Q&A: At Home with Homecookin’ Hospitality Group, Featuring Navin Chatani & Conrad Gomez

Photography by Richard Alvarez on November 12th, 2020 in Editorials, Food, Lifestyle

Navin Chatani & Conrad Gomez

Miami Beach, FL – November 12, 2020 – Wynwood, South Beach, Little Havana…. you name it, they’ve got you. Meet the three men behind the Miami powerhouse hospitality empire Homecookin’ Hospitality: Angel Febres, Navin Chatani, Conrad Gomez. From promoting parties on South Beach in the 90s to owning their very own collection of nightlife and restaurant venues across the city, when it comes to creating the ultimate experience for others, no one does it better than them.

Their company, Homecookin’ Hospitality, is behind some of Miami locals’ most beloved spots such as Foxhole, a speakeasy neighborhood bar, Drunken Dragon, a Korean inspired gastropub and cocktail bar, rácket, an upscale bar and lounge in Wynwood, and Casa Tiki, a tiki-inspired bar now open in Calle Ocho. With three successful venues and one recently unveiling, the group is devoted to bringing more unparalleled destinations to the city. The partners that make up the group bring diverse entrepreneurial experience and personality, making each of them a valuable asset to the group’s recognition and success. Angel Febres is a leading impresario in the nightlife industry, highly respected for his humble characteristics combined with his extreme professionalism and plethora of business relationships in all industries. Navin Chatani has touched on nearly every aspect of Miami’s entertainment landscape and has served in various lead roles encompassing celebrity relations, promotions and marketing. Conrad Gomez began his career in NYC nightclubs in 1987. With his years of experience and social network, Gomez has contributed to the success of the group by focusing on the guest services, operations, marketing and more.

World Red Eye caught up with two of the lively owners to dive into the world of Homecookin’ Hospitality and their plans for the future. Read the full Q&A.

By Gaby Cuevas

Navin Chatani & Conrad Gomez

WRE: Not many people know that Homecookin’ Hospitality Group is run by three people. How did you all meet?

Conrad Gomez: All three of us were heavily involved in the Miami nightlife scene in the 90s which is how we crossed paths. Navin and I worked together in 1993 promoting parties in Miami Beach. Angel at the time was one of the top bottle buyers at Liquid, a popular club back then. When Angel was in the process of switching fields, a mutual friend put Angel and I in touch. Liquid eventually shut down and the party got moved to Krave, where it grew from 300-600 people due to Angel and I’s combined efforts. Soon after, SMAC entertainment was created, which is when Navin came into the picture, and we became a powerhouse promotional team. When the market crashed in 2008, our team took a big hit, as many of our VIP customers stopped going out and spending money on tables and bottle service, greatly affecting our company. We all wanted to expand our careers more and ownership was the next natural step; we opened our first joint venue, Foxhole, in Miami Beach in 2011.

WRE: What’s the story behind Homecookin’ Hospitality; how did you come up with that name?

Navin Chatani: Homecookin’ Hospitality’s roots come from a 1995 hip-hop party Conrad and Bill Spector started on Tuesday nights called “Homecookin.” It was one of the first parties to bring together all kinds of people, from European tourists and models, to local surf rats and business executives; it was a place where everyone could have fun. We chose that name for our company because it really captured our essence, which is about creating experiences that are local and homegrown.

Navin Chatani

WRE: What sets HHG venues apart from other Miami hotspots?

NC: Our spots are much more locally centered than others in Miami. Foxhole was the first bar in South Beach on West Ave. We wanted to break-away from the mega-club scene that was starting to boom and create something different. It was the first place to offer laid back fun for residents without a strict door policy, table reservations, or cover at the door. Drunken Dragon was our next venture and first expansion into the culinary scene. West Avenue was still lacking cool venues and hotspots for locals, so we decided to bring Drunk Dragon there too. The unsuspecting speakeasy concept and great tasting food once again succeeded in bringing out customers, both local and out of town.

Our first nightlife venue, rácket, was the first bar in Wynwood with an upscale design and build out to match the aesthetic of the area. We were South Beach boys venturing into new territory with this one, so we wanted to change it up from the speakeasy vibe to a more upscale nightlife experience. People could now drink and party like they’re on South Beach, without having to travel so far.

We chose the name Homecookin’ Hospitality for our company because it really captured our essence, which is about creating experiences that are local and homegrown.

Navin Chatani

Conrad Gomez

WRE: Drunken Dragon, the company’s hidden gem, has received multiple awards for its food & ambiance. What are some of your favorite dishes from the menu?

CG: Our favorites on the menu would have to be the lamb chops and the BFR – Big F*@$king Rib. Our lamp chops are the perfect combination of thickness and tenderness, made with rosemary marinated lamb chops and served with sun-dried tomato and blistered shishito peppers. The BFR is an absolute classic as well; a 14-Hour braised short rib with steamed buns, sesame leaves, and lettuce leaves, served with steamed Taiwanese bao buns, pickles, lettuces, herbs and three sauces (Chimichurri, Hoisin, Red Dragon).

WRE: We hear there is an additional HHG venue on the way. Can you tell us a little more about it?

CG: Casa Tiki is our fourth venue which we just opened in Little Havana this year. We decided to expand into the Calle Ocho territory with a tiki bar theme to really differentiate it from our other venues and diversify the company’s portfolio. With this new venue we’re bringing a trendy and one-of-a kind concept to the neighborhood. Casa Tiki bar and lounge is a modern take on Polynesian culture, catering to an escapist longing for travel. It features an authentic tiki-themed cocktail menu and an intimate yet exciting ambiance for guests, staying true to the Homecookin’ Hospitality Group experience.

WRE: HHG’s portfolio already includes three (and now four) extremely well-known and successful venues. What have been some of the highlights at each of these places?

CG: It’s hard to choose one specific memory for each place, but ultimately the greatest highlight has been the opportunities we’ve had over the years to bring people together from all over the world to party and create long-lasting memories. It feels good to know you played a major role in creating some peoples’ most amazing and unforgettable experiences. We do this for our friends, and their friends, and their friends. We love to see people have a good time and want people to take home memories that will last a lifetime.