Barfly Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jeff Burkhart
Take a peek behind the hospitality industry curtain with hosts Jeff Burkhart (Marin IJ’s Barfly) and Kevin Blum (editor for the Marin County entertainment portal: the Marin Dish) as they are joined by industry professionals (chefs, bartenders and restaurateurs), and the media professionals who cover them (columnists, editors, influencers).Live, learn, and laugh your way through each episode.
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We welcome Larry Mindel and his son-in-law Steve Reinertsen to talk about the restaurant business in general, and the new memoir "Lorenzo: the restaurateur who revolutionized an industry" in particular.
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Rob Lightner, one of the co-founders of East Brother Beer Co., joins us to talk beer, and their two brand new locations: Tam Tavern in Mill Valley and a taproom at the Metreon in SF.
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Nikki Wood and Mimi Towle of Marin Magazine join us to talk Best of Marin, parties and publishing
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We welcome longtime bartender, Chris McCarthy to the show. 43 years in the industry and now the re-owner of 19 Broadway in Fairfax.
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Legendary restaurateur, Brendan Moylan (Marin Brew Co., Noonan's, Moylan's Brewery and Restaurant) joins us to talk about transitioning from brewing to distilling
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We welcome Sean Saylor, former owner of Saylor's Restaurant and Bar in Sausalito to discuss why a quarter century of owning his own restaurant was enough for him.
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We catch up with multitasker extraordinaire, Erin Hines, Beverage Director at both Guesthouse and Mijo in Marin, and the proprietor of Bitter Girl Bitters
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For our Season Five Finale, we welcome Leanne Battelle, the restaurant review writer for the Marin Independent Journal (and the editor of the Real Deal Marin website) and Daedalus Howell, the editor of the Pacific Sun (and Bohemian) for a lively discussion on the state of the restaurant business
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We welcome Damon Boelte, the owner of the award-winning Downtown Brooklyn cocktail bar, Grand Army, as well as the host of the acclaimed radio show, The Speakeasy, which recently won the award for Best Broadcast from Tales of the Cocktail, to talk about cocktail competitions.
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We welcome back to the program well-traveled Marin mixologist Jason Sims, who is not only Bungalow 44's longtime managing partner, but now also the managing partner of the newly opened Corner Bar in Mill Valley
We chat with Alex Tarantino, the first new GM at the Buckeye Roadhouse in over a quarter century about what it means to take over a legacy restaurant.
For our first live music venue guest, we welcome Jonas Alt the Bar Manager of the legendary Sweetwater Nightclub in Mill Valley
We welcome Scott Beattie, the author of 2008’s “Artisanal Cocktails: Drinks Inspired by the Seasons from the Bar at Cyrus” and is the man behind the bar programs at Barndiva, Goose and Gander, Spoonbar, Meadowood, and Hog Island in San Francisco, and now Watershed in Mill Valley.
We welcome back Chef Heidi Krahling to talk about keeping hospitality part of the Hospitality Industry.
Chef Heidi Krahling joins us to talk about giving back to the community with food through the organizations: Great Chefs and Wineries benefiting Lifehouse, Extra Food, and her newest venture SOUPer Kitchen.
Legendary SF barman Johnny Love (Metheny) and his partner, Duncan Wedderburn of San Rafael's Ranch Water, join us to talk about their journey to Marin County
Longtime hospitality industry attorney David Macpherson joins us to discuss general liability as it pertains to onsale liquor establishments. Hint: insurance, insurance, insurance. Opinions expressed are solely opinions. Always consult your own attorney for legal advice
We chat all things liquid with Sam Levy, Fern Bar's operating partner, former bar manager at the (once) 3 Michelin starred The Restaurant at Meadowood and current bar consultant at the newly revamped Nick's Cove
We welcome hospitality vet Scott Jampol (Open Table, Sausalito Cruising Club) to talk about the launch of the Sausalito Liquor Company which features two whiskeys and a gin.
We discus all things Marin with Dan Jewett, Marin Living magazine editor and co-author of the Counting Crows 1994 hit "Round Here."
Paseo: A California Bistro is open, and celebrating 75 years of great wine, food and cocktails under the name Paseo in Mill Valley
We explore different ways to look at the restaurant business with Benson Wang the co-founder of Palm House Hospitality, which owns and operates the Palm House and the Dorian in SF, and the Flamingo Resort and Nick's Cove in the North Bay
We welcome Colleen Bidwell, the Marin IJ's Events Calendar Editor/Asst. Lifestyles Editor and reporter, to get her take on the busiest events year ever, post pandemic.
We welcome Larry Mindel, restaurateur extraordinaire, to talk about what makes for success in the restaurant business.
We talk with editor Daedalus Howell (also a filmmaker, writer, actor, and conceptual artist) to talk about the state of so-called "underground" newspapers.
