Roman Grandinetti on NYC Nightlife Then vs. Now, Opening MXDIN & Regina's Grocery & MORE!

Summary

Canal Street Dreams — Episode Summary
Roman Grandinetti on NYC Nightlife Then vs. Now, Opening Mixed Ingredients & Regina's Grocery, and More!
Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Eddie Huang & Natashia Perrotti
Guest: Roman Grandinetti

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Episode Overview

This lively episode features Roman Grandinetti, the "Mayor of Orchard Street," entrepreneur behind NYC anchors Regina’s Grocery and Mixed Ingredients, and former DJ. Eddie and Natashia dive into Roman's journey from his early days in the NYC nightlife and DJ scene to creating new models of hospitality and community through food—while also opening up about raising families, identity, working in teams, and how NYC has changed.

The trio reflect on the evolution of New York nightlife (from classic clubs to the modern scene), the value of self-taught paths, food culture, team dynamics, and parenthood. The conversation is rich with personal anecdotes, generous wisdom, and a lot of laughs, offering rare insight into how creative communities evolve and collaborate in New York.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Coffee Shop as the New Clubhouse

[00:39 - 02:59]

• Mixed Ingredients isn’t just a coffee shop—it functions as a spontaneous social hub, echoing what clubs used to be for creative New Yorkers.
• The craft of coffee is respected on the level of sneaker and fashion culture.
• Eddie praises the deep knowledge of Mixed Ingredients’ baristas (Pinto and Peachy) and how their passion mirrors the obsessive attention in other crafts.
  • “Their expertise goes down tremendous rabbit hole… I love the both of them… it was the way we were when it came down to understanding the nuances in a polo T-shirt or a Jordan sneaker.” — Roman [01:29]
• The overlap between Miami and New York creative circles, with shout-outs to key figures like Jason Odio for influencing both coffee and nightclub trends.

2. Genesis in NYC Nightlife & the DJ Years

[03:26 - 11:18]

• Roman recounts his entry from Bensonhurst into fashion and nightlife, being mentored into DJ culture by friends with New York and music ties, and learning from icons like Steve Rifkin and Peter Gatien.
  • “My mother and father were big into nightlife, Studio 54, all that world.” — Roman [04:54]
• Legendary clubs—Stereo, Butter, Goldbar—had powerful cross-section crowds where creativity and style trumped money.
• The boom of “superstar DJs” in the 2000s (DJ AM, Stretch Armstrong, Chairman Mao at APT), and how certain clubs let music and style lead.
• Subculture moments—like sneaking into APT with sneakers—or breaking dress codes at exclusive venues, often marked a creative’s rite of passage.
• Roman: “The crew that I was adopted by broke the rules so far that they got into fashion… at a pinnacle time, Sal wore Jordan 5s to the Met Gala… We were breaking the rules.” [10:05]

3. Nightlife Then vs. Now

[11:18 - 17:57]

• The “old way” of clubs (c. 2000s–2010s) emphasized unique crowds, DJ-driven nights, and style barriers, which have mostly faded.
• Natashia and Eddie note that today, NYC nightlife has shifted toward alternative gatherings—bars, pop-ups, daytime events, loft parties—while massive club experiences, like tech raves, are rare and tightly focused on the DJ, not the scene.
• Roman asserts this is part of a larger cycle: “Things are cyclical… People are doing it. They’re just doing it in different ways.” [15:29]
• Mixed Ingredients has become a “daytime club” organically, serving as a spontaneous meeting spot.

4. Hospitality, Food, and the Move from Nightlife to Restaurants

[20:07 - 30:17]

• Roman’s deep love of craft led him from DJing and fashion into food—despite lacking formal culinary training.
• Regina’s Grocery was a response to the dying NYC Italian sandwich shop, reshaping it with artistry and homage to his mother.
  • “We were always like these knock-around kids. Where I was like, yo, let’s beautify this thing. That’s where the grocery came in.” — Roman [21:22]
• Eddie and Natashia relate, emphasizing the importance of learning by doing, keeping traditions alive while evolving the identity and aesthetics of food spots.
• Both speak to the importance of self-taught craft, expressing pride in hiring and training “green” employees in their own ways.

5. The Value of Self-Taught Paths & New Ways of Working

[27:10 - 38:33]

• Roman and Eddie discuss how nontraditional backgrounds—self-taught as a chef or creative—allow for unique innovation, adaptability, and confidence borne from necessity.
  • “If you do break the mold, it’s amazing and it’s beautiful.” — Roman [29:50]
• They debate how hard-wired persistence, problem-solving, family expectations, and “no Plan B” mentalities shaped their careers.
  • “There’s a difference between working on your brand and for your brand.” — Roman [45:08]
• Praise for self-taught team members: “I’m very prone to hiring someone with no experience because you teach them how you learned.” — Roman [24:14]
• Teamwork insights—“If he dies, he dies” attitude—and mutual acknowledgment that success is a function of resilience and uncompromising standards.

6. Family, Parenting, and Being Partners in Life and Work

[30:51 - 44:23]

• Roman, Eddie, and Natashia open up about the challenges and joys of becoming parents, translating their hustle and exacting standards for excellence from nightlife/restaurant life to family life.
• The shift from partying as professional and social necessity to embracing new social patterns (pop-up, daytime gatherings).
• Honest reflections on their upbringings and how that gets passed down: toughness, expectation, love.
• Dynamics in marriage and parenthood: pushing partners out of love to be their best, learning from each other, changing through parenting.
  • “You were like, you need to be a better woman. You need to figure it out and get your sht together… If you’re showing up for sht that doesn’t matter, you’re gonna always show up.” — Natashia [37:45]
• The importance of strong parenting partnership: pouring into each other to become the best for their children.

7. Neighborhood, Italian Roots, and Preserving Dying Food Traditions

[47:51 - 53:39]

• Regina’s sandwiches reflect classic New York Italian flavor, upholding “dying arts” like the hero/hoagie in a city where many such places are vanishing.
• Discussion of regional sandwich cultures (e.g., roast beef shops in Massachusetts, Italian delis in NY and LA), and nostalgia for old-school, immigrant-run shops.
• Roman: “Making a sandwich, the classic East Coast hero, is a dying art.” [53:32]
• Importance of maintaining tradition, resisting fads for “chef-driven” novelty when classics still matter.

8. Looking Forward

[44:28 - end]

• Roman is focusing on playing supportive, behind-the-scenes roles in new ventures—especially in beverage—and shifting from being the “face” of a brand to refining brand experience and quality control from afar.
• Commitment to keeping tradition alive in an era of rapid change.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Their expertise goes down tremendous rabbit hole… it was the way we were when it came down to understanding the nuances in a polo T-shirt or a Jordan sneaker.” — Roman [01:29]
• “The crew that I was adopted by broke the rules… We were wearing shorts to 10 June. You had to wear shoes and dress pants. We were walking in with shorts.” — Roman [10:05]
• “I just want to create something that’s New York. And I think I’m just a product of my environment.” — Roman [17:29]
• “If you do break the mold, it’s amazing and it’s beautiful.” — Roman [29:50]
• “There's a difference between working on your brand and for your brand.” — Roman [45:08]
• “Making a sandwich, the classic east coast hero is a dying art.” — Roman [53:32]
• “You gotta stress test things… sometimes shock therapy works.” — Eddie [47:26]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:39] — Coffee culture, Mixed Ingredients as social hub
• [03:35 – 11:18] — NYC nightlife, DJ pathways, iconic clubs, peaking at Butter and Goldbar
• [12:00 – 15:29] — Evolution of nightlife and what replaced mainline clubs
• [20:07 – 24:14] — From DJing/fashion to opening Regina’s; importance of food craft
• [27:10 – 30:17] — On being self-taught, learning by doing, nontraditional paths
• [30:51 – 39:00] — Parenting philosophies, family expectations, growth in marriage
• [47:51 – 53:39] — Sandwich culture, preserving the old neighborhood Italian deli
• [44:28 – end] — Roman’s shift to brand development & behind-the-scenes roles

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Conclusion

This episode offers a rich, honest, and often hilarious look at NYC creative culture—then and now—through the eyes of three insiders. Roman’s journey from nightlife to hospitality, the trio’s ruminations on team grit, family, and sustaining community traditions deliver a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and keeping real New York vibrancy alive.

