In this episode of Industry Night, Nycci Nellis kicks off her new residency at RPM Italian in Washington, DC, going behind the scenes of one of the city’s most dynamic dining rooms.
Filmed inside RPM Italian in Mount Vernon Triangle, this conversation brings together the people who make the experience sing:
– Richard Hanauer, Operational Beverage Partner, on building RPM’s award-winning wine program and bespoke single-vineyard “house wines”
– Chef Massimo Vicidomini, Executive Chef, on handmade pastas, and seasonal sourcing
– Boo Kim, General Manager, on hospitality and creating a room guests want to return to
Together, they unpack what it takes to build a restaurant where wine isn’t intimidating, pasta is made by hand daily, and service feels effortless. Power lunch or date night.
In this episode:
– How RPM Italian built one of DC’s best wine programs
– What makes a great wine list (without the snobbery)
– Handmade pasta + Italian craft
– How hospitality shapes the guest experience at RPM
– Why RPM Italian has become a Mount Vernon Triangle staple
-Filmed at RPM Italian, Washington, DC
-Subscribe for more Industry Night episodes with chefs, sommeliers & hospitality leaders
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
02:57 – “Chef Stories and Hospitality Insights”
04:49 – “Modern Italian Dining Concept”
09:18 – “Dining as an Elevated Experience”
13:00 – “Wine Talk and Industry Insights”
13:51 – “Passion for Food and Wine”
19:23 – “House Wines and Travel Insights”
20:24 – “Build Quality, Not Bargains”
26:13 – Modern Short Rib Bolognese
29:21 – “Truffle Oil Pet Peeve”
31:26 – “Food as the True Star”
33:12 – “Teamwork in Food and Wine”
38:17 – “Reinventing Pasta with Local Ingredients”
41:09 – “One Bad Day Philosophy”
45:54 – “Life Changes and Returning Home”
49:01 – “Restaurant Insider Etiquette Revisited”
51:20 – “BTS and Chris Martin Visit”
55:33 – Exceeding Guest Expectations
57:35 – “Celebrating Hospitality and Inspiration”
58:33 – Outro
Quotes:
Nycci Nellis:
“Hospitality is about finding joy in the connections we create. When you share moments with passionate professionals, you realize every meal is an opportunity to celebrate what makes life delicious.”
Richard Hanauer:
“Wine and food together aren’t just about flavors—they’re about elevating life. It’s a party in your mouth, and if we ever stop thinking that way, we’ve dropped the ball.”
Massimo Vicidomini:
“Great cooking begins with great ingredients and care. When you respect each element and work as a team, you create an experience that guests will remember far beyond their last bite.”
Boo Kim:
“When you build a team that loves what they do and cares for each other, you don’t just create exceptional hospitality, you build a culture where everyone wants to belong.”
Key Takeaways:
Hospitality at Its Heart
Wine Without the Intimidation
Pasta Worth Traveling For
Collaboration Is a Symphony
Mentoring Through Hospitality
Secret Level Experiences
Every Ingredient Matters
Being a Good Guest
Filming Location: https://www.rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-italian-d-c/
https://www.instagram.com/RPMItalian/
https://www.facebook.com/RPMItalianDC/
Guests Social Media Links:
Richard Hanauer:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chi_somm/
Website:https://www.rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-italian-d-c/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-hanauer-0ab13462/
Massimo Vicidomini:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/massimovicidomini/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-vicidomini-83173594/
Website:https://www.rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-italian-d-c/
Boo Kim:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bruce_byk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boo-kim-4a924619/
Website:https://www.rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-italian-d-c/
Follow Nycci:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/
Website: thelistareyouonit.com
Produced by Heartcast Media: http://www.heartcastmedia.com
#IndustryNight #RPMItalian #DCFood #NycciNellis #RestaurantPodcast #WineProgram #HandmadePasta