
How design helps restaurants feel like home
From The Dining Table by Crain's Audio Studio
March 17, 2026 · 25 min · Episode 154
About this episode
The episode discusses how design elements in restaurants can create a welcoming atmosphere, featuring insights from designer Aida Napoles.
For restaurant designers, the small touches are what make a space feel welcoming. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Aida Napoles about how she brought a vision inspired by childhood memories to Carnitas Uruapan in Little Village. You'll also hear how Napoles applies her instincts for residential design to help restaurants feel more like home.
People in this episode
Host: David Manilow
Guest: Aida Napoles
Topics covered
- restaurant design
- interior design
- hospitality
- childhood memories
- welcoming spaces
Keywords
- restaurant design
- Aida Napoles
- David Manilow
- Carnitas Uruapan
- interior design
- hospitality
- welcoming spaces
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Carnitas Uruapan
Places: Little Village
More episodes of The Dining Table
- Is Chicago’s riverfront the city’s hottest new dining area? · June 9, 2026 · 29 min
- The secrets behind this restaurateur's success · May 26, 2026 · 26 min
- Why the Chicago restaurant community loves this spot · May 12, 2026 · 14 min
- What Oprah's longtime chef cooks now · April 28, 2026 · 22 min
- The best places to eat in Chicago · April 14, 2026 · 27 min
- How drinking habits shape wine bar menus · March 31, 2026 · 24 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Dining Table podcast page.