We welcome the man who introduced Peter Frampton on Frampton Comes Alive! to talk about Bill Graham, Winterland, Rock and Roll, and the Tequila Sunrise
We chat with Stephanie Koehler, Founder of SAKInterMedia and Executive Director of the Downtown Novato Business Association about marketing do's and don'ts in the post pandemic restaurant business
We chat with cocktail guru Ken Mackenzie, the man behind Fresh Victor, a line of outstanding fresh bar mixers for both at home and on premise
We welcome Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast's Best Sommelier/Wine director of 2022 to talk wine, wine service and One Market's new menu
Donna Seymour of San Anselmo's Cucina joins us to discuss Italian cocktail, outdoor dining and the San Anselmo dining scene
We welcome Clay Walker, President of Gott's Roadside, to talk Frosé, fine wine, LeBron James and fast casual dining at the place that always has a line down the block
We chat with Chef Munther Massarweh, about Rickey's in Novato, as well as his newer projects; the Boardroom and Speakeasy. Two new concepts where he explores the Frank Sinatra "Rat Pack" era in food and in cocktails.
We welcome Nish Nadarajah, former Yelp! Employee #6, to talk about the state of user generated reviews, now from the outside looking in.
Mimi Towle and Nikki Wood of Local Getaways magazine join us to discuss the 2022 "Getties: Best of the Bay Area" and other assorted topics.
We are joined by Local Getways founders Mimi Towle and Nikki Wood to discuss "Best of" magazine/newspaper season, which includes their inaugural issue and their very own "Getties."
We welcome culinary traveler and UC Davis educated chef Jammir Gray of Napa's Compline Restaurant and Wine Shop
We welcome Michael Mindel (son of Larry Mindel) the CEO of Restaunomics which includes clients: Poggio Trattoria and Copita Tequileria y Comida (both in Sausalito), with a new Copita coming soon to San Jose's Willow Glen
We welcome Brendan Moylan, the owner Moylan's Brewery and the owner of Stillwater Spirits, whose Moylan's Whiskey was proclaimed the Grand National Whiskey Champion at this year's U.S. Whiskey and Spirits Open competition
The late great winemaker Sean Thackrey shares his thoughts on winemaking, UC Davis, wine history and terroir
Restaurant marketing guru Andrew Freeman of af&co. and Carbonate joins us to discuss marketing do's and don'ts. His slogan says it all "Through the Looking Glass, finding your way in a new era of hospitality."
We welcome Nancy Dow Moody and Ann Elias of Lifehouse, the hosts of the returning "best party in town," The Great Chefs and Wineries gala event on April 23, which features special musical guests Jefferson Starship
"Local" might be a buzzword these days. But for some it's a lifestyle. We welcome Gibson Thomas to discuss both!
Perry Butler joins us to talk about Perrys in SF, Perrys in Larkspur, and the soon to be Perrys in Novato
We welcome Aldy Butler, Perry Butler's son and the director of operations for his three - soon to be four - restaurants. And remember, you heard it here first!
We welcome in Season Four with Sake Sommelier Stuart Morris of SF's Pabu Izakaya to talk all things sake
In a stunning reversal the California ABC has changed the rules for ToGo cocktails, leaving standalone bars out in the cold right when they might need it most. We welcome back H. Joseph Ehrmann of SF's Elixir to weigh in on the ABC, SF politics, and bars in general.
We welcome H. Joseph Ehrmann, pioneering bartender and proprietor of SF's Elixir, to talk about San Francsico and the state of modern mixology
We welcome the former owner of Le Garage in Sausalito to discuss her new projects: Alamere Spirits in Novato and the recently rebranded Zalta (formerly F3) in Sausalito
Marsh Mokhtari joins us to talk about gin, James Bond, and martinis, as only the secret agent from the James Bond spoof commercial "the squirrels are back in the attic" can.
We welcome back chef extraordinaire Heidi Krahling to finish our conversation on all things hospitality
We welcome Heidi Krahling the mother/chef behind both Marintas and Insalata's to discuss all things restaurant
We welcome sportscaster/columnist/humorist Barry Tompkins to talk mixology vs bartending, old San Francisco, new San Francisco, and the bar scenes of both.
We welcome Trident manager and restaurant veteran Rick Enos (Cantina, Victoria Station, Compadres) to talk Sausalito, the current state of the restaurant biz and, of course, the Tequila Sunrise.
Jeff and Kevin welcome back Sean Saylor of Saylor's Restaraunt and Bar in Sausalito for an updated post pandemic discussion on pet peeves in the service industry.
The Marin IJ's Vicki Larson discusses being a lifestyles editor during Covid, and what the future looks like post-Covid
We pick up our conversation where left off; Marin, media, but this time we talk "mailing it in" "hovercraft delivery" and "the haters!"
Marin Magazine's editor-at-large joins Kevin and Jeff to chat media, Marin, and new ventures
Petaluma's Barber Lee Spirits loans us head distiller Aaron Lee to talk about Sonoma's booming small batch distilling
Longtime columnist (Marin IJ, SF Chronicle) Nick Hoppe joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss food lore, restaurants, Cioppino, and surviving Covid in a tourist area.
Nish Nadaraja, founder of the Yelp Elite, shares some history and his thoughts on the state of online reviewing
Geico's "the squirrels are back" secret agent (and co-founder of Gray Whale gin) has a few things to say about gin in this seasons final episode.