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Recommended for: Anyone curious about NYC subcultures, food entrepreneurship, nightlife history, creative community-building, or just how three friends juggle ambition, art, and growing families in the city.

Transcript

[Roman]

Welcome back, Canal Street Dreams. We got our homie Roman from Regina's and Mixed in and several other businesses on the show today. This is the mayor of Orchard Street. All right. I'm saying it because when I go to Orchard Street, I post about his spot on the crate at Mixed in and also. Which is a prerequisite to being on the show. Former dj. Yeah. You can't be on the show if you wasn't a DJ at some point in your life.

[Host 1]

Yes. This is very, very, very true.

[Roman]

Thank you for coming on the show, brother.

[Host 1]

Thank you. Thank you for hanging out. Thank you for the support. Thank you for everything. Thank you for the honesty. That's the biggest thing.

[Roman]

No, we before the pod, every week we go get this now. We used to go to a bunch of different places and now I'm very loyal to this orange juice espresso.

[Host 1]

Okay?

[Roman]

This shit bangs.

[Host 1]

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

[Roman]

Like at home, I drink the regular La Marzocco. I'll pull the espresso. Just drink straight espresso. But. But it's fun to go to a shop and like get the mixed in drink.

[Host 2]

Also, your barista is so knowledgeable. He just understands coffee in a way. Like I learn from him. Like you guys will be talking cuz he's such an espresso guy. And you're just like in the coffee world when you guys are talking, I'm just like, damn.

[Roman]

Yeah. When he was talking about the Japanese Slayer coffee machine, I was like, what?

[Host 2]

I was like, wait, there's that I don't even know exists. And I just feel like when your barista like has that level of knowledge and I'm just like, yeah, I'm getting a good coffee today.

[Roman]

Yeah. Pinto's boss man. What's the tall guy's name?

[Host 1]

Peachy.

[Roman]

Peachy. Yeah.

[Host 1]

The team. The team. I'm very, very thankful for them. They're amazing. And then, yeah, they're like expertise goes down tremendous rabbit hole. And the reason why I think I love the both of them is it was the way I we were when it came down to like understanding the nuances in a polo T shirt and a Jordan sneaker. It's like very reminiscent of that time to me. So when they have this like insane knowledge of how things work in this world, I am super, super respectful of it in any of the crafts, which I'm sure we'll get to.

[Roman]

You know, you can see it when somebody loves what they're doing and they're just genuinely curious. They start spouting out Facts. You're like, I didn't even know that was important to this. But, like, tell me more, because I'm feeding off your energy now. And those two guys at the shop are definitely like that.

[Host 1]

Yeah. The home runs. Pinto is. Pinto is an owner. Pinto has worked for me since Regina's, and our history is through Jason. Actually, he was in Miami with Jason. Pinto wanted to move to New York, and he was like, yo, I have a gem. He's moving to New York, and I think he should stay within the family. And I was like, absolutely.

[Roman]

Didn't Jason Odeo from Miami?

[Host 1]

Yeah. So it was a tremendous gift that kept on giving. Jason is the man and has supported everything I've done. And he passed. You know, Pinto was there. He came to Regina's, and we had this plan, and here we are.

[Roman]

Yeah. Little. Little do people know Jason Odio is. Is like the godfather of. Of the current Matcha movement that everybody is enjoying. He has been pulling the strings behind the show of the Macha movement. But, like, real ones know, you know?

[Host 1]

Yeah. Amazing.

[Roman]

Yeah. If you.

[Host 1]

Sure.

[Roman]

Yeah. And then. And then that whole Miami crew is ill, though. Odo Raul Dizza. Dizza hasn't been Shout out for, like, five episodes.

[Host 2]

Shout out.

[Roman]

We got another Dizza Shout out today.

[Host 2]

Shout Out. Dizza. You know, very special.

[Roman]

That's fire.

[Host 2]

All of it.

[Host 1]

Very special.

[Roman]

Yeah. Very special. Homies. But what's it called? Yo, how did you get started? Like, so were you a DJ first? Is that how you met all the homies and stuff?

[Host 1]

DJ first. And I came into the world through another world. Um, my, like, big brother, Sal Morale, was big in fashion, but was from Bensonhurst, and he, like, opened this door to the Bensonhurst world. He was in fashion. I wasn't in fashion, but I was always attracted to fashion. And I loved music. I worked at src. I worked for Steve Rifkin. That was my door into music. So I was always big into music. And then about 6, 17, 18 years old, Sal was this kid from the neighborhood, and there was always this, like, story around him that he was doing things in the city. It was like. It was 100 miles away.

[Roman]

Like some Bronx tale shit.

[Host 1]

Yeah, exactly.

[Roman]

It was, like, really dope.

[Host 1]

Going to the city was, like, crazy. And then, of course, they had this party on Mondays, and my friends were like, wait a second. You're going to a party on a Monday in the city? It was, like, groundbreaking. Long story short, he adopted me. And in his crew, he had a crew that was at the time was called 71 8. And it was Anthony Vitale, who is still one of the most amazing DJs, I think, to ever touch Records. And the crew, like adopted me and I was the young one. I was super young. And they brought me into this world and I became a dj. But it was my mother and father were big into like nightlife, Studio 54, all that world. I worked for someone that worked for Peter Gation.

[Roman]

Oh, shit.

[Host 1]

So I learned my proper education and then I got into the downtown butter scene and I was 18 years old and Sherry adopted me as well. So I was like this bridge and tunnel kid meets like Monday night, still going out kid.

[Roman]

That's crazy how if you're from a generation together, you and I similar gen. Everyone passes through the same shit. Like, I'm from Orlando, Florida, and I was looking at New York through like the Source magazine. Right. But I came up here and within like two years of being in New York, I started to do things for Mike Caruso. Lord Caruso.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Roman]

And Ghost facing them and like doing shirts and things like that and then partying and like, that was Peter Gation's partner, you know?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

And he managed Capadonna. He managed Ghost. But, like, it's crazy how. How big that family tree is.

[Host 1]

Yeah, well, New York's family tree is interesting. It's like all the little, like segmented little branches and how they touch or like overlap is crazy. Or like what falls off the tree then becomes like a baby is insane.

[Roman]

Yeah. And her mom's like 15, 16 years older than we are. And her mom was at those same clubs.

[Host 2]

Yeah. It's very funny, like hearing them talk because it's this like 15, 16 year gap. And then I'm 12 years. You're like right in the middle. So like you're. You're like the. You speak both languages. You can talk to me and my mom and I'm just like, what the fuck are you guys talking about?

[Roman]

Because we were the youngest in the crew. Like me and Rome, at our age, we'd be the youngest in the crew and your mom would be on like the. The more senior side of the crew and like we would all know each other.

[Host 1]

Yeah, it's what shape. I mean, I always went down that road. It was like what shaped me or. And us, you know, Like, I always wanted more. And if you were a little older, you just hopefully inherently had more. So it was always like how I ran and then, yeah, they. I got adopted multiple times.

[Roman]

What were the clubs that were. That you liked when you were coming.

