Guy Fieri’s crew films Sarasota landmark for upcoming episode

By Jane Bartnett

The legendary Alpine Steakhouse & Butcher Shop hosted Food Network star Guy Fieri’s TV crew for a full day of interviews and behind-the-scenes filming Monday, April 13. The South Tamiami Trail steakhouse will be featured in an upcoming segment of Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Triple D Nation.”

On the show, the Food Network reports, “Guy Fieri is heading back to some of his favorite diners, drive-ins and dives to see how they’ve been doing since his first visit and to get a taste of the new and classic recipes they’re dishing out. Whether they’ve opened new locations, expanded their old ones or added to their menus, these DDD veterans are always pushing the boundaries of their culinary comfort zones.”

“It was quite a day,” said co-owner Matt Rebhan, who along with his father, Mark, runs the family business that has been a Sarasota landmark since opening in 1975. Everything is made from scratch at the steakhouse and butcher shop. Alpine is also home to the famous and complex turducken, a Cajun dish described on the company’s website as “involving a whole boneless turkey stuffed with a whole boneless chicken, a whole boneless duck and any mix of sausage and seasoned bread dressing.”

The normally quiet mid-April Monday, traditionally a day off for the restaurant’s staff, was filled with lights, cameras and action as Rebhan worked in the kitchen preparing Alpine’s chimichurri skirt steak, prime rib, German sausage sampler and clams oreganata.

“I’m super excited for all the improvements we’ve made in the meat market, the wine cellar and the revamped dining room,” Rebhan said after catching his breath, getting the restaurant back in working order and welcoming customers just hours after the all-day TV shoot was completed.

The Herald-Tribune reported that in 2007 Fieri first put the spotlight on Alpine Steakhouse for a Food Network segment called “Talkin’ Turkey.” The show aired in November of that year during the Food Network’s second year of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” In 2011, the network made a return trip to Alpine Steakhouse for season six.

Last month, on April 8, the father-and-son duo traveled to Tampa to meet with Fieri and his crew at The Boozy Pig restaurant, the Herald-Tribune reported. “We interviewed with him, brought some entrees, and he tasted, and we talked about it,” Rebhan was quoted as saying.

Following the on-site interview in Tampa, the groundwork was laid for the Food Network visit to Alpine Steakhouse a few days later.

The network refers to the man with the distinctive spiky hair as a “culinary rock star.” Chef Guy Fieri joined the Food Network in 2006.

Along with his top-rated “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “Triple D Nation,” Fieri also hosts “Guy’s Grocery Games” and has served as a guest judge on “Food Network Star,” formerly “The Next Food Network Star.” He also appears on “Tournament of Champions” and “Flavortown Food Fight.” His books Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip…with Recipes! (2008) and More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Another Drop-Top Culinary Cruise Through America’s Finest and Funkiest Joints (2009) both spent more than 12 weeks at No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list.

The slightly tired but very happy Rebhan said there has been no time for the busy Alpine Steakhouse & Butcher Shop staff to rest. Only days after the Food Network visit, the kitchen was buzzing and preparing to cater a large Saturday wedding. “Mother’s Day is coming, too,” he said. “The Alpine Steakhouse is a great place to bring mom all through the year. For those who want to cook out and have a party at home on Mother’s Day, our meat market has a great selection.”

For the past three consecutive years, Alpine Steakhouse has won the “Best Restaurant for Steak” Readers’ Choice award from Sarasota Magazine.

As of yet, no air date has been set for the show, but many Siesta Key and Sarasota fans will be tuning in to the Food Network to watch the Alpine Steakhouse on national television.

Visit Alpine Steakhouse at 4520 South Tamiami Trail. The restaurant and butcher shop-meat market is closed Sunday and Monday and open Tuesday through Saturday.

The butcher shop hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Alpine Steakhouse, Sarasota’s only old-fashioned restaurant and meat market, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner service runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Email alpinesteak@comcast.com or call 941-922-3797. Visit alpinesteak.com.