Tasting Arcadia

You probably don’t think “hospital” when you think “great food,” but that assumption is exactly what we challenge here. On Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair sits down with USC Arcadia Hospital’s team and learn how a community hospital in the San Gabriel Valley is raising the bar on patient dining, public café options, and nutrition education, while still keeping food enjoyable and human. For more in...

You can taste something amazing once, but the real magic is knowing how to find it again. On Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair sits down with TD Tran, Yelp Community Director for the San Gabriel Valley, to break down how Yelp helps diners discover great local restaurants and how small business owners can build a stronger presence through accurate info, better photos, and consistent responses to revi...

A restaurant doesn’t last 104 years by accident, and The Derby in Arcadia is proof. On Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce sits down with Tyler Zikuski , The Derby’s now Director of Operations, to talk about how a historic space can stay timeless while still evolving. From its early roots tied to Seabiscuit jockey George Wolfe to the fine dining steakhouse experi...

A restaurant can start with spreadsheets and careful planning, or it can start with a mom joking, “What if we open a restaurant?” and then texting, “We have the keys.” On Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair sits down with Pinki from Kin Kao Thai Eatery in Monrovia to hear how a family with backgrounds in bio, biotech, engineering, and design turned family Thai recipes into a fast-growing neighborhood...

A family-run Indian restaurant doesn’t last nearly 30 years by accident and All India Cafe proves it. On Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair sits down with Harsimran Singh Khinda, the executive chef at the Arcadia location, to talk about how a Pasadena original (opened in 1996) grew into a third branch right here in town, and what it takes to keep longtime regulars excited while welcoming new guests w...

A tiny holiday tradition can turn into something much bigger if you refuse to cut corners. On Tasting Arcadia, Karen McNair ( CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce) sits down with Joe from Mario’s Hard Espresso to trace the brand back to Joe’s father, Mario, who made a small batch espresso liqueur once a year for friends and family. That “share the love” spirit still drives everything, right down...

You’ve heard people argue about what counts as “authentic” sushi but what happens when a chef learns traditional Japanese technique and then decides the final goal is simply to make it better? On Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair sits down with Lynn and Thee of Fillet Sushi in Old Town Monrovia to talk about building a new restaurant, earning regulars fast, and creating dishes that sound a little st...

Mezcal can taste like smoke, sweetness, and a place you have never been, and it can also taste like someone’s childhood. Karen Mac Nair sits with Jaime Vargas from Cosijo Mezcal, a brand rooted in more than 82 years of family tradition in Oaxaca, and we get into what happens when heritage meets the real grind of building a spirits business in California. If you love craft spirits, agave, tequila c...

We’re back for a new season of Tasting Arcadia, and we start with a delicious preview of Taste of Arcadia at Santa Anita Park on September 19, a 21 and over food and drink festival built to spotlight San Gabriel Valley restaurants and businesses. On our first season back, Karen Mac Nair joined by Jaimee Reimer, Managing Partner at Outback Steakhouse Arcadia, and we get specific about what Outback...

On today's episode of Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair steps into the rich traditions of southern Brazil as we explore the authentic churrascaria experience with Jimena Sirri, Senior Sales Manager from Fogo de Chão. This mouthwatering conversation takes you on a culinary journey from the restaurant's humble beginnings in Brazil in 1979 to its expansion across the globe with over 100 locat...

On this episode with Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair she steps into the storied world of Santa Anita Park through our conversation with Rick Bakker, Director of Hospitality at this iconic Arcadia landmark. For 91 years, Santa Anita has been more than just a premier horse racing venue—it's been the backdrop for countless family memories, culinary traditions, and community gatherings. Rick...

On this episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair you might think a bottle of hard espresso might not seem revolutionary until you hear the story behind Mario's Hard Espresso. Founder Joe shares how his father Mario, a Sicilian immigrant farmer with powerful hands and an even more powerful sense of community, crafted a special espresso liqueur once a year for six decades simply to bring...