[Host 1]

Up at that age, I think a club that changed my perception to the. To the world was Stereo. It was the first, like, duo where it was like, I don't want to say like kids from the neighborhood, but kids from the neighborhood that knew and had style were then in a room with kids from New York City with like supermodels. That's the club that stood out the most to me at the time because I was. I was allowed into Butter. But Butter was the best club in New York. There was no if, ands or buts. Like, I knew I was only there for very specific reasons. And again, Sheri adopted me. And to this day, I love her for so many reasons. She taught me 150 lessons. She was like the sunny in the Bronxdale to me because she gave a shit. She was like, you're young, you have a good heart, and you're like, kind of cute. So I'm going to take you under my wing and show you what the fuck is real. But Stereo was definitely one of those places where things came together for me in like a big light. But Gold bar and John Lennon was another one who knew how to like, create his own world and environment. And I was a part of that Sunday party. And I was a kid.

[Roman]

The Sunday party was the best.

[Host 1]

Reflecting.

[Roman]

Yeah. Like James Cruikshanks over there and PJ and Sean. Like, that Sunday night party was one of the best parties in your. You. You even hit that Sunday night party.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Tail end probably, but yeah, for sure.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Like, yeah. I remember when it started. It was insane. And then I remember what, like what the drop in was. And then also it's like it was at a time where DJing was crazy. Like DJ AM was putting DJing on to be like a superpower. It wasn't. You weren't a DJ anymore. Like, obviously, Stretch Armstrong, Riz, there's tons and tons of them that, you know, you grow up just idolizing. But am made you like a DJ was like, you were a super, like, you were a superstar.

[Roman]

Yeah. I remember seeing him at Santos Party House for the first time and I was like, oh, this is some different shit.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

And then I even. I remember seeing like Stretch and chair Chairman Mao apt. I have to say that was like the big eye opening night as a kid from Orlando coming to New York, I caught Stretch and Chairman Mao at apt and I was like, this might be the greatest party I've ever been to.

[Host 1]

That was the best party in New York because It was where DJs were able to become DJs and you went for music and you were like, you had like your Nextel and you're over here like writing down like lyrics of the song. Because there was no like, Shazam or whatever. You're like, what the fuck was that record? And you're like in your, like, Nextel, like writing everything down. But that was the party for music heads.

[Roman]

Yeah, for sure. Especially rap heads like Rich Medina will pop on. I was just like, those dudes knowledge is deeper than anyone's knowledge ever will be in hip hop. Like, I don't think anyone will surpass them. Like, eight track is probably there with them. But like, those are his uncles, you know? And like that. That apt party was eye opening too, because it was like I hated clubs because I got big ass, flat, wide feet. And so the hard bottom shoe thing fucked me up.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Roman]

And so when apt you could go in sne, I was like, oh, now I could party.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

Because I literally couldn't move in like Kenneth Coles or Alan. I was like, but what am I doing in these shits?

[Host 1]

See, like, yeah, the crew that I was adopted by broke the rules. And they broke the rules so far that they got into fashion in such a way that at a pinnacle time, Sal wore Jordan fives to the met gala. And he was brought by like, I believe Dolce Gabbana at the time. And his whole thing was like. We all had rosary beads on. We were like, I hate the word, but it was okay. Cause you could picture it. We were like guidos. We were the Italian. We were Italian, like, little mob. And we were. We broke all the. Like, we were wearing shorts to 10 June. You had to wear shoes and dress pants. We were walking in with shorts.

[Roman]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

And it was like, okay, I'm in a different world. I don't know what world I'm in, but I'm happy to be in it. And we were the kind of the kids that like, broke the rules.

[Roman]

Yeah. 10 June was a bitch to get into. I only went if someone was gonna like, hold us down and walk us in. Because I was like, yo, I'm not getting curved outside again. I was always getting curved attention because I'm like five, seven, and I would just pull up with a T shirt and sneakers and like, yo, you ain't got no shorties and you.

[Host 1]

You got.

[Roman]

You don't even got hard bottom shoes on. And so I would only go with these certain dudes who like new investors in there and like that. But like, 10 June was a tough door back then.

[Host 1]

Yeah, it was that Neighborhood was insane. If you think about, like, the ripple effect from that time, that was New York nightlife. It was, you know, Stereo, Cane, Home Guest House, Bed, Spirit. You had Ev. Ruby Falls. You had every music.

[Roman]

Bed was hysterical to.

[Host 1]

It was a joke.

[Roman]

Yeah. We did some good parties at Bed. So then they paid us to go throw parties at Bed Miami. And I was like, this is insane. Bed Miami was even bigger. It was like just being at a mattress warehouse.

[Host 1]

Yeah, exactly.

[Host 2]

This is a mattress firm.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

It's like a Jennifer Convert.

[Host 1]

Is it? And it's a different world. But that's. That's very true. It's almost like a joke. But it was. It was a different. Different world.

[Host 2]

I miss it. I miss nightlife. Do you think that there's. I'm just so. Not outside, so I don't know. Like, when we move back to New York, I'm like, in the house. I don't go out ever. So I'm like, is there still, like, what's up with. Like, is there, like. Is there clubs? Like, I just don't feel like there's clubs anymore. I don't feel like people go out in the same way that, like, what you're explaining. And then, like, when I was partying, it was like 2011 to, like, maybe 2016 was, like, when I was outside. And it just. Even the tail end of that wasn't the same with, like, clubs. Like, getting into, like, a 10June. Like, I just don't think that that's. It's like Paul's baby grand.

[Roman]

Yeah, Paul's grand. But I feel like, no, little sister. I don't know anyone going to clubs right now. It's like bars or Bushwick parties. Like, Loft parties. Parties. Yeah. The club thing is, like, kind of cooked.

[Host 2]

Like, I definitely feel like people are still going out for DJs. Like, that still exists, but it's just not like they're not at clubs anymore.

[Host 1]

Yeah. I think the way of entry is no longer accepted. I think. Yeah, it's a little hard. I think what we went, like, what you said, it's like what we went through to potentially get into a nightclub is tough. I don't think, you know, those practices could be practiced today, sadly. But there was. It was. There was no. There's nothing wrong with it. When you looked at it, they wanted the best room in the world. They wanted the best dressers. And it never mattered about money. It wasn't like, oh, this kid has a ton of money. He's getting in. That was his way of getting in. If you just put, you know, a $12T shirt on and a $14 pair of pants, and you looked amazing. They were letting you in the cold. They let you in. It wasn't like. I think a lot of people look at it sometimes as it's, like, such a harsh thing. But there was reasons for all of it. And to your question, I think light, like, things are cyclical. And to go back to, like, Peter Gation, a friend of mine, owns, I think the biggest party in the world right now and started from that world is called tech support. And when there's clubs that can't do 120 people. We went out last week to go, and I haven't seen him in a long time, and he's literally my friend since I'm 11 years old. I went to go and see him for the first time in, like, two, three years. He did 7,500 people, and he does it three times a week. So people are going out. They're going out for the dj. Yeah, I think we went out for the crowd and, like, the hype.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

I was DJing. I knew 14 people downtown. Who cares that I was? But I was at Gold Bar, and Gold Bar had us, and I just happened to be the DJ at the time, and that's what made the room. Now it's like back in the day where the DJ makes the room and people are going, and then I think it'll stem off again and someone will come out.

[Roman]

You know, clubs for me was just like, I'm gonna go see my friends.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

And then it was like, I would. I would get into pretty much everywhere I wanted to go, except I would say 10 June, because it was like the advent of streetwear. I didn't want to, like, change my style, and I didn't want to put on, like, slacks or a belt or anything. And they were kind of, like, hanging on to that, you know, at that moment. But, like, no, like, I see people like Jubilee was DJing up in Cats Kat's Deli. Right. I think people are throwing parties outside of the club, which is cool. And then, like, you know, Lucien is always popping.

