Michael Cimarusti: Acclaimed L.A. Chef Meets East Coast Restaurant Guys

The Banter

The Guys geek out over a vertical wine tasting they had with the prescient California winemaker Cathy Corison and give some tips on how to buy and age wines.

The Conversation

The Restaurant Guys have an enlightening interview with Michelin two-star Chef Michael Cimarusti from Los Angeles. Learn how he brings sustainability at his restaurant Providence to another level–the roof!. The episode concludes with a cameo by Jane Park, a staff member who has worked for both the hosts and Chef Cimarusti.

The Inside Track

Chef Michael was reunited with a former employee of his, and current maître d' of The Guys’ restaurants in New Brunswick, NJ, while in their place for dinner. He’s from New Jersey and Stage Left Steak and Catherine Lombardi restaurants are regular stops when he’s on the east coast. 

“I've been at your restaurant several times and, love it. And I'll be there again, in just a couple of weeks,” Chef Michael Cimarusti on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024

Bio

Chef Michael Cimarusti worked at Le Cirque then was the opening chef at Osteria Del Circo in New York City. After some time studying in France, he moved to Los Angeles as chef de cuisine for Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Later he held the position as executive chef at Water Grill. In 2005 he opened Providence with wife Crissi Echiverri and Donato Poto. Providence achieved and maintained two Michelin stars among and many other accolades. The next venture was Connie and Ted’s in West Hollywood. There he serves classic New England seafood as he had growing up when he visited his grandparents in the northeast. 

Cimarusti is committed to sustainable fishing and farming and boasts a rooftop ecosystem at Providence which garnered a coveted Michelin green star

He has been a guest judge on Master Chef, Top Chef Family Style, Hells Kitchen and Top Chef. He has competed on Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America.

In 2019, he was recognized as James Beard Foundation Best Chef: West. 

Info

Chef Michael Cimarusti’s restaurants

https://providencela.com/
https://www.connieandteds.com/

Cathy Corison wines @ Stage Left Wine Shop 

https://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=corison

The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3

The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!

https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festival

Our Places

Stage Left Steak
https://www.stageleft.com/

Catherine Lombardi Restaurant
https://www.catherinelombardi.com/

Stage Left Wineshop
https://www.stageleftwineshop.com/

Reach Out to The Guys!
TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com