The Dining Table

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’s Ally Marotti reports on the evolution of resta...

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 too many American restaurants are skipping. Plus,...

Ballyhoo Hospitality's Ryan O’Donnell just opened another restaurant in Lincoln Park, but his biggest splash may be in the suburbs. In this episode, host David Manilow talks to O’Donnell about the difference between diners in the city and suburbs, as well as his dramatic shift from the life of a chef to the front of the house. Plus, you’ll hear about the Manilow family’s recent food adventures in...

What happens after one of the most prominent restaurant families in Mexico City chooses Chicago for its newest concepts? In this episode, David Manilow talks to Germán González, managing partner of SOMOS Hospitality Group, about the road to the upcoming River North restaurant UMMO, his follow-up with Chef Carlos Gaytán to their hit spot, Tzuco. González also discusses why customers enjoy seeing "f...

Chef Oliver Poilevey is celebrating 30 years of Le Bouchon in Bucktown. In this episode, Poilevey shares the secret to maintaining his father’s legacy of classic French bistro food. David Manilow also wants to know how Oliver’s newest restaurant, Obelix, became one of the hottest places in town. Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on a turn of the 20th century French cafe that’s coming to the West...

They’ve created Fioretta, Bar Siena, and Lyra — but the braintrust behind DineAmic Hospitality are still just getting started. David Manilow talks with partners Luke Stoioff and David Rekhson about the secrets to their success, and why one of them was fired from his first job in the food business. Plus Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on the ever-shifting balance of power between McDonald’s and its fr...

In this week's episode, Lamar Moore talks about taking the reins at Bronzeville Winery, with a mission to mentor the next generation of chefs using his grandmothers’ secrets for hospitality. As the new executive chef, Moore has created a vegetable-forward menu with soul. Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on a tasty hotspot that is headed to the North Shore, and Marotti and Manilow spotlight the n...

In this episode, chef Tony Priolo shares his journey to Poland’s border with Ukraine and his experience cooking for refugees. Manilow also uncovers Priolo's path to launching a restaurant of his own — and whether Priolo was tempted to leave Chicago. Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on the James Beard Awards, and we'll hear from Chicago winners Damarr Brown, Genie Kwon and Tim Flores. Hosted by S...

It's James Beard Week in Chicago, and we have a preview of the biggest upcoming events. David Manilow also chats with Kris Moon, the James Beard Foundation's president and COO, about the group's transformation and what it aspires to, as well as its impact on Chicago. Plus, it’s "pop-up" season, and Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on the Malibu Barbie Cafe — a pop-up dining experience from Chicago-fou...

Nearly a decade ago, Maya-Camille Broussard started Chicago-based bakery "Justice of the Pies." Since then, she has become a star on the Netflix show "Bake Squad" and has a teaching kitchen in the Avalon Park neighborhood. In this week's episode, Broussard opens up with David Manilow on why she's now more competitive with her family, even more so than she ever was on television. Plus, Crain’s Ally...

Chicago’s restaurant scene is booming again. In this episode, David Manilow covers the openings of Miru, The Bellevue, Fioretta, and Smoque Steak. And Manilow speaks with Barry Sorkin, the owner of barbecue smash hit Smoque, who is opening the doors on a new steakhouse concept under the Smoque banner. Plus, Crain's Ally Marotti reports on the long-awaited restaurants from Lettuce Entertain You Ent...

Chicago’s Boka Restaurant Group has parted ways with famed Chef Daniel Rose. Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on his departure from Le Select just four months after the restaurant opened. Plus, Vermillion’s Rohini Dey has a lot to say, including why Indian food is misunderstood. Dey is also well-known for giving Indian food a Latin twist. In this episode, she shares her next innovation with David Mani...

In this episode, we delve into the Fulton Market dining trend, which is continuing with a new event space from Avli Restaurant Group. Crain's Ally Marotti also reports on the arrival to the neighborhood of a smoothie spot that's beloved by celebs including Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner. And David Manilow chats with chef Steve Chiappetti about suburban restaurant recommendations that really deliv...

