Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/455266
50 / the tasting panel / january/february 2015 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH FRED DAME Fred Dame, MS (left) is VP/Prestige Accounts for American Wine & Spirits (a division of SWS of CA); here he is pictured with Ted Balestreri and Bert Cutino at The Sardine Factory. A Conversation with Ted Balestreri & Bert Cutino CO-OWNERS, THE SARDINE FACTORY, MONTEREY, CA photos by Alex Rubin Fred Dame: Here we are in the legendary Sardine Factory on Monterey's Cannery Row. Hmmm . . . I remember bussing these tables. It seems a smaller room now! I first started with you in 1972 and the restaurant was already five years old. What made you decide on fine dining? Ted Balestreri: Well, we always loved the great establishments of San Francisco: Ernie's, Doro's, L'Etoile and The Blue Fox. Bert and I decided that was the path we wanted to follow. And look, today we're the only ones left!