[Host 1]

Sure.

[Roman]

I wouldn't call it a club, but I feel like Lucien serves the purpose that a club used to for homies like us, you know, like, you go to Lucy and you're gonna see, like, 17 people, you know?

[Host 1]

Yeah. I think our club table now has steak frites and, you know, other things on it. I don't think it's just patron, like, espresso and no Whatever.

[Roman]

It's like, go to Bolatos.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's our table. Yeah, it's a little. I think our table. Table setting is just different. It's, you know, I think that's what we are going for. But I think the. Again, I think things are cyclical and someone will come back and be like, yo, you know, this massive club and everyone's allowed in and this down the third is done. I think that, like, people are doing it. They're just doing it in different ways. Like, the Nines is a great venue, Right. You got to have a reservation. It's different. It's just a different way of operating. I think everything that he's doing is, like, right on the money for, like, what it is. They're great alcohol venues with a great pairing of food, and he's bringing that small environment back. And then there's the mega club.

[Roman]

Yeah. And he still got Acme, too, You know, like, he still got Acme down there. So that's like more of a traditional, like, club bar downstairs. And then he got Bar Bianchi, where it's like, you sit outside with your apparel spritz. That's a way to socialize. But then it's funny, I will say organically mixed in is the club, like, during the day.

[Host 1]

Because trying to get there.

[Roman]

I mean, bro, that's the place. I know I. I could walk over and, like, say, I'm going to get a coffee, but I just had a coffee. I'm really just going to sit and talk to some friends. You know, I'm going to mixed in to post up. And like, you've created that without trying to. Without being like, okay, so this is like the coffee rave. You know how people are doing those sober raves. And I'm like, it's too intentional. It's too intentional. It's like running the marathon. Like, if I want to run the marathon, I run the marathon. If I want to hang out with people, it needs to feel like I wasn't trying.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

You know what I'm saying? I'd rather go sit at Mixed. It's.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

You know what I'm talking about, right, babe?

[Host 1]

I.

[Host 2]

Absolutely.

[Roman]

The coffee shop and to a fucking Burning Man.

[Host 1]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Or it's the turning the coffee shop into, like a running. It's like. It's a running club. It's also these things that you have to, like, get dressed up to almost, like, appear to. And I do feel like the venues that we went to and that we're talking about, like, you were Able to hold on to your style. And that's what made that venue really interesting. Right. Like, to me, it was maybe the rosary bead. That was, like, my thing. I wanted it. I wanted to say that I was a guido. I'm not supposed to be here, but I'm here. And I think that was fun.

[Roman]

It's J. Buddha for me. Same shit, you know?

[Host 1]

Yeah. Like, so I think that's interesting. And that's kind of the vision of what I. I want to say. Mixed ingredients is. I think it was. I really just want to create something that's New York. And I think I'm just a product of my environment. And I think those were my environments. That's where I met people. I met tons of people in nightclubs. Sure. Great. Everyone doing the right thing. No, but I still have relationships to this day that I'm super trusting and believing it.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

The club was my favorite place to meet people.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

It just felt natural to me.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Same.

[Roman]

This is the way I, like, want to meet somebody. Like the homie, whatever. All my business sprang out of partying. People in Hollywood always be like, oh, how do you know this person? Oh, partying. They're like, you met everybody. Yeah, did. Yeah, that was. That was. That was my fucking office.

[Host 1]

Yeah. I mean, I think there was different intention and different opportunity. I think you walk in a room at any given night and you went in there with that intention. You didn't know who you were going to, like, bump into. You didn't know who you were going to see. And it was a time where, like, I hate to be corny about it, but press was big. Page six, Star magazine, People magazine. These things were huge. Kids from 18th Avenue, Queens, all of a sudden, in a publication with X, Y and Z celebrity. And that put you next to them. You had, like. You had this thing. You had power. And that's what, like, created New York. So I think it wasn't just about going to a club and getting drunk. I stopped drinking when I was DJing because I was like, oh, I'm DJing five nights a week. I can't drink five nights a week. I'm done. And I wanted to be a good dj, so I stopped. But I would always know that I had. I would always leave the club with a business card or an opportunity or like a shaking of a hand. I. I passed time. Yeah, I didn't. It wasn't always for business, but it was always that. And that I always enjoyed. I always enjoyed being amongst my friends. And that's where they were, I will.

[Roman]

Say too, is like, it's a lifestyle thing we talk about in relationships. Like, we're definitely. We were former nightlife people, you know, like undeniably worked in nightlife. And like, it's. I need that. Like, I need, I need that energy now as an adult parent, daytime. Like, we've now transferred it to like gazebo, you know, like the pop ups feel like a nightlife function, but it starts at 7:00 and there's different things on the table.

[Host 1]

Sure. Yeah, it's perfect.

[Roman]

I think, you know, it's perfect.

[Host 2]

It's a really nice transition. You're like, I don't have to like feel like tomorrow, but I had a good time. I love that.

[Roman]

And still see everybody.

[Host 2]

Like, it's just about seeing and have that connection. And it doesn't feel so intentional. You don't feel like you were like, we went out and we like did this thing just like organic, nice time.

[Host 1]

Exactly.

[Roman]

Yeah. And we. Yo, we skipped over one too, bro. Regina's is like an iconic downtown New York restaurant.

[Host 1]

Like, thank you.

[Roman]

You know, you win a lot sandwich awards. Like, how did it go from the DJ thing to Regina's?

[Host 1]

I always wanted to do food. Sadly, didn't have the money to go to culinary school and understand what that hurdle would be. Or I made this like, big excuse that I couldn't do it. I'm sure there's people with no money that go to amazing schools. It was always something that I want to do. I grew up a huge fan and I respect craft. Any craft I'm really big on. From like the Bob Vilas of the world to anything like Martha Stewart I loved. I was infatuated with that. That's what I grew up watching. And it holds like a big place in my heart. I always wanted to do food again. And I felt like I had the agency. The agency was doing great and it's still around and we still play the back card with tons of people. But I said, I've always had this idea. Friends of mine were in London and I was like, you know what? I'm gonna do it for myself one day. I was like, you know what? I'm gonna. Instead of doing it for everybody else, I'm gonna try to do it for me. Let's see if, you know, my balls are as big as I think.

[Roman]

Just for the list, I'm gonna say. So you had an ad agency, like kind of a branding agency, and so you were doing projects for other people and you decided, yo, I'm gonna Do my own project.

[Host 1]

Yeah, we had connected for about eight or nine years. We had an office at 265 Canal and we were having tons of fun. I mean, we worked with everyone that we could ever imagine. And I was like, yo, let's reverse it and let's see if we could start doing this for ourselves. At that time, I was starting a sub company called Ad Ventures where I was investing in companies through advertising because we had the advertising arm of the company. And I was like, I'll just do it for myself. First name was Mama's Boy. And I was like, oh, this is Guido Subway. This isn't going to work. And we all started knocking around and all my boys were like, yo, your mom took care of all of us. Every Italian spot is called, you know, Lenny's, John's, Sal's. And I was like, okay, cool. And I wanted to like feminize it. We were so rough and we were always like these knock around kids. Where I was like, yo, let's beautify this thing. That's like a man's world. That's where the grocery came in. Because otherwise it would have been Roman's Deli, right? Like, it would have been the same shit. Like, cool. This was like, yo, I'm gonna make it Regina's grocery and beautify this thing. And at the time, friend of mine had game seven. Maxwell was doing thousands of things. And within three weeks, Maxwell launched the public school Jordan at Regina's. And it became this like marketing engine.

