covered in red shag carpeting to match the fiery room color. It's the perfect party room for special events. There's plenty of low, upholstered, trés hipster seating enticing guests to stretch out with a good drink. Mexico's cocktail list boasts top-of-the-line tequila, earthy mezcal, hand-squeezed juices, agave syrup, fresh chiles and herbs. "Silverrano" is an unforgettable potion combining Corzo silver tequila with cooling, muddled cucumber, and lime sour for a nice citrus finish until the bolt of serrano chile hits the back of your throat. Another, " Mesa 9," stirs smooth Corzo añejo tequila, pomegranate and foamy, sweet-sour pineapple juices with a guajillo-infused syrup. The name Larry Nicola is synonymous with spectcular cocktails and new bar concepts. In 1980 he opened the first martini lounge at L.A. Nicola, in Silver Lake . In 1993 he moved downtown with Nicola, and then opened Nic's Beverly Hills in 1997. He added the VODBOX to the scene in 2006-the wildly popular vodka tasting, walk-in, exhibition freezer designed for tasting flights of vodka in their purest form. Larry Nicola is passionate about Latin American food. He lived in Belize and Costa Rica while working as chef and then consultant for some of the swankiest resorts such as Palmilla Hotel, and Querencia, a private golf resort both in Los Cabos , Mexico . Nicola continues to travel to Mexico whenever possible and explore the country's regional foods. He knows the cuisine and how to achieve authentic flavors. The dishes served at Mexico are Larry's personal favorites, inspired from his travels. His pride and joy is a mesquite wood-fired oven and he takes full advantage of it. Primal fragrances fill the air whenever charred beef, roasted duck, smoky corn and blackened chiles are pulled from the embers. Enticing aromas charge out of the oven like a steam locomotive as it rounds a curve at full speed. The smell of real Mexican cooking is the result of the mesquite's mineral deposit; its smoke permeates food with a distinct Mexican high mesa flavor stamp. Years of surfing along the west coast from Jalisco south to Oaxaca is Larry's inspiration for huge garlicky grilled shrimp with a chipotle, cilantro and blistered tomato dip, a perfect appetizer. It is ideally followed with a sizzling cast iron skillet of queso fundido with smoky flavors from charred poblano chiles, a generous spoonful of crunchy chorizo sausage and luscious, gooey cheese scooped into hand made flour tortillas just off the hot grill. Taquitos are generously filled with moist, mesquite-fired duck meat for more smoky earthiness. The pair is wrapped in delicate handmade corn tortillas. A main dish of duck with guava sauce served with bay leaf, fennel and habañero rice is an ideal entree. The duck is cooked just enough to claim its intense flavor without a thought of dryness. With influence from the Gulf coastline, the huachinango (true red snapper) is quickly fried for a crisp skin, as it sits atop of Larry's rendition of a brothy, wood oven-charred tomato, potato and green olive Veracruzana sauce. Carnitas are big, succulent chunks of pork rendered in their own fat and then popped into the mesquite oven to swallow up wood flavor. Sharing the plate is a nutritious Mexican vegetable, verdolagas, over toasty tomatillo sauce, adding a bright touch of acidity to the all-around stellar dish. Chiles rellenos charge out of the mesquite oven oozing charred, melted Oaxacan quesillo cheese. The cheese and spinach-stuffed Anaheim chiles come with a richly deep, smoky salsa negra. At the last second they're sprinkled with queso fresco cheese and topped with a super crunchy squash blossom. Side dishes like smoky black beans baked in the mesquite oven with epazote, avocado leaves and anise-tinged avocado convey an authentic taste of Oaxaca . Corn also gets time in wood before it's scraped off the cob, hit with spicy chile de arbol and a dollop of cooling Mexican crema. In thanks to the genius of Larry Nicola, Mexico Restaurante y Barra offers top rate food at affordable prices. The quality and flavor values are brighter than the décor. Appetizers run $8 and up to $12 for seafood cocktails. Entrees are more than reasonable at $13 to $16. For dessert, guests can stretch out on cushy upstairs lounge sofa, and sip on a "Jump on a Horse" Herradura reposado tequila, cactus fruit and Cointreau cocktail ($12) while enjoying a flavorful Mexican classic Flan de Coco y Cacao, Mexican Chocolate Wedding Cake, Pineapple Sundae with cookies or the Paletas de Mango. Mexico Restaurante y Barra, 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard , West Hollywood , CA 90069 . 310-289-0088. Open at 5PM daily. www.gogomexico.com
