Radio & Podcast

Multiple ways to be in the know about all the deliciousness happening locally, nationally, and internationally. Tune in to the food variety show, Foodie & The Beast, with David & Nycci Nellis on Federal News Network, or take a deep dive with Nycci on Industry Night on Real Fun DC.

FOODIE & THE BEAST

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FOODIE & THE BEAST FEBRUARY 8TH, 2026
Before you bundle up for some football, do yourself a favor and bundle up with us for today’s Foodie & The Beast!David and I kicked off the show with some seriously good date-night inspo (because romance doesn’t stop for game day), and then we filled the studio with people who are fired up about what’s happening right now in the D.C. dining scene.-We’ve got an incredible founder story coming your way —> Geraldine Mendoza of Taquería Xochi, which just opened its fourth location in Navy Yard. Let that sink in for a second. This is a business that started as a pandemic-era ghost kitchen and is now slinging tacos, cemitas, tlayudas, and aguas frescas across the city all with universal praise. Geraldine’s journey from working with José Andrés at China Chilcano to building her own powerhouse brand is the kind of DC success story we love to celebrate. Wait until you hear how she did it.-Then we caught up with two old friends of the show —> Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman of Dolcezza Gelato + Coffee, back on Foodie & The Beast after years away and years of serious growth. From a scrappy Argentine gelato duo at farmers markets to cafés all over the DMV, they’ve built something special with a real commitment to seasonality, wholesomeness, and great coffee. And yes, their Valentine’s flavors are next-level.  -And because there is always something happening in Bethesda, we’ve got Stephanie Coppula of Bethesda Urban Partnership in studio with the scoop on what’s new, what’s changing, and why Downtown Bethesda keeps leveling up,  plus Tyler Cotting from Pisco y Nazca with the inside track on how to eat and drink your way through Savor Bethesda Restaurant Week (Feb 19–March 1) without breaking the bank. So before kickoff… kick back with us on Foodie & The Beast here. 
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INDUSTRY NIGHT

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Industry Night: It’s a Family Affair: The Popal Group at a.kitchen + bar
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. Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.  
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