SoCal Restaurant Show

Timeless Hospitality Corporate Executive Chef Sean O’Hara was part of the menu development team for High Steaks. He currently oversees Bar Boheme, an elevated French dining experience with great attention to premium ingredients, in the Arts District for Restaurateur James Trees. Chef O’Hara is an alum of Thomas Keller’s renown The French Laundry in Yountville.

Chef Sean O’Hara now joins us.

“Located in Chinatown, Las Vegas, The Golden Tiki (celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year) takes you on a trip to exotic Skull Island. The Golden Tiki has spared no expense in recreating the classic mid-century tiki bar, reminiscent of the legendary Don the Beachcomber’s and Trader Vic’s while mixing in Las Vegas legend and lore. The hand-crafted cocktail menu features nostalgic classics and new mixological creations by world-renowned barman, Adam Rains.”

“Alongside an eclectic spirits list, curated local craft beer, and a massive rum selection, The Golden Tiki’s hospitality is legendary. Featuring the work of renowned artists Tiki Bosko, Billy the Crud, Bill Collins, and Oceanic Arts, the one-of-a-kind decor also boasts a unique collection of celebrity ‘shrunken heads,’ an astounding array of artifacts, and Bud ‘n Al’s Oasis, the world’s only adult animatronic bird show.”

“Accolades include Top 5 Tiki Bars In The Country (Food Network), Ten Best Nightlife Destinations In Las Vegas (USA Today), Best Tropical Drinks In Las Vegas (Trip Savvy), Top Drinking Destinations In Las Vegas (Virgin Holidays), Best Bar, Readers' Choice 2018, Best Chinatown Bar, Readers’ Choice 2025 (Las Vegas Weekly) & Best of The City nods from Desert Companion & Vegas Seven. Culinary Excellence Award for Drink Specialist - 2019 (Nevada Restaurant Association) for Beverage Director Adam Rains.”

The General Manager of The Golden Tiki, Nick Brink, takes a respite from behind the bar to join us.

Chef James Trees rejoins us to talk about the outrageous sky-high PieCaken on the dessert menu and High Streaks and some of his other flagship restaurant properties in Las Vegas’ active Arts District.

“With five acclaimed restaurants (and one bar) across the Las Vegas Valley, Chef James Trees is widely regarded as the city’s most celebrated native chef. A James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef Southwest and recipient of the Key to the City of Las Vegas, Trees is best known for Esther’s Kitchen – his flagship Italian restaurant in the Arts District that’s earned both local devotion and international praise.”

“In 1905 Gennaro Lombardi established the first Pizzeria in America. It was located on Spring Street in the heart of New York's Little Italy. By good fortune, when Las Vegas’ Metro Pizza’s founders’ (cousins John Arena and Sam Facchini) grandparents came to America they settled just 50 yards away. Ever since those early days, pizza has been at the center of their family life. John’s and Sam’s parents got their first jobs feeding coal into the big bakery ovens where Sicilian pizzas were baked and carried out into the neighborhood to feed the immigrant families hungry for a taste of home. Over the years the time-honored skills of the Pizzaiolo, the pizza chef, have been handed down from their fathers, uncles, aunts, brothers and cousins - from one generation to the next.”

“At Metro Pizza, John and Sam honor the great traditions of America's landmark Pizzerias. Their dough is made fresh each day and then fermented for 5-days from the finest wheat, hand-stretched and cooked on the stone of their hearth ovens. The sauces are made from only the finest vine-ripened tomatoes and topped with select cheeses, choice meats and the freshest vegetables, herbs and spices available. Each of Metro’s pizzas is a hand-crafted labor of love, backed by three generations of experience.”

John Arena is also the Co-founder of Truly Pizza, “the only restaurant of its kind in Southern California, with outdoor garden seating aiming 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.” A new location will open in early 2026 in Laguna Beach adjacent to Urth Café followed by a Venice branch on Abbot Kinney late in 2026.

John is the Founder of the John Arena Foundation connecting pizza with Parkinson’s. The mission is focused on empowering individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and other movement-affecting neurological conditions through hands-on culinary experiences and pizza making.

Metro Pizza’s John Arena is with us pizza peel in hand.

Notable Las Vegas-based food and entertainment journalist Al Mancini is our always in-the-know guest with highlights of what’s new on the dynamic Las Vegas dining scene. Al joins us sharing some dining tidbits including the reimagining of Morimoto Las Vegas at MGM Grand, The relocation of Ada’s Wine and Food (now simply Aida’s) from Tivoli Village to the Arts District, an update on Carson Kitchen and the Durango Social Club.

Al also is the creator of the “Food & Loathing” weekly podcast highlighting the Las Vegas dining scene. A new assignment for Al is as a contributor to Las Vegas Insider. The 4th year anniversary of Al Mancini’s ambitious Neon Feast dining app happens in February.

Al Mancini is our always in-the-know guest with highlights of what’s new on the dynamic Las Vegas dining scene. Al continues with us to conclude our Vegas show special sharing some dining tidbits including the reimagining of Morimoto Las Vegas at MGM Grand, The relocation of Aida’s Wine and Food from Trivoli Village to the Arts District, an update on Carson Kitchen and what significant restaurant openings he’s anticipating for 2026. Also after a long absence the Michelin Guide will, again, be covering Las Vegas.

Al also is the creator of the “Food & Loathing” weekly podcast highlighting the Las Vegas dining scene. A new assignment for Al is as a contributor to Las Vegas Insider. The 4th year anniversary of notable Las Vegas-based food and entertainment journalist Al Mancini’s ambitious Neon Feast dining app happens in February.

“Ian McCall’s ISM Brewing & Kitchen in Downtown Long Beach marks its second anniversary with a three-day celebration (December 12th - 14th) highlighting fresh beer, community partnerships, culinary creativity, and local artistry. The anniversary weekend invites guests to celebrate alongside the ISM team with three days of fresh craft beer, friends, and family. ISM’s kitchen will offer a special “greatest hits” menu along with limited-time dishes created by the culinary team, led by Chef Bobby Gill.” Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing.

Every Christmas Eve Baker Dean Kim of OC Baking in Orange hosts a mouthwatering Holiday Marketplace Pop-Up featuring the very best in local food products from area small businesses. It’s everything from artisan pastries, holiday breads, pie, cakes, handmade treasures and even gourmet soup. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. and it runs until 1:00 p.m. Most participants operate on a cash basis. Joining us is OC Baking’s Master Baker Dean Kim and Lisa Gilmore of Soup’d Up

“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise. Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.” Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.

“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise. Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.” Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.

Food walking tours led by knowledgeable locals are a smart way to experience the local flavors of any destination. “Oceanside’s Carla & Linda’s Local Tours offers area specific beer, wine and food tours. As true insiders’ guests experience an intriguing variety of the local flavors in Oceanside and nearby Vista. Local Tours operates a tour company that shows guests the unique things Oceanside has to offer. The tours specialize in the community's food, beer and wine scenes while celebrating the independently owned businesses that make Oceanside so special. Tour guests meet innovative Chefs, world renowned brewers and winemakers. Guests interact with locals to eat, drink, explore and support Oceanside while making new friends along the way. Food is a great common denominator.” The Co-founder of Carla & Linda’s Local Tours, Linda Pina, is our guest.

The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, starts at sundown on Sunday, December 14th. A tradition at The Milky Way (a long-established Kosher-Dairy restaurant) in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles is the availability of special Hanukkah Boxes available from December 14th through December 22nd. “The Latke Kits contain a dozen crispy Latkes with sour cream and Chef Phil Kastel’s house-made apple compote along with reheating instructions. The salivating Sufganiyot Box features six decadent Jelly Doughnuts made by The Milky Way’s friends at Mensch Bakery.” The Milky Way’s executive chef, Phil Kastel, joins us with a decorative Latke Box at the ready.