Philip and Michelle Wojtowicz - "Big Sur Bakery Cookbook"
Tucked behind a gas station off California's legendary Highway 1, the Big Sur Bakery is easy to miss. But don't be fooled by its unassuming location—stumbling across the Bakery, as countless visitors have done on their way up and down the Pacific Coast, will make you feel as if you've discovered a secret: a gem of a restaurant where the food, people, and atmosphere meld together in a perfect embodiment of the spirit of Big Sur. The three restaurant owners, chef Philip Wojtowicz, baker Michelle Wojtowicz, and host Michael Gilson, escaped the Los Angeles food scene to create their version of the ideal restaurant, nestled in the heart of some of the most beautiful country in the world. This is simple, wood-fired American cooking at its best, executed in a way that lets the ingredients—seasonal and often locally produced—shine. Weekend brunches feature thick, nine-grain pancakes and savory breakfast pizza topped with crisp bacon, fresh herbs, and pasture-raised eggs. At night, Phil offers classics like Grilled Prime Rib Steak with Red Wine Sauce along with twists on traditional favorites like Venison Osso Buco or Rockfish Scampi. And every meal should end with one of Michelle's great desserts, whether it's a homemade Peppermint Ice Cream Sundae or Hazelnut Flan with Roasted Cherries.
Eric Drath - Producer and Director - "ASSAULT IN THE RING" HBO Aug 1
HBO Sports will present ASSAULT IN THE RING, a documentary about the ill-fated bout between Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto and its subsequent effect on both boxers. Debuting SATURDAY, AUG. 1 on HBO, the special will explore the events that profoundly impacted the New York sports landscape and the world of boxing, and changed the lives of two athletes.
ASSAULT IN THE RING revisits a boxing scandal considered one of the sport’s darkest hours, and traces a man’s despairing journey following his alleged involvement in a criminal plot. The documentary examines new evidence about this boxing match turned 30-minute assault, and reveals much more about the pre-fight activities of Luis Resto, his trainer Panama Lewis and the athletic commission representatives. On June 16, 1983, undefeated welterweight Billy Collins Jr. set out to fulfill every boxer’s dream of fighting in the world’s most famous arena – Madison Square Garden. Collins’ opponent, Luis Resto of the Bronx, had his own dream of rising to the occasion in front of hometown fans. But what began as a match that Nashville native Collins was favored to win changed both athletes’ lives – ending Collins’ career dreams and landing Resto in prison. Resto seemingly reached a fighter’s ultimate goal by upsetting Collins, but his post-fight victory celebration was short-lived when it was discovered that the padding had been illegally removed from Resto’s gloves by his trainer, Panama Lewis, before the fight. Resto was subsequently incarcerated and banned from the sport, while the brutally beaten Collins went into a tragic downward spiral. Lewis, whose official career as a trainer came to an end that night, was also subsequently banned, and speaks for the first time in ASSAULT IN THE RING about the events of the fight and their impact. Others interviewed include: former New York State Athletic Commission chairman Jack Prenderville; members of the prosecution, defense and jury from the 1985 trial in New York; and Billy Jr.’s widow, Andrea.
Chef Rocco DiSpirito - Bravo’s “Top Chef” and NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”
Rocco DiSpirito is the author of 5 cook books including Flavor, Rocco's Italian American, Rocco's Real Life Recipes and DiSpirito's fifth book Rocco Gets Real: Cook At Home Everyday was published October 2008. A unique cookbook that empowers the everyday home cook with easy to make recipes, step by step photos and illustrations, making his unique approach to food accessible to just about anyone. Dispirito also makes regular appearances on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” As the summer season strolls along, and restaurant choices seem either slim or expensive, many of your viewers are likely looking for more options to dine at home. Chef Rocco DiSpirito will offer listeners several suggestions on how to elevate an ordinary night in into a restaurant quality meal. From navigating the grocery store for the best possible ingredients, to building a menu of options that are sure to please, Chef Rocco will provide viewers with tips and tricks for delicious dinners.
