The Dining Table

Robert Cervantes traded a life working at some of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurants for global pursuits in the wine industry. In this episode, Cervantes talks with host David Manilow about why he’s returned to Chicago, as well as the craftsmanship behind his acclaimed wine bar Apero in Lincoln Square. Plus, hear how changes in drinking habits affect what he serves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For restaurant designers, the small touches are what make a space feel welcoming. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Aida Napoles about how she brought a vision inspired by childhood memories to Carnitas Uruapan in Little Village. You'll also hear how Napoles applies her instincts for residential design to help restaurants feel more like home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Claire Parlette is a server at the iconic French restaurant Le Bouchon in Bucktown, where she handles a packed house of diners every night. In this episode, host David Manilow talks to Parlette about her innovative project "Comedy and Caviar." Parlette is bringing the stand-up community together with restaurants to serve up new experiences. Plus, hear about Parlette’s journey to Chicago and how she was hooked on the hospitality industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Decades ago, Donnie Madia and his company One Off Hospitality helped define the West Loop with restaurants including Blackbird, avec, and The Publican. Now his remarkable instincts for style and atmosphere are hard at work transforming The Publican in ways that still honor its origins.In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Madia and Publican’s executive chef Rob Levitt about what’s new about their vision for hospitality. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re going to fill your plate with a multi-course conversation about the history of Chicago dining.In this episode, host David Manilow talks with food journalist Michael Gebert about his newly released book, "The Chicago Way: An Oral History of Chicago Dining." Hear the backstories on the pivotal players who have made an impact on the city’s dining scene from the 1960s through today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Without question, Chicago is known for our steakhouses. In fact, the past year boasted more new places for meat with a cultural twist. In this episode, Crain’s Ally Marotti joins host David Manilow for a conversation about the evolution of Chicago’s steakhouse scene.Plus, one relatively new spot is proving they're booming in the suburbs, too. Manilow talks with owners Gregg Horan and Bill Veremis about what's getting rave reviews at the Greggory in South Barrington. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Among the most anticipated restaurant openings this winter is a cozy, fire-driven spot tucked away on an Evanston side street. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with chef Tom Carlin and Rachel Canfora-Carlin — the husband and wife proprietors of Burl. Hear how their family move to Evanston inspired their new neighborhood restaurant. Plus, the couple shares the influence of their collective hospitality experience at the Boka Restaurant Group, Hogsalt Hospitality, Publican Quality Meats, Michelin-starred Galit and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chefs Zubair Mohajir and Rishi Kumar join host David Manilow to talk about the history of Indian and Mexican restaurants and how they fused them together at Mirra in Bucktown.Plus, hear about their unexpected Michelin Bib Gourmand nod, what makes Napa like Narnia, and why food is the best way to tell immigrant's stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chef Theo Gilbert may be working outside the grind of restaurant ownership, but he’s still cooking up a storm. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Gilbert about making homemade pasta in the window at the former Terragusto and his journey to creating pop-up dining experiences through Chicago Bite Club. Plus, hear how he got hooked on cooking all over the world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Michelin stars have been awarded for 2025, and Chicago now has 20 Michelin-starred restaurants.In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Michelin-honored chefs John Shields of Smyth, Genie Kwon & Tim Flores of Kasama, Indienne's Sujan Sarkar, and Feld's Jake Potashnick. Some of Chicago’s most-revered restaurateurs share what it takes to create bold menus and develop engaging service. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

During the past decade, Chicago hasn't had much of a deli culture — but now, the bagel shop boom has begun.In this episode, host David Manilow talks with chef Sam Zeitlin about his brand-new Zeitlin's Delicatessen on Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park. Hear about the intricacies of making the perfect bagel, the key ingredients to deli hospitality and what makes an authentic nosh. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host David Manilow is a huge fan of Ethiopian food. Spices including turmeric and cardamom are alluring, no doubt, but it's really the communal nature of Ethiopian dining that makes the meal special. In this episode, Manilow talks with chef Tigist Reda of Demera — an Ethiopian restaurant in Uptown — about her life in Chicago, how she became a revered cultural ambassador, and why you won’t need a fork to enjoy her food. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chefs in Chicago are often generous with their time and resources in supporting their neighborhoods. That collaborative spirit also defines the city's dining scene. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with chefs Tony Montuano, Arshiya Farheen, Cliff Rome, Lacey Irby, Bill Kim and more about their favorite Chicago restaurants that they can’t stop recommending. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jackie Jackson has plenty to say about mentoring. Her devotion to it is clear. In this episode, host David Manilow talks to Jackson about her journey of perseverance and the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur and mentor to young employees at her eight Chicago-area Kilwin’s candy and ice cream franchises. Hear about her devotion to quality and why the little things mean a lot to her. Jackson was also named the 2024 Illinois Small Business Administration’s Person of the Year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In his youth, host David Manilow sampled a lot of sushi restaurants. Eventually he would tell sushi chefs to surprise him, even before omakase — a Japanese term that means "I’ll leave it up to you" — was all the rage around Chicago. Now, there's a new omakase spot everywhere you turn. In this episode, Manilow talks with Mari Katsumura and Adam Sindler, who just opened a new restaurant in Old Town called Shō. You’ll hear how they combine Japanese heritage with whimsical plating and inventive flavor combinations for a whole new experience. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Quality bakeries have been popping up all over Chicago. There's Fat Peach in Bridgeport, Sugar Moon in Logan Square and Umaga Bakehouse on the Northwest Side, to name a few that have popped up over the past few years.In this episode, host David Manilow talks with chef Arshiya Farheen of Verzênay, a French patisserie and cafe in Lincoln Park, about her journey to bring a slice of Paris to Chicago and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host David Manilow has been running around town and trying a whole bunch of restaurants. In this episode, Manilow shares some that he can’t wait to get back to — and at least one stop where he’s one and done. Hear about his experiences at Cellar Door Provisions, Maxwell’s Trading, Nic + Junior’s, Piccolo Sogno and S.K.Y. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.