Best Steve Dolinsky Podcasts (2025)

1
Jeff Scheer - Marlow (Maui) 25:05

5d ago25:05

25:05

Jeff Scheer ended up on Maui like a lot of people - by accident. But his commitment to the culinary scene there, as nascent as it is, has been admirable. We discovered his sourdough pizza at Marlow, in an upcountry mall, where the menu has lots of highlights.

1
Is Thomas Keller losing it? Plus, Found Oyster's Ari Kolender on cooking the finest things in the sea and Queen’s savvy rebrand. 1:45:19

5d ago1:45:19

1:45:19

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into one of the wildest chef vs. critic stories in recent memory: Thomas Keller of The French Laundry allegedly asked SF Chronicle critic Mackenzie Chung Fegan to leave the restaurant. Was it a momentary lapse or a sign of a chef in crisis? Then: Chef Ari Kolender of LA seafood hotspot Found Oyster and Eagl…

1
3. The Godfather of the Dad Shoe: Steven Smith on Crafting Iconic Sneakers 58:16

8d ago58:16

58:16

In this episode of DIBS, we sit down with the legendary Steven Smith, the man behind some of the most iconic sneakers of all time. Known as the Godfather of the Dad Shoe, Steven’s career has spanned decades and touched nearly every major sneaker brand—New Balance, Reebok, Fila, Nike, Adidas, Yeezy, and now Crocs. Steven's designs have defined gener…

1
Condiment Claire, the LA-raised content creator taking over the world. Plus, burger love/hate, oyster economics, and Nobody Wants This bagels. 43:24

12d ago43:24

43:24

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Claire Dinhut—aka Condiment Claire—cookbook author, flavor scientist, and social media sensation. Born and raised in Los Angeles but now based in Europe, Claire has taken TikTok by storm with her inventive approach to sauces, spreads, and the science of taste. Recorded at Venice’s iconic Roosterfish…

1
Are LA diners too hard to please? Survey results from The Angel, Top Chef progress report & big news from Bill Esparza 1:10:47

19d ago1:10:47

1:10:47

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into the results of a new survey from Substack favorite The Angel that asked Angelenos what they really want from restaurants. Hosts Luca and Father Sal break down what LA diners say matters most—vibe vs. food, great service, price, and originality—and reveal the surprising (and kind of maddening) contradic…

1
Qiana & Michele Di Bari - Sal e Pepe (Lahaina, HI) 25:17

19d ago25:17

25:17

Their motto is "One Part Milan, One Part Brooklyn, All Maui," so you know a pizza from Sal e Pepe is going to be special. This is a love story for sure, but it's also a story of resilience and courage, in the wake of the deadly Lahaina wildfires from 2023.

1
Meteora Rising: Is Jordan Kahn's Melrose restaurant ready for 2 Michelin Stars? Plus, Opening Cafe Esca Part 4, AKA the ins and outs of designing a menu. 1:36:45

26d ago1:36:45

1:36:45

Is Jordan Kahn's Meteora on track for a second Michelin star? On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we dive deep into LA’s most ambitious fine-dining jungle—Meteora. After falling for Chef Jordan Kahn’s futuristic tasting menu at Vespertine, we head to his Melrose Avenue follow-up to see if the hype (and the hefty price tag) is justified. Is this…

1
Bronwen Kinzler-Britton & Jose Ibarra - Naughty Pie Nature (L.A.) 23:05

1M ago23:05

23:05

Bronwen Kinzler-Britton & Jose Ibarra both came from more fine-dining backgrounds, but realized they just wanted to work for themselves and make great pizza. Naughty Pie Nature operates out of a tiny corner kitchen space (no dine-in) in Echo Park, but they've had a nice, steady growth pattern since they were just a pop-up a year or so ago.…

