SoCal Restaurant Show

“Merenda is a neighborhood wine bar and retail wine shop in south Oceanside. The Kitchen cooks with what’s local to the area and takes cues from the mediterranean, serving mezze-style plates and handmade pasta. The wine list highlights small producers, grower champagne, orange wines and chilled reds that feel right by the coast. Merenda is relaxed, flavorful, and meant to be shared.” Merenda is on...

“Merenda is a neighborhood wine bar and retail wine shop in south Oceanside. The Kitchen cooks with what’s local to the area and takes cues from the mediterranean, serving mezze-style plates and handmade pasta. The wine list highlights small producers, grower champagne, orange wines and chilled reds that feel right by the coast. Merenda is relaxed, flavorful, and meant to be shared.” Merenda is on...

“Bravo’s “Top Chef” star Amar Santana’s long-running Costa Mesa Spanish-inspired concept is now bringing the flavors of Barcelona to DTLA. Blending classic taperia with rustic steakhouse, Vaca celebrates all things Spain with a selection of paellas, a legit jamon program, and cocktails featuring beloved staples like G&Ts and Spanish vermouths.” “VACA brings Barcelona, Madrid, Andalucía, Sevill...

“Bravo’s“Top Chef” star Amar Santana’s long-running Costa Mesa Spanish-inspired concept is now bringing the flavors of Barcelona to DTLA. Blending classic taperia with rustic steakhouse, Vaca celebrates all things Spain with a selection of paellas, a legit jamon program, and cocktails featuring beloved staples like Gin and Tonics and Spanish vermouths.” “VACA brings Barcelona, Madrid, Andalucía, S...

It’s Dry January and a good opportunity to revisit 2nd generation Restaurateur Russ Bendel of the muti-unit RJB Restaurant Group to discuss his Mocktail program coinciding with Dry January. Russ’ properties include Vine Restaurant & Bar in San Clemente; Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook in Laguna Hills; Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook. in Newport Beach; Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook. and The Pantry in L...

“This week it’s Chef Andrew’s initial discussion of “Kitchen Hacks” that actually work from someone who really cooks for a living. “Most “kitchen hacks” online are nonsense. If a trick only works once, makes more dishes, or exists just for clicks, it’s not a hack, it’s simply a distraction. What Chef Andrew mentions are small, routine habits chefs use every day because they work, save time and red...

It’s Dry January and a good opportunity to revisit 2nd generation Restaurateur Russ Bendel of the muti-unit RJB Restaurant Group to discuss his Mocktail program coinciding with Dry January. Russ’ properties include Vine Restaurant & Bar in San Clemente; Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook in Laguna Hills; Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook. in Newport Beach; Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook. and The Pantry in L...

“Roxana Pavel’s Allmine is a neighborhood joint tucked near the beach in Oceanside, CA, serving hand crafted food made with locally sourced vegetables and meats, artisanal pizza, local beers and natural wines. It’s all accompanied with aside of smiles and good vibes. Allmine’s menu item for the 2nd Annual Swell Plates series (January 14th to February 11th, 2026) is the Porchetta Appetizer. It’s ho...

“CordeValle, the celebrated and very exclusive Northern California private golf resort in San Martin, acquired the Clos La Chance Winery late last year. It’s an idyllic wine estate neighboring the resort’s 1,700-acre property. With this acquisition, CordeValle ushers in a new chapter with the introduction of CordeValle Winery, reinforcing its commitment to excellence while setting a bold yet appro...

“Roxana Pavel’s Allmine is a neighborhood joint tucked near the beach in Oceanside, CA, serving hand crafted food made with locally sourced vegetables and meats, artisanal pizza, local beers and natural wines. It’s all accompanied with smiles and good vibes.” “In its past life, the restaurant space that’s now Allmine was a pizza-by-the-slice shop, slinging slice and soda combos to beachgoers. A hu...

“Roxana Pavel’s Allmine is a neighborhood joint tucked near the beach in Oceanside, CA, serving hand crafted food made with locally sourced vegetables and meats, artisanal pizza, local beers and natural wines. It’s all accompanied with aside of smiles and good vibes. Allmine’s menu item for the 2nd Annual Swell Plates series (January 14th to February 11th, 2026) is the Porchetta Appetizer. It’s ho...