[Roman]

Oh, shit. I didn't know Maxwell was in the beginning too. Yeah, I mean, Maxwell put me with Dylan here to do gazebo. So shout out Maxwell man.

[Host 1]

Maxwell, he's another one that was always like a guardian angel of mine. I would walk into a club and he would be there and it would just be like, okay, cool, I have some support. I'm not alone. And it was great. And he's always looked out for me for years. And this was a big one. And when he did that, it changed the perception of what Regina's was immediately. But it was where our perception was going to. We wanted to make it a brand. We never wanted to like, disrespect. I'm not a chef, my mom's a home chef. And all we did was make sure we sold the best product that was the most authentic to us. And I kept slamming that idea. That was my hold on any merchandise or anything like that. Because I was like, yo, if we become a brand first and our food sucks, we're fucked, right? Like, we're beat. So I was laser focused on food, did everything in my power to make sure I knew how to produce a good sandwich. And then we just reversed it. We were like, oh, we're just going to keep pushing this brand. And then all of a sudden we started opening up more of them. Marketing went a different route. It went digital. No one was putting up posters and it was all like serendipitous. And now my life is predominantly food and beverage, but we're now taking part in more food and beverage businesses. So it's fun.

[Roman]

No, it's fly. Also, I never went to culinary school and I learned through working at my dad's restaurant and then Natasha learned working at her family's restaurant. But I feel like you just do it enough one day and then you're like, I got it. Yeah, you know, that's all it is. It's just practice.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I agree. And I think all of that stuff comes with an interesting, like, story in the end because like a lot of what we do now, even in the new store, I'm very prone to hiring someone with no experience because you teach them how you learned and what you did, even though it's not the right way, let's say by textbook, you're getting the product that you want. So as long as you get there where we should, everyone should be happy. Right? So like we shake matcha at mixed ingredients. We love it. That's what we love. We like it. Is it harder? Is it? Sure, but that's what we like. So you can't tell me that you worked in this beautiful ceremony place and this is how you do it and you try to bring that practice to us, it might not work. So that's what I do love about the self taught stuff.

[Host 2]

Yeah, it's great hiring someone who's green because then it's like they're now trained in your way. Yeah, it's like it just all flows so nice. And I think that's the thing, like with you, it's like you're trained your dad's way, you know, and then like you pass that on. Like, I'm so trained my family's way. I'm like, I don't, I don't know how to do in any other place besides, like how my family taught me.

[Roman]

Yeah. And the funny thing is, is like I at Bauhaus, it's very similar to your story. And that's why I love just getting to know more about you as flies. Like, I also, when I opened Bauhaus, I was like, I Don't just want it to look like. Like Wong's Bows, you know, like, it's. It's all wooz, you know, like cool, you know, respect. Like, if you named it Liu's Cool.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

But I was just like, I'm also in architecture, and I was like, bauhaus. Best architecture school ever. And then we sell him boughs. And I think from jump, that made people realize, like, oh, he's kind of doing this different.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

And then. But I was a home cook, and all of my stuff I learned from my mother as well. So I was like, I just want to replicate this as close to how we eat at home. But the identity, the branding, the music, that's what I learned as an American kid in the city, you know? So we did it that way. It got popular, and then we would start to get resumes from people who work for, like, big chefs because they wanted to come see how to do Taiwanese food, because no one else was doing Taiwanese food at that level that also spoke English. So they wanted to kind of, like, come learn. And they would be like, wait, why are you doing it that way? You should do this and do that. And, you know, they. They put me onto a few different, like, kitchen tools that now I realize are very basic that I didn't even know existed. But ultimately, there was nothing they brought that I actually wanted in the shop. And ultimately none of them lasted more than 90 days because I was like, I don't want to be French Culinary Institute. Like, this is how we're going to do this. And we ended up going 10 years breaking bread every year. And it worked. Anytime someone brought in a new system, we actually. Those would be the only months we lost money because it didn't work that way. It's in a good shop.

[Host 1]

Yeah. I mean, I love to hear things like that because it's also how a ton of things are created. If we all follow that same same path and way, I mean, there wouldn't be an iPhone. Right. Like, someone had to break the mold somewhere along the line.

[Roman]

Right? Yeah.

[Host 1]

We still have a flip phone, so. Yeah. What's like. What's what? So I. I agree, and I love hearing stuff like that. And it also makes me feel a little bit more comfortable in my seat, too, because I do everything like that. And sometimes I second guess my. You know. You second guess yourself. You're like, well, what the hell?

[Roman]

Yeah. No, it's too. Like, when I became a chef and then when I became a director, I'm like, oh, do I need to Go to like directing school. Do I need to talk to like older directors and like, you know, I probably could have talked to a few more people before the first movie, but after the second movie I'm like, no, I know how to do this my way. Like I know how to do a film. I'm extremely confident. I know every in and out of it now. And I'm like, didn't need to go to school.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I mean that's, I think that's where it's going to get interesting for our children. I think more of that is coming forward, which I could be shooting myself in the foot right now by saying this, but I feel like self taught opportunity is more accepted and more achievable today than it ever was. And I think maybe we have more resources today where you could reference and learn and understand. But I, I do think it's a very specific way of learning and I'm super into it. I do think that that's going to become like a big way of life as things move forward where self taught people are doing, you know, amazing, amazing things. Like one after another.

[Roman]

Yeah. It's very hard to be self. It's the harder path. Like if you have the money to pay and go to school and have someone tell you how to do it, you kind of get a head start.

[Host 1]

Right.

[Roman]

But what happens is if you don't have that and you have to figure it out for yourself and make the decisions, you deal with your own personal fears, you learn problem solving and sometimes you innovate a way that nobody else thought of before that works for you or.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Or everyone. Right. You don't know how your practice helps somebody else. Which I think is super interesting. I think there's people that have done it and like Bruce Lee's proven it. Right. Like, look at that one.

[Host 2]

Be water.

[Host 1]

Be water. His whole thing, you know, he looked at it.

[Host 2]

Water, bitch.

[Host 1]

And look, it was like he birthed this life that, you know, like where everyone was classically trained in, you know, kung fu or western boxing. And he was like, yo, this is my world, this is what I'm gonna do. And all of a sudden it worked and everyone's like, Bruce Lee's done, finished. Like you're not gonna step in front of that one and say no. Yeah. So it's like there's so much that if you do break the mold, it's, it's, it's amazing and it's beautiful.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

You know, I mean, and in a.

[Roman]

Way too, it's like Natasha is the mater D at the restaurant. But when we started doing this, I wasn't like, yo, you're the mater d and this is how to do it. I was like, just do what makes sense to you on the floor. And, like, it just makes like you figured it out and do it in your own way now. That is, like, excellent.

[Host 2]

Yeah, but it would only ever work with you. Like, it wouldn't, like, if I was like, tomorrow, like, I need to go get a mater d job. Like, I would get fired in 30 seconds.

[Roman]

Yeah, if they wanted you to do it their way.

[Host 1]

Yes.

[Host 2]

Because it literally only works with you because there's a very specific thing happening. But I will say, just to speak to what you guys are saying, you're both very, like, specific, special people who have done something. Like, you should give yourself credit because it's not easy to just, like, go do something that you haven't had any training in or any education and just be like, I'm gonna do this and be super successful. Like, that's just a huge thing. So I just want to, like, give you guys your flowers for a second. I'm listening. I'm just like. I'm a regular. Like, I couldn't do it. I'm just like, I couldn't figure it out. I'd be like this. So I'm just. I'm a fan now. Just listening. And I want to give you guys.

[Roman]

No, we both have this thing, too, because I notice it when we sit on the crates when people give us compliments. Me and you both have the look of like, I ain't shit, man.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Roman]

Where does it come from for you?

[Host 1]

I don't. I don't. I don't know. I might have to speak to a psychiatrist for that one. I don't know. I don't know. I just. I don't know. I always got up and did it. I didn't really have a choice. I think that was one thing that my father, like, like, always put on me. He was like, yo, it's like, you want to get. No one's gonna give you, and no one's gonna give you anything. He's, like, including me. Like, I'll give you whatever I have, but I don't have that much. And it was always just, like, honesty thing. Maybe it wasn't the best thing in the world, and maybe it was a little harsh, but I was always what it was. And it was always this. Like, there was never. I don't want to say I wasn't given anything, but I was always given a Road to something. If you want something, there's the road. You go and get it. Just because you cry, you're gonna like. It was always this weird thing, and I think that's kind of. I think that's what it comes from. I'm not 100 sure, but I'm just doing what I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't feel like I'm changing the world.

[Roman]

Yeah, yeah. No, for me, it was that no matter what I did, my parents were like, you're supposed to do that. Yeah. You're supposed to be that good.

[Host 1]

Sure.

[Roman]

So I was like, all right, cool. Like, that's just what it is.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

And it's interesting because now with the kid, it's like he does anything, but.

[Host 2]

You're the best. I know. It's so hard to, like, give that same hard knock, you know, just like a little tough love. It's so hard to give it to our son.

[Host 1]

I agree. I think. Yeah. I don't know. We got to have more of a conversation about it, but I do. I do think we're very similar in that way. And I do think for both of us, I think we see for all of us, right. You're doing the same. You formulated how you're going to work within your world, your space around your child together. Same way we're figuring it all out. It's just the way it is. I don't. I don't think there is. There's like, no plan B, essentially.

[Roman]

Like, no, that's a good way to think.

[Host 1]

You know, I think there's like, no, this is it. So. Sure. Thank you. But. And I'm also. And I think we're all like this as well because we all, you know, see something else. You wouldn't be able to sit in the kitchen and then get on the big. You wouldn't be able to do both if you didn't want more. So there's always something in your head that I feel like. There's always something bigger. There's a bigger picture. There's something else. So it's like, sure, I did this today, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Like, tomorrow.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

One of the interesting things is working on teams, Right. Whether it's in a kitchen or on a movie set or whatever, it always is so surprising to me when there's a team member that's like, well, maybe we're just not going to get it today. I'm like, what? No, no, no.

[Host 2]

That's.

[Roman]

That's like, not a possibility. It's not an option. No, we're like, we're definitely doing it. It's definitely happening. It's a matter of how it's happening. I don't care who's gotta die for this to happen. I'm in.

[Host 1]

I'm. I'm on the same boat with me and you. A fire and a one ore. We're going for it, bro. We're gonna figure this out.

[Roman]

Yeah. And she's seen my face when there's somebody on the team, like, maybe we just throw it down. Like, what? Towel?

[Host 1]

Yeah, I agree.

[Roman]

If he dies, he dies.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I'm sorry, I agree. I'm. I don't. Yeah, that's maybe part of the response, you know, Maybe that's part of the response.

[Roman]

Yeah, but. And I gotta shout out Chris, our producer, because people ask me all the time, like, yo, who should put. I'm like, chris is the best. Because he. He's one of the few people that we've worked with in production that has that, like, if he dies, he dies mentality.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

He just has to.

[Host 2]

I would say maybe, like, the only. Like, Chris. Well, you will literally get it done for sure.

[Host 1]

Very good.

[Roman]

Yeah. A lot of people throwing the towel these days. I'm like, where are your parents.

[Host 1]

Throwing them the towel? You know, I. I don't think, you know. Wow.

[Roman]

It's crazy, man. It's crazy. And I do, like. I don't know if it's an America thing or what, but, like, I hope it's not.

[Host 1]

No, I. I mean, it's an upbringing. I don't know. Who knows?

[Host 2]

I don't know what it is, but I was kind of a throw in the towel person before I met you. He famously called me incompetent. Like, in one of our early fights, he was like, you're kind of incompetent. And I was like, damn. But he was kind of right. Like, I was not. I was not caring. Like, I was just like, I don't want to do it. I'm not doing it.

[Roman]

Mentality, Definitely the wrong word. It was just the, like, no one. I don't think there was anyone in your life that was just like, put the fear of God, like, you may die.

[Host 2]

No, never. You know, I was living a very soft life. Like, it was like, if you don't want to do it, it's okay, we'll do it. And then I met you and I was like, damn, the plumber's here. And I didn't open the door. Like, he's Gonna. I was like, damn, I'm incompetent. No, but you really. I think you put the fear of God in me because you were like, don't. You were, like, literally, like, you, like, putting. You, like, he, like, put it in me. Like, I was like, damn. What do you mean? Know, it's crazy because I'm, like, so hard on people because I'm just like, oh, no.

[Roman]

Well, I always knew you were gonna be the mother of our child. Right?

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

And so the thing is, I just knew you. You're the one. Like, I'd never been in love with no one like you. And I was just like. The one thing, though, is I was like, we cannot. I was like, I refuse to have a child who's just not a soldier. Like, yeah, boy, girl, whatever. Like, they have to be able to. I think as a parent, I will. I'm going to just be vulnerable and revealing. It is like, I think as a parent, more than anything, like, you got to love them. They got to feel the love, and you got to enjoy it as well. But it is my responsibility to prepare you for life.

[Host 1]

I agree.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

The toughest things. I got to prepare you. And if you're not prepared, that's on me.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I agree.

[Host 2]

Yeah. I agree with that.

[Host 1]

And that's the one thing I will say with love as well. Like my fiance, Angela is my everything in the world. And I think we bump heads sometimes because I just want her to be the best thing in the world, and I know she can. And sometimes we bump heads for those reasons to where, you know, it may be as simple as the plumber is at the door, but there's just, like, an expectancy thing. And, like, I. I expect her to, like, be able to jump over the moon every single time. And that's. It's hurtful on both sides of the fence, because I know she can do it.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

And I think that's where sometimes we bump heads. And I can understand that, but that comes from. And then, I don't know, maybe if I had a little girl, like, if my dad. If I was a girl in my family.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Maybe the pressure on me would have been differently, where it was not always do or die. So, again, there's so many, like, dynamic things. But the one thing I would say is I definitely sometimes put. Put a similar, like, pressure on Angela, because I think she's.

[Host 2]

But I think that that's such a mark of genuine love. Like, we. You do it to me, and now I do it to you back where, like, I Don't think I've ever done that to anybody because I didn't care enough. I was just like, oh, whatever. Do what you're. Do whatever you're doing. I don't give a fuck what you're doing. But, like, you. You were like, you need to be a better woman. Like, you need to figure it out and get your together and, like, show up when the plumber's here and show up when it doesn't even matter. Because if you're showing up for shit that doesn't matter, you're gonna always show up. Like, you're saying, it' be consistent with who you are. And then I think when you have a kid, it, like. I mean, I literally think I, like, like, pushed our son out. And I was just like, yeah, I don't know her anymore. Like, I'm a different person. It changed me entirely. And, like, how I do everything, I just, like, can't accept.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

If it's not excellence, I'm like, we can't do it.

[Host 1]

Yeah. That's. She became a superhero.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

What? She had. Yeah. She was a superhero from start to finish.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

I was lost in that whole process. I left my phone home. It was hella, like, I was like. I was in bad shape. She was like Superwoman. And I was like, okay. And once he was out, it was over. Angela was like, yeah. Like, my. Like, the way my socks were in my drawer were like, on another, like, Superman.

