SoCal Restaurant Show

We’re now continuing the spirited conversation highlighting crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite fast food menu items as guilty pleasures. We’ve covered the tops in fast-food fries. It’s time to talk juicy burgers. Chef Andrew shares (a bit reservedly) his favorites. He mentions a pair of acceptable national chains but prefers the neighborhood Mom and Pop...

“Restaurateur Russell J. Bendel, known as Russ, was born in Pennsylvania and raised in California. Influenced by his father, a veteran restaurant industry executive, Russ grew up in the business and developed a passion for food and hospitality. He set his sights on a career in the industry and earned his bachelor's degree from The Collins College at Cal Poly Pomona with an emphasis on Restaurants...

“Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Miami. Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated since its inception by Zach Brooks from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day wi...

On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit happening (Chefs Love L.A.) for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Cares showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions....

On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit happening (Chefs Love L.A.) for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Cares showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions....

“On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit (Chefs Love L.A.) fundraising for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Cares showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutio...

“Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Miami. “Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated since its inception by Zach Brooks from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day w...

On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit (Chefs Love L.A.) fundraising for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions...

“Take your sandwich game to the next level with mouthwatering out-of-the-ordinary recipes from TikTok’s reigning, accidental “Sandwich King” Owen Han. He’s amassed some 4.3 million followers for his edible creations on TikTok alone.” “Everyone loves a good sandwich, but when was the last time you had a GREAT one? Isn’t it about time your turkey club got an upgrade?” “Enter the youthful Owen Han an...

“Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Miami. “Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated since its inception by Zach Brooks from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day w...

“Take your sandwich game to the next level with mouthwatering out-of-the-ordinary recipes from TikTok’s reigning, accidental “Sandwich King” Owen Han. He’s amassed some 4.3 million followers for his edible creations on TikTok, alone.” “Everyone loves a good sandwich, but when was the last time you had a GREAT one? Isn’t it about time your turkey club got an upgrade?” “Enter the youthful Owen Han a...

On a lighter note this week (Fire Relief is still front-and-center) we’re continuing the conversation talking about crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite fast-food menu items as guilty pleasures. Last week we discussed Chef Faves for French Fries. Before moving on we’ll discuss the one fast-food fry from a beloved burger joint that most chefs agree needs im...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the emerging culinary epicenter of West Hollywood. Chef Avila was particularly inspired by his most recent travels to Monterrey, Mexico where the bustling...

“Bar Etoile in the Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles is a natural wine focused restaurant with a full bar featuring Executive Chef Travis Hayden’s farmers market driven, seasonal cuisine with a French lean. Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers and h...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the new culinary epicenter of West Hollywood.” “MXO, means “Mexican Origins.” We’re big fans of Chef Wes’ going back to his very personal Angry Egret Dine...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the emerging culinary epicenter of West Hollywood. Chef Avila was particularly inspired by his most recent travels to Monterrey, Mexico where the bustling...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the new culinary epicenter of West Hollywood.” “MXO, means “Mexican Origins.” We’re big fans of Chef Wes’ going back to his very personal Angry Egret Dine...

“Bar Etoile in the Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles is a natural wine focused restaurant with a full bar featuring Executive Chef Travis Hayden’s farmers market driven, seasonal cuisine with a French lean.” “Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers and...

“Bar Etoile in the Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles is a natural wine focused restaurant with a full bar featuring Executive Chef Travis Hayden’s farmers market driven, seasonal cuisine with a French lean.” “Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers and...

“Bar Becky, which quietly opened in 2024 at Long Beach Exchange (LBX) after a series of pop-ups, is an Italian American kitchen by Chef Johnathan Benvenuti, a Southern California native and Hell’s Kitchen Finalist from last season, and partner Jason Scarborough, a Michelin-star restaurant industry veteran and sommelier.”  “Bar Becky is Chef Johnathan Benvenuti's tribute to his mother, Becky....

“Bar Becky, which quietly opened in 2024 at Long Beach Exchange (LBX) after a series of pop-ups, is an Italian American kitchen by Chef Johnathan Benvenuti, a Southern California native and Hell’s Kitchen Finalist from last season, and partner Jason Scarborough, a Michelin-star restaurant industry veteran and sommelier.”  “Bar Becky is Chef Johnathan Benvenuti's tribute to his mother, Becky....

On a lighter note this week (Fire Relief is still a top priority) we’re talking about crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite guilty-pleasure, fast food menu items. Chef Andrew sheepishly shares his top picks. First on the menu is a discussion of the tastiest in fast-food French Fries.

“Tiki bar fans, rejoice — and grab a place at Strong Water Anaheim. It’s a creatively reimagined classic of the genre, with its curio-shop-in-a-shipwreck atmosphere, its supercharged 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’s latest national rec...

“The Lido Theater, Newport Beach’s iconic and recently restored movie landmark, has launched its Café Pop-Up Experience, open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. This exciting new offering, curated by Chef Shelly Register under the direction Hollywood Director and Newport Beach native Joseph ‘McG’ Nichol of River Jetty Restaurant Group, features a variety of freshly prepared menu items alongside an assort...

“Tiki bar fans, rejoice — and grab a place at Strong Water Anaheim. It’s a creatively reimagined classic of the genre, with its curio-shop-in-a-shipwreck atmosphere, its supercharged 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’s latest national rec...