1
Inside Lele Dinner Club, LA’s hottest reservation. Plus, Pizza City Fest preview with Steve Dolinsky. 1:14:17

1M ago1:14:17

1:14:17

Lele Dinner Club is the buzzy new supper club from Pizzana chef and master pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi, offering an exclusive 10-course Neapolitan tasting menu that’s quickly become Los Angeles’ hottest reservation. With only three seatings so far and a waitlist already topping 6,000 names, this underground culinary experience is redefining LA fine din…

1
From border town to Beard semifinalist, with Barra Santos’ Melissa Lopez. Plus, Jenn Harris on tariffs, Khushbu Shah on influencers vs. experts, and a hot LA restaurant survey making the rounds. 46:13

1M ago46:13

46:13

Melissa Lopez is the James Beard semifinalist chef behind Barra Santos, one of the buzziest restaurants in recent memory to grace Los Angeles. Barra Santos is a tiny, sardine-tin of a restaurant in Cypress Park serving up thoughtful, super high-quality Portuguese fare. But as small as the restaurant’s footprint is, the noise it’s made since opening…

1
2. The Voice of the Chicago Bulls: Adam Amin’s Courtside Dream 59:59

1M ago59:59

59:59

On this episode of DIBS, we sit down with legendary Chicago Bulls play-by-play announcer Adam Amin for an unforgettable deep dive into his journey—from growing up in Addison as a Bulls superfan to becoming the voice of the team he idolized. Adam shares how it still gives him goosebumps to hear “Sirius” echo through the United Center, the dreamlike …

1
How will the tariffs impact LA restaurants and diners? Plus, RIP middle class restaurants, wagyu beef heaven in Brentwood, and Glen Powell’s BLT boo-boo. 1:18:32

2M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. It’s the word on everybody’s lips this week and, as you’d expect, every food media outlet in the country published some sort of breakdown of what this means for restaurants and the food industry at large. Father Sal and I sift through the noise to distill what this means for LA restaurateurs and diners alike. Also on this…

1
Alex White - Yukon Pizza (Las Vegas) 26:56

2M ago26:56

26:56

Alex White's Great Great Grandfather used a sourdough starter when he ran a shop in the Yukon Territory more than 120 years ago. That same starter lives on in a Las Vegas pizzeria: Yukon Pizza, where they make sourdough crusts as well as some NYC slices.

1
1. Slicing Into Chicago’s Culinary Legacy with Steve Dolinsky 49:13

2M ago49:13

49:13

We’re kicking off the first episode of DIBS with none other than Steve Dolinsky, a true icon of Chicago’s food scene. You might know him as “The Food Guy” on NBC 5 Chicago, where his mouthwatering food reports air every Thursday at 10 p.m. Steve is a 13-time James Beard Award winner and an accomplished author, best known for Pizza City, U.S.A.: 101…

1
The Curious Case of Eric Greenspan and Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner. Plus, 5 SoCal restaurants score James Beard noms, Taco Madness’ notable omission, and notes from the Pizza Expo field. 1:10:18

2M ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Controversy in Hollywood as news breaks that Elon Musk - yes, THAT Elon Musk - has tapped beloved LA chef Eric Greenspan to helm his upcoming Tesla-themed Diner on Santa Monica Blvd. Is Chef Greenspan’s choice to take the job in any way defensible, or is he just another DOGE bag? Father Sal and I dig into the news and the backlash to make sense of …

1
BONUS: Live from Family Meal – Restaurants in Times of Crisis with Lien Ta, Alycia Harshfield, Alexa Rousso, and Stephen Poux. 47:47

2M ago47:47

47:47

I (Luca) moderated the latest Family Meal panel discussion on how restaurants rose to the challenge during the January wildfires. This is the recording of that panel discussion, featuring four very impressive speakers who I introduce at the top of the recording. We discuss all matters of important topics including how restaurants can prepare for th…

1
Inside the mind of a food critic, with The LO Times’ Ryan Sutton (formerly of Eater NY and Bloomberg News) 55:56

2M ago55:56

55:56

Ryan Sutton is the chief critic and editor at The LO Times, one of the absolute best sources of food writing Substack has to offer. He previously served as Eater New York’s chief food critic for almost a decade, and prior to that, the New York critic at Bloomberg News. He’s won a James Beard Award and been nominated for two more, and today he lets …

