Downtown Tucson was swarming with craft beer enthusiasts this weekend during the annual Tucson Craft Beer Crawl, and we found ourselves in the middle of the swarm on this live broadcast from the Crawl’s after-party at Tap and Bottle!

Amjaad Jhan, the Classy Alcoholic, Matt Russell, Rebecca Safford, Evan Luthye & Burke the Beer Man

Our celebrity co-host was the nameless, the faceless, the Classy Alcoholic, who shared his observations and highlights from the Crawl. We also checked in with Burke the Beer Man from Huss Brewing Company, who detailed the latest from his Tempe taproom, as well as Evan Luthye of Mother Road Brewing Company, who broke some exciting news about their latest project! Scott and Rebecca Safford of Tap and Bottle then broke away from the paparazzi to catch us up on the latest happs at their community center for craft beer and wine loyalists. They also took us on an Arizona Beer Flight, featuring some spectacular suds from Huss and Mother Road.

Follow that truck!

We wrapped things up with Amjaad Jhan, of the Curry Pot food truck, who talked about Sri Lankan cuisine and how well it pairs with craft brews. Yay beer!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:47 — 12.5MB)

Graceful. Elegant. Poetic. Pure. These are some of the words that are often used to describe the swan, and this week’s broadcast came to you live from the place that bears its name, El Cisne!

Phil Ferranti, Matt Russell, Rita Connelly & George Ferranti

Our celebrity co-host was Rita Connelly, the Well-Fed Foodie herself, who shared some fun stories from her new book, Historic Restaurants of Tucson. Tony Williams of BlackRock Brewers also joined us to chat a bit about the upcoming Tucson Craft Beer Crawl and how he’s preparing for this epic event. El Cisne’s own George Ferranti then sat down with us to talk tequila, which is always the topic of conversation at El Cisne’s Black Swan Tequila Bar, as well as his plans for Valentine’s Day!

Tequilas y mezcales. Si!

Senor Phil Ferranti then walked us through El Cisne’s menu, a tribute to the delicious regions of Mexico; the Northern Region, the Tropical South, and the Baja Coast. The swan has a soul, and its name is El Cisne!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:48 — 12.5MB)

So, who exactly is this guy Pete, and what is it about humanity, individuality, relationships, and connections that all come together to form the bedrock of his restaurants’ success? We got to the bottom of this story on this weekend’s live broadcast from the patio of Illegal Pete’s in Main Gate Square!

Ashton O’Donnell, Andrew Stadler, Matt Russell & Laura Reese

Our celebrity co-host was Laura Reese of Storyteller Public Relations, who revealed some of the local food and beverage stories that grabbed her attention lately. She also discussed all the news for the upcoming Tucson Craft Beer Crawl! Then the cocktailing began with Illegal Pete’s assistant general manager Ashton O’Donnell, who shared some stories about what’s trending behind Pete’s bar, including a selection of margaritas and other colorful cocktails.

A sampling of Illegal Pete’s cuisine, with beer-battered fish tacos, three-cap carnitas burrito, and grilled steak nachos – hungry yet?

We then turned to El Menu with Illegal Pete’s kitchen general manager Andrew Stadler, who told the fun, fresh, and fascinating story about their cuisine. Exhibits A, B, and C were the grilled steak nachos, beer-battered fish tacos, and the three-cap carnitas burrito that we sampled. Si, por favor!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:51 — 37.0MB)

This weekend’s show was the second installment of our two-part series on the wisdom of the Mediterranean culinary culture, and we found ourselves at Tucson’s headquarters for Mediterranean street food, Urban Pita!

Freddy Elmesselmani, Jackie Tran, Jeff Baker, Matt Russell, Chef Devon Sanner, Shelby Scheer & Chef Michael Elefante

Our celebrity co-host was Jackie Tran, senior writer for Tucson Foodie, who shared some of his latest observations from the local food scene. We were then joined by Chef Devon Sanner of the Carriage House and Chef Michael Elefante of Mama Louisa’s, who revealed all the details for the series of events around the Savor Food and Wine Festival. We then turned to Mediterranean-inspired beverages with Urban Pita co-owner Jeff Baker, who spoke with great passion about his fruit lassis and Turkish coffee!

The fried falafel balls that we enjoyed on the show!

Co-owner Freddy Elmesselmani joined us as well to discuss the story behind Urban Pita, the spirit of street food, his authentic preparations, and the central role that shawarma plays on his menu! The street secret is out, and it’s Urban Pita!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:42 — 37.6MB)

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season, and this was the theme that guided this week’s show from Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ!

Doma Stoller, Matt Russell, Seth Simon & Debbie Rich (missing was John Aldecoa, who was plating our ribs as this photo was being snapped!)

Our celebrity co-host was Debbie Rich, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, who talked about the upcoming Cookies & Cocktails and Dessert Challenge. We also caught up with Doma Stoller, of HUB Ice Cream Factory and Playground, who teased us a bit on how she’s preparing for battle at Cookies & Cocktails. We shifted from sweets to suds for a moment when Seth Simon joined us, the creator of the Brew Bowl Craft Beer Festival, with the delicious details on this year’s event.

