In this week’s episode, host David Manilow takes listeners to an ethereal space with complex cocktails and food. He unravels the mystery of a new cocktail restaurant in River North alongside its founders Chireal Jordan and Brian Galati. Their new creation, Dearly Beloved, relies heavily on the element of surprise — and, during this conversation, Ma…

Nothing goes better with dinner at home than movies and TV shows that make your mouth water. In this week’s episode, David Manilow gives listeners his picks for five foodie films that will make you think — and drive your hunger at the same time. Our host also shares his three favorite episodes from the latest season of "The Bear."Plus, restaurant r…

Chef Jake Potashnick has cooked at fine dining spots all over the world from Sweden to Japan. His journey has led him back home to Chicago to open up his own restaurant in West Town. It’s an ambitious effort where dinner will feature a tasting menu of more than 30 courses.Potashnick joins David Manilow in this episode to talk about Feld, one of the…

Food entrepreneur and Chicago native Erica Bethe Levin is on a mission to expand kids' palates. That's why she founded the Globowl baby food company. In this episode, she talks about how her passion led her to a spot on the current season of "Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars."Plus, host David Manilow wants to know: Are food reality TV shows real or manip…

In the era of finding the newest and hippest spot, host David Manilow says Lula Cafe in Logan Square has created a restaurant standard that shouldn't be missed. And this week, chef Jason Hammel and his team at the nearly 25-year-old eatery won the James Beard Award for Best Hospitality.In this episode, Hammel talks to Manilow about his restaurant p…

It’s the first episode of the month and that means it’s time for Where Dave Ate. Host David Manilow shares his recent dining experiences at two very different spots: Briny Swine, which serves low-country Carolina-style barbecue in Lincoln Park, and Tre Dita, the high-end Tuscan dining at the St. Regis Chicago. Both restaurants recently opened, and …

David Manilow is a big believer that restaurants should provide diners with a simple feeling: They really want you to dine there. In this episode, our host has a conversation with the restaurateur he believes may be the best host in the city of Chicago. Listen in for some sage advice on service from Dave Bonomi, owner of Coalfire Pizza and Peanut P…

Where do you take Europeans to show off Chicago? It's time to board the food tour given by David Manilow to three guests from the Netherlands.In this episode, Hans Steenbergen of Food Inspiration Magazine recaps and reviews his recent Chicago foodie adventure, led by our host. Plus, our Dutch guest rates his ride on an architectural boat tour.…

This week’s episode searches for the answer to the question: “Does Chicago have the best taco scene in the U.S.?”Host David Manilow is joined by chef Stephen Sandoval and hospitality entrepreneur Oscar Sotelo to debate just that. The two are co-owners of the Baja-inspired Diego restaurant in West Town — but their opinions are very different. The pa…

Star chef Avgeria Stapaki came to Chicago four years ago from Greece to open up Nisos Prime in the West Loop. Now she’s moved on to Bucktown with Tama. In this episode, the chef describes how she hopes to bring the finest European-style hospitality to Chicago.Plus, Stapaki explains why she doesn’t want her menu to be limited to her Mediterranean ro…

We open the month of May with another edition of "Where Dave Ate" — as host David Manilow eats his way from Lakeview to Chinatown. In this episode, hear Manilow's recommendations for small spaces with big flavors. The journey includes Thai street food and one of the best egg sandwiches he's ever tasted. David's recommendations from this episode are…

How did a multigenerational family-run store in Little Village become one of the nation's biggest sellers of tequila? Host David Manilow gets the full story with Mike Moreno Jr. of Moreno’s Liquors in Little Village. Moreno shares the secret for patrons aiming to discover the more than 900 different types of tequila on his store shelves.Plus, you’l…

Sujan Sarkar is one of two Chicago chefs who are finalists for this year's James Beard award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Sarkar about the Indian dining scene in the city, what it's been like to cook all over the world and where he likes to dine out.Plus, Manilow talks with chef Sarkar abou…

By some accounts, chef Sarah Stegner is one of Chicago's most unheralded culinary creators and connectors. She's raised millions of dollars as co-founder of three food-related nonprofits. In this episode, Stegner shares the success stories behind Green City Market, Chicago Chefs Cook, and the Abundance Setting.Plus, Stegner is also co-owner of Prai…

Coffee led the way to our April edition of "Where Dave Ate." In this episode, David Manilow visits with Artur Yuzvik, co-owner of Soloway Coffee in Lincoln Park. Artur and his wife, Iryna Yuzvik, opened their Ukrainian cafe on Lincoln Avenue just 13 months after moving to the U.S. from Ukraine. Manilow talks with Yuzvik about Chicago’s Ukrainian re…

A hot new spot is disrupting the status quo when it comes to service in restaurants. Host David Manilow talks with the owners of John’s Food & Wine in Lincoln Park about whether other eateries will follow their lead. There may be a learning curve for customers, but Manilow’s guests contend "limited service" is a necessity in order to create a susta…

Widely acclaimed for his handmade pastas, chef Evan Funke has just opened Tre Dita in the St. Regis Chicago Hotel. In this episode, David Manilow talks with Funke about this upscale Italian concept, while Funke describes what he’s learned from his longtime collaboration with Rich Melman and the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group. Plus, Funke te…

