Meet Nicky Saunders

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicky Saunders.

Hi Nicky, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Nicholas Saunders, a restaurant veteran with 20+ years of experience in the Hospitality Industry. I began my career as a busboy at the age of 15 at a family-owned Italian restaurant in my hometown of Springfield, MA. Since then, I have held an array of positions from bar back and pantry chef to server and bartender, all the way to Bar Manager and Assistant GM. I graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI with a Bachelor’s Degree of Hospitality in Sports/Entertainment/Event Management but credit my years in the food service industry AND my amazing family for instilling in me a passion for hospitality.

My wife, Sarah, and I have lived happily in San Pedro, CA for the past ten years and look forward to our future here with our son, River and daughter, Talulah.

Approximately 8 years ago, Sarah and I went to Spain for our honeymoon, spending nearly two weeks traveling the country. This is when I fell in love with the food and drink culture and recognized that the cuisine and service style of the Tapas and Pintxos bars could be very successful in our small Porttown of San Pedro.

I delved into research of the culture, classic dishes, service, where I can get product, and in 2020, I began hosting 5-course tapas dinners with wine pairings as a “proof-of-concept” to begin getting the word out of my intention of opening a Tapas bar. I now host monthly pop-ups on First Thursdays and at local marketplaces, as well as cater small local events and celebrations.

All while searching for the perfect brick-and-mortar to execute my vision of Bodega Raval; Inspired by the bars & bodegas of Spain, featuring delicious bite-sized dishes served atop toasted bread or “spiked” on picks, along with beautiful charcuterie and conservas boards paired alongside Spanish Wines, Local Craft Beers, Vermouth on Tap & Sherry Wine. Providing quality products and passionate service as San Pedro’s first and only traditional Spanish Tapas and Pintxos Bar.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t believe anything in the hospitality industry is a perfectly smooth road, although it is the intention to make it seem that way.

Clearly the Pandemic has played a significant role in delaying THE DREAM. The city and county of Los Angeles is one of, if not THE most difficult and expensive places to open a restaurant. Because of the cost, finding INVESTORS for a first-time restaurant owner has been a difficult hill to climb but a process that I enjoy learning more about.

Keeping a positive attitude and outlook throughout the journey has proven difficult, but the consistent support of my wife and family, the local community including my regular pop-up guests, and some pivotal and influential people who continue to drive me, I know that opening Bodega Raval will be in the very near future.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I fought it for years when I was a younger man, I am now proud to consider myself a lifer in the service industry. I genuinely enjoy providing the best possible experience for the guests of whatever establishment I am working. I pride myself in working for the best restaurants so that I may fully believe in the product that I place in front of each guest.

Restaurants, first and foremost, our known by their food and drink, and I do believe this to be true. I also believe the service is equally, if not more important. The food can be outstanding, but poor service could dampen or even ruin the experience of a delicious meal. Great service could SAVE a terrible dinner or at least provide an incentive for a bad experience to be mended on a return visit. I think I am known for my standard of service and why I will continue to use my mantra; I go above and beyond by providing engaging service though passionate insight and enlightened experiences that build lasting relationships.

I am most proud of my family and the life we continue to build in San Pedro. My wife is an incredible mother, an amazing wife and the hardest small business owner I know (RoundTrip Collective). I am very proud of our two children and how we are raising them to be good-hearted, passionate people who I look up to their parents as examples of who they want to be.

Professionally, I cook, I bartend, I manage, I fix things that are broken, I’d rather build something than buy it. I genuinely enjoy the research and planning aspects of life and believe the results are sweeter when you have your sweat on it.

Personally, the same as above.

If we have met or when we do meet, I’m most likely going to have a smile on my face, a story to tell, and definitely a laugh to share with you.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Dreaming is fun. But don’t get stuck in the dream stage. You have to fail to succeed (coming from someone who hasn’t “succeeded” yet). Don’t be too hard on yourself when first starting out. There is lot to learn and every mistake is an opportunity for a lesson. Just don’t forget to learn and grow from those lessons. Ask for help.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bodegaravalsp.com
• Instagram: @bodegaraval
• Facebook: Facebook.com/bodegaraval
• Other: www.GoFundMe.com/f/bodegaraval