Diane Mina, wife/partner of Michael Mina shares her insights on Andre Agassi, Vegas, Bloody Mary's, Covid and their new Mina restaraunt slated to open in Tiburon next year.
Talking Bloody Mary's with Diane Mina, wife/partner of Chef Michael Mina and founder of Diane Mina's Bloody Mary Mix
Jeff and Kevin welcome James Beard award winning chef and food educator Joanne Weir to talk about the joys of cooking at home, pandemic or no pandemic
The origins and motivations of David Landis, the Gay Gourmet, plus some inescapable pandemic talk
Discussing Covid and Copita with Joanne Weir: award winning chef, cookbook author and restaurateur
Discussing how the coronavirus is affecting Pride Month in the Hospitality Industry with David Landis aka The Gay Gourmet
Talking restaraunt reboots in age of Coronavirus with Shah Bahreyni, Managing Partner of the Boca Restaraunt Group
Discussing some of the ins and outs of restaraunt reopening post covid 19 with Sean Saylor
Pam Colon, former bartender and current Respiratory Therapist, shares her thoughts and experiences from on the front lines with the Coronavirus
Biambu Garrett of King Floyd's bitters in Novato gives his take on bitters and cocktails
Discussing what works and what doesn't in the restaurant industry with D'Angelo's Luigi Petrone and Felicia Ferguson
Talking about change with the Pacific Sun's Tanya Henry in both the restaraunt world and the reporting world.
Ged Robertson gives his take on owning three restaurants in one market: Bootjack Woodfired Pizza, Shoreline Coffee Shop and the new Watershed
Discussing taking over the family business with Felicia Ferguson and Luigi Petrone, the second generation of family ownership at Piazza D'Angelo.
Jeff and Kevin welcome Jason Sims, Bungalow 44 General Manager to talk about service dogs, both real and imagined in the service industry
Discussing the good and the bad of the restaurant business with Lighthouse owners Annette and Gerner Andresen
Barfly Podcast Season Two coming soon, complete with new guests, new topics and new music
Kevin and Jeff discuss the Lighthouse restaurant journey with Annette and Gerner Andresen.
Kevin and Jeff welcome Peter Schumacher (managing partner of Playa, Bungalow 44 and Buckeye Roadhouse) to discuss some of the in's and out's of tip pooling in light of some new changes to the law.
On their first field trip, Kevin and Jeff travel to Hanson Distillery in Sonoma. Meeting with Brandon and Alanna Hanson they discus organic vodka, the new tasting facility in Sonoma, as well as the new tasting room in Sausalito and an upcoming Hanson whiskey.
Kevin and Jeff discuss the importance of controlling the narrative about your bar/restaurant on social media with Ellipses PR's Diana Haven before someone else does
Ellipses' PR's Diana Haven discusses the rise and effect of internet and social media influencers on the bar and restaurant industry
Customers are both the boon and the bane of the industry. This episode we discuss some those challenges with Gabe Bryant owner/operator of Archive Bar and Kitchen in SF.
Election Day is coming up. In the bar business, the three big no-no's for discussion have always been: religion, sex, and politics. This episode we ignore that axiom and discuss the last one.
Part 2 of the difficulties of hiring in the service industry. Are we seeing a slippage of professionalism? Jeff and Kevin discuss the issue with Gabe Bryant of Archive Bar and Kitchen in SF.
Jeff, Kevin and Gabe Bryant (owner/operator of Archive Bar and Kitchen in SF) discuss some of the in's and out's of hiring people in an employment environment where rents and the cost of living are going through the roof.
Customers are the backbone of the service industry, but what happens when a customer becomes too much of a problem?
Jeff and Kevin, along with chef/owner of Saylor's Restaurant and Bar in Sausalito, discuss the most over used statement in the restaurant business.
Yelp Community Manager Kevin Blum and author/columnist Jeff Burkhart discuss how best to read and respond to Yelp reviews.
The who, what, why, and how of writing Yelp reviews. Yelp Community Manager Kevin Blum gives us the low down on all of it.
Kevin and Jeff discuss Caveat Emptor (buyer beware). What to watch out for in the service business, from the casual upsell (the service side) to the half a glass ripoff (the customer side). Learn how not to get taken from both sides of the equation.
Farm to table, grain to glass, local, sustainable, organic, do any of these term mean anything? Kevin and Jeff discuss the terms that do, and the terms that do not. Education is key, an idea that is often the exact opposite of being trendy. Listen in and agree or disagree.
Kevin and Jeff discuss the ins and outs of tipping in the restaurant business, from both the service side and the customer side
Recently Gourmet Magazine conducted a poll of food service workers and surprisingly, people who fake food allergies was the second biggest peeve in the service industry! This week Kevin and Jeff discuss that, plus what to do if you really do have allergies and how to handle the situation if you are on the service side.
Author/columnist/bartender Jeff Burkhart and Yelp! Community Manager Kevin Blum discuss pet peeves in the service industry from the customer side and the service side.