The Dining Table

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 great street for dining. Manilow also shares his thou...

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 journey from childhood in the Middle East to exe...

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 the best possible sandwich at home. Plus, Manilow...

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 Briny Swine . Plus, the restaurateurs offer up a new...

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’s list of five favorites. La Catedral Cafe & Rest...

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 explains the inspiration for Petite Vie — his new resta...

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 spice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Se...

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're all spots "Where Dave Ate," too. Here's our list...

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 unforgettable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...

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 behind eight spicy chicken sandwich joints in the cit...

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 Michelin stars have been awarded, and Chicago has a n...

David's stops in this episode of "Where Dave Ate" included Schneider Deli , John's Food & Wine , and Lilac Tiger . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 facing cancer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com...

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 Chicago aren't in Chinatown. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

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's bringing to Fulton Market. Plus, in this episode...

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 U.S. locations in the next 20 years. Hosted by Si...

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 and aunt taught him about caretaking. Plus, Crain...

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, Crain’s Ally Marotti reports on why culinary touri...

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 hours to taste what the Kasama team is creating. Plus,...

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 suburbs. We'll also get a full dose of David Manilow'...

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 thriving in both. Plus, Crain’s Ally Marotti retu...

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 wine regions and the all-time greatest Champagne an...

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 Pullman neighborhood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWiz...

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 their mutual love for Lana Del Rey on the heels of L...

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 steakhouses. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com...