Just the Tip Podcast by F+B Miami

If you’ve ever eaten at Kush , Locale , or anywhere inside the Kush Hospitality universe — you’ve felt Matt Kusher’s impact on Miami’s food scene. In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with third-generation restaurateur Matt Kusher to break down what it really takes to survive — and win — in today’s Miami restaurant market. From growing up inside...

Nightclubs are changing. Alcohol culture is shifting. And the nightlife business in 2026 looks very different than it did even five years ago. In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with nightlife operator Michael Winter to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes of the bar and club world — from Boston to Miami. Michael shares raw insights...

Miami might be the most exciting restaurant city in the country right now… and also one of the hardest places on Earth to actually survive. In this solo episode of Just the Tip , Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage breaks down what it really takes to open a restaurant in Miami as we head into 2026 — and why so many great operators underestimate this market. From site selection and concept...

In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Daniel Figueredo — the visionary founder behind Sanguich , one of Miami’s most talked-about Cuban sandwich concepts and a proud recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand . Daniel’s story is anything but traditional. Before launching one of Miami’s most beloved food brands, he built a career across fashion, des...

In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix sits down with Danny Serfer , one of Miami’s most respected chefs and restaurateurs, to break down what it really takes to build restaurants that last in a city obsessed with what’s new. From his early days working under Chef Allen Susser to becoming the owner of iconic Miami institutions like Blue Collar and Mignonette , Danny shares his unconventional path...

In this episode of Just the Tip , host Felix Bendersky of F+B Miami sits down with nightlife icon Tommy Puccio (aka Tommy Pooch) for a no-filter conversation about the rise, chaos, and business of Miami nightlife. From his early days supplying legendary New York clubs like Studio 54 to shaping Miami’s party culture with venues like The Forge, Chaos, and iconic Sundays at Nikki Beach , Tommy shares...

In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix sits down with Will Thompson — widely known in Miami as the bartender’s bartender — for an honest conversation about hospitality, community, and the realities facing the bar industry today. From growing up in a military family to working his way up from busboy to bartender at places like Broken Shaker , Will shares how structure, discipline, and creativity s...

In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix sits down with Stratis Morfogen — legendary restaurateur, entrepreneur, and author of Be a Disruptor — for a no-BS conversation about what it really takes to survive (and win) in the restaurant business. From running a family diner to building iconic concepts like Philippe Chow and the wildly innovative Brooklyn Dumpling Shop , Stratis breaks down how disrup...

In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix sits down with DJ Boris , one of the most influential DJs to come out of New York’s legendary club scene. Raised in Brighton Beach and shaped by the raw energy of Brooklyn nightlife, Boris shares how growing up in a Soviet immigrant community fueled his work ethic, resilience, and long-term vision in an industry known for burnout. Boris takes us behind the s...

Miami Restaurateur David Foulquier on Building Iconic Restaurant Concepts What does it really take to build restaurants that last — across pizza, sushi, fine dining, and neighborhood favorites? In this episode of Just the Tip, we sit down with David Foulquier, one of Miami’s most influential restaurateurs and the creative force behind Fooq’s, 11 Street Pizza, Sushi Noz, and the highly anticipated...

In this can’t-miss episode of Just the Tip, Felix sits down with Jose Mendin, the award-winning chef and creator behind Miami staples like Pubbelly Sushi, Casa Sola, and Pubbelly Steak. For nearly 30 years, Mendin has shaped the evolution of Miami’s dining scene — blending Puerto Rican heritage, global technique, and bold entrepreneurial instincts to build some of the city’s most recognizable rest...

In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix Bendersky from F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Derek Stilmann — one of Miami’s most respected bartenders and the creative mind behind Kaiju , recently recognized by 50 Best as one of the top bars in the world. Derek has worked everywhere from Hillstone in Coral Gables to the legendary Broken Shaker , shaping Miami’s cocktail scene with his mix of pr...

Inside Miami’s Mayoral Race: Corruption, Permits, Taxes & the Future of the City In this powerful episode of Just the Tip , Felix sits down with Emilio Gonzalez — former CEO of Miami International Airport, ex–City Manager, U.S. Army Colonel, White House official, and now a candidate in Miami’s upcoming mayoral runoff. With decades of experience in military intelligence, federal leadership, and...

