Shows / San Diego Magazine's Happy Half Hour
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half Hour
The weekly guide to San Diego's food + drink scene, hosted by award-winning food writer and Food Network host Troy Johnson and San Diego Magazine's culture brain, Jackie Bryant. Field notes and perspectives on restaurants, bars, and chefs—including dishes and drinks you gotta try, restaurant openings and closings, events worth your time, and laugh-cry interviews with chefs, restaurant owners, farmers, brewers, and makers who make San Diego's food + drink scene hum.
Episodes
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourMeet Starr Edwards, the Founder of Bitchin' Sauce
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! This week, we chat with Starr Edwards, founder of Bitchin' Sauce, a popular almond dip that is vegan-friendly. You may…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow Maya Madsen's Vegan Cookies Went From Farmers' Markets to the National Spotlight Overnight
We're excited to have Maya Madsen, the founder of Maya's Cookies, on the show this week. Maya's Cookies is a line of soft-baked cookies that are completely…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Chat With Michelin-Starred Chef William Bradley of Addison to Talk the Future of Fine Dining
Happy New Year! We took a break from taping during the holidays, and now we're back and looking forward to 2021. We kicked off our first episode of the year…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Reminisce on 2020: Our Most Memorable Guests, Favorite Foods, and Hopes for the Future
Happy Holidays to all our listeners, and welcome to the last episode of 2020! We are wrapping up this unprecedented year with our most memorable guests, our…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Chat with Arturo Kassel of Whisknladle Hospitality about the Second Shutdown
Our special guest this week is Arturo Kassel, CEO of Whisknladle Hospitality, which brought us restaurants like Prep Kitchen, Catania, and Whisknladle in La…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Reveal to Chef Accursio Lota of Cori Pastificio That He's a Best Restaurants Winner!
Welcome back to another Happy Half Hour episode! Today's special guest is Accursio Lota, chef and owner of Cori Pastificio in North Park. Before opening Cori…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourIt's Almost Time for Pumpkin Pie! We Chat with Steven Torres of Pop Pie and Stella Jean's
Welcome back to Happy Half Hour! Today's special guest is Steven Torres, founder and CEO of Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean's ice cream. Steven and his husband…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Chat with Timothy Parker, Navy Veteran and Owner of Chula Vista Brewery
Welcome back to Happy Half Hour! We honor Veterans Day this week with our special guest, Timothy Parker, co-founder of Chula Vista Brewery! Timothy is from…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe're Back at The Del's Sun Deck and Talking Cocktails
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! Just like last week's episode, we are out here once again at our sponsor the Hotel del Coronado's new Sun Deck enjoying…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourJoin Us on the Hotel Del's New Sun Deck!
Welcome back to Happy Half Hour! This is our first live recording of the podcast since this spring. We taped this episode, at our sponsor, the Hotel Del…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow Is Limited Indoor Dining Going? We Asked Sandy Vuong of Dumpling Inn
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! Our special guest today is Sandy Vuong from Dumpling Inn and Shanghai Saloon. Dumpling Inn was one of the first…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow Hanna's Gourmet Went from a Catering Business to a Beloved Bistro
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! Today's guest is Hanna Tesfamichael, chef and owner of Hanna's Gourmet in Normal Heights. Born in Eritrea, Hanna came to…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourIt's Our 200th Episode! We Celebrate With Chef Brian Malarkey
Four years and 200 episodes later, and we're here sharing our landmark episode with a very special guest, Brian Malarkey. Over the past ten years, Brian has…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourOur First Cross-Border Episode! With the Founder of La Lomita Winery
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! This week's episode is our first international one, and our special guest is Fernando Perez Castro, the founder of La…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow a Small Farm and Café in North Park Helps Refugees Build a New Life
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! This week's special guest is Anchi Mei, senior program manager of the International Rescue Committee in San Diego. The IRC…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Chat with Acclaimed Chef Eric Bost about His Move to Jeune et Jolie
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! We didn't release an episode last week, as we took Labor Day weekend off, but we're back and excited about this week's…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Learn about San Diego's Growing Wine Industry with Denise Clarke, Owner of Altipiano Vineyard
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! While San Diego may be the craft beer capital of the US, we also have a less-talked-about but flourishing wine scene…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow One Nonprofit Is Helping Restaurants Stay Afloat While It Feeds Hospital Workers
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! We have two special guests for this week's episode: Brett Roggenkamp, lead organizer for the San Diego Chapter of…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWhat is San Diego's Restaurant Scene Going to Be Like Once Summer Ends? We Asked Jeff Rossman
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! We had so many questions about the state of San Diego's restaurants that we went into overtime with today's guest, Jeff…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWhat's Brewing in Barrio Logan: A Women-Led Craft Beer Space
