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

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.  

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.

Kaiser 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.