Have you ever walked into a restaurant or bar and immediately said, "I love this place?" There's a lot that goes into creating a restaurant’s layout, color scheme, flow and even its sound. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Nicole Alexander, one of Chicago’s top designers and the founder of Siren Betty Design. Go behind the curtain to l…

It’s our first episode of March, and that means the latest edition of "Where Dave Ate." This month, David Manilow explores the best thin crust pizza around Chicago with chef Richie Farina from Adorn Bar & Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel. Manilow talks with Farina about the evolution of hotel restaurants and how he integrates his whimsical styl…

One of Chicago’s most prolific restaurateurs joins the show to share how cannabis figures prominently in his future growth plans. Scott Weiner is co-founder of the Fifty/50 Group, which owns or manages 19 establishments and expanded to include dispensaries in 2023. Weiner also compares the city's restaurant community with other major cities across …

After his successes at Avec, Publican, Nico Osteria and Pacific Standard Time, Chef Erling Wu-Bower has opened Maxwells Trading in the West Loop. In this week's episode, Wu-Bower calls it intimately American — and says fusion is the wrong word for the style of food at his new spot. Learn how he gathered the deep influences of Europe, New Orleans an…

Can fine dining be combined with barbecue? The answer lies somewhere in David Manilow’s conversation with chefs Heather Bublick and D’Andre Carter. The creators of Soul & Smoke are partners in life and business, with restaurant locations in Evanston and Avondale. The couple has served hundreds of thousands of community meals for families in need, b…

One of the city's fusion restaurants has just made a big upgrade. Bayan Ko — which translates to "my country" — now has a five-course tasting menu. During this episode, David Manilow tracks the evolution of Chef Lawrence Letrero’s fusion of Filipino and Cuban cuisine. While Letrero’s menu is new, he and Raquel Quadreny first introduced their combin…

We welcome February with our latest edition of "Where Dave Ate." Hear host David Manilow’s recommendations for the best streets in Chicago for dining, which include some of Chicago’s newest spots as well as a legacy restaurant that’s been around nearly 40 years.Plus, one thriving restaurateur makes a prediction on what is likely to be the next grea…

Chicago has a myriad of private clubs, some exclusive and some not so much. Do they deliver the same experience as your favorite restaurant? In this episode, David Manilow talks with Rafat Alzein, who is the executive chef at the University Club of Chicago, about his steps to make the “club” experience even better. Plus, Alzein shares his emotional…

In this episode, David Manilow visits with one of his favorite sandwich makers. Chris Cunningham is the creator of J.T.’s Sandwich Shop in Irving Park, which features a menu inspired by the pork tenderloin sandwiches he grew up eating in western Illinois. Learn the art of the sandwich, what exactly makes a great sandwich and the top tips for making…

Have you ever wondered what it's like to open a restaurant in Chicago — especially for someone from out of town? In this episode, David Manilow learns the mom-and-pop adventure of Katherine and Brandon Rushing. The South Carolina couple share the joy and struggle they've experienced in working to open a new barbecue joint in Lincoln Park called Bri…

Over the last year, we tracked our host David Manilow around town. He dined at more than 200 restaurants, delis, pubs, taco stands, diners, coffeehouses and more. As the new year begins, we look at his top "Where Dave Ate" spots of 2023. Plus, Manilow reveals the big reasons he can’t wait to see what the industry has in store for 2024. Here’s David…

Paul Virant is executive chef and owner of Vie, Vistro Prime and Gaijin, Chicago’s first okonomiyaki restaurant. Virant opened Gaijin in 2019, serving the savory Japanese pancakes born on the streets of Hiroshima and Osaka. In this episode, David Manilow learns all about Virant’s recent trip to Osaka with World Business Chicago. Plus, Virant explai…

We’re serving up a conversation about soups, stews and gumbo in host David Manilow's search for cold weather comfort. In this episode, chef Darnell Reed of Luella's Southern Kitchen shares the stories behind the recipes his great-grandmother brought to Chicago from Mississippi. Plus, Reed talks about why Lincoln Square is a neighborhood with real s…

We are kicking off December with a special edition full of recommendations from some of the most revered names in Chicago's dining scene, including Kasama’s Genie Kwan and Tim Flores, Bronzeville Winery’s Lamar Moore, Mindy Segal of Mindy’s Bakery and more. Plus, don't miss ideas for holiday dining options in neighborhoods all over Chicago — they'r…

Chef John Shields of Smyth and The Loyalist explains how he found the joy of becoming a 3-star Michelin chef soon gave way to the pressure of expectations. In this episode, Shields also shares what he thinks it may take to become a 4-star restaurant.Plus, David Manilow has a special guest who explains why the burgers at The Loyalist are unforgettab…

If you've ever thought you had a great idea for a restaurant chain, you'll want to hear the adventures of Joe Fontana. In this episode, David Manilow talks with Fontana, the creator of Fry the Coop.While living in California, Fontana discovered an obsession with Nashville hot chicken. Now, the Chicago native is back home, and is the mastermind behi…