Chef Larry Nicola "Mexico Restaurante y Barra"
What's pink and orange and red all over? Larry Nicola's newest restaurant, Mexico Restaurante y Barra. Nicola, one of Los Angeles 's highly regarded and innovative restaurateurs, brings a unique, affordable addition to the city's quality Mexican food repertoire. The new restaurant and bar looks like a funky beach joint uprooted from coastal Mexico and plopped down in West Hollywood . It's hard to miss the huge, pink neon " Mexico " sign that Nicola bought 12 years ago at a neighborhood antiques store. That " Mexico " sign and his love for the cuisine are what inspired him to open Mexico Restaurante y Barra. Upon entering, a brass plaque announces that the building was used as a recording studio for The Doors in 1970. "L.A. Woman" was recorded in what is now the downstairs bathroom. These days the sound of a live mariachi band fills the air on weekend nights. Restaurant patron's ears and eyes squint from the pulsating fiesta atmosphere vibrating off lights strung across upstairs and downstairs open-air patios. Everything sparkles against magenta, orange and turquoise walls. Brilliant-colored plates, flower-patterned oilcloth tablecloths, red umbrellas and bright pink chairs promise a happy vibe. Patio heaters warm nippy nights, plus boldly striped Mexican serapes hang on chair backs for use by chilly fashionistas. An intensely pink barroom offers a cozy place to dine, with a half dozen dining tables below, piñatas above and view into the kitchen beyond.
In keeping with the laid-back beach concept, an outdoor staircase to the upper patio and indoor lounge/bar creaks under the steps. Once inside, guests will spot bar stools looking like conga drums covered in red shag carpeting to match the fiery room color. It's the perfect party room for special events. There's plenty of low, upholstered, trés hipster seating enticing guests to stretch out with a good drink. Mexico's cocktail list boasts top-of-the-line tequila, earthy mezcal, hand-squeezed juices, agave syrup, fresh chiles and herbs. "Silverrano" is an unforgettable potion combining Corzo silver tequila with cooling, muddled cucumber, and lime sour for a nice citrus finish until the bolt of serrano chile hits the back of your throat. Another, " Mesa 9," stirs smooth Corzo añejo tequila, pomegranate and foamy, sweet-sour pineapple juices with a guajillo-infused syrup. The name Larry Nicola is synonymous with spectcular cocktails and new bar concepts. In 1980 he opened the first martini lounge at L.A. Nicola, in Silver Lake . In 1993 he moved downtown with Nicola, and then opened Nic's Beverly Hills in 1997. He added the VODBOX to the scene in 2006-the wildly popular vodka tasting, walk-in, exhibition freezer designed for tasting flights of vodka in their purest form. Larry Nicola is passionate about Latin American food. He lived in Belize and Costa Rica while working as chef and then consultant for some of the swankiest resorts such as Palmilla Hotel, and Querencia, a private golf resort both in Los Cabos , Mexico . Nicola continues to travel to Mexico whenever possible and explore the country's regional foods. He knows the cuisine and how to achieve authentic flavors. The dishes served at Mexico are Larry's personal favorites, inspired from his travels. His pride and joy is a mesquite wood-fired oven and he takes full advantage of it. Primal fragrances fill the air whenever charred beef, roasted duck, smoky corn and blackened chiles are pulled from the embers. Enticing aromas charge out of the oven like a steam locomotive as it rounds a curve at full speed. The smell of real Mexican cooking is the result of the mesquite's mineral deposit; its smoke permeates food with a distinct Mexican high mesa flavor stamp. Years of surfing along the west coast from Jalisco south to Oaxaca is Larry's inspiration for huge garlicky grilled shrimp with a chipotle, cilantro and blistered tomato dip, a perfect appetizer. It is ideally followed with a sizzling cast iron skillet of queso fundido with smoky flavors from charred poblano chiles, a generous spoonful of crunchy chorizo sausage and luscious, gooey cheese scooped into hand made flour tortillas just off the hot grill. Taquitos are generously filled with moist, mesquite-fired duck meat for more smoky earthiness. The pair is wrapped in delicate handmade corn tortillas. A main dish of duck with guava sauce served with bay leaf, fennel and habañero rice is an ideal entree. The duck is cooked just enough to claim its intense flavor without a thought of dryness. With influence from the Gulf coastline, the huachinango (true red snapper) is quickly fried for a crisp skin, as it sits atop of Larry's rendition of a brothy, wood oven-charred tomato, potato and green olive Veracruzana sauce. Carnitas are big, succulent chunks of pork rendered in their own fat and then popped into the mesquite oven to swallow up wood flavor. Sharing the plate is a nutritious Mexican vegetable, verdolagas, over toasty tomatillo sauce, adding a bright touch of acidity to the all-around stellar dish. Chiles rellenos charge out of the mesquite oven oozing charred, melted Oaxacan quesillo cheese. The cheese and spinach-stuffed Anaheim chiles come with a richly deep, smoky salsa negra. At the last second they're sprinkled with queso fresco cheese and topped with a super crunchy squash blossom. Side dishes like smoky black beans baked in the mesquite oven with epazote, avocado leaves and anise-tinged avocado convey an authentic taste of Oaxaca . Corn also gets time in wood before it's scraped off the cob, hit with spicy chile de arbol and a dollop of cooling Mexican crema. In thanks to the genius of Larry Nicola, Mexico Restaurante y Barra offers top rate food at affordable prices. The quality and flavor values are brighter than the décor. Appetizers run $8 and up to $12 for seafood cocktails. Entrees are more than reasonable at $13 to $16. For dessert, guests can stretch out on cushy upstairs lounge sofa, and sip on a "Jump on a Horse" Herradura reposado tequila, cactus fruit and Cointreau cocktail ($12) while enjoying a flavorful Mexican classic Flan de Coco y Cacao, Mexican Chocolate Wedding Cake, Pineapple Sundae with cookies or the Paletas de Mango. Mexico Restaurante y Barra, 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard , West Hollywood , CA 90069 . 310-289-0088. Open at 5PM daily. www.gogomexico.com
Philip and Michelle Wojtowicz - "Big Sur Bakery Cookbook"
Tucked behind a gas station off California's legendary Highway 1, the Big Sur Bakery is easy to miss. But don't be fooled by its unassuming location—stumbling across the Bakery, as countless visitors have done on their way up and down the Pacific Coast, will make you feel as if you've discovered a secret: a gem of a restaurant where the food, people, and atmosphere meld together in a perfect embodiment of the spirit of Big Sur. The three restaurant owners, chef Philip Wojtowicz, baker Michelle Wojtowicz, and host Michael Gilson, escaped the Los Angeles food scene to create their version of the ideal restaurant, nestled in the heart of some of the most beautiful country in the world. This is simple, wood-fired American cooking at its best, executed in a way that lets the ingredients—seasonal and often locally produced—shine. Weekend brunches feature thick, nine-grain pancakes and savory breakfast pizza topped with crisp bacon, fresh herbs, and pasture-raised eggs. At night, Phil offers classics like Grilled Prime Rib Steak with Red Wine Sauce along with twists on traditional favorites like Venison Osso Buco or Rockfish Scampi. And every meal should end with one of Michelle's great desserts, whether it's a homemade Peppermint Ice Cream Sundae or Hazelnut Flan with Roasted Cherries.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wed Jul 29, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Dean Peters - Dir of Communications - International Dairy Queen, Inc.
International Dairy Queen (IDQ), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen stores in the United States, Canada and foreign countries, offering dairy desserts, hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Larry Lipson - Costa Rica wine correspondent
He's been the Daily News restaurant critic for 50 years, but Larry Lipson has finally called it quits: "Sure, there have been editors who have leaned somewhat heavily on me - especially during one period when I was the only restaurant critic/writer in America featured in a newspaper seven days a week." Talk about knowing the restaurant scene in LA.
Deborah Norville - Host of “Inside Edition,” Author
Deborah is joined by the host of the “Food” Network’s hot show “Healthy Appetite” and bestselling author of such books as “The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life” and “Small Changes Big Results” Ellie Krieger who will reveal to your viewers valuable nutritional advice, simple meal recipes and considerations, and small changes in the kitchen that can make a large impact on any person’s overall health, especially a person who suffers from RA. Did you know that approximately 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Deborah Norville, the Emmy award-winning host of Inside Edition, has a very personal connection to RA ~ her mother passed away from complications of the disease when Ms. Norville was only 20 years old. An advocate of educating the public about RA, Ms. Norville is hosting New Way RA, the first and only online talk show for people with RA, premiering on www.NewWayRA.com.
