With all the buzz around Vila Jarrell’s big move to a new downtown location, we decided to do this week’s live broadcast from V Fine Thai Dining. Our celebrity co-host was PR maven and fellow foodie John Farlow, who entertained us with some stories about his current culinary pursuits. We also caught up with muralist Rock Martinez, who had just finished work on the 25-foot mural that graces V’s patio. We turned to the music side of things and chatted with Bruce Halper (AKA Phony Bennett) who performs regularly at V. Our featured guests were Vila herself, along with Chef Redman, who rolled out some of the best Thai food we have ever tasted. All of that, plus the Catavinos wine of the week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:01 — 21.6MB)

Three years of making their customers smile is surely a reason to celebrate, and Jax Kitchen was this week’s broadcast location for their special 3rd birthday celebration. Celebrity co-host and Jax Kitchen owner Brian Metzger shared some great stories about his three years in business, focusing on what he believes it takes to operate a successful restaurant. We also chatted with Master Gardener Noel Patterson, who lovingly tends to the Jax Kitchen Garden, about some of this season’s fresh produce. Sous Chef Brandon Hamm also stopped by to discuss how fresh ingredients invigorates his creativity in the kitchen. Brian then introduced Matt to three delicious cocktails: his award-winning margarita, the BoomBerry, and his new habanero and garlic-infused bloody mary (which Matt later reported was the best bloody he had ever tasted).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:01 — 30.9MB)

For the real BBQ enthusiast, this was one smokin’ show! We started out with Alan Zeman, the Fuego Daddy himself, who got us caught up on all his latest adventures — including his return as Lead Judge for the upcoming Nugget Rib Cook-off in Sparks, NV. We also checked in with Steven Ascuaga, of Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino and Resort in Sparks, host of the annual rib extravaganza. He invited all of Tucson to join the more than 500,000 people expected at the Nugget Rib Cook-off. Our featured guests were Ben Rine and Jared Wren of BrushFire BBQ, who spoke passionately about their approach to ‘cue (and those sticky ribs and baby backs were delicious)! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:04 — 21.7MB)

This week’s show brought us back to Main Gate Square for the First Thursday Art Walk. Our broadcast location was Gentle Ben’s Brewing Company, and the beer was cold on a hot Tucson afternoon! Celebrity co-host Jason Miko, local PR executive and craft beer enthusiast, joined our sudsy conversation by sharing stories about his recent international travels (and the role that great beer and wine played!). Our featured guest was Dennis Arnold of Gentle Ben’s, who caught us up on his menu, his new beer recipes and his big plans for the brewery’s 40th anniversary!  All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:02 — 30.9MB)

Matt Russell was joined by celebrity co-host Fred Ronstadt this week for our monthly Tucson Originals Spotlight Show. Fred discussed some of the restaurants he has been frequenting lately, and had some delicious tasting notes to share along his personal tequila journey. We also caught up with Mintu Sareen from Kababeque Indian Grill, who disclosed some (but certainly not all) of his spicy secrets for Matt’s personal favorite, the Chicken Tikka Masala. Our featured guest was Pat Connors of Pastiche, who talked about his current line-up of crowd faves, including the bourbon-glazed salmon, authentic paella, Tuesday Steak Nights, and, of course, Pat’s famous Maker’s Mark Manhattan. All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:16 — 21.7MB)

With Matt Russell out of town on business this week, the mic was turned over to Jon Rogers of Wines Without the Mystery.  Jon was joined in the studio by Kent Callaghan of Callaghan Vineyards, who brought our listeners up to speed on all that’s happening out at his beatuful winery in Sonoita, Arizona. Jon also talked about some of his upcoming wine education classes…now in his 29th year! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:02 — 21.6MB)

Continuing our quest for the most delicious margaritas in town, our journey took us to a place that some say has the best…La Fuente! As the mariachis played in the background, we caught up with Carlos Portillo, owner of La Fuente, who had all the information on their Mariachi Idol contest.  We also put their ‘best margarita’ claims to the test by chatting with, and sampling the work of, bartender Mario Rocha. One word, my friends, “yum!” We also had a rare opportunity to sit down with the original owner and founder of La Fuente, John Huerta, who gave us a sense of the restaurant’s unique history. To satisfy our hunger, we also enjoyed some items from the menu, including what we believe is the best Chicken Mole in Tucson. All of that, plus the Catavinos wine of the week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:59 — 21.6MB)

Matt Russell beat the heat this week by enjoying a cool margarita at La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill, the site of an action-packed broadcast live from Main Gate Square. Matt took a few minutes to catch up with Kelly Hadd of Pasco Kitchen & Lounge, who had the sudsy details on Bells and Brews, a collaborative program between Pasco and Ben’s Bells. He then spoke with Andrea Smith, winner of La Salsa’s first ‘Secret Salsa’ contest. Andrea was on hand to demonstrate how she likes to mix up her salsas…by adding habanero salsa to avocado salsa, with a squirt of fresh lime. The featured guest was Manny Lopez of La Salsa, who spoke about the delicious concept of Fresh-Mex food. All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:41 — 21.5MB)

While Matt Russell was out of town, guest host Jim Seder from www.WineInquirer.com presided over a delicious show!  Together with his celebrity co-host, Pavle Milic from Scottsdale’s FnB Restaurant, Jim learned what was on the horizon for evolving menus across Arizona, including some exciting news about Arizona wines. They also learned everything there was to know about the art of the cheesesteak…from Tucson’s symbol of Brotherly Love himself, Frankie Santos (the man behind the largest cheesesteak in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records)!  All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:28 — 21.8MB)

On this special show dedicated exclusively to heart health, Matt Russell paid tribute to his best friend, Tayo Fichtl, who passed away two years ago this week from a massive heart attack. Matt’s celebrity co-host was Linda Wojtowicz, COO of the Tucson Medical Center and board member with the Tucson chapter of the American Heart Association. Linda gave our listeners a refresher course on the signs and symptoms of heart disease, and what the association is doing to educate the community about it. We were also joined by famed winemaker Daryl Groom, who spoke about his new red wine, Colby Red (www.ColbyRed.com), made and sold to raise money for heart health research. This idea came from his young son with heart disease, Colby, who endured numerous heart surgeries (by the way, the wine is absolutely delicious, and is available at Walgreen’s stores nationwide — funds raised through sales support heart research, so buy a few bottles today!). Our featured guest was Junelle Lupiani, R.D., chief nutritionist from Miraval Resort & Spa, who discussed nutritional influences on health, and some simple steps we can all take to maximize our cardiovascular well being. All of that, plus the Catavinos wine of the week. Rest in peace, our good friend, Tayo Fichtl. This one’s for you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:26 — 21.8MB)