It's time to learn about the legend — and the allure — of Chicago’s most controversial liqueur. In this episode the CEO of CH Distillery, Tremaine Atkinson, talks about how he recently acquired the 1930s brand and shares his battle with the Malört recipe. Plus, Ally Marotti reports from the Crain’s newsroom on changes at McDonald’s, including the return of a nostalgic character for the Chicago-bas...

For decades, one Chicago restaurant has ruled romance. Jeff Lawler, the owner of fondue restaurant Geja’s Cafe, even has a playbook for orchestrating marriage proposals. But fondue wasn’t always the magic potion. In this episode, David Manilow uncovers how fondue became an attraction and why it may be even more alluring nowadays. Lawler also shares what was once his favorite romantic restaurant. P...

On the latest episode, Crain’s Ally Marotti joins David Manilow to report on the integration of ChatGPT with the booking app OpenTable. Is this futuristic version of the restaurant world ready for primetime? How do chefs and owners, as well as their customers, benefit? Plus, Manilow debates with food journalist Ashok Selvam about what Chicago restaurants are known for now. Selvam is the editor of...

Husband-and-wife duo Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen are bringing the grill houses of San Sebastian, Spain, to River North. In this episode, they share why their new creation also pays homage to Chicago’s chophouses. David Manilow also taps into their recommendations for brick-oven pizza, as well as a do-it-yourself spicy chicken experience. Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on the Guinness brewpub t...

In this episode, David Manilow spotlights the just-announced James Beard Award finalists from Chicago with Ally Marotti from the Crain’s newsroom. Plus, a new book — "Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites" — looks into the stories behind classic dishes made here. Authors Monica Eng and David Hammond share their favorite spots for tacos, and our host also offers his own choices fo...

The Morton family has been in the restaurant business for four generations, with steakhouses, Hard Rock Cafes, burger bars and now Amy Morton's latest, the French-Moroccan spot LeTour in Evanston. In this episode, we talk to her about growing up in the family business, as well as recommendations from her and David Manilow with some hidden spots for unforgettable Korean comfort food in the northwes...

In this episode, we are highlighting personal stories — that bring both tears and laughter — from Chef Joe Flamm and restaurateur Kevin Boehm. Additionally, David Manilow chats with Rachel Rischall and Liz Grossman, the co-founders of "Between Bites," which uses food storytelling to raise money for charitable organizations. Manilow gets to the heart of why Rischall and Grossman created their story...

On this week's episode, David Manilow and Chef Scott Harris — of Francesca’s fame — serve up recommendations for three classic seafood spots they love. Even though he now has 26 restaurants, Harris is hooked on the oysters at the same Near North Side spot he's been going to for decades. Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on the reopening of a hot spot for the City Hall crowd and other Loop politic...

On this week's episode, David Manilow talks about an eye-opening experience during a festive downtown solo happy hour crawl. Then, from the Crain's newsroom, Ally Marotti reports on the business of beer and what craft brewers want most from Illinois lawmakers. She also shares the story of a downstate micro-brewery that forages on their own property for ingredients. Plus, Manilow talks with attorne...

Digital creator Soo Park is in the influencer game. She works to motivate foodies to check out spots around the city with her posts on Fab Food Chicago. But what’s the secret sauce? In this episode, David Manilow chats with Park about influencers and their impact on the restaurant business. Plus, Ally Marotti reports from the Crain’s newsroom on the dining concepts that seem to be working after th...

Bruce Finkelman has helped build an empire of food and music venues that have entertained millions of Chicagoans. From the Empty Bottle to Longman & Eagle to Thalia Hall, Finkelman has married his passion for food and music throughout the city along with his longtime business partner Craig Golden. The Salt Shed, his biggest venture yet, begins indoor concerts this week. During his chat with David...

Chicago's preeminent "dough-boy" is Rich Labriola—from artisan breads to pizza and doughnuts. In this episode, Labriola reveals why it took two years for his collaboration with Stan’s Doughnuts to fully bake and we learn about the bread-making class that changed his life. Ally Marotti from the Crain's newsroom also stops by with a story about cannabis and cupcakes making waves in Wheeling. Plus, o...