Chef Jacob Schumack and photographer Roy Son are both experts in their respective crafts. But you know what else they’re good at? Eating. I consider these gentlemen to be professional diners. They’ve eaten at a lot of places in their day and their perspectives on dining are interesting to me right now. Why? Because the way we dine at restaurants has changed a lot in the last three years. To get a better insight into what those changes are – and how the industry can learn from these changes – I invited these guys onto the show to discuss how, why, and where they eat out.

CORRECTION: We labeled this season incorrectly at the beginning. This is actually season 6 episode 2. Daniel del Prado was season 6 episode 1. The Milwaukee Files were their own special thing. The next episode after this will be season 6 episode 3.

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

Also, you should totally buy a few of Muccis' frozen products, available in stores throughout the Twin Cities metro.

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

This is it! The final installment of the Niver Niver Land Milwaukee Files! We're kinda sad it's ending.

This one is with Justin Carlisle. He owns Ardent, one of the best restaurants in Milwaukee. Actually, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called it the best restaurant in town back in 2019. We'd even wager that this spot competes regionally and nationally.

We went out to eat at Ardent the night before and it was stellar. Beyond stellar. It's all I was thinking about for days after the fact.

During that meal, Justin and I got along very quickly. We are very similar in many ways. We both have been through a lot in the restaurant industry. We've done our time and we still have more to do. We're still asking questions. How can we keep this going? Where's it all leading to? What's next?

For this episode, I went in with no notes. Zero. Nada. It was my first time ever doing that. How did it turn out? Guess you'll have to listen and find out for yourself.

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

Also, you should totally buy a few of Muccis' frozen products, available in stores throughout the Twin Cities metro.

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

Welcome back to the Niver Niver Land Milwaukee Files.

Today we're speaking with a legend of Milwaukee dining. Paul Bartolotta is a two-time James Beard award-winning restaurateur who has been operating his restaurant group since 1993. He's been working in restaurants since the 70s and the guy has been just about everywhere.

He's a huge name in the town. We knew it would be essential to bring him into the discussion when we visited, and we're glad we did. This was an excellent chat that unveils his thoughts on legacy, family, and heritage.

We're sure you'll enjoy this episode. Thank you for listening!

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

Also, you should totally buy a few of Muccis' frozen products, available in stores throughout the Twin Cities metro.

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: there is a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

Welcome back to a special feature of Niver Niver Land: The Milwaukee Files!

We visited Milwaukee for a week in earlier February and talked to three incredible people in the restaurant industry. Why? Because we like Milwaukee, and we wanted to hear what they're thinking about these days. The restaurant landscape has totally changed in the last few years. We wanted to know how it changed in Milwaukee.

Our first interview was with this wonderful woman, Melissa Buchholz, owner-operator at Odd Duck, a killer small plates restaurant in the Walker's Point neighborhood of Milwaukee.

This is the perfect first episode to begin The Milwaukee Files because Melissa gives us a real sense of where the city has been, where it's at, and where it's heading.

We had a fantastic conversation and we hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for listening!

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Odd Duck on Instagram.

Follow Melissa on Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

Also, you should totally buy a few of Muccis' frozen products, available in stores throughout the Twin Cities metro.

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: there is a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

Welcome back to Niver Niver Land!

Today, we have one of the most prolific restaurateurs in the state, Danny del Prado.

Odds are you've eaten at one of his restaurants. It's a long list that seems to grow every year: Colita, Martina, Rosalia, Josefina, Macanda, Cardamom, and more.

I had so much fun talking to this guy. His life story is fascinating and his perspective on restaurants is invaluable.

Thanks for listening!

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: there is a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

Hi! Welcome back to Niver Niver Land.

Today, we are closing out season 5 with two incredibly handsome and talented dudes: Gustavo Romero of Nixta Tortilleria & Pedro Wolcott of Guacaya Bistreaux.

Both are Latino men, both are running stellar food businesses in Minneapolis, and both are getting tons of press right now.

