Mr. Restaurant

About Mr. Restaurant

"Mr. Restaurant", Will Knox interviews legendary restaurateurs, authors, and hosts of talk shows. wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com/s/mr-restaurant?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Will Knox

Category

arts · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Apr 2025

Latest episode

15 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Aug 2025

   Mr. Restaurant | Will Knox Interviews The Dutchess

   In this episode of Mr. Restaurant, host Will Knox sits down with the team behind The Dutchess, one of Ojai’s most talked-about dining spots. From concept to execution, the conversation explores what it takes to bring a unique restaurant vision to life in a small, vibrant community. #MrRestaurant #TheDutchessOjai #WillKnox #OjaiEats #RestaurantLife #CulinaryStorytelling #HospitalityIndustry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   15 Aug 2025

   Mr. Restaurant | Will Knox Interviews Pinyon

   In this episode of Mr. Restaurant, hospitality expert Will Knox sits down with the team behind Pinyon, a standout culinary destination in Ojai, California. Discover the story behind the restaurant, from its creative vision to the challenges of running a small but impactful local eatery. #MrRestaurant #PinyonOjai #WillKnox #OjaiEats #RestaurantLife #CulinaryStorytelling #HospitalityIndustry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   24 Jul 2025

   "Mr. Restaurant" Will Knox Interviews Ruth Reichl

   “Mr. Restaurant” Will Knox sits down with iconic food writer, former Gourmet editor-in-chief, and New York Times restaurant critic Ruth Reichl. Whether you're a restaurateur, food lover, or curious listener, this is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the soul of the industry from two people who’ve lived it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   15 Jul 2025

   Mr. Restaurant - Will Knox

   Will Knox is the Founder of THE KNOX COMPANY. Will is a Restaurant Broker and a restaurant consultant specializing in restaurant real estate and concept development matters. Will's Restaurant's include: Spago, Border Grill, Mozza, Public School - 310, Nic's in Beverly Hills, A.Oc., Hard Rock Cafe, Morton's Steak House, Pink Taco, and Lemonade. You can find out more about The Knox Company by visiting: www.theknoxcompany.com You can contact Will Knox at will@theknoxcompany.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   13 Apr 2025

   "Mr. Restaurant" Will Knox with Bob Spivak - The Daily Grill

   Bob Spivak is co-founder and co-chairman, president and chief executive officer, for Grill Concepts, Inc., a company that was originally formed in 1988 and became publicly held in 1995. Grill Concepts, Inc. currently operates 20 Daily Grill restaurants throughout Southern and Northern California, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, and Washington. In addition, there are 7 The Grill on the Alley restaurants, which are located in Beverly Hills CA, Hollywood CA, San Jose CA, Westlake Village CA, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, and Aventura FL. Bob, who is a 45-year veteran of the restaurant and food industry, comes from a family that ran restaurants in Los Angeles from 1946 to 1972. Bob began his career working in the family-owned chain of Smokey Joe’s barbecue restaurants. After school, he managed several of the family’s operations, including the landmark Redwood House in the Los Angeles Civic Center. Bob left the family business to manage the food operations at the Fedco discount department stores and, along with the owners of Fedco Foods, he developed the much-copied Soup N’ Such restaurant chain. In the early 1980s, Bob formed a partnership with Michael Weinstock and Dick Shapiro to open the highly successful Beverly Hills restaurant, The Grill on the Alley, a traditional American grill with the by-words, “Quality Without Compromise.” The Grill was inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame by Nation’s Restaurant News in 1995. Considered one of Los Angeles’ “power spots,” The Grill is the upscale model for the Daily Grill, a concept based on high-quality food and service at a price point that reaches a far wider audience. In 1965, Bob was appointed to the California delegation to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. He served on the commission for 3 years. Bob is a director for the California Restaurant Association and is also a director and past chairman of the Board of Advisors for The Collins College of Hospitality Management. Bob is also past chairman of the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) and has served on the Board of Directors for the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. In September 2000, Bob received the Spirit of Life Award, which is the most prestigious award given by the City of Hope. In 2004, Bob was awarded the California Restaurant Association’s Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award. Bob was also selected by the California Restaurant Association as their 2006/2007 California Restaurateur of the Year. Bob and his wife Leslie are recipients of the 2006 Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Award. Bob is a co-founder of the restaurant development firm, Spivak and Frank. They assist people in developing and opening restaurant concepts. They have worked with Dunkin Donuts, Baskin’ Robbins, Take A Bao, Kichi Grill, and Lucky Robata Grill. Take this maiden voyage episode of Mr. Restaurant with Bob Spivak, restaurant icon, Food God! www.dailygrill.com www.thegrillonthealley.com/westlake-village/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   13 Apr 2025

   Mr. Restaurant Interviews Barbara Lazaroff -Co-Founder of Wolfgang Puck Brand

   Barbara has won the James Beard Award for Humanitarian of the Year, and the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant. Barbara Lazaroff is a highly regarded restaurateur, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.), and owner/president of Imaginings Interior Design, Inc. In addition, Barbara is a producer, writer, published author, celebrated philanthropist, humanitarian and entrepreneur, podcast host, mother of two grown sons, and in December of 2022 became a first-time grandmother. Lazaroff is renowned for her innovative restaurant concepts and is the brand co-founder and interior designer of acclaimed restaurant, SPAGO HOLLYWOOD where Barbara featured an exhibition kitchen to delight their guests; SPAGO BEVERLY HILLS the flagship of the Spago Group, CHINOIS ON MAIN, Santa Monica, California, and CHINOIS LAS VEGAS. Barbara is also co-owner of all the affiliate companies, such as the fine dining restaurants, and is an equal shareholder in Wolfgang Puck Worldwide. The Wolfgang Puck Brand has been developed to include separate entities: Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining, WP Catering, and WP Worldwide, (formerly Wolfgang Puck Food Co., where Barbara served on the board). Barbara is also a founding partner of the licensed WP products sold on HSN and elsewhere which are listed at: www.wolfgangpuck.com. The companies now have expanded concepts that extend across the U.S. and globally. She is the author of "Wishes for a Mother's Heart: Words of Inspiration, Love, and Support." Tune in to the conversation with this fascinating icon in the business. "Until We Eat Again." - Mr. Restaurant, Will Knox Find Barbara Lazaroff on her Websites and Socials - www.barbarlazaroff.com www.wishesfortheheart.com www.awff.org www.wolfgangpuck.com Instagram - @ barbaralazaroff_official #Restaurateur #WolfgangPuck #goodfood #greatrestaurants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   13 Apr 2025

   Mr. Restaurant Interviews Brad Johnson - Restaurateur & Host of Corner Table Talk

   After years of lowering the velvet rope and pulling out chairs on both coasts for countless guests, Brad Johnson puts his warm, present, and welcoming hospitality skills to use as the host of Corner Table Talk, covering topics spanning FOOD + DRINK + CULTURE. Following the guest conversation, international speaker, writer, and diplomat Ambassador Shabazz (eldest daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz) spends a few moments unpacking the discussion and lets us in on some of the interesting people, places, and things that have her attention in HOW WE MOVE. Brad Johnson’s career in hospitality began in the early '70s in the dish pit of his father’s renowned NYC restaurant, The Cellar, followed by his subsequent storied road creating high-profile establishments, from the lavish LA nightclub The Roxbury (yes, that Roxbury) to the Melrose Avenue soulful hotspot, Georgia, and the James Beard Award-nominated Post & Beam. Until we "eat" again! - Mr. Restaurant https://postandbeamhospitality.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   7 Apr 2025

   Mr Restaurant - Chef Susan Feniger & Liz Lachman, Composer, Editor, Director, Writer

   It's a story about "Reinvention." Mr. Restaurant, Will Knox has an intimate conversation with Culinary & Legendary Restaurateur, Chef Susan Feniger, and award-winning music composer, editor, film director, and writer Liz Lachman. They talk about the new film, Susan Feniger. FORKED...a Verite documentary film following award-winning celebrity Chef Susan Feniger on her first solo restaurant, her passionate struggle and quest to bring global street food under one roof in the form of a new LA restaurant: STREET. Shot by her longtime filmmaker partner, it’s a story about starting over and about not IF one fails... but HOW. CHEF SUSAN FENIGER - SUSAN FENIGER is an American chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, radio, and TV personality. She is known for starring in the cooking show Too Hot Tamales and Tamales World Tour on the FOOD Network, Iron Chef, Top Chef Masters, Cooking with the Master Chefs, and more. A proud graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, for 40 years she has traveled the world bringing food from different cultures back to her several influential Los Angeles restaurants, Ciudad, Street, Border Grill, and Socalo, introducing Angelenos to authentic global dishes. She has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Restaurant Association and also the L.A. Times Jonathan Gold Award celebrating intelligence, innovation, culture, and environment. Most recently she was awarded the Julia Child Award honoring an individual who has made a profound and significant difference in the way America cooks, eats, and drinks, and was inducted into the permanent collection of the Food Exhibition at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. LIZ LACHMAN - WRITER & FILMMAKER Liz Lachman is an award-winning writer and director. Her screenplays have placed in the top percentages of the Nicholl Fellowships, Page Awards, and Final Draft Screenplay competitions. Her films have played at over 80 festivals around the world, garnering more than 30 awards. Chef Susan Feniger On Instagram @susanfeniger Liz Lachman www.lizlachman.com Chef Susan's Restaurants: www.socalo.com www.bordergrill.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   7 Apr 2025

