SoCal Restaurant Show

“The Texas man, Fred Eppright, who once lived in a trailer, now earnestly has charitable endeavors. Assuredly, he holds strongly to success in his business undertakings. But that same Texas man, whose business is commercial real estate, finds himself cajoled by a son, smitten by wine, into the business of wine. The son convinced the father, the wine business could be satisfying, as well as result in a smart family enterprise. Fred, the father, told Trey, the son: “If you can find something that makes sense, bring it to me.” The son did. The father wound up spending a small fortune with the modest hopes of earning a small fortune. With that, the son moved to Calistoga from Austin when Trey found an established winery property once known as Dutch Henry, that had been mostly destroyed in the Glass Fire of 2020. It had a cave, a 2 ½-acre estate vineyard and a tasting room. And he soon identified five additional prized vineyards with which to make very small lots – with the help of renowned Napa Valley winemaker Kale Anderson – and forthwith, Parable Wines was established specializing in premium, limited production Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from renown estate vineyards.” Trey Eppright and Winemaker Kale Anderson join us to pull the cork on all that is Parable Wines.

Pizza City Fest Los Angeles is back for its 2nd year of gooey and doughy deliciousness. “Scheduled to take place on April 27-28, 2024, at the iconic L.A. LIVE – nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles' Sports and Entertainment District – this two-day celebration promises an unparalleled experience for pizza aficionados. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to savor the delectable offerings from Southern California's premier pizza artisans, all conveniently located in one central hub. Pizza City Fest Los Angeles will celebrate the Southland’s pizza landscape, showcasing the diverse and exceptional talents of the region's top pizza makers. Emmy and 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter Steve Dolinsky has curated another stellar list of pizza makers spanning Southern California – from Santa Barbara to San Diego – adding 13 new entries to the full lineup this year.” Steve Dolinsky puts down his pizza peel and joins us.

“Truly Pizza, the only restaurant of its kind in Southern California, with outdoor garden seating aims to provide Dana Point residents and visitors with a unique and delicious pizza experience filled with world-class pizza making and generations old techniques. The menu features classic 12” square and round pizzas sold whole or by-the-slice made with award-winning five-day-fermented crispy and airy wood-fired dough along with a selection of focaccia sandwiches, salads and desserts. All pizzas are made with Truly Pizza’s signature, award-winning pizza dough recipe that involves a lengthy fermentation process to ensure rich flavor and a cloudlike, yet crisp and airy texture with each bite.” The onsite pizzaiola is Chris Decker, a renowned World Pizza Campion (Las Vegas’ Metro Pizza) with a reputation for culinary excellence, artistry and an imaginative approach to pizza making that respects long standing traditions. Rising Star World Pizza Champion Michael Vaknee is also part of the acclaimed on-site culinary team. They are assisted by award-winning Chef and Kitchen Manager Sergio Balderas. Pizzaiolos Chris Decker and Sergio Balderas join us in-studio with pizza peels in hand.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

“The Texas man, Fred Eppright, who once lived in a trailer, now earnestly has charitable endeavors. Assuredly, he holds strongly to success in his business undertakings. But that same Texas man, whose business is commercial real estate, finds himself cajoled by a son, smitten by wine, into the business of wine. The son convinced the father, the wine business could be satisfying, as well as result in a smart family enterprise. Fred, the father, told Trey, the son: “If you can find something that makes sense, bring it to me.” The son did. The father wound up spending a small fortune with the modest hopes of earning a small fortune.”

“This the unusual genesis of Parable Wines, which leads Trey Eppright, the son, to conclude the wine business “is the happiest business, because you give customers what they want.” To which Fred Eppright says, “Trey has that passion. I like that passion, but to me it is a business.””

“With that, the son moved to Calistoga from Austin when Trey found an established winery property once known as Dutch Henry, that had been mostly destroyed in the Glass Fire of 2020. It had a cave, a 2 ½-acre estate vineyard and a tasting room. And he soon identified five additional prized vineyards with which to make very small lots – with the help of renowned Napa Valley winemaker Kale Anderson – and forthwith, Parable Wines was established specializing in premium Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards.”

Managing Partner Trey Eppright and Winemaker Kale Anderson join us to pull the cork on all that is Parable Wines.

“The Texas man, Fred Eppright, who once lived in a trailer, now earnestly has charitable endeavors. Assuredly, he holds strongly to success in his business undertakings. But that same Texas man, whose business is commercial real estate, finds himself cajoled by a son, smitten by wine, into the business of wine. The son convinced the father, the wine business could be satisfying, as well as result in a smart family enterprise. Fred, the father, told Trey, the son: “If you can find something that makes sense, bring it to me.” The son did. The father wound up spending a small fortune with the modest hopes of earning a small fortune.”