We talk about their respective cultures, music, food, life, and all things good.

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Follow Gustavo on Instagram.

Follow Pedro on Instagram.

Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: there is a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

What does leadership look like for restaurateurs in 2022? How do we continually evolve in an industry that has changed so much over the past two years? How does one maintain high standards in their work? These questions, and more, are discussed in this episode of Niver Niver Land.

Our guest, Alex Roberts, is one of the most critically acclaimed chefs in Minnesota history. In 2010, he was selected as one of the "Best Chefs in America" by the James Beard Foundation. The rest of his Beard nominations, which amount to 6, include "Outstanding Chef" and "Outstanding Restaurant."

After cutting his teeth in New York City, Roberts came to Minneapolis in 1999 to open Alma. The restaurant is still open today and has become an institution of dining in the Midwest. His other great contribution to the state, Brasa Rotisserie, further established his reputation as an incredibly talented and versatile chef.

Follow Alex on Instagram.

Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.


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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry. 

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul. 

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: there is a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years. 

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants. 

Welcome back, friends!

For this first episode of season 5, Tim sits down with Alison Arth: consultant, leadership coach, and author whose career is dedicated to working with hospitality leaders and teams to get clear on their vision.

Tim is currently going through a major career shift – transitioning from his lifelong post as a restaurateur to his burgeoning frozen food business – and he saw Alison as the perfect person to have on the show.

Alison certainly knows her stuff. Since graduating from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, she has helped lead over 40 restaurant openings including Michelin-star concepts for Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City, multiple James Beard-nominated restaurants for Chef Gavin Kaysen in Minneapolis, and Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurant in America in 2018, Nyum Bai.

Their conversation represents the kind of commiseration that everyone in the restaurant industry needs right now: humor, gentleness, and genuine vulnerability.

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Alison's ~Salt & Roe~ on Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry.

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul.

Tim sees a major problem with restaurant industry dialogue: there is a lack of discussion about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years.

Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants.

Hi friends! I had the pleasure of speaking with my friend, Chef Sameh Wadi, the guy who owns World Street Kitchen and Milkjam Creamery.

Our conversation was chocked full of hilarious moments and, yes, even a few serious ones. We talked about the Twin Cities restaurant scene (and how lucky we are to have it), lifting, mispronouncing each others' names, our moms, Palestinian weddings, and Sameh's OnlyFans account.

Check out Sameh's spots! (and if you're listening to this, you probably have)

World Street Kitchen

Milkjam Creamery

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Sameh on Instagram.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: A podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry (sometimes).

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesotas' Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. These days, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Anyways, back to the whole "massive change in the hospitality industry" thing.

We see a major problem here: no one is having real conversations about what's going on. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what’s happening – and so is Tim.

Today, he’s ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants.

Jamie Malone is a James Beard-nominated chef who has had a long, dynamic career in the Twin Cities food scene. She made a name for herself after playing major roles in iconic restaurants including La Belle Vie and Sea Change. Later in her career, she started the award-winning Grand Café in 2017 and then, soon after, took over Eastside in downtown Minneapolis.

However, the pandemic changed things for Jamie quite a bit. She's not your traditional "restaurant chef" anymore. Instead, she has since refocused her efforts to creating luxury experiences, meal kits, and subscription services with her new venture: Paris Dining Club.

Jamie is one of my heroes, and I am thrilled that we got to chat on NiverNiverLand!

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Follow Tim on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Jamie on Instagram.

Visit the website for her new project Paris Dining Club for meal kits, subscription services, and space rentals.

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Be sure to support Mucci's and Saint Dinette. How about making a reservation soon?

You can find Niver Niver Land across all of social media here:

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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Welcome to Niver Niver Land: A podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry (sometimes).

The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesotas' Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. These days, he runs Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Anyways, back to the whole "massive change in the hospitality industry" thing.

We see a major problem here: no one is having real conversations about what's going on. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what’s happening – and so is Tim.

Today, he’s ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants.