Milling About

Owner George Chryssaidis (Crasidis) serves up authentic Greek cuisine from his Athena Cafe in St. Augustine, Florida featuring his homemade signature dishes such as creamy hummus, chicken souvlaki, gyro with tzatziki sauce made from his own olive oil imported from family olive groves in Frixa, Greece. Aptly named Frixa, it's only available in Florida which makes perfect sense as it's medicinal qualities are on par with the nearby Fountain of Youth. Other yummy dishes at Athena Cafe include Greek caviar (Taramosalata) to die for and Saganaki, the house special where grilled Greek cheese is drenched in lemon for a mouth watering tanginess. It comes with it's own show as the waiter lights the dish on fire as he serves it shouting, 'Opa!' A self made man, George's humble beginnings began as a dishwasher and through his love of eating reached for owning restaurants rather than working in them. He also owns Cafe Alcazar which is a fancier setting for his home-cooked cuisine, set in the deep end of the swimming poo

Let's Do Lunch! had a fabulous six course tasting at Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood House in St. Augustine, Florida. Owner John Meehan had his chef  prepare ruben rolls, oysters Meehan, crab, avocado and mango cocktail served in a martini glass, grilled shrimp and chicken with cilantro and spinach, and bronzed fresh local flounder, topped with a trio of desserts. Meehan's is set across from the Matanzas Bay where food and entertainment combine for a memorable experience, not to mention front row seats for St. Augustine's tremendous 4th of July fireworks display.  John joins host Robin Milling where he talks about Meehan's menu consisting of homey and authentic Irish fare mixed with upscale seafood and chicken dishes, how they amassed their vast selection of Jameson's Irish Whiskey, and the local talent they attract. The backyard at Meehan's boasts an original Tiki bar where guests can enjoy a pint, tropical drinks, and listen to live music. Sundays are special as Irish musicians from all over the world p

Milling About visits the Oldest City in America, St. Augustine, Florida. Founded in 1565, the city's quaint brick layered streets lead to The Ponce De Leon Hotel built by oilman Henry Flagler in the 1880s majestically rising above the Spanish Oak trees, now housing Flagler college. Host Robin Milling was given an historical foodie tour of the city by Anthea Manny of City Walks, who's knowledge of the city was astounding. The yummy stops on the Savory Faire tour included creamy homemade hummus at Cafe Alcazar which is nestled in the deep end of what was once the Hotel Alcazar's swimming pool. The Old City House Inn & Restaurant served blue lump crabcake with caviar remoulade. The final stop was Athena Cafe where the waiter expertly set fire to Saganaki,  fried Greek goat cheese bursting with lemon. City Walks owner Alice Sutherland joins Robin to discuss her walking tours, among them The Creepy Crawl where alcohol mixes with stories of ghosts still lurking. Robin's visit was hosted by The Casablanca Inn

It's bye-bye 'American Pie'  for Jason Biggs who stars in Grassroots as the campaign manager for his best friend's platform; which is to widen the monorail system throughout Seattle. It's a crazy scheme, but it just might work. When it comes to real life jobs, Jason tells host Robin Milling he hasn't been that lucky as he was fired from a soap opera, a commercial with Sarah Michelle Gellar, and a television series he starred in which to his delight was canceled shortly after he was let go. Jason admits he's not very political but is happy the film might encourage young people to start their own grassroots program and make a difference. When it comes to his own platform for change, Jason jokes that he just doesn't have enough crazy ideas to make something happen. Next Jason can be heard as the voice of Leonardo in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series for Nickelodeon.

Singer songwriter Valerie Ghent joins host Robin Milling to celebrate the release of her new CD 'Day to Day Dream'. A tour de force performer, Val releases an infectious mix of songs infused with blues, soul, jazz and pop; from the bluesy ballad Love Enough For A Lifetime to the South African rhythms of Run, Run, Run that will have you dancing. In fact the audience couldn't help but dance the conga in the aisles when Val had her release party at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar. A New York City native, Val tells Robin how she began her love affair with singing and songwriting influenced by her musical parents, and tells the stories behind the songs on 'Day to Day Dream.' With piano chops to match her impressive three and a half octave range, one wonders whether Val can shatter glass when she hits the high notes! Passing on her musical talents to others, Val recognized the healing power of music helming Feel The Music after the tragic events of 9/11 which continues to bring joy into the lives of children wh

Celebrate 4th of July with Casper Van Dien starring in The Pact. Casper joins host Robin Milling for a chat about the horror film, playing a detective who has his own personal demons. Casper tells Robin he can relate as he is thankfully 18 years sober. And what a family legacy he has as the fifth Casper in a long line of Caspers before him. He shares the origins of his name and through his addiction to ancestry.com, he made a startling discovery about his own ancestors. Coming up Casper returns to 'that Starship trooper guy' in the comedy Noobz, and the anime Starship Troopers Invasion which he executive produced. You can find Casper on Twitter @CasperVanDien

Tom Arnold joins host Robin Milling to talk about Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection, as head of a corporation caught in a ponzi scheme. Arnold, who is infectiously gregarious reveals his aunt was a victim of Bernie Madoff's ponzi scheme and how it impacted the family. Tom also weighs in on those invasive X-ray machines at airports, his frustration with over-priced hotel menus, and his unfortunate absence during a special visit from Charlie Sheen to the set.

Let's Do Lunch! travels to the island of Nantucket to the relaxing restaurant Dune for their delicious soft shell crab sandwich on their crispy homemade bun with tomato remulaude, roasted red and gold beet salad with goat cheese mousse with champagne vinaigrette and toasted pistachios, Chatham oysters with chopped mint and diced rhubarb, and Gazpacho topped with a flavorful twist of homemade gelato. Chef and owner Michael Getter joins host Robin Milling for lunch and conversation. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Michael tells Robin how he has come a long way since he prepared his first dish of salami, eggs and swiss cheese inspired by his mother's Jewish cooking. Michael talks about how he comes up with the interesting combinations of flavors that enhance what he describes as simple, comfort food. For more information on Dune visit www.dunenantucket.com

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter stars Dominic Cooper and Rufus Sewell discuss their vampire turns with host Robin Milling. Dominic tells Robin how he learned to wield an ax for the big showdown against Benjamin Walker's Lincoln by practicing in public parks. Rufus, who plays the main antagonist vampire says his bloodsucker was a bit too scary for his 10 year-old son to see, but he did think dad was cool. The coolest thing for both actors was how they prepared to 'munch' on the faces of their costars. Ironically Dominic and Rufus met in their early careers for an exploratory theater workshop, but this film marks the first time they've worked together since.  

Former CNN correspondent Kitty Pilgrim joins host Robin Milling for lunch at Jean Georges in The Mark Hotel in New York to talk about her newest novel, The Stolen Chalice. A sequel to The Explorer's Code, now out in paperback, Kitty weaves a tale of international intrigue in The Stolen Chalice with romance and fabulous adventures. No stranger to adventure herself, Kitty tells Robin how her personal explorations as a world traveler have inspired her to create the colorful characters in her book. Her next novel takes her to Capri and exploring volcanoes which Kitty promises to be another page turner. For more information visit www.kittypilgrim.com

Let's Do Lunch! traveled to the city of brotherly love to the Seventh Annual Great Chefs Event where 50 of the world's greatest chefs gathered under one roof to cook for over 1,000 guests all in the name of charity. Host Robin Milling sampled dishes and spoke with famous chefs from New York such as Drew Nieporent of Tribeca Grill, April Bloomfield of The Breslin Bar and Dining Room, and Chef Bill Telepan of Telepan. She spoke with Los Angeles chefs Neal Fraser of The Strand House and The Hungry Cat's David Lentz. The live auction featured a Vetri Dinner for 6 with Danny Meyer and David Swinghamer that sold for $19,000 to two separate bidders, in a tied bidding war, and a five-day, four- night gastro-tour of Piemonte Italy for six with award winning chefs Jeff Michaud & Marc Vetri that sold for $35,000. One million dollars was raised to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, trying to find a cure for childhood cancers.

Philadelphia cuisine is more than just pretzels and cheesesteaks. Chef Kevin Reardon of Keatings River Grill at Hyatt Regency Philadelpha, Penn's Landing joins host Robin Milling for a special tasting. Chef Reardon prepared delectable comfort seafood selections of Maryland lump crabcakes with black bean corn relish and parmesan potatoes with remoulade influenced by his time in New Orleans, and pan seared Jersey scallops with lemon polenta at the restaurant  overlooking the Delaware River. Chef tells Robin how Keatings River Grill often caters rock bands such as The Beach Boys who have concerts at nearby Penn's Landing. Food and beverage director David Cribbs discusses the signature summer bourbon drinks and martini cocktails namely the Mantini with rye, sweet vermouth and specialty bitters and fruit. The Hyatt hopes to introduce the New Concept Market to it's restaurants including Keatings River Grill featuring natural beef and cage free eggs. For more information visit www.pennslanding.hyatt.com  

Cooking Channel host Ching of 'Easy Chinese' joins Robin Milling to talk about her healthy recipes for traditional and gourmet Chinese meals. Ching, who spent her childhood in Taiwan living on her grandparent's farm tells Robin how observing her grandmother, a.k.a. 'The Mistress of the Wok,' prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for the extended family of 25 influenced her cooking. Ching says she really stood out with her exotic Bento box lunches she took to school which contained little rice parcels with pickles, salted duck egg and dried meats! Ching has come a long way since her first preparation of steamed sticky rice stuffed with braised pork belly, peanuts and shallots. She shares her essential ingredients and signature recipe for pearl pork dumplings, yummy! Ching has inspired even the most intimidated like Robin to take on Chinese cooking to 'Wok on!' For more of these recipes, check out Ching's cookbook 'Everyday Easy Chinese.' Watch Easy Chinese every Saturday @ 8:30 PM ET on the Cooking Channel or

