Shows
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep18: If It Were Easy, Everyone Would Be Doing It with Trinh NguyenChef/owner Trinh Nguyen (Ramie, Sucres, Ba Sa, Pho T&N) joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on Vietnamese cuisine. Learn how she went from putting her college dreams on hold, in order to run her parents’ pho shop at age 19, to finally fulfilling her passion—serving cutting-edge Viet dishes—at Ramie. Are Seattle diners ready to explore the evolution of Vietnamese food the same way they’ve embraced the evolution of Italian, Japanese, Filipino, and other international cuisines? What barriers are still in place that need to be overcome?We also talk about local se...2025-05-111h 35
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep17: Home of the Slopper with Jackie VarrianoThe Seattle Times food writer (and friend of the pod) Jackie Varriano swings by to talk neighborhood restaurants, the difference between a food writer and a food critic, and the perils involved when writers are responsible for their own food photography. She also tells us our new favorite Mitch Hedberg joke!Plus Meg critiques the American theater, Mark loves documentaries, we list our favorite bites of the week, and we’ve got all the restaurant news that’s fit to podcast about.Check out Jackie's writing at The Seattle TimesRest...2025-05-031h 10
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep16: Hip to Be Pioneer Square with Marcus Lalario and Sean RussoWe’re talking Italian American comfort food with Darkalino’s owner/entrepreneur Marcus Lalario and Chef Sean Russo! Marcus and Sean tell us about how their nostalgia for the classic “red sauce joint” inspired a menu update that reclaims corporation-brutalized dishes like chicken parm and sausage and peppers. Could Darkalino’s be Seattle’s entry in the West Coast trend of new restaurants treating old-school Italian American mainstays with a sense of both craft and approachable fun?We also share our big love for Pioneer Square and discuss where it is in post-lockdown recovery. And Marcus gives us the detai...2025-04-231h 06
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep15: Money’s Never Late with Jhonny ReyesChef/owner Jhonny Reyes chats with us about the inaugural year of Lenox—his stellar Afro-Latin/Nuyorican restaurant in Belltown—as well as his deep Seattle roots and what it's like to appear on Food Network TV shows Alex vs. America and Chopped.We also talk about contending with the relentless economic challenges of today, discuss whether or not chefs and restaurants are overemphasizing their stories, and delve into some Belltown restaurant history.Plus Meg closes on a veterinary ordeal with her adopted alleycat, Mark closes out the week with a pig roast, and there’s way t...2025-04-181h 24
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep14: Bartender’s Ketchup with Matt PachmayrLe Coin bar manager Matt Pachmayr, the principal of Chartreuse (our words, not his), joins us to talk about his Monday-night pop-up/industry party No Call No Show, learning to bartend with the legendary Murray Stenson, and—of course—all things Chartreuse. We also chat about cocktail mentorship, Seattle’s unique bar culture, and whether or not there’s a boilermaker that could be considered The Seattle Handshake. Plus Meg boosts her gardening game with a greenhouse, Mark boosts his wine knowledge with a trip to Woodinville, and we all boost the local restaurant scene with fresh...2025-04-091h 01
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep13: Outside is Like a Windows Wallpaper with Chachi ThomasFilson’s current Chef Face (that’s his title!) and former pop-up scene fixture Chachi Thomas chops it up with us about growing up in southern California, starting and leaving the pop-up game, and crossing paths with notorious Hells Angel Sonny Barger.We also talk about why Chachi decided not to open a brick-and-mortar, chew on Spice Waala’s Instagram post about what the City of Seattle can do to help small businesses thrive, and give love to Chachi’s favorite burger joint—and Mark’s first-ever job—in Bothell. Plus Meg has a date night at the Se...2025-04-031h 09
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep12: I Kinda Felt Healthy About It with Lakea OsiasNo one brings the party like catering (and former popup) queen Lakea Osias! Chef Lakea pours wine and spills tea about the pros and cons of running a popup, learning different regional barbecue styles, and the fact that catering is a luxury service.We also talk about the vital space that Wa Na Wari is for the Central District and Seattle’s Black community overall, wrestle with our nearly unanimous dislike of IPAs, hear about the only karaoke spot that makes Lakea nervous to sing, and—did we all just kill that bottle of pinot grigio already?2025-03-261h 17
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep11: The Amaro of Tomorrow with Skip TognettiWe’re talking amaro—and other Italian liqueurs!—with Skip Tognetti, co-owner of Letterpress Distilling in SoDo. Skip tells us about the ingredient-forward approach at Letterpress, explains the reason why limoncello attains certain shades of yellow, and possibly invents a new liqueur category, New World Nocino.We also chat about Skip’s childhood memories of his grandfather’s liquor store in Rome, which European city has the best pizza, and the challenges of running a distillery in 2025, when alcohol consumption is down and tariffs are (maybe?) up. Plus Mark and Skip break each other’s brains about...2025-03-191h 08
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep10: Olive Way Hidden Fun Zone with Kate Opatz and Niko CielKate Opatz and Niko Ciel join us to talk about Laurel, their sunny (and diminutive!) new coffee shop/cocktail bar on East Olive Way—an aesthetic foil to Montana Bar, Kate’s quintessential dark, moody dive next door. Niko and Kate tell us about their concept for Laurel, their artistic inspiration in designing the space, and how they ensure that Laurel is as dialed in as a coffee shop as it is as a bar, and vice versa.We also discuss the moving target that is How to Run a Successful Bar in Seattle in 2025, and whether or n...2025-03-1158 min
