By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Oct 01, 2019 at 3:01 PM

It's time for Dining Month, presented by Deer District and its spooky Halloween-themed alter ego, Fear District. Throughout the month of October, we'll be serving up fun and fascinating content about all things food. The signature dish, however, is our 2019 Best of Dining poll, with winners getting dished out all month long. Get hungry, Milwaukee!

This article was updated on Oct. 7. 

On Nov. 19, award-winning chef, author and television personality Lidia Matticchio Bastianich will return to Milwaukee to celebrate the release of her new cookbook, "Felidia: Recipes from My Flagship Restaurant."

Ever since it opened its doors on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in 1981, Felidia has been revered as one of the best Italian restaurants in the country. In Bastianich’s new book, Lidia and longtime Executive Chef Fortunato Nicotra share 115 of the recipes that capture both spirit of the Felidia, from pastas and primi to appetizers and soups, meats, breads and spreads.

The event, presented by Boswell Book Company, Bartolotta Catering and Events and Milwaukee PBS, will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, 631 E Chicago St., and will feature Bastianich in conversation with Kyle Cherek.

Tickets for the event are $45 per person and include admission to the talk, a copy of "Felidia" and light appetizers. A cash bar will also be available. A portion of all ticket proceeds will be donated back to PBS Milwaukee. For more information, visit boswellbooks.com/upcoming-events.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

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.