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.

Ari’s Favorite Resy Spots

Lula Café

Logan Square

The food is always wonderful and the staff is some of the best in Chicago.

Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

West Loop

The burrata e ham and the cacio whey pepe are musts.

Cellar Door Provisions

Logan Square

I love that the menu constantly changes and the wine list kicks ass.

Maxwells Trading

West Loop

Sit at the counter, get a cold martini, chat up the staff, and order everything.

Giant

Logan Square

You won’t be mad ordering any — or all — of the pastas. Amazing wine list, too.

Galit

Lincoln Park

I can’t get enough of the creamy hummus, fluffy pita, and Middle Eastern wines.

Demera Ethiopian Restaurant

Uptown

What’s better than eating with your hands? It’s just down the street from me.

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.