San Diego Magazine's Happy Half Hour

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Buona Forchetta’s Matteo Cattaneo gives us the exclusive on his latest restaurant Feb 28, 2018

Show notes

This week Troy Johnson and producer Archana Ram are chatting about an OB winemaker who earned heavy duty medals at a national wine competition, the new Nectarine Grove in Leucadia, and the Little Italy Food Hall project slated to open this summer with tacos from Sam the Cooking Guy and pizza from Ambrogio15. We’re excited to bring back previous Happy Half Hour guest Matteo Cattaneo, owner of Buona Forchetta in South Park and Officine Buona Forchetta in Liberty Station. He’s on the show to announce his latest concept—a non-profit Italian-style bakery benefitting local elementary schools. Located in the former Rebecca’s café space, the still-unnamed spot will serve breakfast, pastries, and more and is set to open in the next few months. That’s on top of the Neapolitan pizzeria’s already busy expansion, which includes the Enoteca Buona Forchetta bottega in South Park, a newly minted vendor spot in Petco Park, and upcoming Buona locations in Encinitas and Coronado. We end with Two People/$50, including Born & Raised, Campfire, Et Voila’s happy hour, and Tacos La Mezcla at South Park Brewing Co.

Ep 82: More Shake Shacks in SD, Japanese food to Kensington, San Diego BeerTalk Radio drops by Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

On today’s Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant openings, including where Shake Shack is opening in San Diego next and a new Japanese eatery slated for Kensington. Today’s guest is Greg Homyak and Esthela Davila of San Diego BeerTalk Radio. They explain how they turned their love for craft beer into a wildly successful podcast, the reason breweries are in industrial parks, and offer their take on the 72 and Hoppy beer. We also discuss recent news about the dispute over a new Constellation Brands facility slated to open in Baja. We end with Two People/$50, including The Land & Water Co., The Brew Project, and MishMash.

Ep 81: Point Loma gets more seafood, Bull Taco shutters, and chef-restauranteur Isabel Cruz drops in Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are chatting restaurant news, including the new Waterbar in Pacific Beach, Point Loma Fish Shop’s debut, and the closing of the first Bull Taco location. Plus, some need-to-know news about Pancho Villa market. Our guest is Isabel Cruz, the chef who helped launch Isabel’s Cantina, The Mission, Coffee Cup, and Barrio Star. She’s talking launching restaurants in San Diego more than 20 years ago and what to expect from her cookbook, out this April. In Hot Topics we discuss the 4,000-calorie diet that members of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team are chowing down on during the Olympics. We end with Two People/$50, including Tac’ul, Neighborhood, Galaxy Taco, and Sammy’s Valentine’s special.

Ep 80:The Taco Stand's new location, a brewpub debuts DT, Air Conditioned Lounge founder drops by Feb 08, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are talking about restaurant news, including a new Taco Stand, a new brewpub, and a big barbecue spot headed to San Diego. Today’s sponsor is Torrey Holistics, a city-approved medical marijuana facility in Sorrento Valley. Ruthie Edelson, the company’s marketing director and graphic designer, joins us to talk about changing the stigma of marijuana, why it shouldn’t be called a “drug,” and more. (You can also read all about San Diego’s huge leap into the cannabis industry in our February issue.) Joining us in the guest seat is Gary John Collins, founder of Air Conditioned Lounge and its new adjacent event space, The Glampisphere. He explains why business was easier in the past and shares his secrets to longevity in San Diego’s restaurant-bar scene. In Hot Topics, we discuss the new AmazonGo store in Seattle. We end with Two People/$50, including Café Chloe, The Coffee Cup, Salt & Straw, and Cantina Mayahuel.

Ep 79: Harumama opens in Little Italy, Super Bowl specials, and a craft beer historian drops by Jan 31, 2018

Show notes

On today’s Happy Half Hour episode hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are coming at you from the Manchester Grand Hyatt inside Brew30, their new modern gastropub that pours 30 different local craft beers (including one from Tijuana). We’re chatting with assistant food and beverage director Matt Rapping about their Super Bowl specials—giveaways, beer deals, and prizes!—plus their Freshfor30 beer collaboration with Stone Brewing Co. Plus, they have the Impossible Burger, which we’re taste-testing on the show. In other restaurant news, Harumama opens in Little Italy, Salud expands, and Cesar’s in Rancho Santa Fe switches concepts. Today’s guest is Judith Downie, an archivist at Cal State San Marcos who’s working on the Brewchive, a collection of historic papers related to San Diego’s beer scene—think recipes, brewer logs, and more. She gives us the scoop on Greg Koch before he launched Stone and how women played a big role in beer during the pre-Prohibition era. In Hot Topics, we discuss the Ingniter incubator and whether it’s a worthwhile model for new breweries. We end with Two People/$50, including Campfire, Hanna’s Gourmet, and When Pigs Fly. Subscribe to the Happy Half Hour on iTunes or Google Play, or listen below.