“Roxana Pavel’s Allmine is a neighborhood joint tucked near the beach in Oceanside, CA, serving hand crafted food made with locally sourced vegetables and meats, artisanal pizza, local beers and natural wines. It’s all accompanied with smiles and good vibes.” “In its past life, the restaurant space that’s now Allmine was a pizza-by-the-slice shop, slinging slice and soda combos to beachgoers. A hu...

“CordeValle, the celebrated Northern California private golf resort in San Martin, acquired the Clos La Chance Winery late last year. It’s an idyllic wine estate neighboring the resort’s 1,700-acre property. With this acquisition, CordeValle ushers in a new chapter with the introduction of CordeValle Winery, reinforcing its commitment to excellence while setting a bold yet approachable vision for...

“CordeValle, the celebrated Northern California private golf resort in San Martin, acquired the Clos La Chance Winery late last year. It’s an idyllic wine estate neighboring the resort’s 1,700-acre property. With this acquisition, CordeValle ushers in a new chapter with the introduction of CordeValle Winery, reinforcing its commitment to excellence while setting a bold yet approachable vision for...

“From the celebrated vegan chef behind West Hollywood’s Pura Vita, Tara Punzone,—the country's first 100% vegan Italian restaurant and wine bar—comes Vegana Italiana (Rodale Books, /hardcover, $32.50), an exuberant celebration of old-world Italian flavors made entirely plant-based.” “In Vegana Italiana, Tara Punzone draws from her rich Brooklyn-Italian heritage and years of culinary expertise to d...

From the celebrated vegan chef behind West Hollywood’s Pura Vita, Tara Punzone,—the country's first 100% vegan Italian restaurant and wine bar—comes Vegana Italiana – Traditional Italian the Plant-Based Way (Rodale Books, hardcover, $32.50), an exuberant celebration of old-world Italian flavors made entirely plant-based.” “In Vegana Italiana, Tara Punzone draws from her rich Brooklyn-Italian herit...

Pizza crafted using quality ingredients is definitely a thing. Chef Andrew operated a well-reviewed New Jersey Style pizza joint (Big Parm) in a Food Hall in Tustin that, unfortunately, didn’t survive the after-effects of the pandemic. Chef Andrew talks about the difference between NJ-style pizza and the New York version. As a New Year’s treat he also shares the recipe for his signature pizza doug...

“Stepping onto MOHI Farm in Morgan Hill, CA feels like finding a peaceful oasis in the heart of a vibrant community. Nestled among the allure of Morgan Hill’s rich agricultural history, MOHI Farm is where farm-to-table dining, thoughtful event hosting, and a passion for fresh, local ingredients come together. Whether attending a special event, sharing a meal with family, or hosting your dream cele...

Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications. Anne Marie joins us in-studio for her final visit of 2025 to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current colu...

“MOHI Farm, the vision of proprietor Frank Leal, is committed to celebrating Morgan Hill's agricultural heritage while appealing to the refined tastes of today's health-conscious urban community. Their commitment lies in reducing waste through sustainable practices in sourcing, food preparation, and design.” “MOHI Farm prides itself on procuring the freshest, most abundant ingredients directly fro...

Whatever you’re celebrating the happiest of Happy Holidays from the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM 830 KLAA radio. Time (almost) to unwrap 2026. A tip of the toque to Chef James Trees, Timeless Hospitality, Eric Gladstone and Rio Las Vegas for graciously hosting our live show last Saturday from High Steaks at Rio Las Vegas located in the Masquerade Tower 50 floors above the Vegas Strip. We hope to...

Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications. Anne Marie joins us in-studio to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, more tasty O...

Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications. Anne Marie continues with us in-studio to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, mor...

Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications. Anne Marie continues with us in-studio to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, mor...

“Former aspiring professional surfer-turned-chef Craig Hopson is behind this California-kissed French-Australian neighborhood bistro in Mar Vista, Electric Bleu, for special nights and every night. The menu changes frequently. After working at storied kitchens around the world including Guy Savoy and Le Cirque, Hopson flexes his French training in dishes like steak au poivre with green peppercorn...