Greer's OC

The Rooftop at Michael’s On Naples is abuzz with excitement since Chef Eric Samaniego invited Chef Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria into the kitchen for a culinary playdate on Wednesday, May 24. Salgado, considered one of the most influential and award-winning chefs in Orange County, is known for his Alta California cuisine, a fusion of Mexican and American cultures.

Chef Samaniego never reveals what he and his guest chef will prepare simply because it’s a spontaneous occasion. The chefs will shop the local farmers’ markets and visit Farm Lot 59, the local urban farm, for ingredients just days before, which will drive the creativity of their five-course dinner.

Both chefs boast envied culinary pedigrees. Chef Samaniego put an unknown restaurant on the map when Little Sparrow was named Best New Restaurant by the Orange County Register, as well as Restaurant of the Year by Orange Coast Magazine. He trained under the late Charlie Trotter in Chicago and spent seven years with Restaurateur-Chef David Myers - first at Sona and then at Comme Ça.  

Before he opened Taco Maria, Chef Salgado spent a decade in the Bay Area honing his skills in some of San Francisco’s and Oakland’s best restaurants, including Vermon Morales’ Winterland, Daniel Patterson’s Coi and James Syhabout’s Commis.  Food & Wine named him Best New Chef in 2015 and he was lauded as Chef of the Year by Brad A. Johnson of the Orange County Register.  Last year he was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef in the West. 

Space is limited for this evening and reservations are recommended.  For a complete listing of food and wine events taking place at Michael’s On Naples, visit michaelsonnaples.com or call 562.439.7080. 

Open daily at 5 p.m. and features Happy Hour seven days and the Italian tradition of apertivo Monday-Thursday from 5-7 p.m. Sunday brunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Michael’s On Naples is at 5620 E. 2^nd Street on Naples Island in Long Beach.