
Reimagining a classic Chicago restaurant
From The Dining Table by Crain's Audio Studio
February 17, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 152
About this episode
Donnie Madia and Rob Levitt discuss the transformation of The Publican while honoring its origins.
Decades ago, Donnie Madia and his company One Off Hospitality helped define the West Loop with restaurants including Blackbird, avec, and The Publican. Now his remarkable instincts for style and atmosphere are hard at work transforming The Publican in ways that still honor its origins. In this episode, host David Manilow talks with Madia and Publican’s executive chef Rob Levitt about what’s new about their vision for hospitality.
People in this episode
Host: David Manilow
Guests: Donnie Madia, Rob Levitt
Topics covered
- restaurant transformation
- hospitality
- Chicago dining
- culinary arts
- entrepreneurship
Keywords
- Chicago restaurant
- hospitality vision
- culinary transformation
- One Off Hospitality
- The Publican
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: One Off Hospitality, Blackbird, avec, The Publican
Places: West Loop
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