In this episode of Mom’s Dinner Table Talk, JP sits down with Remi DeMatteo, the operator behind Hayride Scandal and Pelican to Mars, and one of the most seasoned voices in Louisiana’s bar and nightlife scene. Remi’s career spans decades—bartending at 18 in New Orleans, running bars in major hotels, opening iconic venues like Ampersand, Club 360, Republic, Hostel, and Eifel, and eventually bringing his talent to Baton Rouge to build two of the city’s most beloved bar concepts.Remi breaks down what hospitality used to be, what it is now, and how the industry has shifted in the age of social media, dating apps, and a generation that drinks less but feels more isolated than ever. He shares raw insight on leadership, mentorship, operator development, building culture, communicating with young staff, and the responsibility seasoned leaders have to guide the next generation.We also dive into the future of cocktails, whiskey culture, and bar programs—why garnish culture is out of control, why pretentious drinking is dying, and why simplicity, fun, and accessibility always win. Remi brings honesty, humor, and decades of hard-earned wisdom to a conversation loaded with stories, strategy, and perspective.If you love hospitality, scaling teams, cocktail culture, bar operations, or just great storytelling, pull up a chair. This episode is a masterclass from someone who’s lived every era of nightlife—from the pre-smartphone days to the modern craft movement.

Albina Brahimi (Jabby’s Pizza Baton Rouge) | From Kosovo War to Restaurant Owner | Mom’s Dinner Table TalkIf you searched Albina Brahimi or Jabby’s Pizza Baton Rouge, this is the full story.In this episode of Mom’s Dinner Table Talk, JP Ngo (owner of Our Mom’s Restaurant & Bar) sits down with Albina Brahimi — the owner of Jabby’s Pizza in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — to break down her journey from surviving war in Kosovo to building a restaurant brand in the United States.This is not a highlight reel. This is the real story behind Jabby’s Pizza, restaurant ownership, and what it actually takes to survive in the Louisiana food industry.Topics we cover in this episode:Albina Brahimi’s story growing up in Kosovo during warMoving to the United States and starting overBuilding Jabby’s Pizza in Baton Rouge from the ground upExpanding restaurant locations and the challenges of scalingWhy growth can hurt a restaurant if systems aren’t readyLeadership struggles in the restaurant industryHiring, training, and managing young restaurant staffRestaurant culture, accountability, and team developmentThe truth about restaurant profit margins in 2025Owning a restaurant during and after COVIDWhy Albina is focused on quality over rapid expansionCreating chef-driven pop-up dinners and staying creativeUsing food as an outlet for stress, trauma, and passionAbout Jabby’s Pizza Baton RougeJabby's Pizza is one of Baton Rouge’s well-known local pizza spots, owned and operated by Albina Brahimi. This episode dives into the behind-the-scenes reality of building and operating a restaurant in Louisiana.About Mom’s Dinner Table TalkHosted by JP Ngo, owner of Our Mom’s Restaurant & Bar in Baton Rouge and Hammond, Louisiana. This podcast focuses on real conversations with restaurant owners, entrepreneurs, and people building businesses in the hospitality industry.