For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. How important are Michelin Stars or any Michelin recognition to a thriving restaurant? What is the Bib Gourmet designation? How are the annual Michelin judgements determined? Chef Andrew explains…

We’re broadcasting from Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on December 20th at High Steaks, located 50 floors above the fabled Las Vegas Strip! Please join us.

“Ian McCall’s ISM Brewing & Kitchen in Downtown Long Beach marks its second anniversary with a three-day celebration (December 12th - 14th) highlighting fresh beer, community partnerships, culinary creativity, and local artistry. The anniversary weekend invites guests to celebrate alongside the ISM team with three days of fresh craft beer, friends, and family. ISM’s kitchen will offer a special “greatest hits” menu along with limited-time dishes created by the culinary team, led by Chef Bobby Gill.” Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing.

Every Christmas Eve Baker Dean Kim of OC Baking in Orange hosts a mouthwatering Holiday Marketplace Pop-Up featuring the very best in local food products from area small businesses. It’s everything from artisan pastries, holiday breads, pie, cakes, handmade treasures and even gourmet soup. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. and it runs until 1:00 p.m. Most participants operate on a cash basis. Joining us is OC Baking’s Master Baker Dean Kim and Lisa Gilmore of Soup’d Up

“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise. Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.” Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.

Food walking tours led by knowledgeable locals are a smart way to experience the local flavors of any destination. “Oceanside’s Carla & Linda’s Local Tours offers area specific beer, wine and food tours. As true insiders’ guests experience an intriguing variety of the local flavors in Oceanside and nearby Vista. Local Tours operates a tour company that shows guests the unique things Oceanside has to offer. The tours specialize in the community's food, beer and wine scenes while celebrating the independently owned businesses that make Oceanside so special. Tour guests meet innovative Chefs, world renowned brewers and winemakers. Guests interact with locals to eat, drink, explore and support Oceanside while making new friends along the way. Food is a great common denominator.” The Co-founder of Carla & Linda’s Local Tours, Linda Pina, is our guest.

The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, starts at sundown on Sunday, December 14th. A tradition at The Milky Way (a long-established Kosher-Dairy restaurant) in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles is the availability of special Hanukkah Boxes available from December 14th through December 22nd. “The Latke Kits contain a dozen crispy Latkes with sour cream and Chef Phil Kastel’s house-made apple compote along with reheating instructions. The salivating Sufganiyot Box features six decadent Jelly Doughnuts made by The Milky Way’s friends at Mensch Bakery.” The Milky Way’s executive chef, Phil Kastel, joins us with a decorative Latke Box at the ready.

For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. How important are Michelin Stars or any Michelin recognition to a thriving restaurant? What is the Bib Gourmet designation? How are the annual Michelin judgements determined? Chef Andrew explains…

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

“Ian McCall’s ISM Brewing & Kitchen in Downtown Long Beach marks its second anniversary with a three-day celebration (December 12th - 14th) highlighting fresh beer, community partnerships, culinary creativity, and local artistry.”

“In 2025, ISM earned significant recognition on the global and national stage, bringing home two silver medals at the World Beer Cup for Hamburghini, its Italian Pilsner, and Plough & Harrow, its Classic Saison. The brewery also secured a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the New Zealand-Style IPA category for Chepedelic. Throughout the year, ISM continued to build community through food and beer collaborations with Hamburgers Nice, Got Your Back LB, Loquat Oysters, Battambong BBQ, LA Taco, Terrible Burger, and Moonlight Mash.”

“The anniversary weekend invites guests to celebrate alongside the ISM team with three days of fresh beer, friends, and family. ISM’s kitchen will offer a special “greatest hits” menu along with limited-time dishes created by the culinary team, led by Chef Bobby Gill.” Think Poke Nachos…

Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing.