SoCal Restaurant Show

“Tiki bar fans, rejoice — and grab a place at Strong Water Anaheim. This reimagined classic of the genre, with its curio-shop-in-a-shipwreck atmosphere, its supercharged, elevated bar-food menu, its encyclopedic list of classic and creative tropical libations (zero proof options included), and its treasure chest of rare artisanal rums worth drinking straight.” Strong Water shares the distinction of having been twice nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Programs.

“Welcome Aboard Strong Water Anaheim tucked away in Downtown Anaheim. When you enter Strong Water Anaheim, you will find yourself walking into the wreckage of the Clementine lost at sea in 1884.”

Strong Water enjoys an accomplished executive chef, Steve Kling, with serious culinary credentials including overseeing the kitchens at the historic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. He has created the seasonal changing menus for both Dinner and Weekend Brunch at Strong Water. Dinner highlights include Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp, Spinach Rangoons, Sweet Chili Salmon and Rice Noodle Salad with Ribeye. Worth mentioning is the Loco Moco Burger with an 8 oz. American Wagyu patty, Spam, Fried Egg, Tempura Battered Onion Ring, Mixed Greens and Bone Marrow Gravy & Polynesian Spread and served on a Hawaiian Bun. Items to contemplate for Weekend Brunch are Bananas Foster Buttermilk Pancakes, Sisig Breakfast Burrito and Loco Moco Bowl.

Reservations respectfully required for all seatings.

Chef Steve Kling takes a break from his busy Brunch service to be our guest.

“Tiki bar fans, rejoice — and grab a place at Strong Water Anaheim. This reimagined classic of the genre, with its curio-shop-in-a-shipwreck atmosphere, its supercharged, elevated bar-food menu, its encyclopedic list of classic and creative tropical libations (zero proof options included), and its treasure chest of rare artisanal rums worth drinking straight.” Strong Water shares the distinction of having been twice nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Programs.

“Welcome Aboard Strong Water Anaheim tucked away in Downtown Anaheim. When you enter Strong Water Anaheim, you will find yourself walking into the wreckage of the Clementine lost at sea in 1884.”

Strong Water showcases an accomplished executive chef, Steve Kling, with serious culinary credentials including overseeing the kitchens at the historic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. He has created the seasonal changing menus for both Dinner and Weekend Brunch at Strong Water. Dinner highlights include Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp, Spinach Rangoons, Sweet Chili Salmon and Rice Noodle Salad with Ribeye. Worth mentioning is the Loco Moco Burger with an 8 oz. American Wagyu patty, Spam, Fried Egg, Tempura Battered Onion Ring, Mixed Greens and Bone Marrow Gravy & Polynesian Spread and served on a Hawaiian Bun. Items to contemplate for Weekend Brunch are Bananas Foster Buttermilk Pancakes, Sisig Breakfast Burrito and Loco Moco Bowl.

Reservations respectfully required for all seatings.

Chef Steve Kling takes another break from his busy Brunch service to continue as our guest.

“Since 1972 Big Island Bees, a family operation, has been producing 100% pure, monofloral honey on the Island of Hawaii. Their bees forage on the island's unique and abundant blossoms producing bold and distinct flavor profiles that have earned accolades across all the islands, the U.S. mainland and Japan. To preserve those natural flavors, Big Island Bees never heats or filters honey — what you taste is exactly what the bees made. The beekeepers extract and pack the honey directly from the bees' hives at the honey farm above scenic Kealakekua Bay. Visitors are welcome for guided weekday tours and to the on-site beekeeping museum and retail store offering a wide assortment of honey and honey-inspired products. Book a tour and shop an assortment of honeys, skin care products, specialty foods and art at their website”

“It’s Organic Ohia Lehua honey was recently recognized once more with a Good Food Award (GFA)—this time as part of the exclusive 15 Years of Good Food Awards. The artisan honey joins a select group of 55 winners across 18 categories who have demonstrated enduring excellence in taste, craftsmanship and ethical production.”

“Good Food’s criteria is totally what we are trying to do at Big Island Bees,” states Whendi Grad, company “queen bee” and co-founder. “We are careful how we extract and pack the honey and people like our unique flavor profiles. It’s great to have an organization recognize what is pure honey and the effort we make to offer it.”

The Queen Bee of Big Island Bees, Whendi Grad, is our guest.

“Set against the stunning coastal backdrop of one of America’s most beautiful cities, Manhattan Beach Food & Wine (the 2nd Annual) is a spectacular two-night strolling culinary extravaganza with an Opening Night Celebration on Friday, September 12th, 2025, and Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 13th, 2025. Each evening will bring together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurants each night, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, live entertainment, and much more.” South Bay restaurateur and celebrity chef David LeFevre (Fishing with Dynamite, MB Post, The Arthur J and AttaGirl) joins us to preview the upcoming festivities.

Oysters as a standard on restaurant menus continue to grow in popularity. A bonus is that they are sustainable, regenerative and high in protein. Oysters can be grown domestically as a cash crop encouraging domestic production of seafood. Chef Andrew will revisit the tasty bivalves.

