The Dining Table

Hosted by Crain's Audio Studio

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Episodes

167

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Crain’s Chicago Business presents The Dining Table with “Check Please!” creator, David Manilow. David tells the story of Chicago through the intimate stories that drive the business of food. You’ll savor the tales about what makes the unique Chicago food scene come to life and hear from those making it happen.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 25, 202623 min

Gibson’s takes on the West Loop

The Gibson’s Restaurant Group is making its move on the Fulton Market District. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Liz Lombardo Stark about her family’s Gibson Tavern concept, and why it will stand out in the West Loop. Stark shares their plans to expand to Nashville, as well as the challenges of her role as board chair for the Illinois Restaurant Association. You’ll also hear what it’s like working with her legendary father, Steve Lombardo, founder of Gibson’s. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 18, 202642 min

One of Chicago’s most unique Latin restaurants

Chef Omar Cadena’s restaurant is a celebration of his Chicago upbringing. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Cadena about how Omarcito’s Latin Cafe acquired the influences of Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Colombia and Puerto Rico. Plus, hear what it takes to be big on service, and what the chef's pet peeves are when it comes to dining out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 4, 202618 min

Chicago's top chefs share dining picks

Over the past several years, host David Manilow has heard from Chicago’s greatest chefs about where they go to dine. In this episode, hear those recommendations and what kind of hospitality is most appealing to them. Manilow has assembled suggestions from another list of award-winning chefs including John Manion, Hsing Chen, Doug Psaltis, Stephanie Hart, Oliver Poilevey and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 21, 202620 min

The challenges and rewards of a hidden gem

Chef Khalid Kamal grew up on a farm in Morocco near the Atlas Mountains. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Kamal about how he has created a sense of home with Shokran , his restaurant in Old Irving Park. Hear why his passion for sharing his native cuisine requires patience and persistence. Plus, Kamal shares how his connection to agriculture deepened his appreciation for food. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 7, 202656 min

How this chef juggles 3 menus daily

If a restaurant owner told host David Manilow they're planning to do one thing for breakfast at 7 a.m., another thing for lunch at noon, and a completely different thing for dinner at 7 p.m., he’d probably say they're doomed to fail. But, somehow, Daisies in Logan Square and its chef/owner Joe Frillman pull it off. In this episode, hear how Frillman makes it work, why he has a service charge at the end of the meal, plus the back story on his new bar/restaurant, The Radicle . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 23, 202625 min

The world-traveling chef who just won Chicago’s only James Beard Award

Feld’s Jake Potashnick was named Best Chef in the Great Lakes region by the James Beard Awards. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Potashnick about his journey cooking at fine dining spots all over the world, from Sweden to Japan. He returned home to Chicago to open Feld in West Town two years ago. Hear about this ambitious effort where dinner features a tasting menu of more than 30 courses. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 9, 202628 min

Is Chicago’s riverfront the city’s hottest new dining area?

A massive new Greek- and Levantine-influenced restaurant on the riverfront is without question one of the hottest reservations in Chicago. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with the owners of Naia , Luke Stoioff and David Rekhson of DineAmic Hospitality , who are also partners in spots such as Lyra, Fioretta and Siena Tavern. Hear why their vision for Naia on the Chicago River took more than a decade to complete. Plus, Stoioff and Rekhson share news about their newly re-opened steakhouse Prime & Provisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 26, 202626 min

The secrets behind this restaurateur's success

In addition to his thriving city restaurants such as DeNucci’s, Gemini and Sophia Steak, Ryan O’Donnell has significantly impacted high-end suburban dining around Chicago. In this episode, host David Manilow talks about this and more with the founder and CEO of Ballyhoo Hospitality . Hear how O’Donnell continues to learn and evolve as he opens Zenzi Den in Glenview. Plus, he’ll share his decision-making process for future projects and how he engages in the community with taste tests before officially opening. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 12, 202613 min

Why the Chicago restaurant community loves this spot

Host David Manilow has interviewed more than 150 chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and culinary entrepreneurs on this show. At the end of each conversation, he always asks about their favorite restaurant. There’s one Lincoln Park spot that stands alone with the most mentions. In this episode, you’ll hear why this one restaurant has earned love and respect from chefs Donnie Madia, Taryn Huebner, Zach Engel and others. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 28, 202622 min

What Oprah's longtime chef cooks now

On this week's episode, host David Manilow talks with Taryn Huebner, who was Oprah Winfrey's personal chef for more than a decade. Hear about her travels all over the world with Oprah, and how that led Huebner to create The Kismet Table , a gourmet market and kitchen in Lincoln Park. Plus, she’ll share some tips on what to get mom for Mother’s Day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.