What goes into building a restaurant? This week we’re sitting down with hospitality veteran Rob Levin, co-owner of 2A Wine Merchants and the forthcoming 1033 restaurant to find out more about the inspiration behind the 14-seat restaurant.
During our chat, Levin shares his vision for 1033, the thinking behind the design of the restaurant and the elements of the restaurant’s menu, created by Chef Justin Carlisle of Ardent. We also delve deeply into the topic of hospitality, answering questions like: What goes into providing a great experience for guests? What elements make a restaurant memorable? And why it’s a good thing if your restaurant isn’t right for everyone.
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As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