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep9: Good Tuk, Babe! with Karuna LongFriend of the pod Karuna Long (Sophon, Oliver’s Twist) stops by to chop it up! Learn about his journey from bartender to bar owner to chef/owner—and how the pandemic made him realize an opportunity to create more space for Cambodian culture in Seattle. Karuna also tells us about how his family briefly crossed paths with “donut king” Ted Ngoy, and why donut boxes are pink.We also talk about Sophon’s James Beard Award nomination for Best New Bar, and the complicated feelings that come with recognition from an organization that has historically fallen short of i...2025-03-051h 06
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep8: Pop-Up Chop-Up with Edgar D’SouzaGet to know Edgar D’Souza, the elusive but very real human being behind the SeattlePopups Instagram account—an essential source of info about the Seattle area’s thriving and super diverse pop-up scene. Edgar tells us why he likes to maintain a level of anonymity on the account, what compelled him to create an ongoing pop-up events calendar on IG, and where he sees the scene going next.We also talk about how pop-ups and supper clubs can be pleasant, low-pressure social events, whether there’s a way past Seattle’s habit of risk aversion, and the ethics...2025-02-261h 08
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep7: Chu Late for the Chuleta with José Garzón and Stef HieberIn the Dinnernet’s two-guest premiere, we’re joined by José Garzón and Stef Hieber, co-owners of Garzón Restaurants (Bad Chancla, Latinx Street Food, Topless Tapas, Lola’s Supper Club, Chifa Baby), for a wide-ranging conversation about going from FOH to BOH, the benefits of Bad Chancla’s all-electric kitchen, karaoke sharks, bodega cats, and why Lynnwood is an actual dining destination. Stef and José reminisce on meeting as coworkers at Barking Frog (including José’s first impression of Stef!) and give advice to new restaurateurs. José also tells us how he developed his killer Don Bronco pork c...2025-02-191h 13
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep6: Under the Influencers with Michael WongCultural anthropologist (!) Michael Wong (Asian Verified,The Stranger) chops it up with us about what makes something Asian Verified, why he switched from covering food on IG to covering it in print, and the problems with foodie influencer culture. And he’s got some tough-love content creation advice for small business owners who don’t know where to start.We also talk about the ethics of content creation and the Keith Lee fiasco, along with the importance of thoughtfulness, research, and humility—whether you’re an influencer or a journalist. We shout out some food influencers who we think...2025-02-111h 08
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep5: Year of the Cake with Gabby ParkGabby Park (Paper Cake Shop) talks to us about going from politics to pastry school, ushering in 2025's Year of the Snake with cake, what “Asian flavors” means, and the wildest savory cake she and Rachel Yang ever conceived. Meg goes on a birthday excursion to San Francisco for a (Republic of) Georgian feast and comes back with tales of khinkali and a craving for Dutch crunch bread. Mark recovers from a brief illness and celebrates by visiting the Letterpress Distilling tasting room to luxuriate in Italian liqueurs.
We also discuss the recent social media-fueled rumors of ICE r...2025-02-0450 min
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep4: No Bones in a Whole Fried Fish with Rachel BelleRachel Belle (Your Last Meal podcast, The Nosh with Rachel Belle TV series, plus her new cookbook, Open Sesame) joins us to talk about the process of creating a cookbook, what the James Beard Award show is like IRL, being a teenage metalhead, and the value of getting out of the house. We also discuss tough interviews, Christopher Kimball's sartorial acumen, and William Shatner's can't-miss idea for a new TV show.
Plus Mark and Meg go to the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra, and all the local restaurant news that's fit to podcast about!
2025-01-2848 min
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep3: Steely Dan Funk with Brian O'ConnorBrian O'Connor (PopPop Pizza and Wine) tells us about pursuing the platonic ideal of thin and crispy tavern style pizza, sourcing great wine, and transitioning a dinner party concept to a brick and mortar. We also talk about the landlord/business tenant relationship in Seattle, the recovery of late night dining (or lack thereof), and our favorite older restaurants and bars. Plus restaurant news and our favorite bites of the week!
Learn more about PopPop Pizza and Wine at their website
And on Instagram @poppop_pizza
0:00 Intro
2:42 What...2025-01-211h 05
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep2: When You're Here, You're Cousins with Lisa BiLisa Bi (Ba+Me popup, Family Meal supper club) joins us to talk Viet comfort food, creating a more communal and collaborative restaurant concept, and how to get started in the Seattle popup scene. We also discuss Michael Wong's must-read article in The Stranger about pricing expectations for Vietnamese and other south Asian cuisines. And as always, we've got restaurant news , and our rec's for the best things we ate this week!
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:00) Lisa's Lil’ Woody’s burger
(00:02:19) Portland and weird Tacoma pizza
(00:04:21) Lisa's pop-up origin story
(0...2025-01-141h 03
The Dinnernet with Mark and MegS1 Ep1: Happy New Year! Here's a tip for 2025 with Brendan McGillIn our inaugural episode of The Dinnernet, we chop it up with chef Brendan McGill (Hitchcock Restaurant Group) about Seattle's minimum wage hike and tip credit expiration, what it takes for a restaurant to succeed in 2025, and the restaurant ghosts of Belltown Past.
Pictured: smoking (eating) cariyaki (teriyaki caribou) stogies (jerky) made by Brendan's friend.2025-01-071h 09