I have mostly laziness to blame for not talking up the best new radio show in this city in a really long time: Break the Chain on 1550 KIVA AM.

I have been a guest once (soon to be twice), and it is always a great time and a FAST hour.

The previous guests have all been excellent resources and interesting personalities.  I hope that this continues and we are able to keep hearing the voices of local restaurant owners, those interested in food, and even those who have a stake in farming, business and the future of our food supply.

Here’s the impressive guest list so far:

Gil Garduno (Albuquerque food blogger)
Cheryl Jamison (author and New Mexico foodie treasure)
Kate Manchester (editor of Edible Santa Fe)
Fran and Kevin Hopper of Local IQ
Nicole Villareal of Nicky V’s Pizzeria and Larry McGoldrick (food blogger)
Ari LeVaux (Alibi food fanatic and writer, TWICE)
Billy Baldwin of Billy’s Long Bar, Horse & Angel Tavern, AND Stone Face Tavern
Maxime and Daniela of Torino’s @ Home (the best Italian joint in the whole darn city)
Chris Morales of Golden Crown Panaderia
Cheri Frost (food blogger and traveler)
Saul Paniagua of 4 Aces Grill
Matt Rembe of Los Poblanos
Tim Harris of Tim’s Place Cafe
John Calvin of Casa Rondena Winery
Omar and Tony Neshiewat of Times Square Deli Mart and Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery

On one day next weekend (September 25th), bRgR will donate 10% of all sales to Creative Albuquerque, a group fostering the growth of creative types all over town.  In short, they want urban “enlightenment”, and bRgR is just the sort of place to help out, what with that so-bizarre-its-cool wallpaper and chandeliers.

Here’s what Creative Albuquerque says about themselves, “Creative Albuquerque’s mission is to grow the creative economy to ensure a more dynamic and prosperous city.”

Here’s what I say about bRgR:  ”. . . you could imagine yourself at an eatery in Denver until you spot the Chile Bliss burger ($6), accented with smoked cheddar for extra punch . . .”

I am constantly trolling for local food and restaurant mentions, and they range from openings to (unfortunately) shootings.

This week one of my favorites touches a huge pet peeve of mine – incompetent sign makers.  I see so many horribly misspelled signs that I wonder how these places stay in business.  But Bandido’s Hideout across from UNM is making use of their screw-up to get more people engaged and in the door.  Good work, guys!

A Chicago-area paper that I hadn’t even heard of – Journal Online – did a nice little feature on our Duke City attractions.  They mentioned the usual tram, Balloons, El Pinto, et cetera.  But special attention was given to a few of my personal favorites here in town:  St James Tearoom (now with a new location on Osuna!), and Torino’s @ Home (quite simply the ONLY good Italian restaurant in Albuquerque).

Next month will be the annual Equestrian Cup event – think of it like the Albuquerque the Magazine Best of The City party, except it’s outside and there are horses!  Basically it’s hobnobbing with tons of local go-getters, eating samples of food by some of the best restaurants in town, and enjoying the show.  It is put on by the 20/30 Club, a group of business-active folks in their – you guessed it – 20s and 30s.  Tickets are $50 but you can afford that, especially since it goes to support the All Faith Receiving Home’s Children’s Safehouse.