PODCAST
Your weekly backstage pass to the business of NYC hospitality.
Hospitality & Politics is where the worlds of restaurants, nightlife, and policy collide. Hosted by Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, listen as he dives deep into the intersections of business, politics, and everyday life. Join Andrew as he sits down with restaurateurs, nightlife operators, government officials, and influential thought-leaders to explore the real stories, challenges, and innovations shaping the hospitality industry and beyond.
You can also tune into Hospitality & Politics on NYC Life on Thursdays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 p.m. NYC Life is available on Channel 25.1 Over the Air, channel 22 on Optimum, channel 525 on Verizon FiOS, channel 1025 on Comcast, and channel 25 on Spectrum, DirecTV, and RCN.
LATEST EPISODE
Susan Povich | Lobster Rolls, Hard Lessons & the Heart of Hospitality
From a career in law to building one of Brooklyn's most recognizable seafood destinations, Susan Povich, co-founder of Red Hook Lobster Pound, joins Andrew Rigie to share her unconventional entrepreneurial journey and the realities of running a restaurant in New York City.
Susan recounts the early days of bringing fresh Maine lobster to Brooklyn, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, and expanding her business into major destinations like the U.S. Open and Bryant Park, where her viral lobster cone became a sensation. They also discuss fluctuating food costs, the evolving role of social media and AI in restaurant operations, and the mounting regulatory and financial pressures facing independent restaurants.
Throughout the conversation, Susan shares what she's learned about resilience, building a lasting business, and why creating community and memorable experiences remains at the heart of hospitality.
Susan Povich | Lobster Rolls, Hard Lessons & the Heart of Hospitality
The Power of Showing Up: Dawn Kelly on Building The Nourish Spot
Food as Diplomacy: Amanda Dell on How the Jewish Food Society Brings Communities Together
Gabriel Stulman on Building a Neighborhood Restaurant
Inside Katz’s Deli with Jake Dell: Preserving a 138-Year-Old NYC Institution
From Restaurant Owner to NYC Council Speaker: Julie Menin on Small Business and City Government
FDBA’s Rose Pierre-Louis | How Harlem’s "Gold Coast" Became a Restaurant Hotspot
Carrying the Legacy: Max Tucci, Delmonico’s and New York Hospitality
Eater Editor Nadia Chaudhury on Finding the Stories Behind New York’s Restaurants
From Waiter to Empire: How Stathis Antonakopoulos is Reinventing the New York Diner
Celebrity Chef David Burke on The Legendary River Cafe & The Birth of American Cuisine
How This Brooklyn Restaurant Blazed a Trail for Caribbean Fine Dining
The Recipe for Reinvention: How Paulie Gee and Mrs. Gee Built a Community Around Pizza
The Jimmy Rodriguez Way: Building Restaurants, Relationships, and Unforgettable Nights
The NYC Non-Profit Using the Power of "Food as Medicine" to Heal Thousands
How This NYC Kitchen is Changing the Lives of Refugees Forever
33 Years Behind the Bar | James Shrum of Blue Ribbon Brasserie
100+ Countries, One Field | John Wang and the Queens Night Market
Building a Hospitality Group: How a Big Irish Family and Friends Built IGC
From Bartender to Owner: How Megan Rickerson Built a Community at Someday Bar
Grace Young: The ‘Wok Therapist’ and Stir Fry Guru Helping Save America’s Chinatowns
How Melba Wilson Built A Culinary Empire In Harlem
How the Meatpacking District Became a Cultural Hub in NYC
35 Years At Tribeca Grill: Tracy Nieporent on Resilience and Legacy in NYC Hospitality
How Zohran Mamdani and City Council Will Impact Hospitality, Eric Adams’ Legacy, and NYC Government
The Man Behind Nobu, Tribeca Grill & Montrachet Tells How He Built Iconic NYC Restaurants
How Bungalow Became One of the Hottest Restaurants in NYC | Jimmy Rizvi and Chef Vikas
How Queens Together Has Helped Feed 500,000 People & Boost Local Restaurants
This Restaurant Expert Tells You Where To Eat on Staten Island | Pamela Silvestri
He Raised $37 Million During The Pandemic To Support Restaurants & Fight Food Insecurity
‘The Work We Do Is Sacred Care’ | Elizabeth Murray on NYC Hospitality
Inside NYC’s Nightlife: Meet Jeffrey Garcia, Executive Director of the Office of Nightlife
The Owner Of NYC’s Viral Venues Reveals The Current State Of Nightlife | Cortney Bond
NYC Sandwich Expert REVEALS ALL About Where You Need To Eat Next
Neir’s Tavern – The Historic NYC Bar That Refused to Die w/ Loycent Gordon
NYC News Legend Roger Clark Tells You Where To Visit Next
How Magnolia Bakery Went From A Small West Village Shop To A Global Brand | Bobbie Lloyd
How Staten Island's Shaw-naé Dixon Created A Top 50 Restaurant In The US
Fixing Outdoor Dining, Reforming Liquor Laws & Navigating Community Boards | Robert & Max Bookman
Julie Coker on Revitalizing NYC Tourism
Tom Colicchio on Food, Policy, and the Power of Advocacy
Behind the News Desk to Inside the Family Restaurant w/ Iconic NYC Anchor Rosanna Scotto
Managing Madness in NYC’s Hospitality Industry | Jeffrey Bank and Bill Bonbrest