1
Vito DeCandia - Angel City Pizza (L.A.) 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

As a born-and-bred New Yorker (from Long Beach), Vito DeCandia was literally brought up in a pizzeria. He was stretching dough by the age of 12. His lifetime of baking eventually led him to the West Coast, where his wife was from. Two years ago he opened Angel City Pizza in Venice, where he continues to make what he knows: NYC style slices, squares…

1
Why are restaurants still facing a labor crisis? Plus, new Michelin Guide additions, LA’s street food supremacy, pizza-coded romantic drama, and a Chinese hot pot nightmare. 1:08:51

2M ago1:08:51

1:08:51

It’s been five years since the pandemic forced us to wipe down our groceries, binge Tiger King, and pick up hobbies like basket weaving or, in my case, eating 100 pizzas in 365 days. Of course, COVID also notably sent shockwaves through the restaurant industry, and to this day, the labor market still hasn’t recovered. What’s behind the lag and what…

1
Scouting report of the hottest culinary talent in America (A.K.A. The 2025 Fantasy Top Chef Draft). Plus, a one-man tasting menu in DTLA and the most controversial restaurant in the world. 1:02:34

2M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

It’s time for the 2025 Top Chef Fantasy Draft! Season 22 of Top Chef kicked off this week in Canada. As we do every year, Father Sal and I hosted a draft of the 15 competitors vying for the title of Top Chef. We’re joined by 2024 champion Jessie Evans (alias @Jessie_Eats on Instagram), and Nancy DaSilva and Bits Nicholas of the Compliments to the C…

1
John Notaro - Famous Ben's of SoHo (NYC) 19:05

3M ago19:05

19:05

John Notaro may have spent his early years in Brooklyn, but there's no denying pizza and baking are in his DNA. He spent years at Sbarro, then ran a bakery until he became partners at Famous Ben's, a SoHo landmark since 1979 (they celebrate 46 years in business this month). We talked about his "Palermo" which aficionados will recognize as a sfincio…

1
We Have DIBS on Chicago History 3:38

3M ago3:38

3:38

DIBS is dedicated to exploring Chicago's heart and soul, sharing untold stories celebrating the city’s vibrant culture, iconic history, and influential figures. Rooted in the cherished Chicago tradition, our podcast highlights the journeys of elite entrepreneurs, celebrated artists, community leaders, and cultural icons. DIBS aims to connect our di…

1
Hainan Chicken & Hard Lessons: Chef Johnny Lee’s journey to Rasarumah. Plus, LIVE from New York, it’s Taco Bell’s Live Mas LIVE. 1:00:31

3M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

We’re joined today by Chef Johnny Lee, the mastermind behind Rasarumah, one of LA’s hottest new restaurants serving inventive Southeast Asian food with a heavy Malaysian bent. Chef Johnny joins us to talk about the new concept, but also about what it was like to say goodbye to his deeply personal project Pearl River Deli. We talk about Hainan chick…

1
Wylie Dufresne - Stretch Pizza (NYC) 24:53

3M ago24:53

24:53

Wylie Dufresne has spent his life and career in New York City. He worked for Jean Georges Vongerichten, ran notable restaurants like 71 Clinton Fresh Food and WD50, and was starting a doughnut business until the pandemic changed everything. Pizza saved him, and his creation - Stretch - has brought a new evolution to what "NYC Pizza" means.…

1
Can anyone save The Original Pantry Cafe? Plus, drama at The Ruby Fruit and a round-up of recent eats feat. Stir Crazy, Calabama and Hiho Cheeseburger. 1:05:06

3M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

What is going on at The Original Pantry Cafe in downtown LA? Reports of a labor dispute threatening to close down the storied institution have been swirling all week. We try to make sense of the noise, and ask ourselves is there any hope for the house that Richard Riordan built? Secondly, Silver Lake lesbian bar The Ruby Fruit just added controvers…