Brian Yarvin "Too Many Tomatoes Cookbook"
This new cookbook from the author of A World of Dumplings features over 100 easy-to-follow recipes for everything from down-home fried green tomatoes and classic ketchup to spicy gazpacho, and even sweet and succulent desserts. Yarvin also includes basic instructions on how to process and preserve your harvest. The tomato bases that you create will provide the basis for many of the recipes featured in the book. Vibrant photographs accompany recipes for salads, side dishes, soups, meat, poultry, and fish dishes, pizzas and calzones, salsas, and sauces that span the globe. Brian Yarvin is the author of Cucina Piemontese, Farms and Foods of the Garden State, and A World of Dumplings (released in 2007 by Countryman). He is an instructor of food, and commercial photography at the Washington School of Photography. Brian is based in Edison, New Jersey.
Dean Peters - Dir of Communications - International Dairy Queen, Inc.
International Dairy Queen (IDQ), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen stores in the United States, Canada and foreign countries, offering dairy desserts, hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Larry Lipson - Costa Rica wine correspondent
He's been the Daily News restaurant critic for 50 years, but Larry Lipson has finally called it quits: "Sure, there have been editors who have leaned somewhat heavily on me - especially during one period when I was the only restaurant critic/writer in America featured in a newspaper seven days a week." Talk about knowing the restaurant scene in LA.
Deborah Norville - Host of “Inside Edition,” Author
Deborah is joined by the host of the “Food” Network’s hot show “Healthy Appetite” and bestselling author of such books as “The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life” and “Small Changes Big Results” Ellie Krieger who will reveal to your viewers valuable nutritional advice, simple meal recipes and considerations, and small changes in the kitchen that can make a large impact on any person’s overall health, especially a person who suffers from RA. Did you know that approximately 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Deborah Norville, the Emmy award-winning host of Inside Edition, has a very personal connection to RA ~ her mother passed away from complications of the disease when Ms. Norville was only 20 years old. An advocate of educating the public about RA, Ms. Norville is hosting New Way RA, the first and only online talk show for people with RA, premiering on www.NewWayRA.com.
Brian Yarvin "Too Many Tomatoes Cookbook"
This new cookbook from the author of A World of Dumplings features over 100 easy-to-follow recipes for everything from down-home fried green tomatoes and classic ketchup to spicy gazpacho, and even sweet and succulent desserts. Yarvin also includes basic instructions on how to process and preserve your harvest. The tomato bases that you create will provide the basis for many of the recipes featured in the book. Vibrant photographs accompany recipes for salads, side dishes, soups, meat, poultry, and fish dishes, pizzas and calzones, salsas, and sauces that span the globe. Brian Yarvin is the author of Cucina Piemontese, Farms and Foods of the Garden State, and A World of Dumplings (released in 2007 by Countryman). He is an instructor of food, and commercial photography at the Washington School of Photography. Brian is based in Edison, New Jersey.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tue Jul 28, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Joel Fisher - "Wine Guru" - lists Wine Events Nationwide
The wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout CA
Milt Drewer - entertainment & personal chef
Chef Drewer, your personal Chef, will create succulent meals prepared to your liking, with no mess left behind. All you need to do is come home, heat and eat a meal specifically made just for you. No planning, no more trips to the grocery store and no preparation. Each meal will be bought and prepared to your exact instructions. Can you imagine coming home from a long day and only having to pre-heat the oven, crack open a bottle of wine, and in 30 minutes or less, you will have a gourmet meal that won't break the bank. I conduct an interview with each of my clients in order to create a delicious meal plan tailored to my client's preferences and tastes.
