“In March 2021, Chef Aaron Lee and Mal Gott began their story, which has since grown into the proudly presented Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner in Las Vegas. Inspired by classic American roadside eateries and grandmas’ kitchens, they developed an alluring twist to quintessential Americana that put a welcome place for their downtown Las Vegas neighbors. On December 15, 2021, Mal and Aaron got engaged and entered the Million Dollar Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway, eventually winning the spirited contest with 90 submissions and 6 Finalists. They originally planned to get married at the diner for their soft opening. But Aaron and Mal couldn’t wait, they decided to tie the knot a few months before opening Winnie & Ethel’s.” Chef Aaron and Mallory take a break from the busy restaurant in the Huntridge Shopping Center (next door to the acclaimed Yukon Pizza) to join us.

“Adaeze Nwanonyiri and Lenny Rosenberg are the Los Angeles-based, Nigerian and Jewish husband and wife duo committed to buying, refreshing, selling and designing restaurants and bakeries with a multicultural twist.” They are the new owners of the long-running New York Bagel Deli & Bakery in Santa Monica and still retain an interest in Bea’s in Tarzana, a much beloved Jewish bakery that is famous for their corn rye bread. At New York Bagel Deli & Bakery all the bagels (17 selections) are baked in-house as well as the pastries and cookies. In Santa Monica they have added a proprietary multicultural dessert line with their Number 1 seller, French Toast Bagel served with real maple syrup. Also newly created are Chocolate Dipped Almond Horns and Italian Rainbow Cookies. “The aim is to maintain the New York deli vibe with a hint of L.A. sophistication.” Lenny and Adaeze put down their well-used whisk and rolling pin and join us.