Ari Bendersky

Ari Bendersky

Chicago Contributor

Ari is a freelance journalist specializing in wine, spirits, food and travel, which he covers in his Substack, Something Glorious, and numerous national publications, including Forbes, WSJ Magazine, The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast, and Food & Wine. He has visited wine regions around the world, including Sonoma, Rioja, Alto Adige, the Loire Valley, Mendoza, and many more. Sure, expensive, highly rated wines are nice, but Ari prefers more rustic, approachable wines for everyday drinking (hello, crisp, dry whites and chillable reds). When it comes to spirits, he’ll take Tequila and mezcal over gin, rye over rum, amaro on the rocks, and a well-shaken dirty vodka martini. Ari holds a WSET Level 2 certification and is the host of the docuseries Family Meal.

Fun Facts

  • Lives in
    Uptown, Chicago
  • First Resy ever made
    Giant in 2016.
  • Drink of choice
    Whatever good wine is being poured. Or an Oaxacan old fashioned.
  • Restaurant you’ve been to the most
    Giant in Logan Square.
  • Best high-low pairing
    Osetra caviar and kettle chips.
  • Favorite food city
    Chicago (San Francisco is a close second).
  • Last meal on earth
    I’d have to have a buffet or a long, multi-course meal that would include oysters, sushi, Thai food, Chicago tavern-style pizza, cacio e pepe, a Caesar salad with big crunchy croutons, and much more.

Ari’s Featured Stories

Resy Features

10 Years In, Neighborhood Gem Gather Continues to Live Up to its Name

Guides

The Resy Guide to Chicago’s Wine-Loving Restaurants

The Rundown

Meet the Cafe Serving Pastries and Bistro Fare in Lincoln Park

Recent Posts


Resy SpotlightChicago

10 Years In, HaiSous Continues to Serve Delicious Vietnamese Cuisine in Pilsen

How Thai and Danielle Dang created an award-winning neighborhood institution, and where they’re going next.

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GuidesChicago

The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in Chicago

When the warm-weather months arrive, Chicagoans long to get, and stay, outside. We don’t need much — just give us…

By and Updated:

Tomato tarte Petit Pomeroy

The RundownChicago

Everything You Need to Know About Petit Pomeroy and its Classic French Bistro Fare

Ballyhoo Hospitality takes the success of Pomeroy in Winnetka and brings it to the city with this bistro-inspired sibling.

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Bistro Campagne exterior

Letter of RecommendationChicago

How Bistro Campagne Keeps the Romance Alive After Two Decades

The Lincoln Square stalwart has been going strong for 25 years–much to writer Ari Bendersky’s delight.

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Chef Sarah Grueneberg

InterviewsChicago

A Decade In, Monteverde Has Become a New Chicago Classic

A Q&A with the chef-owner of one of the city’s most sought-after Italian restaurants.

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InterviewsChicago

Giant’s Jason Vincent is Still Excited to Invent New Dishes

An interview with the chef and co-owner of Giant and Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar about the state of Chicago dining.

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InterviewsChicago

Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Finds Joy in Sharing Mexican Culture with Chicago

An interview with the chef-owner of the beloved Logan Square Mexican institution.

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GuidesChicago

The Resy Guide to Outstanding Private Dining Options in Chicago

All of the places you need to know to book your next private gathering, whether large, small, or in between.

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Armitage Alehouse interior

GuidesChicago

Chicago’s Essential Cozy Locales

A list of the snuggest spots, nooks, and crannies where you can hole up to tide you over all winter long, freshly updated for your 2025 season.

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All the gin drinks, at Scofflaw. // Photo courtesy of Scofflaw

GuidesChicago

Where to Drink Cocktails in Chicago Right Now

Could you maybe use a cocktail? Us, too. Fortunately, superb choices abound in Chicago — here’s where (and what) to drink right now.

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