The Restaurant Guys

Mark and Francis welcome Grant Achatz, acclaimed chef of Alinea, Next, and the Aviary in Chicago. They discuss molecular gastronomy, creativity in the kitchen and the dining room, and how being a little bit crazy helps when you're trying to be great at what you do....

Mark and Francis welcome Chef Floyd Cardoz, of the newly open North End Grill in New York City. They discuss the different kinds of grills out there and how Chef Cardoz is putting them all to work....

Mark and Francis welcome Gerald Asher, author of A Carafe of Red, to the show to discuss Missouri wines, wine rating scales, and other interesting topics from his newest book...

George Faison, co-owner of DeBragga and Spitler, joins Mark and Francis to discuss sustainable meat production. They discuss antibiotic use in animals, as well as why hormones in beef production can be detrimental, as well as everyday ways people can help make the meat that's available on the market better for you and more sustainable....

Charles Neal joins the guys to discuss his new book, Calvados: The Spirit of Normandy. They discuss the people of Normandy, Cider, and the great spirit they produce there -- Calvados -- and the apples and pears that its made from....

Mark and Francis welcome David Hanson, co-author of Breaking Through Concrete: Building an Urban Farm Revival with Edwin Marty and Michael Hanson. They discuss the problems people face when urban farming, as well as some of the great things an urban farm can do for a community....

Mark and Francis discuss the "innovative" new packaging of whiskey in a can and its possible pitfalls. Their guest is wine and spirits expert Steve Olson. They discuss responsible drinking, artisanal products, and why mezcal and tequila are in trouble and how you can help....

The guys are joined by preeminent cocktailian Dale DeGroff and talk about the State of the Cocktail Union and bar trends for 2012!...

Mark and Francis discuss Bloody Marys and different garnishes that you could put on them. Their guest is Brian Miller, of Tiki Mondays at Lani Kai. They discuss all things Tiki and what makes a bartender different from a mixologist....

Mark and Francis discuss the word "artisanal" and how some companies are misappropriating its use for things that are not, in fact, artisanal. Their guest is Nancy Huehnergarth, author of a recent article in the Huffington Post about the "Top Six Food Politics Lessons Learned In 2011."...

Happy New Year from the Restaurant Guys!...

Mark and Francis discuss the upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations across the US and specifically, in New Brunswick, NJ. Their guest is Randy Clemens, co-author of The Craft of Stone Brewing Co: Liqud Lore, Epic Recipes, and Unabashed Arrogance. They discuss Stone Brewing Co, other smaller breweries, and unusual things to do with beer, including how to make something called Beer Nog....

Mark and Francis welcome Doug Frost, MS, MW to the show to discuss being a sommelier in today's market and the importance of cocktails in general. They talk about wine ratings, selling wine to consumers, differing palates, and the importance of cocktails in today's beverage programs....

Mark and Francis welcome Sam Mogannam of Bi-Rite Market in San Francisco. They discuss the role of the supermarket in a community, why big business supermarkets are different from small supermarkets, and why produce from small farmers is better than mass-produced produce. They also discuss Sam's new book, Bi-Rite Market's Eat Good Food....

Mark and Francis welcome Natalie MacLean, the Canadian wine writer. They discuss Natalie's new book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World's Best Bargain Wines. They discuss what makes a wine a bargain wine, what some of the up and coming regions of the world are, and some of the new things Natalie's up to...