“The mouths and minds behind Lip Smacking Foodie Tours in Las Vegas have a true passion for great eats, fabulous restaurants, and memorable dining experiences. After working for years in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, they used their knowledge and skills to create the best Las Vegas dining experience that not only showcases the best signature dishes at the most acclaimed restaurants in one convenient outing but entertains and illuminates along the way. To the untrained eye, Las Vegas’ Chinatown can seem like a bustling warren of Asian strip malls, grocery stores, restaurants, tea shops, and karaoke bars. But there’s so much more – if only you know where to look. Yet few do. Leave it to award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours to show the way with its newest tour that immerses guests in this hidden world of secret speakeasies that can be accessed only through code words, covert tunnels, and concealed doors.” Vegas Insider, Donald Contursi, the Founder of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours is our guest.

“The short but abundantly flavorful Hatch Pepper season is here. Join The Salsa Grill in Pico Rivera for flavorful experiences like no other! Their trifecta of annual, exclusive Hatch Pepper events include the annual Hatch Pepper Roast, Brunch and Cooking Demo with Chef Marco Zapien (a Hatch Pepper authority) so everyone can enjoy the annual availability of the unique bright green, glossy and flavorful pepper. Chef Marco Zapien and The Salsa Grill host a Hatch Pepper cooking demonstration on Wednesday, August 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Salsa Grill. All guests will learn how to make several Hatch Pepper inspired dishes and will enjoy a delicious dinner while sipping on Lasorda Wines with raffles and door prizes.” Chef Marco Zapien takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.

“The short but abundantly flavorful Hatch Pepper season is here. Join The Salsa Grill in Pico Rivera for flavorful experiences like no other! Their trifecta of annual, exclusive Hatch Pepper events include the annual Hatch Pepper Roast, Brunch and Cooking Demo with Chef Marco Zapien (a Hatch Pepper authority) so everyone can enjoy the annual availability of the unique bright green, glossy and flavorful pepper. Chef Marco Zapien and The Salsa Grill host a Hatch Pepper cooking demonstration on Wednesday, August 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Salsa Grill. All guests will learn how to make several Hatch Pepper inspired dishes and will enjoy a delicious dinner while sipping on Lasorda Wines with raffles and door prizes.” Chef Marco Zapien takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.

“Priest Ranch is a family-owned brand producing premium wines from the Somerston Estate, a sprawling 1,682-acre ranch tucked into the Vaca mountains on the eastern edge of Napa Valley. Established in 2007, Priest Ranch Wines is named in honor of James Joshua, the Gold Rush-era prospector who originally settled the property in 1869. Today, their forward-thinking blends and dynamic varietal wines strive to honor this historic terroir by embodying the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of Napa Valley pioneers. Exclusively estate-grown and bottled, winemaker Cody Hurd focuses on elevating the estate’s unique factors in each Priest Ranch bottling, relying on industry-leading technology in the vineyards and cellar to produce stunning proprietary blends. Priest Ranch wines are primarily available at the Priest Ranch tasting room in the heart of Yountville. The Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are available wholesale nationwide. Snake Oil, Peacemaker, and Remedy can be found in select markets distribution.” Winemaker Cody Hurd and CEO Judd Wallenbrock join us to gently pull the cork on all that is Priest Ranch Wines.

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.

Do we need artificial butter that is made without cow’s milk or even plant-based ingredients? A California-based firm backed by no less than billionaire Bill Gates has developed a faux butter product (produced in a Chicago suburb) using carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Is this really a viable, necessary and practical way to reduce our carbon footprint? What about the fate of the heritage California Dairy Industry and impacted Family Farmers? Chef Andrew shares his informed thoughts.

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

“The mouths and minds behind Lip Smacking Foodie Tours in Las Vegas have a true passion for great eats, fabulous restaurants, and memorable dining experiences. After working for years in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, they used their knowledge and skills to create the best Las Vegas dining experience that not only showcases the best signature dishes at the most acclaimed restaurants in one convenient outing but entertains and illuminates along the way. To the untrained eye, Las Vegas’ Chinatown can seem like a bustling warren of Asian strip malls, grocery stores, restaurants, tea shops, and karaoke bars. But there’s so much more – if only you know where to look. Yet few do. Leave it to award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours to show the way with its newest tour that immerses guests in this hidden world of secret speakeasies that can be accessed only through code words, covert tunnels, and concealed doors.” Vegas Insider, Donald Contursi, the Founder of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours is our guest.

“The short but abundantly flavorful Hatch Pepper season is here. Join The Salsa Grill in Pico Rivera for flavorful experiences like no other! Their trifecta of annual, exclusive Hatch Pepper events include the annual Hatch Pepper Roast, Brunch and Cooking Demo with Chef Marco Zapien (a Hatch Pepper authority) so everyone can enjoy the annual availability of the unique bright green, glossy and flavorful pepper. Chef Marco Zapien and The Salsa Grill host a Hatch Pepper cooking demonstration on Wednesday, August 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Salsa Grill. All guests will learn how to make several Hatch Pepper inspired dishes and will enjoy a delicious dinner while sipping on Lasorda Wines with raffles and door prizes.” Chef Marco Zapien takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.

