The Restaurant Guys

This is a Library Selection from 2007The BanterThe Guys relay their experiences with parents getting involved in their children’s work lives. Helicopter parent or drone parent?The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys host Michael Symon, who won The Next Iron Chef the night before. Chef Symon provides insights to his television competitive experiences. Regarding his philosophies on managing restaurant staff, Chef Symon and The Restaurant Guys find common ground and share some laughs.The Inside Track The Guys knew they would be hosting the winner of The Next Iron Chef, but found out the night before (with the rest of America) that it would be Chef Michael Symon!Here’s what he had to say about the dynamic of competing on and becoming The Next Iron Chef.“Only Iron Chef is a chef being a chef and I think that's the magic of the show,” Michael Symon on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2007BioAfter winning The Next Iron Chef he appeared on two seasons as a judge. He is also a former co-host of the Emmy-winning TV show, The Chew. Michael is the author of six award winning cookbooks, four of which were on The New York Times Best Seller list. Since being named a Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine in 1998, Michael and his restaurants have been awarded numerous honors. In 2000 Gourmet magazine chose Lola as one of “America’s Best Restaurants.” Bon Appetit and Food & Wine magazines included B Spot on their list of “Top 10 Best Burger Joints.” In 2009, Michael earned The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes.Chef Michael Symon currently operates Mabel BBQ in Cleveland and Las Vegas, Angeline at The Borgata in Atlantic City and Bar Symon at two airports. InfoMichael Symonhttps://www.michaelsymon.com/The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

The BanterThe Guys took a road trip to Fishtown, a cool neighborhood in Philadelphia where they had great drinks with interesting garnishes. The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys thank Chef Nok Suntaranon for the spectacular dinner they had the night before at her award-winning restaurant Kalaya. Nok credits Kalaya’s success to her obsession for delicious food and cultural authenticity.  She shares her unique journey from flight attendant to James Beard Award-winning chef. How did she do it?The Inside TrackThe Guys were eager to meet Chef Suntaranon before the show and took a trip to Philadelphia to experience her restaurant Kalaya first-hand. They appreciated her attention to detail and deep caring about her guests and staff which culminated into a phenomenal dining experience. “I think it's in my blood that I appreciate a good thing. And food is my obsession, it is my passion,” Nok Suntaranon on The Restaurant Guys 2024BioChutatip “Nok” Suntaranon grew up in Thailand where she developed a love of food. She later became a flight attendant, ran an Italian restaurant in Bangkok, then opened Kalaya in Philadelphia in 2019. Due to its success, Kalaya expanded in 2022. She was nominated James Beard Foundation’s Best New Chef and eventually became James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic 2023.InfoKalayahttps://kalayaphilly.com/R & D cocktail barhttps://www.rdphilly.com/The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

This is a Library Selection from 2005The BanterThe Guys share a New York Times restaurant review that panned a theme restaurant called Ninja New York. Check out the link in the notes to see how long it lasted.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys welcome old friend Dale DeGroff, King Cocktail, to discuss his work with the Museum of the American Cocktail and the history of cocktail resurgence around the world. They discuss attributes of a great bartender, Dale’s work in cocktail education and tips for creating fantastic drinks at home. You won’t want to miss this conversation with a legend!The Inside TrackThe Guys met Dale at an informal lunch group called The Red Meat Club back in 1993 where Dale claimed that cocktails can be just as complex and interesting as wine. Not convinced, The Guys went to The Rainbow Room, where they were schooled by the King of Cocktails himself. They left convinced. Dale helped them create New Jersey's first craft-cocktail program at Stage Left Steak and inaugurated it with a Degroff Cocktail Dinner there in 1994! The cocktail program there is now the oldest craft-cocktail program in America. The King and The Guys have remained good friends and collaborators all these decades!  All hail The King!BioDale DeGroff is the author of best-selling cocktail books: The Essential Cocktail, winner of the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Award for Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book, and The Craft of the Cocktail and its revision The New Craft of the Cocktail Book which is the best-selling cocktail book of all time! He is the founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans, founded in 2005. He is also a partner and consultant in the Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR) group. The James Beard Foundation awarded DeGroff the 2009 Wine & Spirits Professional Award, and in 2015 inducted him into the Who's Who in Food & Beverage in America. He received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from Nightclub & Bar Magazine, the 2008 Tales of the Cocktail Lifetime Achievement Award. He continues to teach, lead and tell the story of the cocktail. He is the co-creator of DeGroff Bitter Aperitivo and DeGroff New World Amaro. InfoDeGroff amaro and bittershttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=dale+degroffDale DeGroff’s books https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dale+degroff&crid=3UQ9BF5KAGSJ6&sprefix=dale+degrof%2Caps%2C420&ref=nb_sb_noss_2Drinkboy (a blast from the past)https://drinkboy.com/The Museum of the American Cocktailhttps://www.southernfood.org/motacThe Ninja New York Review by Frank BruniThe NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

