The Why – Part One

Beyond the techniques, recipes, and skills. Chef David Mau explores deeper meanings behind cooking, creativity, and passion in the kitchen.
The Five Worst Reasons to Open a Restaurant

First off, owning a restaurant is a lot like owning a car or a house. You’re gonna say you own it, but in fact, you’re probably just making the payments. And more importantly, at least at the outset, your shop will own you just as much as you supposedly own it. That is a fact.
Getting The Edge On Your Local Watering Hole

Your knight in shining armor, doing battle with The House, is your friendly neighborhood bartender.
North Woods Inn Take Me Home

A nostalgic love letter to North Woods Inn, where retro charm, garlic cheese bread, and lumberjack-sized portions collide.
Love And Loss At Santa Anita’s Turf Club

A heartfelt eulogy for Santa Anita’s iconic Turf Club, this piece walks through grief, nostalgia, and a last toast to a vanished legend.
Grandma Lola’s Old Fashioned Recipe – Still The Best

A heartfelt tribute to Grandma Lola’s West Coast Old Fashioned—The perfect balance of bitters, citrus, and bourbon.
For The Love Of Logan

From B-17 bombers to barrio murals, this deeply personal story captures the overlooked heroism of Santa Ana’s Logan Barrio.