In some bygone era, 14-year-old Kevin Hickey was prepping jello shots and making burgers at his uncle’s bar in the Gold Coast. Now he has a Michelin star under his belt. In this episode, David Manilow tracks Hickey’s 35-year history in the Chicago restaurant biz — a trek from Rush and Division streets to his days as executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel. Plus, learn why he returned home to Bridgeport 10 years ago to open The Duck Inn.

Chicago and its suburbs have stepped up their bakery game over the past few years, and high standards are driving a new era of fresh baked goods. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with the founders of Hewn in Evanston to uncover their biggest challenges in sourcing local ingredients and creating artisanal products. Plus, learn how Hewn was born out of an "underground bread club."

In this new month's edition of "Where Dave Ate," our host explores the Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant Mirra. It’s at Armitage and Damen avenues, around the corner from restaurants including Le Bouchon, TAMA and Pompette. Why is Mirra such a hot destination right now — and is it the right spot for you? Manilow answers these questions and more.

Chicago is filled with world-class chefs and restaurateurs — and there’s yet another group with amazing palates as well.In this episode, host David Manilow gets recommendations from experts in the worlds of wine, whiskey, beer, cocktails and even Malört on where they go to eat and drink. Hear from master sommelier Alpana Singh, cicerone Ray Daniels, tequila connoisseur Mike Moreno Jr. and more.

Gene & Georgetti is Chicago’s oldest steakhouse — founded in 1941 — and is now run by founder Gene Michelotti’s granddaughter, Michelle Durpetti. So what’s the secret to the Tuscan steakhouse keeping it "in the family" for over eight decades? In this episode, David Manilow talks to Durpetti about what it takes to lead an old-school restaurant into the future. Hear about what traditions remain — and what’s next for the business.

What's the special sauce used to produce huge food events, such as Chicago Gourmet? In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Jodi Fyfe, the founder and CEO of Paramount Group — one of Chicago’s biggest caterers with almost 600 employees. Plus, we're chatting about the tricks you can use to plan an event — whether big or small — of your own. How do you decide who to hire and what to serve?

In 1989, restaurateur Steve Lombardo, along with his business partner Hugo Ralli, opened a steakhouse on Rush Street and called it Gibsons. In this episode, we learn what's changed in the past 35 years and how this Chicago icon got past its early struggles — growing to more than a dozen locations. Its original location is now one of the top grossing restaurants in the U.S. David Manilow uncovers business survival secrets with co-founder Lombardo, CEO Steve Lombardo III, and Director of Marketing Liz Lombardo Stark. Hear about their expansion to Fulton Market, plans for more growth outside Chicago and how Gibsons helped feed the Bulls' NBA dynasty.

There's a trend surfacing of Chicago restaurants chasing a retro or throwback vibe. In this episode, on our October edition of “Where Dave Ate,” we’ll share host David Manilow’s experiences at four new spots that have the feel of a speakeasy or supper club. Plus, Manilow reports on the surprising number of Michelin-starred restaurants that have closed in just the past three years.

We always make sure to ask where the renowned Chicago chefs who chat with us like to eat on their days off. While some recommend upscale and well-known restaurants, many also share their favorite hidden gems. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with eight chefs who divulge their favorite dining spots that are off the beaten path.

The award-winning Calumet Fisheries is nearly 100 years old — and it's making a comeback after reopening in June following a fire that forced its closure for six months. Mark Kotlick, co-owner of Calumet Fisheries on the South Side, talks on the latest episode about how he’s been able to keep the iconic smoked fish shack feeling genuine. Plus, David Manilow describes why eating from the restaurant just off the 95th Street Bridge is unforgettable.

Nearly a decade ago, chef Thai Dang dealt with a scandal involving one of the city's hottest restaurants at the time. Dang, the chef at the now-closed Embeya, lost out after the former owner of the West Loop hotspot misappropriated funds before fleeing the county and later pleading guilty to wire fraud.In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Dang about how he bounced back from the saga and managed to later open HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen. Plus, he’ll share the story of a new River North partnership with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

It’s our first episode of a new month — and that means another edition of "Where Dave Ate." Host David Manilow shares his experience at Lula Cafe’s recent "25 for 25" event, during which 25 legendary chefs came together to raise money for five different charities.Plus, this fall is loaded with food events, including the upcoming Chicago Gourmet, a 25th anniversary event for Green City Market and the "Eat & Evolve" fundraiser from Chef Sebastian White.

