Industry Night with Nycci Nellis Podcast Por Nycci Nellis arte de portada

Industry Night with Nycci Nellis

Industry Night with Nycci Nellis

De: Nycci Nellis
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Industry Night is the long-talk format radio show and podcast that brings you up close and personal with the trends and trendsetters across today’s diverse food, wine, spirits, brews and hospitality landscape. For in-depth insights and insider tips, join your host, Nycci Nellis, cohost of Foodie and the Beast, the DC area’s one and only food and wine variety show, and all the locally, nationally and globally renowned chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, mixologists, somms, distillers, brewmasters, pit-masters and more that you’ll hear from on Industry Night.Copyright Heartcast Media Arte Comida y Vino
Episodios
  • Breaking the Restaurant Mold & Putting It Back Together

    Breaking the Restaurant Mold & Putting It Back Together
    Feb 19 2026
    What does it really take to build a restaurant that lasts—creatively, financially, and emotionally? On this episode of Industry Night, I’m recording from Rim Tang and sitting down with some of the most thoughtful voices in hospitality to talk about breaking the restaurant mold and putting it back together in a way that works for today.First, I’m joined by Jon Sybert and Jill Tyler, the husband-and-wife team behind the Michelin-starred, and recently shuttered Tail Up Goat AND the creators of Rye Bunny, opening this spring. We reflect on the last decade, what it took to build one of D.C.’s most respected restaurants, the lessons learned along the way, and why now felt like the right moment to rethink the traditional restaurant model. Inspired in part by time staging at Birdie’s in Austin, Rye Bunny represents a fresh, values-forward approach to dining.Midway through the episode, we pause for a caviar moment with our show sponsor, Merolin Caviar. A sensory tasting moment focused on texture and flavor and viewed through a chef’s lens as Jon shares how he would thoughtfully use caviar in a dish (not on a blini!)We wrap things up in the kitchen with Chef Peter and Chef Mama, the minds behind Rim Tang, where we make a papaya salad and talk Thai cuisine, instinct, and the personal stories that shape the food.From reimagining restaurant models to honoring culinary heritage, this episode offers a real, behind-the-scenes look at where hospitality has been—and where it’s headed next.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:10 - "Reinventing Restaurants with Innovation"05:46 - "Seeking Passion, Missing Chicago"06:49 - Hospitality, Authenticity, and Growth10:18 - Neighborhood Restaurant Vision16:25 - "Rethinking Hospitality's Broken System"19:42 - "Investing in Team and Healthcare"20:53 - "Challenges of Restaurant Pricing"25:09 - "Pairing Creamy Sauce with Seafood"29:04 - "Food Rooted in Comfort"31:29 - "Versatile Dining for Everyone"36:44 - Fostering Connection Through Hospitality40:19 - "Adams Morgan Dining Highlights"41:05 - Food, Hospitality, and Favorite Spots43:55 - "Cooking with Chef Mama"49:40 - "Delicious Caviar & Hospitality Changes"50:58 - "Thanks, Follow, and Subscribe"51:38 - OutroQuotes:"Breaking the mold isn't about changing the plate—it's about reimagining how we gather and grow together."- Nycci Nellis"Choose hospitality because you belong here—then build something earnest and authentic for everyone who walks through the door."- Jon Sybert"It's okay to make scary moves. Start with what matters most, and build something that sustains the people in it."- Jill TylerKey Takeaways:Breaking the Restaurant Mold, LiterallyPandemic Pivots and Industry Real TalkHospitality With Heart & a New ApproachHonest Conversations About the NumbersFood as Comfort, Care, and CommunityInspiration Circles BackA Nod to Heritage, Culture & Hands-On LearningCaviar & Conversation—Why Not Both?Filming location: https://www.rimtangdc.com/Jon Sybert:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tailupgoat/ Rye Bunny Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RyeBunnyDCWebsite:https://www.ryebunny.com/ Tail up Goat: https://www.tailupgoat.com/Jill Tyler:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jillmarietyler/ Featuring Nycci NellisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/Website: https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/Produced by Heartcast Media: http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    52 m
  • It’s a Family Affair: The Popal Group at a.kitchen + bar