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! Today we're sipping beer virtually with Esthela Davila and learning about the educational nonprofit she cofounded, Mujeres…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourKris Buchanan of Goodonya Organic Eatery Says It's Not Realistic for Businesses to be the Enforcer
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! This week's guest is Kris Buchanan, owner of Goodonya Organics and Goodonya Organic Eatery in Encinitas. Kris has been in…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Get Behind the Lens with Pro Food Photographer and Stylist Brittany Wright
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! Today we're admiring the striking food photography of Brittany Wright, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the art of…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourBeyond Booze: Michael Skubic of Old Harbor Distilling Talks Making Hand Sanitizer
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! San Diego has long been a craft beer destination, but the city is also home to a burgeoning small-batch distillery scene…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe dig in to Korean fried chicken with Tommy Nguyen, owner of Cross Street Chicken and Beer
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! When we taped this episode, the state of California had just announced the re-suspension of indoor dining at restaurants…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWhat's the future of live music in San Diego? We ask Tim Mays, owner of The Casbah and Starlite
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! At the time of this taping, indoor dining at restaurants in San Diego has been shut down for at least the next three…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow Chef Phillip Esteban Adapted and Expanded His Businesses, One Rice Bowl at a Time
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! This week, we checked in with Chef Phillip Esteban, a National City native who has worked at David Chang's Momofuku Ssäm…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourBrad Keiller of Nomad Donuts shares his experiences on being a Black business owner in America
Happy Half Hour has returned! After a nearly three-month hiatus, we're excited to have the show back up and running. A note on today's episode: Happy Half Hour…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourChef Travis Swikard Returns to His Hometown to Open Callie Restaurant in East Village
We're here at Ballast Point Brewing in Little Italy, and today, we have Colby Chandler, Ballast Point's vice president and specialty brewer. Colby is the…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWould You Try a Mashed Potato Pizza? Jon Mangini of Basic Pizza Talks About Why You Should
We're here at Provisional Kitchen, one of the restaurants in the Pendry Hotel in downtown San Diego. Today, we have David Duran, the director of food and…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourOur Conversation with Gaston Martinez Gets Smoky As We Discuss Mezcal, Mexico, and Marketing
Today we're here at our sponsor, Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile, one of the restaurants in the Pendry Hotel in downtown San Diego, and today, we have…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourAmplified Ale Works' founder Alex Pierson shares how he went from cooking kebabs to brewing up beers
Today's guest is Alex Pierson, the founder of Amplified Ale Works. Alex got his start in the restaurant business when he opened a Middle Eastern restaurant in…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Talk Pizza and Ridiculously Hot Chicken Wings with Regents Pizzeria owner, Bill Vivian
Today's guest is Bill Vivian, the owner of Regents Pizzeria in La Jolla, a pizzeria that specializes in both Chicago and New York-style pizzas. They're also…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Talk Healthy Eating with Lan Thai, Chef at Enclave, Inside of JuneShine Ranch's Kombucha Brewery
Today's guest is Lan Thai, chef at Enclave, the restaurant inside JuneShine Ranch's kombucha brewery. Enclave's menu is based around the concept of…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHard Cider is Here to Stay: North Park's Bivouac Ciderworks Rolls Out Cans
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! Joining us in the studio today is Lara Worm, co-founder of Bivouac Ciderworks in North Park. We've mentioned Bivouac…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourA Q&A With the New Owner of Ballast Point: We Ask Brendan Watters How it Came to be
This week's very special guest is Brendan Watters, the new CEO of Ballast Point and co-founder of Kings and Convicts Brewing Co. Kings and Convicts is the…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourLove Italian Food? Get Ready to Feast, Matteo Cattaneo of Buona Forchetta Fame Joins us
Welcome back and Happy New Year! After the holiday break, we kick off 2020 by catching up with Matteo Cattaneo, who is from Bergamo, Italy, and the founder of…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourThe Team Reminisces On 2019 as They Look Back at Trends, Guests and Holiday Traditions
Welcome back and happy holidays! We are wrapping up 2019 with two year-end episodes to discuss the best food, the coolest trends, the biggest headlines, and…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWhat Was the Best Thing You Ate In 2019? The Biggest Stories and we Reveal our 'Best Of' List
We are wrapping up 2019 with two year-end episodes to discuss the best food, coolest trends, biggest headlines, and saddest goodbyes in San Diego's restaurant…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourSergio Garcia Manriquez of Dos Tierras Talks About Finding His Calling Through Cooking
We're kicking off December with a small announcement: After a good run, we're retiring the column VIT (Very Important Taco) as we head into 2020 and are…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow the City of Oceanside is Using an Innovative Kitchen in the Fight Against Food Waste
Today is our special Thanksgiving episode, and joining us in the studio is Colleen Foster, Environmental Officer for the City of Oceanside, to talk about the…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourFernando Gaxiola Gives us Taste of Mexico's Wine Country Through His Co., Baja Wine and Food
This week's special guest is Fernando Gaxiola, founder of Baja Wine and Food. Fernando was born and raised in Mexico and has a degree in engineering, as well…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourTommy the Fishmonger Talks About Going Solo while Staying Sustainable
Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour podcast! Our sponsor this week is the SoNo Fest and Chili Cook-Off, and with us today is long-time chili competitor and…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourCo-Founder of Coronado Brewing Company Rick Chapman, Joins Us
This week's special guest is Rick Chapman, the co-founder of Coronado Brewing Company, which has been open for over 23 years. Rick and his brother, Ron, opened…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Step Inside the City's Newest (and Spookiest) Speakeasy with Tahona Owner Amar Harrag
Welcome back! We're here at the Hotel Del Coronado with Sara Harper, the director of marketing for the Hotel Del and Beach Village at the Del. Sara oversees…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourSponsored: We Chat with the Crew behind Hornblower Cruises and Events Aboard the High Spirits Ship
Welcome to a very special episode of the Happy Half Hour! This week, we are sailing through San Diego Bay on the High Spirits, a vintage ship belonging to…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourCrystals and CBD Cocktails: Matt Sieve Talks About His Daring New Drinks at Madison on Park
This week's special guest is Matt Sieve, the owner of Madison on Park. Matt opened the restaurant and bar in University Heights four years ago, and their…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourFrom Refugee Camp to Running a Restaurant Empire: Steven Yeng of OB Noodle House Shares His Story
This week we have a very special episode, and it's a must-listen. Our guest is Steven Yeng, the co-founder of OB Noodle House, The Holding Company and…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourBrandon Zanavich talks all things Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger and The Friendly
This week's special guest is Brandon Zanavich, owner of The Friendly in North Park. The Friendly is known for its New York-style pizza and "dirty flat top…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourMeet Justin Vaiciunas, the 'Cutthroat' Chef at Luca
This week's special guest is Justin Vaiciunas, the executive chef at the new Guild Hotel on Broadway, and its in-house restaurant Luca. Justin is from Detroit…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow the Founder of Puesto Turned His Love of Home-Cooked Meals into a Thriving Restaurant
Welcome back! This episode is brought to you by our sponsors, Angela Landsberg, executive director of North Park Main Street, and Sara Crichlow from Redwing…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourDrive-Bys to Gentrification: The owner of Original 40 Brewing tells us how North Park has changed
Welcome back! This episode is brought to you by our sponsors, Angela Landsberg, executive director of North Park Main Street, and Lara Worm, co-founder of…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourMeet Gina Marsaglia, 'The Godmother of San Diego's Beer Scene' and CEO of Pizza Port
Welcome back! We're taping this week's episode at Kashi, which we learned is still headquartered in Solana Beach and is celebrating its 35th anniversary. We…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourWe Chat With Richard Blais About What's Cooking at our Sponsor KAABOO This Year
Welcome to a very special episode of the Happy Half Hour! This week, we're chatting with chef Richard Blais, this year's culinary ambassador for KAABOO Del…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourMeet David Castro Hussong, Chef at Fauna in the Valle de Guadalupe
We're taping this week's episode at our sponsor, Kashi, which we learned is still headquartered in Solana Beach and is celebrating its 35th anniversary. This…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourHow A Local Pastry Chef Went from Baking High-End Desserts to Crafting Cannabis Edibles
Welcome back! This week's special guest is Rachel King, an acclaimed pastry chef who has worked at restaurants such as Nine-Ten and Mister A's. When she was…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourCris Liang, owner Realm of the 52 Remedies, joins us
This week's special guest is Cris Liang, co-owner of Common Theory Public House and its accompanying speakeasy, Realm of the 52 Remedies, which was Troy's pick…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourMichelin-Starred Chef Michael Mina
We're taping this week's episode from our sponsor's location, Bayside Kitchen + Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn in Little Italy, which offers SoCal-inspired…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourPart 2: A Follow Up with Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins
With El Jardín shutting its doors, we wanted to sit down with Chef Claudette one more time for an update on her story. She shared her plans for the future as…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourPart 1: We Chat with James Beard Award Nominee Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins
We're taping this week's episode at Bayside Kitchen + Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn in Little Italy, which offers SoCal inspired comfort foods, craft cocktails…
San Diego Magazine's Happy Half HourOur Catch of the Day: Peter Halmay, the "Urchin King"
We're back with Happy Half Hour! Once again, we're taping from Eppig Brewing's Waterfront Biergarten in Point Loma and seriously, guys, if you haven't checked…