Check, Please! host Catherine De Orio welcomes guest reviewers Joe Battaglia, Sumito “Ariyo” Ariyoshi, and Kady Johnsen who weigh in on Chicago area eateries Salero, Sankyu, and Tiztal Café.

Hello! This week, we had some great guests and three unique restaurant selections that will have you traveling all over town. We take you to Salero in the West Loop, Izakaya Sankyu in Mount Prospect, and Tiztal Cafe in Ravenswood. This week I spoke with executive chef Ashlee Aubin about Salero and Basque cuisine. And since I love watching new episodes of Check, Please! with a cocktail in hand, Salero bar manager Suzie Whitacre shared a recipe for a Spanish-style gin tonic. Here’s what they had to say.

Anyone who thinks of Spain only as the land of flamenco, bullfighting (olé!), and Antonio Banderas (or, if you prefer, Penélope Cruz) might be surprised to learn the place is surprisingly diverse in a variety of different ways.

As we celebrate Presidents Day (check out this 2001 Check, Please! episode featuring then-State Senator Barack Obama), let’s take a whirlwind tour of some favorite foods and culinary quirks of some of our past presidents.

Check, Please! host Catherine De Orio welcomes guest reviewers Sharif Shawki, Dave Specter, and Sarah Rosenbaum who weigh in on Chicago area eateries Fat Rice, River Roast, and Taqueria La Lagartija.