Penny jumps over to the other side of the kitchen pass and puts herself on the line serving up her mom’s spaghetti sauce recipe to paying patrons at Eataly. No one has savaged her yet on Yelp, that we know of. In case you didn’t get a chance you can make the sauce yourself. Download…

Dining Out Loud

Episode #17: Penny Risks It All

Mike says “like” more than a valley girl in this edition of Dining Out Loud where we check out Etta, the new restaurant from Danny Grant and the Maple & Ash folks. Penny continues to correct Mike’s pronunciation. Mike goes full curmudgeon about menu fonts, large vases, and the closeness of the tables. Penny loved…

Episode #16: Good for the ‘Hood

Mike and Penny visit Twain, the new Logan Square gourmet homage to Midwestern cuisine from Tim and Rebekah Graham. In this podcast we parse the latest design trend of undergarments hanging from restaurant ceilings, the wisdom of glamming up ants on a log, and the glory of bone marrow. Mike explains what a “Kid Rock”…

Episode #15: Midwestern Twain-g

Penny checks out the classic Chicago spot Bistro Campagne, the restaurant founded by the late Michael Altenberg. Mike professes his love for the dreamy Emmanuel Macron. Penny ignores this love (or thinks I’m crazy – it’s hard to tell). Mike and Penny find common ground over their passion for organ meats. We tell you where…

Episode #14: Penny in Paris (via Chicago)

Just in time for a Cubs post-season run, Penny and Mike check out Dutch and Doc’s the new Wrigleyville restaurant from Boka group.  Penny grew up on the south side and Mike’s second favorite baseball team is the 2005 White Sox (the first is the 1984 Detroit Tigers), so the Wrigleyville mystique isn’t exactly at…

Episode #13: One, Two, Three Strikes You’re Out

Penny Pollack goes back in time to check out the old school loop staple Miller’s Pub after the owners did a quick relaunch. Mike reminisces about the old decor. Penny challenges Chicago liquor laws and demands more alcohol.  And, of course, Penny orders the legendary ribs. Download and read Penny’s always detailed dining notes.  …

Episode #12: The High Life at Miller’s Pub

Ina Mae Tavern blew in to Wicker Park a few months ago with the verve of a second line brass band. In this episode Mike checks out the pomp and circumstance and tries to mainline beignet sugar.

Episode #11: Rock You Like a Hurricane

Penny and I check out Aba, the hot West Loop spot from CJ Jacobson and Lettuce Entertain You. In this podcast, Penny teaches me how to pronounce the word hummus. We give a shoutout to Rahm’s new podcast. We talk about the great Swedish supergroup, Abba, which has nothing to do with the restaurant. And…

Episode #10: The One About the Hummus

In this episode, Penny and Mike review S.K.Y. a luxury pan-Asian restaurant in Pilsen where they dive in to questions of gentrification. Penny continues to make fun of Mike for being “fancy”. Mike admits he might be the Floyd Mayweather of food critics because he does like to live large. Mike seeks revenge though and…

Episode #9: Flyin’ the Friendly S.K.Y.

Worried that they’d be inundated with kale smoothies, tofu, and other hallmarks of California cuisine, Mike and Penny are surprised to find that Pacific Standard Time serves up killer wood-fired bread and Asian-influenced eats. Penny and Mike throw down over high-end steak service and Mike confirms that Penny is a curmudgeon.  Mike also complains that…