FBI to Foodie: Noelia Owner Kaiser Gill’s Kitchen Confidential

noelia

Though Noelia owner Kaiser Gill comes from a family of restaurateurs, he chose food second to a career in the FBI.  He knew he eventually wanted to follow in his family’s footsteps, but service in the Army, and later work for the FBI as a special agent assigned to the Counterterrorism Division enticed him in his early years before Gill finally settled down in DC to pursue his dream of owning his own restaurant.  FullSizeRender (9)

DC can be a tough town to set up shop unless you’ve appeared on a Top Chef style show or have franchise backing behind you.  But this Special Agent couldn’t be swayed, opting to open an Italian style dining spot a few blocks from the White House — and naming it for one of his most special nieces, Noelia.  The Italian label has since slipped in favor of a more “modern American” menu, but according to Gill, his dream is still strong.

KSM: You mentioned that this restaurant has been a longtime “post FBI” dream.  Why?  What makes owning a restaurant so enticing?
kaiserKaiser Gill: Despite all the warnings of how many restaurants fail, the countless hours, and the constant stress, I’ve always associated food and restaurants with happiness.  The lure of owning a restaurant was that I wanted to combine my professional life with something that brings joy to people, especially after having a career in the FBI that dealt with much more gloom and doom.
KSM:Did your previous travels have any bearing on the restaurant’s menu?
KG: I have been fortunate to have lived in wonderful cities and do extensive traveling , and definitely I’ve picked hints along the way to help develop the menu. My time in New York and frequenting the many wonderful restaurants there probably have had the greatest influence on the menu.
KSM:The switch from counterterrorism to restaurant owner must be pretty drastic? What’s the best part… and what’s the biggest challenge?
KG: The best part is meeting with guests who’ve had a wonderful experience at the restaurant and are smiling from ear to ear. The biggest challenge is the long hours on a daily basis that I have to be away from my family – many times I leave early in the morning before my kids wake up and come home late at night when they are fast asleep. I have a wonderful team, but I believe it gives the restaurant a personal touch when the owner is there daily.
Stop in to see Gill, dine, and dance (?!) this summer.  (And tell ’em K Street Mag sent you!)