Waiter Rant; The Ripper; Drinking Tap Water; Speakeasies

Guest Interview

The Market Report ()

John Tennerelli and his family grow stone fruit in Little Rock, California. Because of the elevation their season starts and lasts much later than everyone else's. Tennerelli is bringing in O'Henry, Alberta and Sangre de Toros, full-flavor yellow peaches with delicious flavor. John predicts he'll have peaches available for Thanksgiving this year.

Laura Avery (seen above) also chats with Jay Porter, owner of The Linkery in San Diego. They have their own sausage maker and make everything else in house. They also have a "no-tipping" policy. Porter says they're grilling fresh fish and okra, both nestled atop Anson Mills grits and garnished with slices of Tennerelli's fresh peaches.

Music Break: Upa Neguinho by Rio 65 Trio

Guest Interview

Chinese Street Food ()

Writer Jen Lin-Liu dishes up popular street foods of Beijing and talks about Chinese snacks and candies. Jen, author of Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China, is the founder of the Black Sesame Kitchen cooking school in Beijing. She's also the restaurant editor for Zagat Survey.

Music Break: Violino d'um Contradanca by Afro Beleza

Guest Interview

Fab Dogs ()

Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic and LA Weekly writer Jonathan Gold really relishes the tasty hot dogs at Fab Dogs in Reseda. He recommends the deep-fried Ripper; the LA Street Dog, a bacon wrapped beef frank with grilled onions and bell peppers, diced tomato, jalapeños, mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup; the Fairfax Burrito Dog, two franks wrapped in a flour tortilla with pastrami, chili, cheddar cheese, onions and mustard; and tator tots.

Fab Dogs
6747 Tampa Ave
Reseda, CA 91335
818-344-4336

Music Break: Weekend by Rockin' Red Price

Guest Interview

Perfect Dinner ()

Writer Jay Rayner eats his way around the world in Man Who Ate the World: In Search of the Perfect Dinner. Rayner, who experienced fine dining in Las Vegas, Moscow, Dubai, Tokyo, New York, London and Paris, is the restaurant critic for the London Observer.

Music Break: Whole Lotta Shakin' on the Range by Pete Chester and the Consulaters

Guest Interview

Waiter Rant ()

Waiter Steve Dublanica talks about the many ways that diners annoy wait-staff, offers suggestions for becoming a better customer and reveals angry waiter retaliations in his Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip--Confessions of a Cynical Waiter. Dublanica writes the popular blog, Waiter Rant.

Music Break: Yashmak by Chico Arnez and His Latin American Orchestra

Guest Interview

Speakeasies ()

 Lessley Anderson, senior editor of Chow.com, revels in the return of the speakeasy and the resurgence of the cocktail culture.

During Prohibition, speakeasies were a place where people could order illegal alcoholic beverages. Now, speakeasies such as Milk & Honey in London and New York, and Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco, are exclusive places where people can enjoy high-quality cocktails.

Music Break: Yep by The Checkmates

Guest Interview

Drinking Tap Water ()

Eric Yaverbaum is co-founder of Tappening, an organization that advocates the merits of drinking tap water over purchasing bottled water.

Music Break: Zither Melodies by Ton van Bergeyk

Guest Interview

California's Central Coast Wines ()

William Ausmus toasts California wines in his book, Wines and Wineries of California's Central Coast: A Complete Guide from Monterey to Santa Barbara. If you're interested in learning more -- or are just looking for pleasant diversion, Ausmus recommends several day-trip itineraries to Central Coast wineries:

Monterey County
In the morning:
1. Bernardus - Wonderful inn in Carmel Valley by the winery; excellent whites and reds
2. Ventana - Doug Meador got it right and made the region famous for white wines
3. Joullian - Beautiful setting for a winery; fine tasting list
 
In the afternoon:
1. Chalone - Set amongst the gorgeous Pinnacle mountains; outstanding Pinot Noir
2. Hahn Estates - In the Santa Lucia mountains; diverse list
3. Marilyn Remark - On the River Road and features artisan wines
 
San Luis Obispo County
In the morning:
1. Eberle - Beautifuly winery, caves for touring and excellent wine list
2. Vina Robles - Brand new facility and fine wines from up-and-coming young winemaker
3. Robert Hall - Splendid hospitality room and caves for touring; fine list of reds and whites
 
In the afternoon:
1. Midnight Cellars - Fine values throughout the list from top winemaker
2. Grey Wolf - Hundred-year-old farmhouse and excellent wines from young winemaker
3. AJB - Italian styled wines and fine values
 
Santa Barbara County
 In the morning:
1. Hartly-Ostini Hitching Post - Sideways was filmed here; wonderful Pinot Noir
2. Presidio - In the Danish style town of Solvang; excellent list
3. Longoria - In the wine town of Los Olivos; another excellent list of reds and whites
 
In the afternoon:
1. Brander - great tasting room in the Burgundian style; love the white wines here
2. Epiphany - in Los Olivos; winemaker is Fess Parker's son Eli)
3. Tensley - in Los Olivos; young winemaker produces some of the best Syrah around