The Dining Table

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...

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...