“This the unusual genesis of Parable Wines, which leads Trey Eppright, the son, to conclude the wine business “is the happiest business, because you give customers what they want.” To which Fred Eppright says, “Trey has that passion. I like that passion, but to me it is a business.””

“With that, the son moved to Calistoga from Austin when Trey found an established winery property once known as Dutch Henry, that had been mostly destroyed in the Glass Fire of 2020. It had a cave, a 2 ½-acre estate vineyard and a tasting room. And he soon identified five additional prized vineyards with which to make very small lots – with the help of renowned Napa Valley winemaker Kale Anderson – and forthwith, Parable Wines was established specializing in premium Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards.”

Managing Partner Trey Eppright and Winemaker Kale Anderson continue with us gently pulling the cork on all that is Calistoga’s Parable Wines.

Pizza City Fest Los Angeles is back for its 2nd year of gooey and doughy deliciousness. “Scheduled to take place on April 27-28, 2024, at the iconic L.A. LIVE – nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles' Sports and Entertainment District – this two-day celebration promises an unparalleled experience for pizza aficionados.”

“Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to savor the delectable offerings from Southern California's premier pizza artisans, all conveniently located in one central hub. Pizza City Fest Los Angeles will celebrate the Southland’s pizza landscape, showcasing the diverse and exceptional talents of the region's top pizza makers.” Included in the ticket price (both Regular and VIP admissions) are salads, desserts (including ice cream,) and beverages in addition to unlimited tastes of artisan pizza.

“In addition to the formidable list of participating pizzerias, Pizza City Fest Los Angeles has assembled an incredible line-up of chefs, authors and experts who will share both their knowledge and love of pizza in a series of panel discussions and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

The event is also encoring The Collab Lab, featuring one-off collaborations for two hours each day, pairing up chefs, farms or artisan producers with smaller pizza makers.”

“Emmy and 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter Steve Dolinsky has curated another stellar list of pizza makers spanning Southern California – from Santa Barbara to San Diego – adding 13 new entries to the full lineup this year.”

Steve puts down his ceremonial pizza peel and joins us.

Pizza City Fest Los Angeles is back for its 2nd year of gooey and doughy deliciousness. “Scheduled to take place on April 27-28, 2024, at the iconic L.A. LIVE – nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles' Sports and Entertainment District – this two-day celebration promises an unparalleled experience for pizza aficionados.”

“Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to savor the delectable offerings from Southern California's premier pizza artisans, all conveniently located in one central hub. Pizza City Fest Los Angeles will celebrate the Southland’s pizza landscape, showcasing the diverse and exceptional talents of the region's top pizza makers.” Included in the ticket price (both Regular and VIP admissions) are salads, desserts (including ice cream,) and beverages in addition to unlimited tastes of artisan pizza.

“Emmy and 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter Steve Dolinsky has curated another stellar list of pizza makers spanning Southern California – from Santa Barbara to San Diego – adding 13 new entries to the full lineup this year.”

“We’re thrilled to be back in L.A. for our 2nd annual Pizza City Fest!” said Founder Steve Dolinsky. “The pizza scene in Southern California continues to heat up, and so while we’ve brought back a number of the most popular pizzerias from last year, we’ve also found 13 new additions with styles ranging from artisan to Detroit to NYC slices. Our speaker series also brings some of the best-in-class dough pros to L.A. LIVE to share their expertise and students from C-CAP will once again be helping out these chefs during the day as they prepare, bake and serve pizzas straight from the oven.”

Steve puts down his ceremonial pizza peel and continues with us.

“Truly Pizza, the only restaurant of its kind in Southern California, with outdoor garden seating aims to provide Dana Point residents and visitors with a unique and delicious pizza experience filled with world-class pizza making and generations old techniques. The menu features classic 12” square and round pizzas sold whole or by-the-slice made with award-winning five-day-fermented crispy and airy wood-fired dough along with a selection of focaccia sandwiches, salads and desserts.”

“All pizzas are made with Truly Pizza’s signature, award-winning pizza dough recipe that involves a lengthy fermentation process to ensure rich flavor and a cloudlike, yet crisp and airy texture with each bite.”

The onsite pizzaiola is Chris Decker, a renowned World Pizza Campion (Las Vegas’ Metro Pizza) with a reputation for culinary excellence, artistry and an imaginative approach to pizza making that respects long standing traditions. Rising Star World Pizza Champion Michael Vaknee is also part of the acclaimed on-site culinary team. They are assisted by award-winning Chef and Kitchen Manager Sergio Balderas.