Kim Bartley - Director of Public Relations - "White Castle"
More than 80 years. More than 380 restaurants. More than 500,000,000 burgers sold last year alone. But when you add it up, the by-the-numbers White Castle math just can't compare to the steam-grilled science of creating that signature Slyder.® Or the consistent history of high quality and great taste that turned fast food into big business and jumpstarted the nation's first hamburger century. (Well, almost a century: meat rationing during World War II forced us to sell hot dogs and eggs.) Or, most of all, the shared secret language of committed Cravers across the country, the words and senses that turn all of you into One of Ours. Still, math is pretty fundamental. Mostly because, in White Castle mathematics (crunched at our Columbus, Ohio, headquarters), the number one keeps popping up. First fast-food hamburger chain ever. First industrial-strength spatula. First mass-produced paper hat. First to sell a million hamburgers. First to sell a billion hamburgers. First frozen fast food for sale. All of which, of course, makes us your number one. Hold your applause for your next burgers.
Joel Fisher - "Wine Guru" - lists Wine Events Nationwide
The wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout CA
Milt Drewer - entertainment & personal chef
Chef Drewer, your personal Chef, will create succulent meals prepared to your liking, with no mess left behind. All you need to do is come home, heat and eat a meal specifically made just for you. No planning, no more trips to the grocery store and no preparation. Each meal will be bought and prepared to your exact instructions. Can you imagine coming home from a long day and only having to pre-heat the oven, crack open a bottle of wine, and in 30 minutes or less, you will have a gourmet meal that won't break the bank. I conduct an interview with each of my clients in order to create a delicious meal plan tailored to my client's preferences and tastes.
Kim Bartley - Director of Public Relations - "White Castle"
More than 80 years. More than 380 restaurants. More than 500,000,000 burgers sold last year alone. But when you add it up, the by-the-numbers White Castle math just can't compare to the steam-grilled science of creating that signature Slyder.® Or the consistent history of high quality and great taste that turned fast food into big business and jumpstarted the nation's first hamburger century. (Well, almost a century: meat rationing during World War II forced us to sell hot dogs and eggs.) Or, most of all, the shared secret language of committed Cravers across the country, the words and senses that turn all of you into One of Ours. Still, math is pretty fundamental. Mostly because, in White Castle mathematics (crunched at our Columbus, Ohio, headquarters), the number one keeps popping up. First fast-food hamburger chain ever. First industrial-strength spatula. First mass-produced paper hat. First to sell a million hamburgers. First to sell a billion hamburgers. First frozen fast food for sale. All of which, of course, makes us your number one. Hold your applause for your next burgers.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mon Jul 27, 2009
On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Roger D. Carstens "The Wanted" NBC TV
The second installment of “The Wanted,” a groundbreaking television event that sets forth on an international hunt for an accused terrorist will air Monday, July 27 at 9 PM ET. “The Wanted” brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism. The show focuses on real operators, in search of real targets -- all in an effort to see individuals brought to justice. In the July 27 episode, viewers will travel to Germany on the trail of Mamoun Darkazanli. Called “Bin Laden’s financier,” Spanish officials indicted Darkazanli in 2003 for providing logistical and financial support to Al Qaeda, specifically in connection with 9/11. Still he remains free in Germany. While the team surveils Darkazanli, negotiations for his deportation begin between Spain and Germany.
Pat Galvin "Vignette Wine Country Soda"
Vignette, the sparkling, non-alcoholic soda made only from the juice of premium wine grapes, comes in three delicious varieties, including Chardonnay, Rosé, and Pinot Noir. Created by Pat Galvin, Vignette has transformed from a little-known brand to one that is now available at all BEVMO! locations across California and Arizona as well as Dean & Deluca in New York City.