Angela Bowie joins host Robin Milling to talk about her new book Lipstick Legends. The very candid and provocative ex of David Bowie speaks unabashedly about the early days of Glam Rock and how her friends used drag to express themselves when it wasn't fashionable. Angela recalls what it was like to be traveling through the world in the heady days of rock n' roll shaping Bowie's image and encouraging his success. She reveals why the marriage ended, dispels the myth about the song 'Angie,' and shares fantastic stories. Her next book Pop Sex explores sexuality through the ages. For more information visit www.angiebowie.net

'For Ellen' producer Jen Gatien joins host Robin Milling for a special conversation from The Lighthouse International Film Festival. Jen tells Robin how Paul Dano who recently starred in Being Flynn got so into his character's isolation that he would hang out at the local bar by himself, and retreat to his motel room. Jen talks about using her hometown of Cornwall, Ontario for some of the shooting locations and the perks that come along with that. She also reveals the downside of shooting in Canada in a post 911time, where one crew member was not allowed to enter the country. For Ellen will be released in New York September 5.    

Tyler A. Chase joins host Robin Milling for a talk back after a special screening of her film, a work in progress, Touched By Duse for acting students at William Esper Studios in New York.  An artist/filmmaker, Tyler discusses what inspired her to tell the story of Eleonora Duse, an actress in the late 1800s known as the mother of modern acting, who inspired Stanislavski to create 'The Method' style of acting. She tells Robin how she gathered followers such as Paul Sorvino and Ellen Burstyn who has an invaluable collection of her memorabilia. Tyler's next step is to take her crew to Italy, the hometown of Eleonara Duse to complete her story. She is also working on a two-film documentary project, A Castle in Brooklyn, King Arthur and the Serfdom of Kent about the preemptive forced eviction of artists from Brooklyn both at the Broken Angel building and 475 Kent. For more information visit http://www.touchedbyduse.com/

Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford graces the big screen in Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding. Chace joins host Robin Milling to discuss working with movie legend Jane Fonda, and newcomer Elizabeth Olsen. Chace, who plays an organic butcher in upstate, New York says it was a working vacation shooting the film near the idyllic countryside of Woodstock and New Paltz. Chace tells Robin he will miss his Gossip Girl friends when the show wraps this season, but will not miss constantly being under the radar. For future roles, he hopes to shoot a musical biopic some day like his Gossip co-star Penn Badgely, set to play Jeff Buckley. Peace, Love and MIsunderstanding opens in theaters nationwide June 8.

Actor, writer, director, and producer Michael Wolfe joins host Robin Milling to talk about his debut film, Maybe Tomorrow. The multi-talented Wolfe wrote the story tailor-made for his acting buddies of three friends who reunite after 15 years to explore a long-forgotten crime and cover-up that has affected the course of their lives. Wolfe, who's character snorts a line of cocaine from a 12-step brochure, tells Robin the energetic Vitamin B-12 which doubled for the white powder was so realistic that a rehab director at the film's location thought he was really hopped up! Michael jokes about filming the sex scene with his co-star Carolina Ravassa on top of a washing machine is not the most sexiest, but Michael Douglas would be impressed! A native of Long Island, Wolfe is very excited to show his film at the upcoming Hoboken Film Festival in New Jersey. For his sophomore project Wolfe wrote and will perform in I Love You, I'll Miss You, Goodbye, an intense and touching on-the-road comedy. For more information

Nathaniel Shaw, founder and Artistic Director of The Active Theater joins host Robin Milling on Memorial Day. Nathaniel talks about the provocative play Body Language which explores a woman's dark secret and how she comes to accept it. He tells Robin some of the scenes and nature of the piece can make audiences uncomfortable but that conversation is what fuels the mission statement of The Active Theater, now in it's fourth season; to move the audience. The son of modern dancers, Nathaniel began his career dancing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and tells Robin how his dance background came in handy when staging his theatrical productions. He also helmed such musical theater classics as Hair, A Chorus Line, Hairspray and Damn Yankees. Nathaniel is looking forward to celebrating The Active Theater's fourth season with a Spring Gala on June 4th He is hoping to bring productions of William Donnelly's No Wake, and the New York debut of Anna Ziegler's Variations On A Theme for season five. Body Language runs

Movie star, writer, director, and restauranteur Chazz Palminteri joins host Robin Milling to discuss his new film Mighty Fine. Chazz tells Robin he didn't have to look any further than his own Bronx upbringing to tap into his character's violent temper. Chazz witnessed a murder from the stoop of his childhood home, which years later would become the inspiration for his famous play and movie, A Bronx Tale. Chazz also talks about his upcoming projects which include hosting a writer's retreat, launching his own website, www.askchazz.com where you can ask him everything about the movie biz, and his next foray for the stage, Human. Chazz also hopes to expand his Bronx-themed restaurant aptly named for him from Baltimore to Las Vegas.