The BanterThe Guys recall a very special cocktail they made prior to bartending…and they didn’t use a punch bowl. The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys host world-changing cocktailian Dale DeGroff who walks us through the history of the cocktail in America.   The episode ends  with suggestions for cocktails using Dale’s amaro and a toast with old friends.  The Inside TrackThe Guys met Dale at an informal lunch group called The Red Meat Club back in 1993 where Dale claimed that cocktails can be just as complex and interesting as wine. Not convinced, The Guys went to The Rainbow Room, where they were schooled by the King of Cocktails himself. They left convinced. Dale helped them create New Jersey's first craft-cocktail program at Stage Left Steak and inaugurated it with a Degroff Cocktail Dinner there in 1994! The cocktail program there is now the oldest craft-cocktail program in America. The King and The Guys have remained fast friends and collaborators all these decades!  All hail The King!BioDale DeGroff is the author of best-selling cocktail books: The Essential Cocktail, winner of the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Award for Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book, and The Craft of the Cocktail and its revision The New Craft of the Cocktail Book which is the best-selling cocktail book of all time! He is the founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans, founded in 2005. He is also a partner and consultant in the Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR) group. The James Beard Foundation awarded DeGroff the 2009 Wine & Spirits Professional Award, and in 2015 inducted him into the Who's Who in Food & Beverage in America. He received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from Nightclub & Bar Magazine, the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Spirited Award from Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. He continues to teach, lead and tell the story of the cocktail. He is the co-creator of DeGroff Bitter Aperitivo and DeGroff New World Amaro. InfoDale DeGroff bitters, aperitivo and amarohttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=dale+degroffDale DeGroff’s books https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dale+degroff&crid=3UQ9BF5KAGSJ6&sprefix=dale+degrof%2Caps%2C420&ref=nb_sb_noss_2The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

This is a Library Selection from 2012The BanterThe Guys note the changes in how folks choose to ring in the New Year. As they often do, they choose to celebrate with a BANG! The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys hear the story of Sean Muldoon from the bar at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast to the soon-to-be opened The Dead Rabbit in New York City. Sean shares his vision for bartending as a vocation and the innovative concept of The Dead Rabbit. Listen to his thoughts before the revolutionary project that raised the bar for the Irish pub experience and catch a fun story about a young Jack McGarry!The Inside TrackFrancis had the great pleasure of meeting Sean on his many trips to the Bar at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. They find they share a similar vision with regards to mentoring staff and excellence.Sean: I just need believers, I can do the rest. I just need people who believe.Francis: You know, we absolutely speak the same language.-On The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2012 BioSean Muldoon was selected to direct a visionary bar in  The Merchant Hotel in Belfast. By 2009, the Merchant had earned three Tales of the Cocktail awards, and was named “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” in 2010.Muldoon moved to New York in 2013 to open The Dead Rabbit, Irish pub meets high class cocktails, with business partner Jack McGarry.  Their New York City venture garnered numerous awards from Tales of the Cocktail and 50 Best. He plans to open Hazel and Apple in Charleston, SC later in 2024.InfoHazel and Apple (in 2024)https://www.hazelandapple.com/The Dead Rabbithttps://thedeadrabbit.com/The Bar at the Merchant Hotelhttps://www.themerchanthotel.com/bars-restaurantsThe NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

