The Dining Table Crain's Audio Studio

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.