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 3 certification and is the host of the docuseries Family Meal.
Fun Facts
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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.