“Priest Ranch is a family-owned brand producing premium wines from the Somerston Estate, a sprawling 1,682-acre ranch tucked into the Vaca mountains on the eastern edge of Napa Valley. Established in 2007, Priest Ranch Wines is named in honor of James Joshua, the Gold Rush-era prospector who originally settled the property in 1869. Today, their forward-thinking blends and dynamic varietal wines strive to honor this historic terroir by embodying the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of Napa Valley pioneers. Exclusively estate-grown and bottled, winemaker Cody Hurd focuses on elevating the estate’s unique factors in each Priest Ranch bottling, relying on industry-leading technology in the vineyards and cellar to produce stunning proprietary blends. Priest Ranch wines are primarily available at the Priest Ranch tasting room in the heart of Yountville. The Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are available wholesale nationwide. Snake Oil, Peacemaker, and Remedy can be found in select markets distribution.” Winemaker Cody Hurd and CEO Judd Wallenbrock join us to gently pull the cork on all that is Priest Ranch Wines.

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.

Do we need artificial butter that is made without cow’s milk or even plant-based ingredients? A California-based firm backed by no less than billionaire Bill Gates has developed a faux butter product (produced in a Chicago suburb) using carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Is this really a viable, necessary and practical way to reduce our carbon footprint? What about the fate of the heritage California Dairy Industry and impacted Family Farmers? Chef Andrew shares his informed thoughts.

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

“The mouths and minds behind Lip Smacking Foodie Tours in Las Vegas have a true passion for great eats, fabulous restaurants, and memorable dining experiences. After working for years in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, they used their knowledge and skills to create the best Las Vegas dining experience that not only showcases the best signature dishes at the most acclaimed restaurants in one convenient outing but entertains and illuminates along the way.”

“Whether on one of Lip Smacking’s day or night-time adventures, on or off The Strip, visit up to four acclaimed restaurants on each tour. There are no hassles with waiting in line or making reservations. Instead, guests are treated like true VIPs from the get-go. Each Vegas food tour is led by an engaging expert tour guide, who points out under-the-radar, fascinating sights and shares intriguing lore about the city along the way.”

“To the untrained eye, Las Vegas’ Chinatown can seem like a bustling warren of Asian strip malls, grocery stores, restaurants, tea shops, and karaoke bars. But there’s so much more – if only you know where to look. Yet few do. Leave it to award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours to show the way with its newest tour that immerses guests in this hidden world of secret speakeasies that can be accessed only through code words, covert tunnels, and concealed doors.”

“Designed for those 21+ years with valid ID, this 2-hour “Chinatown Speakeasy Lip Smacking Tour” takes guests to three furtive places that few visitors would find on their own. At each tucked-away venue, they’ll enjoy a parade of signature dishes, as well as creative cocktails or mocktails, along with a decadent dessert sampler at the last stop. As with every Lip Smacking Foodie Tour, this one comes complete with immediate seating and VIP service, as well as a professional guide to lead the way and entertain with fun and fascinating information along the way.”

“The Chinatown Speakeasy Lip Smacking Tour is $125 per person. The price includes all signature dishes, choice of cocktails or mocktails, as well as all taxes and gratuities.”

Vegas Insider, Donald Contursi, the Founder of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours is our guest.

“The mouths and minds behind Lip Smacking Foodie Tours in Las Vegas have a true passion for great eats, fabulous restaurants, and memorable dining experiences. After working for years in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, they used their knowledge and skills to create the best Las Vegas dining experience that not only showcases the best signature dishes at the most acclaimed restaurants in one convenient outing but entertains and illuminates along the way.”

“Whether on one of Lip Smacking’s day or night-time adventures, on or off The Strip, visit up to four acclaimed restaurants on each tour. There are no hassles with waiting in line or making reservations. Instead, guests are treated like true VIPs from the get-go. Each Vegas food tour is led by an engaging expert tour guide, who points out under-the-radar, fascinating sights and shares intriguing lore about the city along the way.”

“To the untrained eye, Las Vegas’ Chinatown can seem like a bustling warren of Asian strip malls, grocery stores, restaurants, tea shops, and karaoke bars. But there’s so much more – if only you know where to look. Yet few do. Leave it to award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours to show the way with its newest tour that immerses guests in this hidden world of secret speakeasies that can be accessed only through code words, covert tunnels, and concealed doors.” 

“Designed for those 21+ years with valid ID, this 2-hour “Chinatown Speakeasy Lip Smacking Tour” takes guests to three furtive places that few visitors would find on their own. At each tucked-away venue, they’ll enjoy a parade of signature dishes, as well as creative cocktails or mocktails, along with a decadent dessert sampler at the last stop. As with every Lip Smacking Foodie Tour, this one comes complete with immediate seating and VIP service, as well as a professional guide to lead the way and entertain with fun and fascinating information along the way.”

“The Chinatown Speakeasy Lip Smacking Tour is $125 per person. The price includes all signature dishes, choice of cocktails or mocktails, as well as all taxes and gratuities.”

Vegas Insider, Donald Contursi, the Founder of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours continues as our guest.