1
Why are LA pizzerias receiving cease and desists? Plus, OpenTable’s resurgence, reflections on dinner at Baroo, and Father Sal gives his mom a daughter-in-law (kind of). 59:49

3M ago59:49

59:49

What’s the deal with the cease and desist letters going to Los Angeles pizzerias? Is OpenTable’s comeback slowly killing Resy? And was our visit to the LA Times 2024 Restaurant of the Year a Chef’s Kiss or a Big Miss? Father Sal’s with us today to discuss all of that and more, plus where you can try a $750 burger, what Molly Baz is doing to give ba…

1
Why restaurants are petitioning the city, with The LA Times’ Stephanie Breijo. Plus, Rashida Holmes on Bridgetown Roti’s journey from pop-up to permanent. 1:03:23

3M ago1:03:23

1:03:23

Today we’re joined by LA Times food reporter Stephanie Breijo to discuss a brand new petition LA restaurateurs are bringing to city and state lawmakers. Stephanie has been on the frontlines of covering the tough time restaurants have been having over the last couple of years, and she actually joined the restaurateurs as they ventured to City Hall t…

1
Anthony Mangieri - Una Pizza Napoletana (NYC) 25:42

3M ago25:42

25:42

Mr. Mangieri is a two-time winner (#1 ranking) in the 50 Top Pizza list and is currently on the 6th iteration of hisUna Pizza Napoletana, now on New York's Lower East Side. He spent 9 years in San Francisco, with stints in New Jersey as well. But now Mangieri is firmly in control of his craft, limiting the offerings to just a half dozen each night …

1
BONUS: Are nonalcoholic cocktails the real deal? With The Lonely Oyster's Philip Ross 41:43

4M ago41:43

41:43

Nonalcoholic cocktails. Are they something to endure during months like Dry January? Or are they legitimately impressive feats of mixology that deserve respect any month of the year? I visited Philip Ross, Beverage Director of The Lonely Oyster Group, at The Lonely Oyster to discuss how he goes about conceptualizing an NA program that doesn’t just …

1
We can’t stop thinking about Vespertine. But did we like it? 1:20:36

4M ago1:20:36

1:20:36

We finally made it to Jordan Kahn’s Vespertine in Culver City, which reopened after a hiatus in the Spring of 2024, and earned not one but two Michelin Stars just a few months later. If you’ve heard people talk about VesperVespertineine, then you know that it elicits strong reactions. Some people can’t get enough of Chef Kahn’s otherworldly creatio…

1
Boulud & Waxman & Goin, oh my! Previewing the epic Chefs Love LA wildfire benefit dinner. Plus, why Ricardo Zarate’s The Hummingbird is way more than a comeback. 1:00:51

4M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

We’re joined by Brad Metzger, President of hospitality recruitment firm Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions, and Ryan O’Melveny WIlson, the CEO of legendary Los Angeles restaurant group Lawry’s, to hear about Chefs Love LA, an unforgettable evening of food and wine, celebrating LA heroes and supporting the restaurant community impacted by the fires. …

1
Billy & Cecily Federighi - Pizz'Amici (Chicago) 26:22

4M ago26:22

26:22

The Federighis had successful careers in commercial production and modeling, but all of that changed during the pandemic, when they shifted more into their love of pizza making. Hopscotching around Chicago and the suburbs, making artisan, then Sicilian and finally Chicago thin (tavern style), they've opened one of the most in-demand pizzerias in th…

1
Another (frankly psychotic) analysis of the 2025 James Beard semifinalists. Plus, Opening Cafe Esca Part 3 with Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox. 1:35:13

4M ago1:35:13

1:35:13

After a dark start to the New Year, a little light at the end of the tunnel this week as 18 Los Angeles chefs, bars and restaurants were named James Beard semifinalists. With Angelenos earning spots in the categories of Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Restaurant and Best Chef: California, Father Sal is with us today for one of our trademark, frankly …