Four Girl Scout Cookie-inspired cocktails, now available at Brother John’s!

We wrapped up with Brother John Aldecoa of Brother John’s, who talked about his family’s Girl Scout story, his new Girl Scout Cookie cocktail menu, the latest news from the BBQ pit, and his newest restaurant Abuela’s Cocina Mexicana!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:42 — 37.6MB)

Matt was back on the road this weekend and arranged for one of our favorite guest hosts to rock the studio while he was gone…the Z-Man himself, Chef Alan Zeman! Alan assembled an all-star cast for this show, including Chef Ryan Clark of Casino Del Sol, Chef Brandon Dillon of Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink, Greg Fogie of Hotel Congress, Chip Forsythe of Rebel Coast Winery, and former Iron Chef of Tucson, John Hohn of Gap Ministries!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:38 — 37.5MB)

Now that the ball has officially dropped in Times Square, America’s collective crusade to drop a few pounds has commenced. Or, at least to start being a bit more mindful about what, and how, we eat and drink. We dug into some strategies this week, with the Mediterranean Diet taking center stage, on our live broadcast from Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics in St. Philip’s Plaza!

Tom Alfonso, Matt Russell & Lisa Strid

Our celebrity co-host was Tom Alfonso himself who revealed many of the health benefits associated with premium olive oils and balsamics, listed some of the local restaurants that carry his products, and shared some ideas for inspired pairings. We also brought Lisa Strid into the conversation, winemaker at Arizona’s own Aridus Wine Co., who walked us through the Aridus story, some of the hottest selections from her portfolio, and her integration of scientific rigor and intuitive leaps of imagination!

The Malvasia Bianca from Aridus Wine Co. was one of the stars on this show!

Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Arizona wine. Three of our basic food groups!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:39 — 37.5MB)

There’s so much to celebrate when we think about Tucson’s dynamic food and beverage scene. This weekend’s show focused on the very spirit of celebration as we prepared to close out another delicious year, live from the newly renovated Playground Bar & Lounge!

Chef Ben Caballero, Sandy Ford, Jessica Nenadic, Matt Russell, Rachel D’Acquisto & Leah Schwersinske

Our celebrity co-host was Jessica Nenadic of the Tucson Museum of Art who looked back at news from 2017’s libation landscape. We also heard from Adam Lehrman of Tucson Foodie who revealed his picks for top local food news of 2017. Playground’s events manager Leah Schwersinske sat down with us as well to share her plans for a Black Tie Affair on New Year’s Eve, and director of operations Sandy Ford walked us through the recent renovations at this downtown hot spot.

Showstopping cocktails at this adult playground!

We closed out the show with executive chef Ben Caballero who treated us to some of Playground’s sharable dishes, and general manager Rachel D’Acquisto who showcased the kaleidoscope of cocktail colors behind the bar. Happy New Year!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:17 — 37.3MB)

Italy’s national anthem proudly proclaims, “Uniamoci, amiamoci,” which means, “Let us unite, let us love one another.” If Italy’s food and beverage story was told in a single word it would have to be love, and we fell in love with Italy all over again on this live broadcast from Caffe Torino in the Foothills!

Ollie Shouse, Derek Malone, Matt Russell & Tony Frank.

Our celebrity co-host was Caffe Torino sommelier Derek Malone, who talked about his wine-based journey while sharing some of his hand-picked selections from the wine list. We also chatted with Allie Baron of La Cocina, who was just crowned Bartender of the Year by the Tucson chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild! Caffe Torino proprietor Ollie Shouse sat down with us as well to talk about the cuisine that’s made this restaurant a favorite among those who love Italiano autentico!

Two of the wines that we enjoyed on this delicious broadcast.

The veal marsala with mushrooms and fettuccini alfredo and the seared sea scallops with shrimp and risotto that he presented were perfect examples. We wrapped up with local jazz man Tony Frank who talked about Caffe Torino’s live jazz line-up on the weekends. Viva Italia!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:43 — 37.6MB)

Que es berraco? For the uninformed, we’re talking talent. Courage. Intelligence. Skill. And no matter your translation, it was all rolled into one at the destination for this weekend’s show, El Berraco!

Sarah and Rob Hammelman, Ana Karen Alvarez, Matt Russell, Edie Jarolim & Benjamin Galaz

Our celebrity co-host was food and travel writer Edie Jarolim who revealed some of the stories that she’s been covering lately. We also welcomed Rob and Sarah Hammelman of Sand-Reckoner Vineyards with some delicious news about their award-winning Cochise County Syrah. El Berraco bartender Ana Karen Alvarez joined us as well with some shaking and stirring of her own, presenting Michelada, Panameño, and Colombiano cocktails. Delicioso! And then Berraco really started buzzing when El Berraco himself, Benjamin Galaz, sat down to chat about his hot Latin fusion seafood concept.

The grilled octopus rendered us speechless; the best bilaterally symmetric cephalapod that we’ve ever had!

We were treated to some Pacific Route specialties including grilled octopus, seafood kebabs, a smoked marlin taco, a trio of ceviches, and a tostada that was unlike any other that we’ve had. Lo Mas Berraco!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:41 — 37.6MB)