Ep 78: Top Chef Richard Blais of Juniper & Ivy and Crack Shack stops by Jan 25, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are talking about restaurant news, like two Hillcrest openings—Better Buzz Coffee and Copper Top Coffee & Donuts (Did you know donuts are the Instagram subject?). Plus Troy has the First Look on Bivouc Ciderworks in North Park and Little Italy’s Cloak & Petal. Today’s sponsor is Torrey Holistics, a city-approved medical marijuana facility in Sorrento Valley. Christine Bordenave, the company’s director of purchasing and compliance, joins us to explain the different between THC and CBD, how they’re capping dosage in edibles, and the launch of childproof packsaging. (You can also read all about San Diego’s huge leap into the cannabis industry in our February issue.) Joining us in the guest seat is Richard Blais, Top Chef All-Star, chef-partner of Juniper & Ivy and The Crack Shack, podcaster at Starving for Attention, cookbook author of So Good—the list goes on. He tells us why he moved to San Diego, how he got to star in a cat food commercial, and what it’s like to work with Troy on Guy’s Grocery Games. In Hot Topics, we discuss dining trends for 2018. Less dinner Instagramming, more chilled red wine. We end with Two People/$50, including Village North, and Richard’s two picks, the Sea Señorita at Crack Shack and—wait for it—the shredded beef from Trader Joe’s. Subscribe to the Happy Half Hour on iTunes or Google Play, or listen below.

Ep 77: Modern Times expands, and former San Diego Magazine food critic Tom Gable Jan 17, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are coming at you from La Jolla at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego’s Dream House. The organization—which provides accommodations, food, and more for families with a critically ill or injured child at a local hospital—is hosting its 14th annual raffle. There are more than 2,300 prizes to win, from a Maserati and a New Zealand vacation to the $4.9 million mansion we’re podcasting from. Enter to win at sdraffle.com (early bird deadline is February 16!). In Hot Plates, we’re dishing about the makeover at Nine-Ten La Jolla, a Modern Times expansion, and a new ice cream shop from Dark Horse Coffee Roasters. Our guest is Tom Gable, former food critic and wine editor at San Diego Magazine. He talks about how he went from writing finance columns to covering food and wine, what the city’s food scene was like in the ‘80s, and which neighborhood was considered the French capital of San Diego back in the day. Tom also shares his top pick for a budget-friendly white wine. We end with Two People/$50, including the bar at Jake’s Del Mar and Red O.

Ep 76: A famous ice cream shop lands in San Diego, and chef Kevin Templeton of Barleymash drops by Jan 12, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram are coming at you from La Jolla at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego’s Dream House. The organization—which provides accommodations, food, and more for families with a critically ill or injured child at a local hospital—is hosting its 14th annual raffle. There are more than 2,300 prizes to win, from a Maserati and a New Zealand vacation to the $4.9 million mansion we’re podcasting from. Enter to win at sdraffle.com (early bird deadline is February 16!). In Hot Plates, we’re chatting about the new Lucha Libre in North County, a noodle shop now open in Coronado, the Portland ice creamery that’s making waves in San Diego, and where Extraordinary Desserts will move after its Bankers Hill lease is up this year. Our guest is Kevin Templeton, born and raised San Diegan and Executive Chef of Gaslamp’s Barleymash, Smoking Gun, and Spill the Beans. He talks about running three restaurants in the downtown neighborhood, how the area has changed, and his work with Olivewood Gardens (he takes more than 700 pounds of compost to the National City non-profit every week!). The rest of his free time? He’s playing in the local death metal band Godhammered.

Ep 75: Vietnamese eatery reopens, plant-based burger that bleeds, Baby Clydesdale founder David Mead Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

Happy new year—we’re back with our first episode of 2018! Hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram kick things from Petco’s headquarters in Rancho Bernardo. In Hot Plates, we talk about the re-opening of K Sandwiches, a new poke spot in Westfield UTC, and a boutique in Point Loma Village that’s launched a beauty and cocktails event series. And have you heard? The Impossible Burger is finally available in San Diego, at Jaynes Gastropub in Normal Heights and Trattoria Ponte Vecchio in Del Mar. The plant-based burger, made of wheat, coconut oil, and potatoes, also has heme, a unique ingredient that makes the veggie burger “bleed.” Producer David has tried it, and he chimes in on the Impossible’s taste. Our guest is David Mead, co-founder of Baby Clydesdale, a local line of small-batch sauces, including a preservative-free sriracha and vegan pesto. He talks about growing his business, selling at farmers’ market, and why everyone starting a business should watch Mad Men. (He’s also featured in this month’s San Diego Magazine cover story about local farmers’ markets.)

Ep 74: How the wildfires are affecting avocado supply, our top San Diego restaurant picks of 2017 Dec 20, 2017

Show notes

Today’s Happy Half Hour is our special year-end wrap-up, with hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson, along with producer Archana Ram and digital wizard (our “guy with the wires”) David Martin We’re starting as we always do with Hot Plates, including a new sushi spot in Leucadia and two openings in Bankers Hill—a coffee shop from a popular local roaster and an Italian restaurant courtesy of a father-son duo from Rome. This week’s Hot Topics include a New York Times story about how recent Southern California wildfires have devastated avocado and lemon groves, and the biggest food trends of 2017, according to USA Today. Finally, we’re bringing you our favorite food moments from the past year, along with some of our most memorable Happy Half Hour episodes: New Restaurants Minou Born & Raised Officine Buona Forchetta Meal of the Year Grand Ole BBQ Market Restaurant + Bar Biga The Hake Trust New-to-Us Finds The Puffle Barleymash Giardino Masala Street Herb & Eatery Civico 1845 Favorite Happy Half Hour Guests Jason McLeod of CH Projects Restaurateur Terryl Gavre Matteo Catteno of Buona Forchetta Matthew Lyons of Tribute Pizza Lucila De Alejandro of Suzie’s Farms (a tearjerker!) We’re off next week—see you in 2018!

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