1
Restaurants rise to the wildfire challenge - but the job’s not finished. With Cafe De Leche’s Matthew Schodorf, Fiorelli Pizza’s Liz Gutierrez, and Inclusive Action for the City’s Rudy Espinoza. 1:22:20

4M ago1:22:20

1:22:20

The Palisades and Eaton fires have been raging for more than a week now. Restaurants and food vendors have played a huge role in the relief efforts, stepping up in a big way to feed first responders and evacuees. Father Sal and I discuss a couple of excellent articles on restaurants in the midst of the wildfires, and we speak with three people who’…

1
Darby Aldaco - Pizza Thief (Portland, OR) 25:03

4M ago25:03

25:03

Darby Aldaco got into some big trouble as a kid, stealing pizzas from stopped delivery cars. At 18, he was arrested for stealing a Domino’s pizza, subsequently losing his prom date. He wound his way through the L.A. bread scene, worked for Nancy Silverton at Triple Beam, then began commuting to Portland for a pizza project. The result is Pizza Thie…

1
3 ways to help LA restaurants during the wildfires 3:15

5M ago3:15

3:15

No episode this week. Just three ways you can help restaurants as we navigate the devastating wildfires, and a bunch of helpful links. Side Pie fundraiser https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-side-pie-support-your-favorite-local-pizzeria?attribution_id=sl:86fa7075-75b8-4da8-8f92-b082665dda14&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=c…

1
Alfonso Jarero - Ardente (Mexico City) 24:37

5M ago24:37

24:37

The Mexico City pizza scene is still in its infancy. Most of the styles tend to follow the Neapolitan model - wood fired, high heat, etc. Ardente has two locations in CDMX and we visited their newest location in the Condessa neighborhood, where Alfonso Jarero has brought his expertise in gelato making and is now also making excellent pizzas.…

1
Announcing the 2025 Countdown. Plus, more doom and gloom in store for LA restaurants in 2025? 1:16:54

5M ago1:16:54

1:16:54

What does the year of our Lord 2025 have in store for LA restaurants? According to The LA Times, a whole lot more struggle. Father Sal is with us to break down a couple of fascinating pieces by Stephanie Breijo and Cindy Carcamo on the restaurants we lost in 2024, and what the landscape of challenges looks like for the year ahead. On a lighter note…

1
The Best New Restaurants of 2024, with The Infatuation’s Brant Cox and Sylvio Martins. Plus, 2024 trends, 2025 predictions, and food-related New Year’s resolutions. 49:22

5M ago49:22

49:22

Joining us on the podcast are The Infatuation’s Brant Cox and Sylvio Martins. They’re going to walk us through their list of the Best New Restaurants of 2024, as well as the good and not-so-good trends that defined this year of dining in LA. We finish off with some predictions for what dining in 2025 will look like, and chat a little bit about our …

1
The 2nd annual LA Food Pod Holiday Party. Plus, Christmas at Genghis Cohen with Marc Rose and Med Abrous. 1:53:05

5M ago1:53:05

1:53:05

I’d like to cordially welcome you to the second annual LA Food Pod Holiday Party! Father Sal and I are joined by our favorite New York-based podcast ho ho hosts, Nancy DaSilva and Bits Nicholas of Compliments to the Chef, for a jolly ole time discussing what’s hot in the Big Apple, what we make of the premature closure of Frog Club, the quixotic re…

1
Adam Weisell - Munno (Chicago) 21:19

5M ago21:19

21:19

Chicago has a wealth of pizza styles - deep-pan, deep-dish, tavern and stuffed are the homegrown styles, but there's also Sicilian, Detroit and Neapolitan. When it comes to Roman pinsa, however, choices are more limited. Adam Weisell was born in Rome, so he brings a lot of experience and his own taste memories to the menu at Munno, an Italian resta…

1
What do the Eater layoffs mean for LA food media? Plus, Part 2 of Opening Cafe Esca with Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox. 1:12:13