While there are hundreds of restaurants in Chicago that represent a myriad of Mexican regions, there’s only one mole king. In this episode, Chef Gino Bahena talks about his new restaurant Manchamanteles, his introduction to the fine art of mole at age 11 and how he helped open Frontera Grill with Rick Bayless.

What makes a great bar? In this episode, David Manilow talks with Peter Vestinos of Bisous and Sparrow about his "Mount Rushmore of Chicago bars." Vestinos says it’s all about remembering a good time. It could come down to a few parts, like a bartender's knowledge, the music or the atmosphere — but there’s also something about going to a place where everybody knows your name.

If you live in Chicago or are visiting our great city — say for a big political convention — you already know that we have a vast and diverse collection of restaurants. And we also have scores of award-winning chefs.In this episode, 10 of those world-renowned chefs talk about their favorite Chicago restaurants. Hear from Michelin star winners, James Beard award winners and more — including Kasama’s Genie Kwon and Tim Flores, Bronzeville Winery’s Lamar Moore, and Maxwell’s Training's Erling Wu-Bower, among others.

You’ve probably heard a lot about Maple & Ash, the glitzy restaurant on the Gold Coast. In the past year, news of conflict has sometimes overshadowed conversations about the actual dining experience at this extremely successful steakhouse. In this episode, David Manilow talks with partners Jim Lasky and Danny Grant about the headlines of the past, and their ambitions for the future.

It’s our first episode of the month and that means it’s time for Where Dave Ate. Hear about David Manilow’s experience at three recent restaurant grand openings in Chicago. We explore the glitz, glamour and major expenses that come alongside a bold debut. How important is a lavish opening to a restaurant’s long-term success? What works — and what doesn’t? Event planning expert Karrie Leung joins the conversation with the answers.

The food scene in Chicago thrives on the neighborhood streets dotted with crave-worthy restaurants, trattorias, bistros, bakeries and delis. One of those streets is Grand Avenue near Racine. In this episode, host David Manilow learns how Rosanna D'Amato has taken her grandfather’s creation to a whole new audience. Learn some secrets from the third-generation behind the Italian bakery and uncover why business is booming.

In this week’s episode, host David Manilow takes listeners to an ethereal space with complex cocktails and food. He unravels the mystery of a new cocktail restaurant in River North alongside its founders Chireal Jordan and Brian Galati. Their new creation, Dearly Beloved, relies heavily on the element of surprise — and, during this conversation, Manilow gets to the bottom of that.

Nothing goes better with dinner at home than movies and TV shows that make your mouth water. In this week’s episode, David Manilow gives listeners his picks for five foodie films that will make you think — and drive your hunger at the same time. Our host also shares his three favorite episodes from the latest season of "The Bear." Plus, restaurant reporter Ally Marotti takes us behind the scenes of the hit FX show.

Chef Jake Potashnick has cooked at fine dining spots all over the world from Sweden to Japan. His journey has led him back home to Chicago to open up his own restaurant in West Town. It’s an ambitious effort where dinner will feature a tasting menu of more than 30 courses. Potashnick joins David Manilow in this episode to talk about Feld, one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the summer.

Food entrepreneur and Chicago native Erica Bethe Levin is on a mission to expand kids' palates. That's why she founded the Globowl baby food company. In this episode, she talks about how her passion led her to a spot on the current season of "Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars." Plus, host David Manilow wants to know: Are food reality TV shows real or manipulated?

In the era of finding the newest and hippest spot, host David Manilow says Lula Cafe in Logan Square has created a restaurant standard that shouldn't be missed. And this week, chef Jason Hammel and his team at the nearly 25-year-old eatery won the James Beard Award for Best Hospitality. In this episode, Hammel talks to Manilow about his restaurant philosophy and what’s unique about the Chicago chef community. Plus, we’ll hear from other restaurateurs about why Lula Cafe is their favorite place to dine.

It’s the first episode of the month and that means it’s time for Where Dave Ate. Host David Manilow shares his recent dining experiences at two very different spots: Briny Swine, which serves low-country Carolina-style barbecue in Lincoln Park, and Tre Dita, the high-end Tuscan dining at the St. Regis Chicago. Both restaurants recently opened, and one is rowdy while the other's more relaxed. Both get his recommendation — with caveats.

