Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony F Magaldi.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anthony. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in NYC. Came down for Spring Break one year and moved here the following summer. Had no real intention of being in the restaurant biz, but needed a job badly. Met someone that had a friend that worked at the Forge. I was 19. NO experience.
The maitre’d who did the hiring asked me the ingredients of 3 drinks. I messed them all up. (One was a Grasshopper!) Oddly, he hired me anyway! Spent 10 years there as a server and Banquet Manager. Made TONS of money! Miami in the 80’s! Bought my first house cash at 24 years old.
In 1990 South Beach was coming around and The Forge, well, let’s just say many of my customers were in jail. I came to News Cafe. It was not easy to get hired they were very small and had only a cold kitchen. I actually had to wait for someone to leave…which they eventually did. I served tables for 3 years here, then moved to management on graveyard for 3 years. It was crazy busy at 5 am back then when the clubs closed! Finally became a night manager for a short period. In 1996 the then GM moved to our Coconut Grove location and I was asked to be GM. I really wasn’t interested because at the time we had over 220 employees and the place was a powerhouse. I gave in though and am still here! I was promoted to Managing Partner about 10 years ago.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was hard to transition into General Manager. The ex GM, although we were very close at the time, was a control freak. We also had very different styles of management. I was the “bad cop”, he was the “good cop”. That being said, many were loyal to him. Although no one quit when I took over, it took a few years to gain respect and trust. Then I hired my own team (front of the house) as people left eventually. The road became much smoother.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the News Cafe story. Tell us more about the business.
We have been here 28 years. We are known as the Grand Central of Ocean Drive. We keep things affordable, tasty and we have some of the oldest (long term that is) employees on the Drive. I change the menu every year, but the staples such as the Eggs News Cafe (Benedict style) are always the same.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Don’t a big believer in luck. I believe we make our lives and make the choices that can help or hinder us.
Pricing:
- Happy Hour, 4pm-7pm Monday thru Friday. Half price drinks. (That means a $4.00 glass of wine!)
Contact Info:
- Address: News Cafe
800 Ocean Drive,
Miami Beach, FL 33139 - Website: www.newscafe.com
- Phone: 305-538-6397
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: News Cafe South Beach
- Facebook: News Cafe South Beach
- Twitter: News Cafe South Beach
- Yelp: News Cafe South Beach
- Other: Snapchat: News Cafe South Beach
Image Credit:
Dale Stein
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
