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
  • Creating Restaurants Where We Want To Eat - Industry Night with Nycci Nellis: Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss

    Creating Restaurants Where We Want To Eat - Industry Night with Nycci Nellis: Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss
    Feb 26 2026
    On this episode of Industry Night, I’m back at a.kitchen + bar for our final show in this space and I want to start with gratitude. Huge thanks to Ellen Yin and Eli Collins for welcoming us in and for being such generous partners. This room has been a wonderful home for thoughtful conversations.

    Joining me today are Chef Matt Conroy and Chef Isabel Coss, partners in life and in the kitchen, and two of the most exciting voices shaping dining in Washington, D.C. right now. From Lutèce to Pascual to the just-opened Maison Bar à Vins, Matt and Isabel have built restaurants that reflect not only what they love to cook but how they want to lead, and feed people.

    This conversation is full of laughter and reflection as we talk about their journey together: how they found their way to D.C., their connection with The Popal Group, and what it’s been like to grow as chefs and collaborators through a rapidly changing industry. We dig into their passion for what’s on the plate, and why mentorship in the kitchen matters so deeply to both of them.

    Midway through the episode, we pause for The Caviar Connection, presented by our show sponsor Merolin Caviar. What starts as a tasting quickly turns into a creative conversation—and one of my favorite moments of the show. Isabel shares a brilliant idea: topping her Basque cheesecake with Merolin caviar, playing the caramelized crust and creamy custard against that perfect pop of salt. Upsell!

    From thoughtful mentorship to creative risk-taking (and yes, dessert with caviar), this episode captures why Matt and Isabel are such important voices in the D.C. dining scene.

    Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform. Watch the full conversation on YouTube

    Chapters:
    00:00 - Introduction
    02:02 - "Industry Night with Nycci Nellis"
    05:45 - "Growing Up with Food Culture"
    08:28 - First Job at Local Diner
    12:28 - "Evolving Cuisine in New York"
    13:19 - "Mezcal Impact on Dining Trends"
    18:08 - "Shift in Culinary Vision"
    22:46 - Pandemic Memories Over Dinner
    26:20 - Restaurant Vision and Evolution
    27:57 - Weather's Impact on Restaurant Operations
    30:44 - Capitol Hill's Residential Charm
    33:17 - "Modern Mexican Bistro Experience"
    39:01 - Duck Fat Potato & Caviar
    42:42 - "Making Time for Leadership"
    44:36 - Celebrity Chefs and Restaurant Misconceptions
    48:04 - "Perfecting Chicken and Shu Buns"
    50:27 - DC Dining Scene Evolution
    53:44 - "Who's the Restaurant For?"
    58:34 - "Gratitude and Appreciation Shared"
    59:55 - Outro

    Key Takeaways:
    From Diverse Backgrounds to Culinary Powerhouses
    Restaurants with Heart and Heritage
    Mentorship at the Forefront
    Neighborhood-Driven, Destination Worthy
    Adapting and Innovating in a Changing Industry
    Culinary Playfulness and Respect for Craft
    Restaurants Born from a Desire to Belong


    Connect with the Guests:

    Matt Conroy: https://www.instagram.com/conroy_matt/?hl=en
    Isabel Coss: https://www.instagram.com/chabelacoss/?hl=en

    Featuring Nycci Nellis
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/
    Websites: https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/

    Produced by Heartcast Media: http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    1 h
  • 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
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