The Dining Table

Latest Episodes:

Chicago’s new upscale Italian with chef Evan Funke Mar 20, 2024

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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 tells us why he thinks the movie and restaurant industries were both poised to outlast the pandemic.

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Designing restaurant experiences with Nicole Alexander Mar 13, 2024

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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 learn how to create an unforgettable vibe.

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Great thin crust pizza around Chicago with Richie Farina Mar 06, 2024

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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 style into the menu.

Plus, Farina explains how — as a native Floridian — he went from ice carver to chef.

Here's David Manilow's list of recommended stops for thin pizza:

Jimmy's Pizza-2434 W. Montrose Ave
Vito & Nick's Pizzeria-8433 S Pulaski Road
Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana-3719 N. Harlem Ave
Michael's Pizza-4901 N. Broadway
Bunagalow by Middle Brow-2840 W. Armitage Ave
Kim's Uncle Pizza-207 N. Cass Ave, Westmont

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The future of food and cannabis Feb 28, 2024

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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 the nation.

Plus, Weiner has a lot to say about Chicago's phaseout of the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers.

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A new way to think about dining with Erling Wu-Bower Feb 21, 2024

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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 and growing up as a "city kid" in Chicago, as well as how the legendary Rick Bayless became his mentor.

Plus, host David Manilow shares his favorite food experience of the year so far.

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Uniting fine dining with barbecue Feb 14, 2024

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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, but the odds were against them surviving the pandemic.

Plus, we’ll hear how restaurateurs got through the COVID era and why they’re expanding in their current space in an abandoned Evanston bus depot.

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Chicago's most-unique tasting menu with Lawrence Letrero Feb 07, 2024

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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 combined cultures to the Ravenswood neighborhood in 2018. Now, they are dreaming up a second location down the street.

Plus, Manilow and Letrero bond over their shared love of an irresistible Cuban dog breed.

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The best dining streets in Chicago Jan 31, 2024

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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 thoughts on the recent Jean Banchet Awards.
Here's David's top 3 streets for dining:
18th Street in Pilsen - Carnitas Uruapan, Don Pedro Carnitas, S.K.Y., Rubi's on 18th, HaiSous, Pilsen Yards, Cafe Jumping Bean, The Alderman, and Honky Tonk BBQ.

Chicago Avenue - Jeong, JJ Thai, Lao Peng You, Kai Zan, and Feld.

1700-2100 North Lincoln Avenue - Alinea, Boka, Summer House Santa Monica, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, John's Food and Wine, and Blue Door Farm Stand.

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The mystique of Chicago’s private clubs with Rafat Alzein Jan 24, 2024

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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 executive chef at one of Chicago’s best-known private clubs.

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The art of the sandwich with Chris Cunningham Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

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 settles a debate: "Is a hot dog a sandwich?"
Remember, Chicago Restaurant Week is January 19-February 4 with over 400 restaurants participating.

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