    It’s a Family Affair: The Popal Group at a.kitchen + bar
    Feb 12 2026
    Hey everyone, it’s Nycci Nellis, and welcome back to Industry Night, where we go behind the scenes with the people shaping the hospitality industry, not just through food and drink, but through culture and community. Today’s show is a special one. I’m coming to you from one of my favorite rooms in the city, a.kitchen + bar at Hotel AKA, a place that's the perfect backdrop for conversations about leadership and vision (and a killer burger!).This episode is about family and what it really takes to build something lasting in hospitality, especially at a moment when so many restaurants are fighting just to stay open.Later in the show, I’ll be joined by Ellen Yin and Chef de Cuisine George Madovsky for a conversation about thoughtful cooking in one of the city’s most beloved dining rooms.But first, a conversation I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m genuinely excited because I’ve known Omar and Fatima Popal since they were in their early twenties, long before The Popal Group became one of the most respected hospitality families in Washington, D.C. When the Popal family opened Café Bonaparte in Georgetown in 2003 — what many of you now know as Lutèce — they weren’t just opening a restaurant. They were building a new life. They were also some of the very first advertisers on http://TheListAreYouOnIt.com , and watching their journey unfold over the years has been nothing short of remarkable.Today, Omar Popal is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The Popal Group, leading concept development, design, and long-term vision for restaurants including Lapis, Lapop, Lutèce, Pascual, and Maison Bar à Vins. Fatima Popal, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, oversees financial strategy, human resources, growth, and philanthropy. All while fiercely protecting the people-first culture that defines the group.Together, they represent a powerful family story rooted in Afghan heritage and a hospitality group that continues to grow while staying deeply authentic.Let’s get into it.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:40 - D.C.'s Popal Culinary Dynasty08:22 - European Cafe Culture Inspiration12:22 - Modern Afghan Hospitality Restaurant18:59 - "Hierarchy: From Party to Salon"24:03 - Late-Night Connection Sparks Collaboration30:56 - Adams Morgan's Changing Vibe37:01 - "Revitalizing a Neighborhood Gem"41:52 - D.C. Dining Evolution Insights43:30 - Hiring Challenges and Culture Priorities49:10 - "Diner Perspective on Payment Models"57:31 - George: A Reliable Team Leader01:02:53 - D.C. Fire Pit & Après Ski01:09:02 - Chef’s Wisdom and Culinary Brilliance01:09:40 - "Share, Subscribe, Enjoy D.C. Eats"01:09:55 - OutroQuotes:"The D.C. dining scene thrives when it’s powered by heart, history, and creativity."- Nycci Nellis"For us, it's about working as a team, bringing passion and love for the industry to every table, and making sure our processes and dreams are ready for new concepts to flourish."- Fatima Popal"We purposely don’t put a concept in a space just for the sake of it; it has to be what the space and the neighborhood actually need. Our family story is on every plate, and our vision always starts around the table together."- Omar PopalKey Takeaways:From Hotel Life to Hospitality LegacyFamily Roots, Family TableCulinary Evolution and Neighborhood FocusRedefining Afghan CuisineArtist, Designer, and InnovatorInvesting in PeopleThriving Through ChangeThe Future Is BrightFilming location:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/a.kitchenandbardc/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/highstreethospitality/?hl=enWebsite:https://akitchenandbardc.com/Guest InfoFatima PopalInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/fatipopal/?hl=enWebsite:https://www.thepopalgroup.com/Omar PopalInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/omar_popal/?hl=enWebsite:https://www.thepopalgroup.com/Ellen YinInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/therealellenyin/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/highstreethospitality/?hl=enWebsite:https://akitchenandbardc.com/ https://highsthospitality.com/Featuring Nycci NelliInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/Website: https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/
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    1 h y 10 m
  • It’s the Little Things With Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel & Chef Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie’s, Austin

    It’s the Little Things With Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel & Chef Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie’s, Austin
    Jan 30 2026
    I’m especially excited about today’s conversation. If you care about the future of restaurants — how they nourish communities and sustain themselves — this is an episode you’ll want to spend time with.Joining me are Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel, the chef, beverage director, and co-owners of Birdie’s in Austin, Texas, a restaurant that has quietly become one of the most important case studies in modern hospitality.Before we dive in, a quick detour. I was recently in Negril, Jamaica, staying at Syd’s on the Rocks, a stunning cliffside destination where food and culture are deeply connected. It was a reminder that hospitality, at its best, is about the experience you create for people.And that brings us right back to today’s show.Birdie’s is a small, fine-casual restaurant and wine bar with a counter-service format and fine-dining-caliber food rooted in seasonality and European technique. More importantly, it’s a reimagining of the restaurant business itself.Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel is a James Beard finalist for Best Chef: Texas, a Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year honoree, a Cherry Bombe Power List inductee, and a TIME100 Next Innovator, known for cooking that is precise and deeply ingredient-driven.Arjav Ezekiel is a James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, widely respected for his farm-forward wine program and his deeply values-driven approach to hospitality.In this episode, we dig into the hows, the whys and the “little things” matter, and how Birdie’s is helping reshape hospitality from the inside out.Follow along at @‌NycciNellis on Instagram, and don’t forget, Industry Night is available on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.Let’s get into it.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:13 - "Husband-Wife Duo Redefine Hospitality"05:07 - Passion for Food and Cooking09:15 - "Reconnecting and Hospitality Aspirations"10:59 - Journey to Restaurant Ownership15:27 - "Rethinking Restaurants Post-Pandemic"16:48 - Restaurant Industry's Struggles and Toxicity20:48 - Rethinking Dining and Counter Service26:01 - "Rethinking Sustainability and Creativity"27:14 - "Challenges of a Small Kitchen"31:11 - "Fostering Culture and Hospitality"36:13 - Tipping Trends at Birdie's39:04 - "Hiring for Hospitality Fit"42:29 - "Flexibility, Teamwork, Accountability Culture"44:52 - Rethinking Affordable Luxury Dining46:40 - "Incredible Industry Night Recap"47:36 - OutroQuotes:"Hospitality is more than a meal—it's the energy, the care, and the people at the heart of every experience. When we nurture those who nourish us, everyone thrives."- Nycci Nellis"You can teach someone to cook, but you can’t teach them to be kind. Build your dream by knowing yourself, caring for your team, and never being afraid to evolve."- Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel"The biggest risk is not taking a big enough risk. Dream big, innovate boldly, and always put people—the team and the guests—at the center of your vision."- Arjav EzekielKey Takeaways:Rethinking Restaurant NormsPeople Over EverythingHospitality is HumanCreative Freedom Fuels GrowthProfit with PurposeMentorship and TeamworkDaring to Take Big RisksCommunity ConnectionBe Yourself, Know YourselfTracy Malechek-EzekielInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracymalechek/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/birdiesaustin/?hl=enWebsite:https://www.birdiesaustin.com/Arjav EzekielInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/arjavezekiel/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/birdiesaustin/?hl=enWebsite:https://www.birdiesaustin.com/Featuring Nycci NellisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/Website: https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/Produced by Heartcast Mediahttp://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    48 m
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