Innovation in Tradition and a Pre-Reopening Diaries with Mark Ladner

Babbo is back! Dave welcomes executive chef Mark Ladner of the newly reopening New York City institution,  the Italian restaurant Babbo. Dave and Mark catch up, share old New York memories, and discuss that ever-debated rice dish: risotto. They finish with a sneak peek of Babbo's new menu, Pre-Reopening Diaries, and an Ask Dave. Learn more about Babbo: https://babbonyc.com/  Try to get your Babbo reservations if you can here: https://resy.com/cities/new-york-ny/venues/babbo-restaurant?date=2025-09-30&seats=2  Listen to our recent podcast with Paul Carmichael: https://www.theringer.com/podcasts/the-dave-chang-show/2025/05/22/feeling-good-with-paul-carmichael  Learn more about Kabawa: https://www.momofuku.com/restaurants/kabawa  Learn more about Eeeeeatscon NYC: https://www.eeeeeatscon.com/new-york  Read Kitchen Confidential: https://amzn.to/46TcWPN  Read the NYT article about Stephen Starr: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/dining/stephen-starr-restaurants.html Learn more about Brooklyn Glass: https://brooklynglass.com/  Learn more about Alto-Shaam: https://www.alto-shaam.com/en  Learn more about CVAP: https://foodservice.winstonind.com/commercial-kitchen-equipment/  Learn more about Rational: https://www.rational-online.com/en_us/home/  Learn more about Craft: https://www.craftrestaurant.com/  Learn more about Santi: https://www.santinyc.com/  Learn more about Sodi: https://www.isodinyc.com/ Learn more about Rolo's: https://www.rolosnyc.com/  Learn more about Noodle Bar: https://www.momofuku.com/pages/noodle-bar  Learn more about Buddakan: https://buddakannyc.com/  Learn more about Lyla Lila: https://www.lylalilaatl.com/  Send in your Ask Dave questions to bit.ly/AskDaveForm or askdave@majordomomedia.com. Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedavechangshow. Subscribe to Recipe Club on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recipeclubofficial. Submit your favorite food moments in your favorite movies to majorfoodporn.com. Join our community Discord on majordomo.com. Host: Dave Chang Guest: Mark Ladner Majordomo Media Producer: David Meyer Spotify Producer: Felipe Guilhermino Engineer: Belle Roman Editor: Stefano Sanchez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices