Checking in with...Shelly Register:

Director McG (“Charlie’s Angels”) was in town recently touting “Terminator Salvation” so that got me to thinking about his A Restaurant in Newport Beach and the next-door A Market. McG’s a little busy so who better to check in with this week than A Market Culinary Director Shelly Register.

Tell us about A Market.

We are an artisan gourmet market and eatery. We offer coffee, espresso drinks, a light breakfast, sandwiches, salads, fresh soups made daily, catering as well as hand-selected specialty foods, beer, wine, and liquor. Something we don’t talk much about is we are always striving to be greener. All of our disposables are either compostable or recyclable, with the exception of the straws. The development of the market has been and continues to be sort of an organic process. The staff, with the support of the owners and investors, works hard every day to earn a spot in the community.

How’s business been? Are you weathering the economy OK?

This economy is tough. Things could always be better but it’s picking up. I feel lucky to be in a community that’s so generous and supportive.

So, I hear you sell genuine Chicago hot dogs. I’m from Chicago and I get teased a lot about loving everything Windy City (well, except for the White Sox, of course), so tell everyone what’s so special about a Chicago dog vs. say, a Dodger dog?

Our Chicago dog is not technically correct. The frank is all-pork with natural casing made by Bobak Sausage Company based in Chicago. We split it and grill it. The “works” include mustard, ketchup, red onion, relish and sauerkraut.

A true Chicago dog is all-beef with natural casing on a poppy seed bun garnished with mustard, onions, toxic green sweet relish, a pickle spear, tomato, and serrano “sport” peppers.

A Dodger dog is simply a foot-long ballpark frank on a steamed bun.

We are not even close to resembling either, but trust me: It won’t disappoint.

If McG walked in and said, “I need a sandwich. What do you suggest?” What would you recommend?

Right now he is in Europe promoting his new movie “Terminator Salvation.” I imagine he’s getting fairly homesick so probably something very American like our BLTA and then I would charge him three times the price. Thank you, Terminator!

You sell a lot of gourmet cheese, too, I understand. What else do you have that’s unique or special for sale?

We also have heat-at-home entrees and sides. We suspended our home-meal-replacement program for a few weeks but it’s back in full effect. Some of our more popular items are whole roasted Jidori chicken, Vintage Natural pot roast, Jidori chicken enchiladas, and creamed corn. Our special summer promotion is burgers, buns and fixings: four ‘A’ special-blend sirloin patties, four Brioche buns, Tillamook cheddar, house-made pickles, and Thousand Island dressing for $24.

So, one of your passions is ballroom dancing. If you were on “Dancing with the Stars” who would be your celebrity partner and why?

I have to go with the laugh-out-loud funny Seth Rogen. When taking ballroom lessons, I have discovered, it helps to have a healthy sense of humor.