Meet the creators at one of the only new Chicago restaurants that is being praised nationally. In this episode, David Manilow visits with Margaret Pak and Vinod Kalathil, the chef and owners of Thattu. The couple has brought southwest Indian coastal cuisine to Avondale, inspired by the handwritten recipes of Kalathil's mother.Plus, this year’s Mich…

David's stops in this episode of "Where Dave Ate" included Schneider Deli, John's Food & Wine, and Lilac Tiger.By Tim Simpson

Chicago’s culinary community is renowned for philanthropy. Courtney Johnson is the founder of Culinary Care and has seen the generosity of restaurateurs first hand. She explains to Manilow why chefs connect with life’s most difficult challenges.Plus, Johnson shares the details of what she describes as a 25-course tasting menu to benefit families fa…

America's Test Kitchen's Kevin Pang and his dad, Jeffrey Pang, star in the YouTube cooking series "Hunger Pangs" — and they’ve teamed up to write the soon-to-be released "A Very Chinese Cookbook." In this episode, Kevin shares how recipes can be easy, but remain authentic.Plus, Kevin tells David Manilow why his favorite Chinese restaurants in Chica…

From Greektown to the North Shore, restaurateur Louie Alexakis has found inspiration from his days on Chicago’s improv stages with the likes of Chris Farley and Mike Myers. After growing his ownership to six restaurants, Alexakis is aiming to next make a splash in the West Loop. He shares details with David Manilow on the two new Greek concepts he'…

We open a new month with the latest edition of Where Dave Ate. In this episode, David Manilow explores Chicago’s hidden steakhouses, with a tasty trip through a trio of neighborhoods: Pilsen, Ukrainian Village, and Avondale.Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on Portillo’s lofty expansion goals. Hear how the company plans to expand to more than 900 …

Donnie Madia of One Off Hospitality is one of the biggest stars on Chicago’s culinary scene. Now, he’s also getting his star turn on "The Bear." The James Beard Award winner’s list of iconic restaurants include The Publican, avec and Big Star, among others. In this episode, he opens up to David Manilow about humility, creativity and what his mother…

Confectioner Katherine Duncan wants to make Chicago work better for its small business owners — especially in the food sector. The award-winning chocolatier has a menu full of ideas for Brandon Johnson's administration. In this episode, Duncan also gives a history lesson on truffles and tells Manilow why her hot chocolate is a secret weapon.Plus, C…

Kasama means "together" — and that’s how chefs Genie Kwon and Tim Flores have earned their Michelin star. Not to mention their unlikely pairing of a bakery with a fine dining Filipino restaurant also earned them this year’s James Beard award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region. In this episode, we learn why diners are waiting more than two hour…

We start September with another edition of "Where Dave Ate" — listen in for David Manilow's monthly restaurant recommendations. In this episode, that includes Po' boys created by a James Beard Award-winning chef and a Logan Square pop-up restaurant.Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on how hybrid work has influenced restaurant expansion in the subu…

In this episode, we delve into insights from a Chicagoan who became a restaurant owner at 19. George Archos, the founder and CEO of Verano Holdings, recently opened a new restaurant on the Magnificent Mile and shares why its still the place to be. We also learn what restaurants and cannabis have in common — and David Manilow finds out how Archos is…

In this episode, Crain's Ally Marotti reports on an "upscale dive bar" in River North that’s uncorking rare wines. Some of the vintages date back to the 19th century and can cost hundreds of dollars per glass.Plus, David Manilow chats with sommelier Philippe André about what to drink this fall and beyond. André also shares his list of unheralded wi…

What if nature dictated your menu? In this episode, Manilow chats with chef Brian Jupiter about the frontier for culinary adventure. The James Beard Award semifinalist also shares the story of his bold entrance into Chicago's fine dining scene as a 22 year old.Plus, Crain's Ally Marotti reports on why Chick-fil-A is betting on the South Side’s Pull…

We’re back with a new edition of “What Dave Ate” — including three of Manilow’s favorites in the West Loop. That includes one spot he says will impress out-of-town visitors, whether they’re from New York, Cincinnati or Rome.Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on the future of franchising for Protein Bar. Additionally, Marotti and Manilow profess the…

In this episode, we learn how childhood trips to Israel fed chef Zach Engel’s vision for an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in Chicago. The James Beard Award-winner also shares what he’s doing to give his team at Galit their own creative outlet.Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti returns to The Dining Table to report on the "modernization" of Chicago's …

Master sommelier Alpana Singh talks about her life before, during, and after hosting "Check, Please!" with host David Manilow, who was the creator and executive producer for the longtime show. Singh also shares which local chef she thinks is a genius, and Manilow wants to know if anyone ever dares to bring her a bottle of wine as a gift.Plus, Crain…

Before opening the perennially packed Mindy’s Bakery, chef Mindy Segal wowed diners with her pastries at Chicago’s finest restaurants including Charlie Trotter’s, Ambria, MK and her own Mindy’s Hot Chocolate. She’s also a pioneer in the world of cannabis-infused edibles. On the latest episode, the James Beard-award winner talks about the ingredient…