6M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

What do the Eater layoffs mean for food media in Los Angeles? Did Bill Addison’s review of Vespertine get us more or less excited to visit the two Michelin-star juggernaut? And what to make of Melissa Clark’s underwhelming experiences at Thomas Keller’s Per Se and The French Laundry? Father Sal’s with us today to discuss all of the above, plus a co…

1
A (frankly psychotic) analysis of The LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list 1:10:51

6M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, dear listener, and I’m talking of course about the advent of The LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list. Bill Addison and Jenn Harris dropped their picks at a highfalutin soiree earlier this week, and the reaction, as always, consists of everything from love to loathing. But what does it actually mean for Kato …

1
Matthew Grogan - Juliana's (Brooklyn) - from the archives 24:53

6M ago24:53

24:53

Matthew Grogan loved the pizza from Grimaldi's (and later, Juliana's) so much, he quit his job in finance to help Patsy Grimaldi continue his vision. The New York native has seen Grimaldi through good and bad times, and feels the weight of carrying on that vision well into the 21st century. We discuss the complicated history of Grimaldi's and Julia…

1
A very LA Food Pod gift guide. Plus, the case for gatekeeping restaurants per TASTE, in defense of LA dining's "ebb" year, and solving the future of food media in one conversation. 1:21:46

6M ago1:21:46

1:21:46

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Black Friday. Father Sal and I are coming through with a very LA Food Pod Gift Guide. But first, there’s a piece in Taste making the case in favor of gatekeeping your favorite restaurants, a podcast with the brand new editor of The Best American Food & Travel Writing that elicited some red hot takes on the future o…

1
100th Episode Live Show with Mona Holmes and Jackson Kalb 1:17:12

6M ago1:17:12

1:17:12

Welcome to episode 100. We hosted a live show to celebrate at Little Joy Cocktails in Echo Park, and what you’re about to hear is the recording of said live show. Father Sal and I were joined by Eater’s Mona Holmes to run through the headlines of the day and to play a round of Chef’s Kiss Big Miss. We debuted the first-ever LA Food Pod quiz - big t…

1
Vincenzo Onnembo - nNea (Amsterdam) 22:45

6M ago22:45

22:45

Vincenzo Onnembo was a film student in Rotterdam, but in 2018 wound up in Amsterdam with a business partner, making Neapolitan-inspired pizzas at nNea. He has since opened a carryout operation next door, since getting a reservation at the restaurant could take months.

1
Brooke Williamson talks Top Chef, longevity in the LA restaurant scene, and her debut cookbook, Sun-Kissed Cooking. 47:53

6M ago47:53

47:53

What do the best competition cook of all time, an uber-accomplished LA restaurateur and the author of one of the year’s best cookbooks have in common? Well, they’re all the same person and her name is Brooke Williamson. Brooke just released her first-ever cookbook, dear listener. It’s called SUN-KISSED COOKING, and it’s available now in stores. Bro…

1
Langer’s future on the rocks, why Martha Stewart hates her doc, and Karen Palmer thrives in the Father Sal chair - hardly a shock. Plus, a chat with Richard Pink on the eve of Pink’s 85th Birthday. 1:11:30

7M ago1:11:30

1:11:30

Today on The LA Food Podcast… What game is Norm Langer playing by reposting Rick Caruso’s scathing video of Mayor Karen Bass’ efforts (or lacktherof) to clean up MacArthur Park? Why is Martha Stewart irate over the way she’s being portrayed in her brand new Netflix documentary “Martha?” And why is a trip Dan Tana’s pretty much obligatory in your ne…

1
David Peña - Fortunate Son (Garland, TX) 22:35

7M ago22:35

22:35

David Peña fell hard for New Haven style apizza, so after a deep research trip - where he spent time in some famous kitchens like Frank Pepe's - he returned to Texas with new vigor and the idea to replicate the traditional apizza (ah-BEETS) in the Lone Star state, about 30 minutes outside Dallas at Fortunate Son (yes, named for the Creedence Clearw…

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