The sweetest episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair has arrived! We're diving fork-first into the delicious world of Nothing Bundt Cakes with owner Ingrid, who shares the heartwarming story behind her successful bakery business in the San Gabriel Valley.  For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arcadia visit TasteOfArcadia.com .  Follow us on social media. Join us for another...

Arcadia's dining scene wouldn't be complete without Outback Steakhouse, a community staple since 1995. On this episode of Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair talks with Jamie, the managing partner who boldly took the helm in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, shares the fascinating evolution of this beloved restaurant located at 166 East Huntington Drive. For more information and tickets to the...

On this episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair, she helps us discover Arcadia's hidden culinary treasure as she goes behind the scenes at Le Meridian Hotel with Executive Chef Gabriel Colunga and Director of Sales and Marketing Gaby Flores. As California's only Le Meridian property, this stunning 234-room hotel brings a unique blend of French-inspired cuisine with local flair to...

Ever wondered what happens when culinary excellence meets healing? The latest episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair takes us behind the scenes of 1913, with Christian Eggerling, Director of Hospitality and Culinary Operations. 1913 is a hidden gem nestled within City of Hope's Duarte campus serving delicious food. Christian also share what he bringing to Taste of Arcadia. For more in...

Ever wondered what drives someone to abandon a stable career and pour their life savings into creating premium tequila during a global pandemic? In this episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair, she sits down with Ernesto, the passionate founder of XOLO Tequila, who did exactly that. And shares what he is bringing to the Taste of Arcadia. For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arca...

Step into the aromatic world of authentic Indian cuisine on Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair as she sits down with the Santokh Singh and Harsimran Singh Khinda, father and son, owners of All India Cafe in Downtown Arcadia. Their culinary journey spans continents and generations, starting from farmlands in Punjab, India to establishing three successful restaurant locations across California. The...

This Episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair, she talks with Manny Cabrera and Guillermo Torres founder and owner of Cabrera's Mexican Cuisine. Mexican food that is from authentic family recipes and passionate tradition. From their humble beginnings in Arcadia in 1985 to expanding across three vibrant locations in the San Gabriel Valley, the Cabrera family brings the heart and soul of...

On today’s episode of Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair dives into the refreshing world of cold-pressed juicing with Alejandro and Brandon from Mamma's Juicery, a family-owned, Latina-operated business bringing health and flavor to the San Gabriel Valley. For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arcadia visit TasteOfArcadia.com .  Follow us on social media. Join us for another episode o...

Step into a century of culinary history as Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair welcomes Tyler from The Derby, Arcadia's legendary World Famous Derby that has been serving the community for an astounding 103 years. Our conversation unveils the fascinating journey of this iconic establishment, from its humble beginnings as the Proctor Tavern in 1922 to becoming a treasured landmark. Also, shari...

On this Episode of Tasting Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair, you'll discover the heartwarming story behind Kin Khao, a family-owned Thai eatery that brings generations of home recipes to Monrovia's dining scene. General Manager Pinky takes us on a delicious journey through their menu and what they are bringing to the Taste of Arcadia. For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arcadia v...

Family legacy meets culinary passion at Don Ricardo's Bar and Grill, In this mouth-watering episode of Taste of Arcadia with Karen Mac Nair, Gumaro shares the heartfelt story behind their restaurant - named to honor his grandfather Ricardo - and share what they are bringing to the Taste of Arcadia. For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arcadia visit TasteOfArcadia.com .  Follow us...

Craving something sweet? You're in luck! On this episode of Tasting Arcadia, Karen Mac Nair is taking you on a sweet journey with Isabel, owner of Sweet Nothings Cake Shop in Duarte. Isabel’s delicious, sweet treats will also be featured at the Taste of Arcadia.  For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arcadia visit TasteOfArcadia.com .  Follow us on social media. Join us for another...

Raise a glass to community and craft brewing! Our conversation on Tasting Arcadia is with Joey, manager of Mount Lowe Brewing Company, reveals the heart behind Arcadia's only brewery and what makes it such a beloved local business. Also, will be featuring some of their favorite beers at the Taste of Arcadia. For more information and tickets to the Taste of Arcadia visit TasteOfArcadia.com . ...