The BanterThe Guys share their experiences with Irish bars, including The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in West Orange, NJ that Francis ran for a time….much to Mark’s consternation!The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys talk with Jack McGarry, co-founder of The Dead Rabbit in New York City. They discuss the journey of transforming the traditional Irish pub into a world-class cocktail destination through authenticity and hospitality. Tune it to hear what and where is next for Jack and The Dead Rabbit.The Inside TrackThe Guys have crossed paths with Jack while being hosted by him at The Dead Rabbit NYC, his visits to NJ and from industry events like Tales of the Cocktail. (You’ll want to listen to the Sean Muldoon episode to hear a funny story about young Jack McGarry.)“We're here to really advance the story of contemporary Ireland.”“I'm honored to talk to you guys any time,” Jack McGarry on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024BioJack McGarry is best-known as co-founder of New York’s world-renowned bar The Dead Rabbit.He worked at the Bar at the  Merchant Hotel which was awarded World’s Best Cocktail Bar in 2010 from Tales of the Cocktail. After moving to New York and opening The Dead Rabbit with Sean Muldoon, McGarry won International Bartender of the Year, the youngest person ever to win. Shortly after The Dead Rabbit won high praise such as Best Bar in North America for many years and Best Bar in the World 2015.He established The Irish Exit (a casual stop for travelers) in New York. McGarry opened The Dead Rabbit Austin in July 2024 and The Dead Rabbit DC is expected later in 2024.InfoThe Dead Rabbit https://thedeadrabbit.com/The Irish Exit https://www.irishexit.com/The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

This is a Library Selection from 2006The BanterFrancis shares about his visit to Ireland and his motorcycle trip through Austria.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys discuss the mission of Blue Hill at Stone Barns with chef Dan Barber. They dig into the philosophy and practices behind the farm including sustainable agriculture, local sourcing, and the benefits of organic and beyond-organic farming. Hear all of the benefits of using local, seasonal food, not the least of which is deliciousness. The Inside TrackThe Guys admire Dan Barber’s work as a top notch chef and champion of sustainable agriculture. “When you understand who's behind it and the reasons for  the history. There's a context, for which to enjoy food, and that only increases the flavor, and as a chef, there's no seasoning, and no cooking technique that I can provide that's more appealing than, than a good story,” Dan Barber on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2006BioIn May 2000, Barber opened Blue Hill restaurant in New York City and a few years later, Blue Hill at Stone Barns  Pocantico Hills, New York. He received the 2006 James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef: New York City. In 2009 he won the JBF award for Outstanding Chef and was named the Top Chef in America. In the same year Time magazine named him as 100 most influential people.InfoBlue Hill at Stone Barnshttps://www.bluehillfarm.com/Blue Hill Manhattanhttps://bluehillfarm.com/family-mealThe Bar at the Merchant Hotelhttps://www.themerchanthotel.com/bars-restaurantsSchnapps by Reisetbauerhttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=reisetbauerChef Barber@chefdanbarberThe NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

The BanterThe Guys discuss the concept of some establishments “forcing” guests to “enjoy” their way. All Francis wanted was some milk in his coffee!The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys catch up with comedian and podcaster Bryan Callen, whom they met when he chose their restaurant Stage Left Steak for his series “Best of, with Bryan Callen: NJ Steakhouse.” Bryan shares many of his food acquisition stories and they compare stand-up comedy to running a restaurant. See who has the harder gig.The Inside TrackThe Guys met Bryan when he chose to film Best of, with Bryan Callen at their restaurant Stage Left Steak. They quickly bonded over Wagyu steak and escargot. He’s made a few trips back to their place where they all enjoy great food and a lot of laughs.“I miss your restaurant. I miss your steak. I miss that stone. I miss everything about that Wagyu that you sell by the ounce that tastes like chestnuts. I don't know where you get those cows. You probably have them in the back suspended on straps and you massage them with beer and feed them nothing but fluffy alfalfa from your hand,” Bryan Callen on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024BioStand up comedian Bryan Callen has had comedy specials (Man Tears), roles in television (The Goldbergs, Schooled), film (The Hangover I & II, The Joker), hosted podcasts and has a YouTube channel with hundreds of videos. InfoBest of with Bryan Callen NJ Steakhouses (our show) Best Of, with Bryan Callen | Ep. 3 | New Jersey SteakhouseBryan Callen https://bryancallen.com/Bryan Callen on YouTube@BryanCallenComedyBryan Callen on Instagram@bryancallenThe NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