Another culinary partner is pizza legend “John Arena (co-founder of Metro Pizza in Las Vegas) who was born into a family of pizza makers and spent his life dedicated to his craft. Known for his Food Network appearances, making pizzas for five US Presidents and serving pizzas at his beloved Las Vegas restaurants, he is one of the most accomplished and respected pizzaiolos in the world.”

Prominent Dana Point residents Donna Baldwin-Muller and developer Steve Muller are the principals of the high-profile ownership group of Truly Pizza.

Pizzaiolos Chris Decker and Sergio Balderas joins us in-studio with pizza peel in hand.

Truly Pizza will be one of the acclaimed participating pizzerias at Pizza City Fest Los Angeles on Saturday, April 27th.

“Truly Pizza, the only restaurant of its kind in Southern California, with outdoor garden seating aims to provide Dana Point residents and visitors with a unique and delicious pizza experience filled with world-class pizza making and generations old techniques. The menu features classic 12” square and round pizzas sold whole or by-the-slice made with award-winning five-day-fermented crispy and airy wood-fired dough along with a selection of focaccia sandwiches, salads and desserts.”

“All pizzas are made with Truly Pizza’s signature, award-winning pizza dough recipe that involves a lengthy fermentation process to ensure rich flavor and a cloudlike, yet crisp and airy texture with each bite.”

The onsite pizzaiola is Chris Decker, a renowned World Pizza Campion (Las Vegas’ Metro Pizza) with a reputation for culinary excellence, artistry and an imaginative approach to pizza making that respects long standing traditions. Rising Star World Pizza Champion Michael Vaknee is also part of the acclaimed on-site culinary team. They are assisted by award-winning Chef and Kitchen Manager Sergio Balderas.

Another culinary partner is pizza legend “John Arena (co-founder of Metro Pizza in Las Vegas) who was born into a family of pizza makers and spent his life dedicated to his craft. Known for his Food Network appearances, making pizzas for five US Presidents and serving pizzas at his beloved Las Vegas restaurants, he is one of the most accomplished and respected pizzaiolos in the world.”

Prominent Dana Point residents Donna Baldwin-Muller and developer Steve Muller are the principals of the high-profile ownership group of Truly Pizza.

Truly Pizza will be one of the acclaimed participating artisan pizzerias at Pizza City Fest Los Angeles on Saturday, April 27th.

Pizzaiolos Chris Decker and Sergio Balderas continue with us in-studio along with the award-winning Cheese Pizza from the International Pizza Expo.

“Truly Pizza, the only restaurant of its kind in Southern California, with outdoor garden seating aims to provide Dana Point residents and visitors with a unique and delicious pizza experience filled with world-class pizza making and generations old techniques. The menu features classic 12” square and round pizzas sold whole or by-the-slice made with award-winning five-day-fermented crispy and airy wood-fired dough along with a selection of focaccia sandwiches, salads and desserts.”

“All pizzas are made with Truly Pizza’s signature, award-winning pizza dough recipe that involves a lengthy fermentation process to ensure rich flavor and a cloudlike, yet crisp and airy texture with each bite.”

The onsite pizzaiola is Chris Decker, a renowned World Pizza Campion (Las Vegas’ Metro Pizza) with a reputation for culinary excellence, artistry and an imaginative approach to pizza making that respects long standing traditions. Rising Star World Pizza Champion Michael Vaknee is also part of the acclaimed on-site culinary team. They are assisted by award-winning Chef and Kitchen manager Sergio Balderas.

Prominent Dana Point residents Donna Baldwin-Muller and developer Steve Muller are the principals of the high-profile ownership group of Truly Pizza.

Truly Pizza will be one of the acclaimed participating artisan pizzerias at Pizza City Fest Los Angeles on Saturday, April 27th.

Pizzaiolos Chris Decker and Sergio Balderas continue with us in-studio along with the Grand Prize award-winning Cheese Pizza from the 2024 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

“Affectionately known as the “Godfather” of the Paso Robles wine region, Gary Eberle’s contributions to the California and U.S. wine trade are significant. Eberle was the first to place the Paso Robles AVA designation on the Eberle Winery Cabernet Sauvignon label and he subsequently co-founded the distinctive Paso Robles terroir as an American Viticulture Area (AVA) in 1983.  With a staunch commitment to the possibility of age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Eberle was also the first to plant Syrah on the Central Coast and make a 100 percent Syrah varietal wine in the United States. As chief promoter for his brand, Eberle has worked relentlessly for almost 50 years building awareness of the Paso Robles and California wines through his passionate promotion to consumers, media and trade across the country. These milestones have proven to be significant as Paso Robles has become a respected force in the wine industry.” Gary Eberle joins us to uncork all that is Eberle Winery.

