Brady Viccellio and Alvin Williams have been friends for a long time, and they’ve been in the restaurant business even longer. Brady’s family history in restaurants goes back nearly a century, and he’s the owner of Steinhilber’s and La Bella Italia in Virginia Beach. Alvin trained and worked as a chef in his native England before moving to the United States and opening Cobalt Grille, also in Virginia Beach. Their podcast, The Check, is all about restaurants.
See more at thecheckpodcast.com, including pictures, helpful links, and episode transcripts.
Kevin O’Connor, founder of O’Connor Brewing Co., visited The Check podcast to discuss the origins and growth of the brewery, the story behind his popular El Guapo beer, the magic of the tasting room, and how to avoid disaster if you’re brewing your own beer.
With the holiday season upon us, Brady and Alvin look at how gatherings at restaurants will be different this year and discuss their favorite seasonal foods and beverages. They also look ahead with tips for avoiding a broken heart on Valentine’s Day and explore the ups and downs of Yelp.
Inspired by her Mississippi roots, Jodi Moore Newland is serving up traditional Southern food at Sweetwater Cuisine, which combines event planning and catering, ready-to-heat carryout meals, and a restaurant. She's also the founder of a non-profit called Daniel’s Grace in memory of her late husband that supports families who've been affected by cancer.
Donald Struminger and son David are the second and third generations of a family business that's been operating since 1934. While you might not give much thought to the tablecloth and napkins at your favorite restaurant, this episode will give you a new appreciation for the history and the innovation that underlie these integral aspects of many fine-dining experiences.
Alvin and Brady discuss the impact of elections and other major events on their restaurants and give their new lightning round a test run.
Brady and Alvin reflect on their childhoods, educations, influences and long history in the restaurant business, while also assessing present-day challenges and looking ahead to what might be next for restaurants.
The second stop on The Check's roadtrip was Castle Hill Cider, where we learned from cidermaker Don Whitaker and general manager Rob Campbell about an ancient method of making cider underground and discussed which foods pair well with cider.
In the second half of our conversation with winemaker Luca Paschina, we learn about the ways his Italian heritage has influenced his approach to wine, how he achieves balance between family and work, and why the Palladio restaurant completes the experience at Barboursville.
Brady and Alvin hit the road to visit Barboursville and learn how Luca Paschina has become one of the most influential and respected winemakers in the country. In the first of a two-part interview, Paschina discusses Virginia's history as a wine region, how he rebuilt the vineyard from the ground up and developed Barboursville’s signature wine, Octagon.
The Check welcomes Alvin’s business partner Gary Black, who’s been the co-owner of Cobalt Grille since it opened 20 years ago. They discuss what it takes to have a successful partnership and look back at the local restaurant scene and how it’s evolved over the years.