[Host 2]

I'm the same with him. I'm like, oh, your shirt's on the floor. You'll never see it again. Let's keep it, like. Keep it bushing.

[Host 1]

I'm down.

[Host 2]

Our whole. Is like, a business now. I'm like, there's rotating strawberries. We'll never not have blueberries. Like, it just. Something changes in you, but I do. That's, like, genuine, like, true love, though, when you're like, you have to be the best version of yourself for us to do this.

[Roman]

Yeah. Because when we were dating, seriously, I knew we were gonna do this before we ever had a kid. We had a dog. And the dog. Was this the catalyst for bringing out boss man at home? Because I was like, all right, this is how we're gonna do this. We got a plan and we got duties. And it ended up just falling on me. Like, the dog thing just ended up falling on me. And I was like, Jesus. Like, come on. Like, we can't be partners like this. And the dog made us talk about these things. But once there was the kid. Everything that I. I was saying to her about the dog got reflected back at me, and I was like, oh.

[Host 1]

We. We skipped the dog. But we definitely are in that same kind of, like, yeah, same conversation.

[Host 2]

Just skip the dog. We also got the dog from hell. I don't even want to talk about it. But that dog was possessed.

[Roman]

That dog was wild.

[Host 1]

All right.

[Host 2]

That dog was wild, like, on the walls. I was like, you know what I mean? Like, I'll clean a diaper. I'm literally not. I'm not cleaning up on the wall. Sorry.

[Roman]

Like, but did you. You have brothers?

[Host 1]

None.

[Roman]

None. You single?

[Host 1]

Single.

[Roman]

Only child.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Me and Angela are both only. Only children.

[Host 2]

Wow. I'm an only child. He has siblings.

[Roman]

Yeah, I have siblings. And, like, thank God we have a son, cuz, like, I see my homies that have daughters and, like, it's just different. It's different. Like, I don't. My ways would not work. I would have to learn completely new ways. Like, completely.

[Host 2]

Yeah. But I was raised, like, me and my mom. That was. It. Didn't have brothers, and I never had a male figure in my house. So, like, having a husband and having a son is so crazy to me, but it's taught me a lot of things. And honestly, I feel like I understand men more. Like, I understand you. I understand the world better because I was only ever living from, like, a female point of view perspective. I didn't know what it was like to live with guys. I didn't know what it was. I didn't know anything. And I think it would really change you, and I think you would really. It would, like, soften your edges a little bit.

[Roman]

No, it would probably be the best.

[Host 2]

It would bring out a really, like, beautiful part of you, the same way that having a son has brought out. I feel like I'm. I'm more nurturing. I'm actually more feminine after having a son.

[Roman]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Host 2]

I'm, like, less in my masculine energy all the time. I'm, like, very relaxed.

[Roman]

I agree. And it pushed me to the masculine a little more. Like, he's been doing this thing. I'm a pee in the corner. Like, he won't wear that. You want to pee in the corner? Starts peeing in the corner. And like, she's like, senna. And then she cleans it up. And I'm like, yo, you not going to have my wife pee in the corner. And he's only 2. But I go tell him. I'm like, yo, that's your mommy. But that's also my wife. Yeah, be careful with my wife. And he's like, what?

[Host 1]

I agree with. I don't know what I. I completely understand you.

[Roman]

Yeah. It's so funny because I'm like, you're not peeing in the corner with my wife. And he's like, that's mommy. And I'm like, you're gonna understand this, but yesterday he tried to run out to go pee in the corner. I just stood in the door. I was like, you're not peeing in the corner today. He's like, ah. And he runs right back to her. But he didn't be in the corner.

[Host 1]

No. Yeah, but I think that's the where. Then your son understands respect for like, women.

[Roman]

Yes.

[Host 1]

Just comes from all these things. Yes, that's your mommy. But regardless, like, you just, you got to understand there's an understanding that's learned young. You know, there's, there's, there's these like little like things that I was like, raised on that, you know, you see how they transpire over your life.

[Roman]

Yeah. No, you see, and already at the age of two.

[Host 1]

Oh yeah.

[Roman]

Because I'm like, I have to have a firm hand right here.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

Because mommy, he's picking on mom, me. And I'm just like, I have to have her back right here. And even if you don't like me for 12 hours, this. It is what it is.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

Cuz he going to learn something.

[Host 2]

They get over so fast.

[Host 1]

Yeah. But there. Yeah. And the mommy thing, we're beat, pal. It's Mommy is Mommy's everything.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

It's the. And it's the best thing in the world. And I. We're watching it, you know, simultaneously.

[Host 2]

It's great. But I feel like you're both similar in the way that it's like when you have a son. It's like the mom and the son, but like dad has to love the mom more. Do you know what I mean? It's just that dynamic really trickles down for you, I think especially in the first year postpartum, you were just pouring everything into me so I could pour into him. And that was the best scenario. And that's, I mean, if you read anything, it's like kids, the success rate of your child and how happy your child is, is how happy like the father made the mother. That's kind of just like how the science works. And I think it's very true.

[Roman]

No, it really is.

[Host 2]

I was a miserable. I didn't have a dad.

[Roman]

No. As a man growing up, it's like everyone, your mother, your father, everyone's like the Hope is with you. You're the chosen one. Like, circle of life.

[Host 2]

And then, like, it's everything they're seeing, you know, it's. It's what we don't even think is, like, imprinting on them. They're watching and clocking and. Yeah, for sure, like, going. Going into their soul.

[Roman]

Yeah. Before being a dad, I'm like, I'm number one, two, three, four and five. Now I'm just like, bro, I'm not even. I'm not counted. I'm here to serve.

[Host 1]

Yeah. I agree to serve. It's a. Yeah, yeah.

[Roman]

But no, this is. What do you. What do you. You got anything coming up next you want to talk about or.

[Host 1]

I think I'm going to play around in the world of another packaged beverage, which I'm really excited about. And I think I'm just developing a team. I think Konnected was always a team, but Konnected was like the Monstars, if you would. It was the best of what I could put together and it was an amazing team and we did things in a very, very specific way. And I will never change that. I think now, being a little bit bit older, I wanna. I wanna assemble teams. And I was always better behind the person, I think, if that. If that makes sense.

[Roman]

You talking about Connected, the barbershop?

[Host 1]

No, so my. The marketing agency is. Was. Was called Connect.

[Roman]

Oh, my bad. No, because there was also that barbershop called Connect.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Well, I think it's well, well connected.

[Roman]

Yeah. Well connected.

[Host 1]

Willis and the boys are over.

[Roman]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Great. So, yeah, I think that's what I'm trying to do now. I think we're working on this company to stand behind companies, if you would. And I think that's where I'm gonna have the most fun. Like, mixed ingredients is a product of mine that's also a product that's 100% removed from me. So that was like my first practice where Regina's. If I'm not there, kids are like, ah. Rome was not there. Fuck that place. Like, it was an interesting thing to look at and it's interesting, like, place to be in this world. I think branding and marketing and how things visually look and how people experience are all my. What I love doing. But what I'm also training myself to do is understand the consumer rather than pretend to understand a consumer in a different way. And then again, it's standing behind some of these, like, curtains and stuff like that. And I think the support and the, like, devil's advocate. I think I'm like an Amazing. Devil's advocate to anyone in a business. And I think that's where I'm playing and I'm trying to learn and pivot my. My position. Even with the Reginas. The Reginas is a living brand, but I think I'm stepping away from the brand and looking at the brand in a different way. A friend of mine years ago told me, I'm sure he didn't invent this, but it was. There's a difference between working on your brand and for your brand. You work on the brand, it's. It's. You know, you see things that no one sees. You see the crumb that hits the floor. Working for the brand. You're making sandwiches. You never see. It's tin foil. In the conversation we had, I'm not ordering. So, you know, now I'm gonna start ordering sandwiches to my house three times, you know, a month. And I'm gonna see where, hey, I got 17 napkins. I got a hot Coke. I got this. Now you start working on things in a different light. And I think that's where my brain is turning and my OCD is looking at that. And that's what I'm trying to do.