Danny Teeson - Judge Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off"
Danny Teeson showcases his knowledge of dance as a judge on Oxygen’s newest dance/weight loss competition series “Dance Your Ass Off.” A native of England, Teeson studied ballet, tap, modern, jazz, pas de deux, musical theatre and hip hop, amongst many other dance styles for five years, three of which were while he attended the reputable Laine Theatre Arts Performing Arts Academy. At 19, he was a member of the original London cast of the widely successful "Fame - The Musical," where he was the dance captain and understudy to Tyrone Jackson and Joe Vegas. After several years of performing in various productions, Teeson transitioned from theatre into commercial dance. He danced and choreographed for Grammy® Award-winning artists such as Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross, Robbie Williams and Tom Jones, with whom he won the VH1 Best Music Video award for "Sex Bomb." Moving to Los Angeles seven years ago, Teeson founded his own company called Danny Teeson Productions. Under this banner, he has produced, designed, choreographed and directed many Los Angeles-based fashion and trade shows, including Cal Mart (LA Fashion Week), American Idol (Live Tour) and is currently serving as the creative director to the hugely successful pop/country artist Carrie Underwood. As a lifestyle coach on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Girl,” Teeson taught women about every aspect of life, from cooking, entertaining, dancing to health and fitness, and most recently took the role of fitness correspondent reporting nationwide weight loss success story's for the fitness giant Beachbody.com The United States government recognized his unique talent by making him a U.S. citizen. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Jensen Bissel - Park Director - Baxter State Park - Millinocket, Maine
We strive to carry out the provisions of the trust, created by Percival P. Baxter, and known to the people of Maine as Baxter State Park. The Baxter State Park Authority exists to ensure that the Park "Shall forever be kept and remain in the Natural Wild State", to provide recreational opportunities to the public in accordance with trust provisions, to operate and maintain the Park for the use and enjoyment of Maine’s people. According to the donor’s wishes; the Park will be managed as a sanctuary for beasts and birds and "Katahdin in all its glory forever shall remain the mountain of the People of Maine."
723 9500
Roger D. Carstens "The Wanted" NBC TV
The second installment of “The Wanted,” a groundbreaking television event that sets forth on an international hunt for an accused terrorist will air Monday, July 27 at 9 PM ET. “The Wanted” brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism. The show focuses on real operators, in search of real targets -- all in an effort to see individuals brought to justice. In the July 27 episode, viewers will travel to Germany on the trail of Mamoun Darkazanli. Called “Bin Laden’s financier,” Spanish officials indicted Darkazanli in 2003 for providing logistical and financial support to Al Qaeda, specifically in connection with 9/11. Still he remains free in Germany. While the team surveils Darkazanli, negotiations for his deportation begin between Spain and Germany.
Pat Galvin "Vignette Wine Country Soda"
Vignette, the sparkling, non-alcoholic soda made only from the juice of premium wine grapes, comes in three delicious varieties, including Chardonnay, Rosé, and Pinot Noir. Created by Pat Galvin, Vignette has transformed from a little-known brand to one that is now available at all BEVMO! locations across California and Arizona as well as Dean & Deluca in New York City.
Danny Teeson - Judge Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off"
Danny Teeson showcases his knowledge of dance as a judge on Oxygen’s newest dance/weight loss competition series “Dance Your Ass Off.” A native of England, Teeson studied ballet, tap, modern, jazz, pas de deux, musical theatre and hip hop, amongst many other dance styles for five years, three of which were while he attended the reputable Laine Theatre Arts Performing Arts Academy. At 19, he was a member of the original London cast of the widely successful "Fame - The Musical," where he was the dance captain and understudy to Tyrone Jackson and Joe Vegas. After several years of performing in various productions, Teeson transitioned from theatre into commercial dance. He danced and choreographed for Grammy® Award-winning artists such as Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross, Robbie Williams and Tom Jones, with whom he won the VH1 Best Music Video award for "Sex Bomb." Moving to Los Angeles seven years ago, Teeson founded his own company called Danny Teeson Productions. Under this banner, he has produced, designed, choreographed and directed many Los Angeles-based fashion and trade shows, including Cal Mart (LA Fashion Week), American Idol (Live Tour) and is currently serving as the creative director to the hugely successful pop/country artist Carrie Underwood. As a lifestyle coach on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Girl,” Teeson taught women about every aspect of life, from cooking, entertaining, dancing to health and fitness, and most recently took the role of fitness correspondent reporting nationwide weight loss success story's for the fitness giant Beachbody.com The United States government recognized his unique talent by making him a U.S. citizen. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Jensen Bissel - Park Director - Baxter State Park - Millinocket, Maine
We strive to carry out the provisions of the trust, created by Percival P. Baxter, and known to the people of Maine as Baxter State Park. The Baxter State Park Authority exists to ensure that the Park "Shall forever be kept and remain in the Natural Wild State", to provide recreational opportunities to the public in accordance with trust provisions, to operate and maintain the Park for the use and enjoyment of Maine’s people. According to the donor’s wishes; the Park will be managed as a sanctuary for beasts and birds and "Katahdin in all its glory forever shall remain the mountain of the People of Maine."
723 9500
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