   "Mr. Restaurant" Will Knox Interviews Bob Oswaks - Bob's Well Bread

   He interviews Bob Oswaks, Founder of Bob's Well Bread "How a Hollywood Executive Went From ‘Breaking Bad’ to Baking Bread" When onetime Sony marketing president Bob Oswaks was laid off at age 50, Norman Lear told him: "Sometimes life is about changing things up." Now he runs Bob's Well Bread Bakery in Los Alamos. The Hollywood Reporter The incredible story of Bob Oswaks - Interview by Mr. Restaurant, Will Knox www.bobswellbread.com Instagram: bobswellbread This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

10. 

    7 Apr 2025

    "Mr. Restaurant" Will Knox interviews Larry "Lorenzo" Nicola

    In this episode of Mr. Restaurant, real estate veteran and restaurant insider Will Knox sits down with culinary legend Larry "Lorenzo" Nicola, the force behind Ojai Roti and a pioneering chef whose roots trace back to the vibrant food scene of Silver Lake, Los Angeles. From launching his first ventures in L.A. to integrating organic farming with restaurant life, Larry opens up about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of being a true restaurateur. #MrRestaurant #LarryNicola #OjaiRoti #WillKnox #RestaurantLife #OrganicFarming #ChefInterview #OjaiEats #CulinaryStorytelling #HospitalityIndustry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    7 Apr 2025

    Will Knox Interviews Michael McCarty, The Founder of the Iconic Michael's Restaurant

    Will Knox is "Mr. Restaurant." He's back, and boy does he deliver! In this episode, Will interviews the legendary Chef, Michael McCarty, owner of the ICONIC Santa Monica Restaurant "Michael's." Chef Michael CREATED the Californian Cuisine menu trend that so many have tried to emulate. Michael's kitchen has been ground zero training for the best-known chefs in the world. His restaurant in New York City, also called Michael's, is comparatively youthful at a mere 30 years old. Michael's served as the springboard for an uncanny number of celebrity L.A. chefs: Jonathan Waxman, Mark Peel, Nancy Silverton, Roy Yamaguchi, Sang Yoon, Ken Frank, and Brooke Williamson all got their start here. You don't want to miss this episode by Will Knox, Mr. Restaurant! Michael's Website Santa Monica - www.michaelssantamonica.com Michadl's Website New York - www.michaelsnewyork.com On Social - Follow Michael's! Michael's on Instagram - @michaelssantamonica Michael's on Facebook -www.facebook.com/michaelssantamonica/ On Twitter -twitter.com/msantamonica This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    6 Apr 2025

    "Mr. Restaurant" Will Knox Interviews Restaurant Legend Warner Ebbink, Little Dom's

    Warner Ebbink is a native Angeleno whose passion for restaurants extends beyond cuisine into architectural restoration. Ebbink and Boudet opened Hollywood’s 101 Coffee Shop in 2001. In 2004, Boudet and Ebbink, both proud of their Italian heritage, purchased the historic Dominick’s in West Hollywood, originally established in 1948. They went on to establish Little Dom’s in Los Feliz. Warner Ebbink and his partner, chef Brandon Boudet, have been scoring big points on the wild and woolly landscape that is the L.A. food scene. First with the beloved 101 Coffee Shop in Hollywood, then the revamped Dominick’s in West Hollywood, and most recently Little Dom’s in Los Feliz. Seeing them hunched and frothing over a plate of well-done macaroni and cheese not long ago at the 101, it seems the key is the duo’s nearly psychotic attention to detail. www.littledoms.com/restaurant Instagram: @littledomsla @littledomsseafood This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wknox.substack.com (https://wknox.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

18

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.