Catherine De Orio starts her sophomore season as host of WTTW’s “Check, Please!” Friday, when the restaurant review show returns for its 14th installment at 8 p.m.
A trio of Chicagoans tout their favorite eateries in the season premiere. Institutional advancement professional Erika Chavez recommends Gorditas Aguascalientes in Cicero. IT salesman Matt Davidman’s pick is Andy’s Thai Kitchen in Lincoln Park. And veterinarian Jane Lohmar crows (sorry, couldn’t resist) about Gather in Lincoln Square.
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Upcoming episodes will feature regular folks’ restaurant finds across the city and suburbs, including Arlington Heights, Aurora, Worth and Berwyn as well as Lakeview, Andersonville, Chinatown and Wicker Park, among other ‘hoods.
The public television station’s popular series will air reruns on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
De Orio took over last season from longtime host Alpana Singh, who left the show to focus on her new restaurant and bar, The Boarding House in River North. Singh recently returned to television as a judge in a new Food Network series.
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Check out wttw.com/checkplease for details about the featured restaurants, recipes and the Talk & Eat blog.