About this episode

The episode features discussions with two restaurant critics about their experiences and perspectives on dining and criticism.

This week, we talk to two longtime restaurant critics from different parts of the country about what makes their work so interesting and what they're excited to eat. First, Bill Addison, restaurant critic for The Los Angeles Times, talks about his approach to critical writing, his favorite restaurant experiences, and the evolution of California cuisine. He just wrapped up one of the most ambitious projects of his career, the list of the One Hundred and One Best Restaurants in California for The Los Angeles Times. Then, we turn to the Midwest to join Wini Moranville, a restaurant critic based in Des Moines, Iowa. She tells us about her first job as a restaurant server and how that influenced her current work reviewing restaurants, and how restaurant criticism in smaller cities often have very different considerations. Wini is the author of the memoir "Love is My Favorite Flavor: A Midwestern Dining Critic Tells All," and you can check out her Substack, Dining Well in DSM. Broadcast dates for this episode: June 13, 2025 (originally aired) June 5, 2026 (rebroadcast) Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews! Your support is…

People in this episode

Guests: Bill Addison, Wini Moranville

Topics covered

• restaurant criticism
• California cuisine
• Midwestern dining
• food experiences
• restaurant reviews

Keywords

• restaurant critic
• California cuisine
• Midwest dining
• food writing
• restaurant reviews

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Los Angeles Times, Dining Well in DSM

Books & works: Love is My Favorite Flavor: A Midwestern Dining Critic Tells All

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