This is a Library Selection from 2006The BanterThe Guys respond to public inquiry, discuss food trends and recommend a great local chocolate place.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys host international winemaker Paul Hobbs on the show to discuss his newest project and its challenges. He shares his humble upbringing, tragic setbacks and gives insight into why he’s so committed and passionate about his projects. Listen as you sip on some spectacular Paul Hobbs wine. The Inside TrackThe Guys met Paul and tried his wines in 1993 and began an annual wine tasting and dinner at Stage Left Steak. Paul has graciously named wines and done small bottlings for each of Mark’s four children. Mark: It's the late 80s. You're the winemaker at Simi. You've been a winemaker on the Opus One project and you're really starting to make a name for yourself in California. So you decide to go to Argentina and start all over again.  Paul: Maybe it's a little bit like Tiger Woods changing his swing.-On The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2006BioPaul Hobbs is a world-renowned winemaker. Over his 40+ year career, Hobbs has received more than ten 100-point scores across his portfolio. Today, Hobbs is owner and vintner for seven wineries around the world: Paul Hobbs and Crossbarn (Sebastopol, California), Hillick & Hobbs (Finger Lakes, New York), Viña Cobos (Mendoza, Argentina), Crocus (Cahors, France), Yacoubian-Hobbs (Vayots Dzor, Armenia), and Alvaredos-Hobbs (Galicia, Spain).InfoTo get on Stage Left Steak’s mailing list and be notified about the Paul Hobbs Dinner in January(bottom right “email sign up”)www.stageleftsteak.comTo purchase Paul Hobbs wines https://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=hobbsBirnn Chocolates https://birnnchocolates.com/The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com

The BanterThe Guys showcase the painting Jill DeGroff created for them with their likenesses captioned “Live Work Sip Rejoice” to celebrate getting to the other side of the pandemic. They recount their adventures of taking their key staff to California to meet with winemakers and to be able to contextualize the place and the people and the wine. The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys speak with esteemed winemaker and long-time friend Paul Hobbs. Hobbs shares stories about his extensive winemaking ventures across the globe, and about the cultural challenges he faced while establishing his wineries, especially in regions with tumultuous political and economic climates. Despite those difficulties, or perhaps because of them, he continues to make outstanding wine. How does he do it? Listen now.The Inside TrackThe Guys met Paul in 1993 at a wine tasting. Through three decades and over 30 annual wine dinners preceded by “the most comprehensive tastings of Paul Hobbs wines anywhere”, they have developed a deep respect and friendship. Francis: I think it's really wild we do this every year for 32 years now we've done a Paul Hobbs wine dinner …our biggest wine dinner of the year. Paul: I think you're being too humble, Francis. It's the biggest wine dinner in the world!Francis: I love you, man.-Paul Hobbs on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024BioPaul Hobbs is a world-renowned winemaker. Over his 40+ year career, Hobbs has received more than ten 100-point scores across his portfolio. Today, Hobbs is owner and vintner for seven wineries around the world: Paul Hobbs and Crossbarn (Sebastopol, California), Hillick & Hobbs (Finger Lakes, New York), Viña Cobos (Mendoza, Argentina), Crocus (Cahors, France), Yacoubian-Hobbs (Vayots Dzor, Armenia), and Alvaredos-Hobbs (Galicia, Spain)InfoTo get on Stage Left Steak’s mailing list to be notified about the Paul Hobbs Dinner in January(bottom right “email sign up”)www.stageleftsteak.comTo purchase Paul Hobbs wines https://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=hobbsJill DeGroff’s artwork https://www.stageleftwineshop.com/websearch_results.html?kw=degroffThe NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festivalOur PlacesStage Left Steakhttps://www.stageleft.com/Catherine Lombardi Restauranthttps://www.catherinelombardi.com/Stage Left Wineshophttps://www.stageleftwineshop.com/Reach Out to The Guys!TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com