David Manilow is a big believer that restaurants should provide diners with a simple feeling: They really want you to dine there. In this episode, our host has a conversation with the restaurateur he believes may be the best host in the city of Chicago. Listen in for some sage advice on service from Dave Bonomi, owner of Coalfire Pizza and Peanut Park Trattoria.This episode contains adult language and may not be suitable for young children.

Where do you take Europeans to show off Chicago? It's time to board the food tour given by David Manilow to three guests from the Netherlands. In this episode, Hans Steenbergen of Food Inspiration Magazine recaps and reviews his recent Chicago foodie adventure, led by our host. Plus, our Dutch guest rates his ride on an architectural boat tour.

This week’s episode searches for the answer to the question: “Does Chicago have the best taco scene in the U.S.?” Host David Manilow is joined by chef Stephen Sandoval and hospitality entrepreneur Oscar Sotelo to debate just that. The two are co-owners of the Baja-inspired Diego restaurant in West Town — but their opinions are very different. The pair have cooked and explored Mexican restaurants all over the world and they share some of those discoveries. Plus, Sandoval shares what defines Baja cuisine.

Star chef Avgeria Stapaki came to Chicago four years ago from Greece to open up Nisos Prime in the West Loop. Now she’s moved on to Bucktown with Tama. In this episode, the chef describes how she hopes to bring the finest European-style hospitality to Chicago. Plus, Stapaki explains why she doesn’t want her menu to be limited to her Mediterranean roots.

We open the month of May with another edition of "Where Dave Ate" — as host David Manilow eats his way from Lakeview to Chinatown. In this episode, hear Manilow's recommendations for small spaces with big flavors. The journey includes Thai street food and one of the best egg sandwiches he's ever tasted.David's recommendations from this episode are:TukTuk at 2852 North Clark, Doma at 946 North Orleans, and MCCB at 2138 South Archer

How did a multigenerational family-run store in Little Village become one of the nation's biggest sellers of tequila? Host David Manilow gets the full story with Mike Moreno Jr. of Moreno’s Liquors in Little Village. Moreno shares the secret for patrons aiming to discover the more than 900 different types of tequila on his store shelves. Plus, you’ll hear about the next big thing in Mexican spirits, and how Moreno goes to extreme lengths to find the most interesting, out-of-the-way brands.

Sujan Sarkar is one of two Chicago chefs who are finalists for this year's James Beard award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Sarkar about the Indian dining scene in the city, what it's been like to cook all over the world and where he likes to dine out. Plus, Manilow talks with chef Sarkar about how he created his hit restaurant Indienne and what inspired his new spot on the near West Side, Swadesi Cafe.

By some accounts, chef Sarah Stegner is one of Chicago's most unheralded culinary creators and connectors. She's raised millions of dollars as co-founder of three food-related nonprofits. In this episode, Stegner shares the success stories behind Green City Market, Chicago Chefs Cook, and the Abundance Setting. Plus, Stegner is also co-owner of Prairie Grass Cafe and talks about why women chefs and restaurateurs are still vastly underrepresented.

Coffee led the way to our April edition of "Where Dave Ate." In this episode, David Manilow visits with Artur Yuzvik, co-owner of Soloway Coffee in Lincoln Park. Artur and his wife, Iryna Yuzvik, opened their Ukrainian cafe on Lincoln Avenue just 13 months after moving to the U.S. from Ukraine. Manilow talks with Yuzvik about Chicago’s Ukrainian restaurants — including what works and what doesn’t work. Plus, we learn why Artur and Iryna left their hometown of Ternopil, and why Chicagoans are lining up for hours to experience the Yuzvik's coffee shop.

A hot new spot is disrupting the status quo when it comes to service in restaurants. Host David Manilow talks with the owners of John’s Food & Wine in Lincoln Park about whether other eateries will follow their lead. There may be a learning curve for customers, but Manilow’s guests contend "limited service" is a necessity in order to create a sustainable business.

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.

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.

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 AveVito & Nick's Pizzeria-8433 S Pulaski RoadForno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana-3719 N. Harlem AveMichael's Pizza-4901 N. BroadwayBunagalow by Middle Brow-2840 W. Armitage AveKim's Uncle Pizza-207 N. Cass Ave, Westmont

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 slogan for the Chicago culinary scene.

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 & Restaurant Mexican breakfast & brunch in Little VillageCiccio Mio Italian dining in River NorthThattu Kerala Indian cuisine in AvondalePompette French-influenced all-day dining in BucktownRedhot Ranch late night burgers & fries in Lakeview and Bucktown

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 restaurant coming in the spring of 2024.

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.