[Roman]

No, that's the unlock. I used to do that. I'd go to a friend's house and order from Bauhaus and the delivery guys show up and I'm like, guess what, motherfucker? And they're like, shit, I was crazy.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's the best.

[Roman]

I was crazy.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's the best.

[Roman]

I would even do the deliveries sometimes to see what the customers were thinking.

[Host 1]

Sure.

[Roman]

You know, and like, I one time did a delivery and it was to David Chang. Hilarious. And like. But I was always spot checking and testing the dudes, and not because I didn't trust them, but I was just like, yo, you gotta stress test things. Yeah, it's really great.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Roman]

Surprise.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I think it's the best. I think, like, shock, you know, shock therapy sometimes works and whatever may have you. But, yeah, I think that that's where we're at now and just trying to have the most.

[Roman]

You guys make an incredible sandwich. I gotta say. It's incredible. I really, really love the chicken cutlet.

[Host 1]

Thank you.

[Roman]

The spicy tuna fire, the spicy Italian, they're all just like, it's done really well and exactly what you expect. And it's, you know, not that many people make heroes that well anymore. You know, I would say it's you. I would say it's City Sub. And like, Alidoro does something Different. It's like they're. They're different, but they make a great sandwich. But I think it's like those are the three sandwiches I think of.

[Host 1]

Thank you. I mean, Alidoro was definitely part of the DNA of Regina's. You know, I mean, even the attitude, like, when my mom was behind the register, you couldn't get mayo on a sandwich if you brought your own. You know, like, it was kind of funny. But, yeah, I think city subs I've heard about forever. I'm not a big LA dude, so.

[Roman]

Oh, no, they're in Brooklyn. They're in Brooklyn.

[Host 1]

But in. In la, that everyone keeps telling me.

[Roman]

Yeah, that's the Bay City subs. Yeah.

[Host 1]

So that's why that was my reference there. But, yeah, Bay Cities is.

[Roman]

I like. Like, Bay Cities is basically what you have to eat in LA when you want, like, an East Coast Italian sandwich.

[Host 2]

That's the one answer to it. And they do, like, the spicy Italian. They call it, like, the godmother.

[Roman]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

And it's not. It doesn't hit.

[Roman]

It doesn't hit, man. The bread. Different. It's like you're lying to yourself when.

[Host 2]

You'Re there because it's all you can get. And you're like, yeah, no, I'm having a great time. I'm eating, like, this sub on the beach, and it's Sandy and I'm having fun. Yeah.

[Roman]

Yeah, it's. It's. It's. Yeah, it's. It's. It made me upset because it just made me upset. I wasn't in New York.

[Host 1]

Got it pretty much. I understand.

[Roman]

Yeah. Eat a hit. When I'm in la, eat a hamburger. You know, they make a great hamburger out. Taco, Taco tacos. Come on. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Keep it Mexican.

[Host 1]

Yeah. I think all of that stuff is pretty reflective of just, like, what the neighborhood like.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

I don't know how big the Italian community in LA is. The way it is is in New York, it's like, very, very deep root. Like, Bensonhurst is like Little Italy, like, real Little Italy, you know? And then Little Italy at one point was divided by, you know, it's like Mott street was Naples, Elizabeth street was Calabria. Like, they were racist against each other and they were all from Italy. So I think the formulating of what it is also helps what comes out of the city.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

There's not. LA is missing the Italian thing. Like, I love being in a city with a strong Italian presence. Like, I kind of need that in a city. Boston. Got it. New York. Got it. Miami. Miami Got it. You know, and then LA doesn't. LA got Dantana's and it got Uncle Paulie's and it got, like, Giorgio Baldi's. But there's not, like that community. You go to a neighborhood and it's like, everybody's Italian.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

You know?

[Host 1]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Roman]

There isn't, like, the Chinese, too. It's like you got to go all the way to the sgv. Like. Like Chinatown's not Chinatown out there. So I think that's what that. That city would be significantly cooler if there was those pockets like that.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Yeah. I don't. Yeah. So, yeah, that's my thing about LA and the subs and. Thank you. We're trying. We're going to keep trying. I think also, it's just dying arts of certain things. You know, a slicer is a brutal machine. People don't love it. It's hard to get people. People to operate it. So it's just like one of those dying things. And it was kind of what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a knucklehead. And I was like, these places are all closing. I'm gonna open one. I don't know if it was the best idea, but we're standing behind.

[Roman]

Bro, you needed it. It's like in her culture, like, the North Shore beefs, they're, like, all closing. They're like roast beef shops.

[Host 2]

Well, it's just what, like, the Greek immigrants came in and just opened roast beef shops. So it's the same, like, none of our. None of the kids want to take them over. They don't want to do the shit. So, like, they're. They're closing or they're selling to, like, you know, the new wave of whatever immigrants are coming in and they're, like, changing and tweaking it. So it's like, yeah, those spots don't exist anymore, but there's, like, now this huge community of, like, local. Just, like, very niche local cuisine. And everyone's like, that's crazy.

[Host 1]

You know, I didn't. Greek, like, growing up in New York was always like, diner.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Like, culture. So I'm, like, infatuated with the beef.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Thing. I don't know much about it. I've never. Honestly had one. I've never been to Chicago. I speak to JP Graziano. He's Regina's or the Palos, really, of, like, Chicago, in my eyes. So we speak and we go back to back and forth. But, yeah, it's super interesting to understand and learn about that. But it is all of these things where if it's a heavy lift, it's a dying business.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Roman]

There's a lot of people, young kids now, that they all want it chef driven. This. This is my sandwich. I created a new sand. Like, cool, cool. But, like, yo, I like to keep the old format alive.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

I. I really. That's why I was like, I'm just doing bows.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

You know, I'm like, I'm always gonna have to bow on the menu. That's the old way, you know? Like, I. I insisted on. I, like, I would love to bring Bauhaus back at some point, because it's like the hero shop, like, the sandwich. There's not many places to go get a good hero anymore. You count them on your hand.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Yeah. Unless you're in the. Like, in the neighborhood. Like, if you go to Bensonhurst, there's. They're still around, but it's weird. Benson nurses their mind. It's like the city is a different thing. Like, it's 13th Avenue, 18th Avenue, 25th Avenue. If you live on 20th Avenue, you're not going to 18th Avenue. It's like, mind boggling.

[Roman]

Yeah. And even the ones that like. It used to be in every New York neighborhood, there was a couple really good bodega delis.

[Host 1]

Absolutely.

[Roman]

Even in Fort Green, like, we would just go to Farmer in the deli, and now there's so few that people are, like, lining up at Farmer and Dell. I'm like, farmer in the deli. We used to go get the can of tuna from the shelf and bring it up to him and be like, yo, three can cans. Put three cans in there. And I'm like, people are lining up to do that. Like, that's crazy to me.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Roman]

It's a dying art, honestly. Making a sandwich, the classic east coast hero is a dying art.

[Host 1]

Yeah, we'll see. We're gonna keep. We're gonna keep it alive for as long as we keep people behind the slicer. We're gonna have fun. The brand's got legs to do some other stuff. And. And, yeah. Thank you.

[Roman]

Thank you for coming on the show, bro.

[Host 2]

Thank you.

[Roman]

It's been fun.