My time @nbcchicago as “The Food Guy” has been truly wonderful. But I’m excited to announce I’m moving over to another Chicago institution: Levy.
I’ve known the management team @levy.restaurants for decades, and have always admired how they creatively feed and entertain thousands of people every day at venues all over the country, elevating the guest experience by surpassing expectations. In this new role - reporting to CEO Andy Lansing - I’ll be a culinary connector and collaborator. My focus will be on trendspotting, relationship building and creative execution across Levy’s industry-leading network of venues spanning restaurants, sports, entertainment, convention centers, cultural attractions, festivals and more. I still get to explore and discover places, but now that zone has significantly expanded across the country.
My final report for NBC will be May 29th at 10 pm. I’m going to miss the amazingly talented pros there and will probably have a little FOMO when I see their impressive new space-age studio completed later this year, but I couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter.
If you’ve watched me since “Good Eating” at CLTV or maybe just started recently, I hope I’ve given you a reason to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Thank you for trusting me with your dining decisions all these years. I hope to run into some of you at a restaurant, bakery, stadium or food hall in the years to come (or @pizzacityfest in Chicago this August or L.A. next Spring!) Cheers.
Yet another great promo from @stephaniejmnz91 and the team @nbcchicago for my Food Guy segment. Can’t tell you how much it means to have the full support of the station for what I do. Thank you for highlighting my 30 year run. #nbcchicago #thefoodguy
What a pleasure dining @maimaipanama last night along with @mariocastrellon . This “Tropical Nikkei” restaurant is a collab with @mitsuharu_maido in Lima, and the nods to Peru are everywhere: the aji amarillo on the maki, the leche de tigre in the ceviche. Lots of Panamanian accents too; plus an inspired sake lineup. The only thing is the location: in a busy vertical mall on the 6th floor (very Japanese) in a manufactured neighborhood in Costa del Este, about 15 minutes from the airport. If you can get around that, then absolutely make this a stop. Bonus: you’re a 5 min walk from the best Neapolitan pizza in Panama @pizzaveracepty ! #panama #panamasushi #panamanikkei
Exquisite night @maitopanama where @pialeonkjolle was in town cooking an abbreviated menu from her highly regarded Lima restaurant. Loved the creative Panamanian spin on an Old Fashioned by @bemund - using Abuelo rum and a geisha coffee infusion. Always nice to see @valeomg@joanamunne and @mariocastrellon as well. Saludos!
Had so much fun hanging out with @stevedolinsky at @bonciusa . Great pizza, great conversation, and a deep dive into what really makes a slice special. Steve is a true pizza encyclopedia..the kind of guy who can break down dough, sauce, and crust like it’s an art form. Always a good time talking pizza with people who genuinely love it. 🍕
“Therapist interpretation:” might need to become a series.
#MentalHealth #Therapist #Chicago #Pizza #PizzaTalk #FoodForThought #TherapyHumor #ChicagoFood #Psychology #ReelTalk #Wellness #PizzaLovers
Get the gang together for a pizza tour! @pizzacityusa season starts in a few weeks. Walking & bus (and private) tours available. Info at pizzacityusa.com #pizzatour #chicagopizzatour
My first @kentuckyderby and the week just gets busier each day. Winsday and Thurby are mostly for locals; Friday is Oaks, with a final race in prime time then Derby day is Saturday. Our @levy.restaurants team will feed about a million people this week and the sheer volume and quality is just stunning. We have an assortment of guest chefs too like @pitmasterrodneyscott@stephanieizard and @chefdphillips . Absolutely thrilled I get to play a very small part in the 152nd edition. #kentuckyderby #churchilldowns #kentuckyoaks
Without a doubt, the best part of the 4th annual @pizzacityfest LA was having my family with me to help out. Also great to be with new & old pizza friends from all over L.A. We smashed our previous record - over 4k guests this weekend - and already planning Chicago in August. Huge thanks to our partners @laliveofficial for their hard work and everyone who came out to support us and @ccaplosangeles . See you next year at #5!! #pizzacityfest
Absolutely aroy ma dinner @chaokrungthai in L.A. The woman owned (2nd generation) 52 year old restaurant is exactly what I wanted: khao soi with braised beef shank, and only a whisper of coconut milk; homemade curry paste (we had red with pork, excellent); textbook shrimp pad thai; homemade fish cakes! I want to go back for som tom, laab and sai krog. Definitely gotta visit. Surprised it’s not in Thai Town too. #lathai
Embarrassed to say I had never been to @halfsourchicago - charming little deli in the S Loop. They make their own bagels (limited number) and even more impressive - gravlax! What a treat; so much better than the Acme nonsense or other commercial lox typically sold in town. The namesake - flecked with chili flake - was about as perfect as I could ask for, pleasantly crisp and crunchy. Also had a stellar turkey BLT w/avocado and a double stack smashburger @edible_words should have on her list (sorry no pic). Last pic is donut special - old fashioned with coconut glaze (🔥) Bonus: owner is from Mpls and went to UW-Madison. Good people! #deli #chicagodeli
Delicious morning @breadandsaltbakery with a mortadella sandwich, some exquisite pastries (bombolina w/fig jam) and a thin pizzette. Also a rare sighting of a pizza rustica, the dish that inspired Rocco Palese to create stuffed pizza @nancyspizza in 1971 (later copied by Giordano’s in 1974). Not deep dish btw. And last night, another banger in Jersey City - a pair of wood-fired pizzas @razzanj , helmed by one of the greatest pizza guys in the U.S., Mr. @danricher . I love Jersey!! #jerseypizza #newjersey
Throwback 11 years to ABC 7’s ‘The Food Guy’ Steve Dolinsky rating Bob-O’s his #1 Italian beef sandwich in Chicago! We’re going on 51 years in our family and we appreciate all of our loyal customers and those who have helped us along the way. Looking forward to a busy summer, can’t wait to serve the best to the best customers! ❤️ 🔥 🌭 #supportlocal #throwbackthursday #boboschicago