“Hot Tongue Pizza in Silver Lake (the creation of pizza whisperer Alex Koons) is a contemporary pizza shop (with a Vegan flair) that takes from the energy and vibrance of the best food city in the world, Los Angeles. The open floor plan of the restaurant allows for a peek inside the magic that goes on day in and day out. The pizza is not only meant to entice your tastebuds, but also to evoke the nostalgia of that slice you remember growing up.” They also have fun with their off the wall (but somewhat informative) Social Media posts. “Hot Tongue’s welcoming counter service and low- key casual ambience makes for an inviting dining experience. Come in a stranger and leave a friend. The alchemy comes in the form of classic pizza combinations, on top of the best organic grains, carefully sourced ingredients with an Angeleno attitude.”

In mid-2022 Citrus City Grille transitioned to new ownership of the longtime Orange based restaurant. “Since first opening in 1996, Citrus City Grille quickly became an iconic part of the Old Towne Orange aesthetic, serving up crave-worthy contemporary American cuisine with a touch of Mediterranean. New owner and restaurant industry veteran Charlie Cosmas alongside his family have been longtime patrons of Citrus City Grille, and as of July 2022 took over day to day operations. Former owner Steve Tsirtsis and Charlie Cosmas happen to share a Greek heritage, which has been a hugely influential part of the Citrus City Grille menu and ethos. As always, Citrus City Grille showcases the freshest seafood, steaks, pastas, and more. Other recent additions to their menu include the Citrus City Caprese, the elevated CCB Burger on a brioche bun, Chicken Caesar Wrap, Tomahawk Chicken, and Citrus City Meatloaf. Since opening in 1996, CCG has become an iconic part of the central Orange aesthetic, serving up incredible, fresh Californian cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.” Chef Charlie Cosmas takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Tipping is back in the news. Love it or hate it tipping seems to endure in the United States. Does it really motivate the serving staff? Chef Andrew has his informed perspective.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

“Affectionately known as the “Godfather” of the Paso Robles wine region, Gary Eberle’s contributions to the California and U.S. wine trade are significant. Eberle was the first to place the Paso Robles AVA designation on the Eberle Winery Cabernet Sauvignon label and he subsequently co-founded the distinctive Paso Robles terroir as an American Viticulture Area (AVA) in 1983.  With a staunch commitment to the possibility of age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Eberle was also the first to plant Syrah on the Central Coast and make a 100 percent Syrah varietal wine in the United States. As chief promoter for his brand, Eberle has worked relentlessly for almost 50 years building awareness of the Paso Robles and California wines through his passionate promotion to consumers, media and trade across the country. These milestones have proven to be significant as Paso Robles has become a respected force in the wine industry.” Gary Eberle joins us to uncork all that is Eberle Winery.

“Eberle began his academic studies at Penn State University where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then attended Louisiana State University before heading west to California where he completed his coursework for a PhD in enology and viticulture from U.C. Davis in 1973. “I chose Paso Robles based on Dr. Olmo’s recommendation that Paso Robles was the place to grow world-class Cabernet Sauvignon,” said Eberle. “I think we’ve achieved that,” he added.””

“Once in Paso Robles, Eberle launched his career as partner and winemaker with Estrella River Winery & Vineyards. In the late 70s, he decided to pursue his own project and acquired nearly 64 acres just down the road from Estrella River Winery. Shortly thereafter, Gary released his first Eberle wine, the 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon and opened the winery and tasting room in 1983.”

“Eberle Winery has showcased the history and diversity of the Paso Robles Appellation since 1979.  Eberle Winery continues to be family owned and operated.  With an annual case production of 26,000, Eberle wines are distributed in 34 states and six countries. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with wine tasting and cave tours. Unusually in the spirit of the pioneering Robert Mondavi the regular tasting (along with a cave tour) is complimentary. 805-238-9607.”

Another attribute of Gary Eberle over his long tenure in Paso Robles is that his mission was to promote Paso Robles as a destination region for producing premium wines. Promoting the Eberle Winery was always secondary. Gary attributes this to another lesson learned from pioneering California winemaker Robert Mondavi. “Mr. Mondavi” (as Gary always

deferentially refers to the late Robert Mondavi as) in his travels always promoted Napa Valley first as the locale for premium wines before pitching the Robert Mondavi Winery itself.