“The Brutal Truth About Running a Restaurant in Miami” Running a restaurant in Miami isn’t for the weak — and in this episode, Felix sits down with Andrew Platt , a chef, operator, and hospitality consultant with 25+ years in the game, to break down exactly why. As the head of Aha Hospitality Group and co-founder of Ernie’s Açaí , Andrew has helped build and fix some of South Florida’s most popula...

Eileen Andrade , the powerhouse chef behind Finka Table & Tap and Amelia’s 1931 , joins Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage to talk all things Miami food, family legacy, and the business behind running successful restaurants . Born into one of Miami’s most iconic culinary families , Eileen grew up inside the kitchen of Isla Canarias , where her parents’ Cuban recipes became legendary....

Miami Beach icons Bernie Matz (Café Bernie’s, Bodega) and Diego Caiola (Weekends Miami Beach) join host Felix Bendersky (F+B Hospitality Brokerage) live at the South Beach Seafood Festival to unpack how the 305 became a culinary and nightlife powerhouse. Hear the real story behind Lincoln Road’s rise, how Miami Vice and Versace flipped the city’s image, and the Bodega formula—taco stand up front,...

In this episode of Just the Tip, host Felix Bendersky, founder of F+B Hospitality Brokerage, sits down with Valerie Roy, co-founder of the iconic South Beach Seafood Festival — one of Miami’s most anticipated annual events now celebrating its 13th year. Recorded right from the heart of the festival, this conversation gives listeners an inside look at how Valerie and her team transformed a local id...

In this solo episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky, principal and broker of F+B Hospitality Brokerage, pulls back the curtain on Miami’s restaurant real estate market. Known for his unfiltered takes and deep industry connections, Felix breaks down what’s really going on behind the scenes — from rent stabilization and lease negotiation strategies to the rise (and fall) of Miami’s hottest dining...

What does it really take to turn a garage hobby into one of the most beloved bakeries in America? In this episode of Just the Tip , Felix from F+B Miami sits down with Zak Stern — better known as Zak the Baker — to uncover the raw, authentic story behind Miami’s most famous sourdough. From his early days hand-shaping loaves in a garage to building a Wynwood landmark now featured in Whole Foods , Z...

What does it really take to build a nightlife empire in Miami? In this episode of Just the Tip, host Felix Bendersky sits down with Emi Guerra — the mastermind behind some of Miami’s most iconic venues, including Club Space, The Wharf, John Martin’s, Regatta Grove, PR5, and Carousel Club. From starting out as a 22-year-old promoter to shaping the city’s social landscape, Emi’s fingerprints are eve...

In this episode of Just the Tip — the podcast where we talk about the sh*t everyone’s thinking but nobody wants to say — we sit down with Adam Gersten , the founder of Gramps , one of Wynwood’s most iconic nightlife spots. For over a decade, Gramps has been more than a bar — it’s been a cultural hub, concert venue, drag stage, comedy club, and the heart of the Wynwood community. Now, Adam is doing...

Documentary filmmaker Billy Corben joins the Just the Tip podcast to talk about the real Miami — the corruption, the scandals, and the power players shaping the city behind the scenes. From Cocaine Cowboys, The U, 537 Votes, and God Forbid, Billy has spent his career exposing the truth about South Florida — and he’s not holding back. In this episode, we dig into the side of Miami most people don’t...

George Arango, aka Mr. Eats 305, is one of Miami’s most recognized food creators. But unlike the noise you see on your feed, when he posts, it actually moves the needle. In this episode of Just a Tip with Felix from F+B Miami, we sit down with George to talk about how he built his platform and why authenticity matters more than hype. From leaving law school to chasing food full-time, he’s carved o...

Below Deck to the best cheesesteak in Miami - Chef Ryan McKeown joins the Just the Tip Podcast to share his wild pivot from reality TV to restaurant owner. Ryan went from stirring up drama on Bravo to running Peppi’s Pizza & Cheesesteak in the Design District — a spot that blew up after Dave Portnoy dropped an 8.5 review. We cover: 🍕 How Ryan went from reality TV “villain” to respected operat...

Alan Roth is a driving force in Miami nightlife . From starting as a cashier at News Café , to helping open the Delano’s iconic Blue Door restaurant , to now creating some of the city’s most talked-about spots— Rosa Sky rooftop , Giselle Miami , and the Jagger Suite —Alan has built experiences that define how Miami goes out. In this Just a Tip podcast episode, we cover: How Alan Roth went from the...