Meet Brian Nolan | Restaurant Developer and Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Nolan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Grew up in Tarrytown NY – about 20 miles North of NYC. Great place to grow up and as I have reflected on that it was surely a part of me wanting to be in the mountains – not to say it was a mountainous area, but it was heavily wooded and afforded a great childhood of adventure.

I have always said that my grade school, Pocantico Hills, (K-8th) and mainly my middle school time there (6-8) had the most impact on me and still resonates today. The public school was an amazing place and the teachers were – well, what you can only hope for as a parent for your children. We were given all the basics, on the highest of levels, but more we were immersed into all the other parts of life. School Government – I mean a real working government with elections and “sessions” or “legislation”. School “clubs” that actually worked with the school government, and all of this had a school currency that had real value (though it was only a penny per dollar) that taught us so, so many lessons. Not to leave out the school arts and sports – also all wrapped into the “community” we functioned in. I could go on for hours about this but the easiest way to show as example how powerful the three years were – 1) most of the legal names of any of my businesses I have had are named after something to do with that time – a teacher, the school, an event and 2) we, our 8th grade graduating class of 1971, are still very much in touch with each other – after 50 plus years !!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We have a tendency to focus on the communities we are members of, be it the staff as our second family, the geographical locations we are in as a place to invest time, energy and leadership, or our industry – where we are always looking to be a part of elevating the guest (and staff and local community) experience – be it from our operations or the things we, as a team, can help with outside of our operations. These efforts play a large part in our focus on the nuts and bolts of day to day business – but honestly – we lean more to the efforts as described here than the nuts and bolts .

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hike (or snowshoe) up Beaver Creek mountain – there are so many paths to take and levels to do. Being in the woods – no matter where you are from – it is always a clarifying experience. No phones! Eat drink – there are so may many amazing operations here in Vail Valley – the list is so long. From best breakfast to amazing bartenders- to decks with views to… there is not shortage on any level. And past all that here is home- where there is the amazing family, great kitchen and – a deck to enjoy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
You can refer to the first question for most of this. I could list a specific teacher or two that resonated more than others but it really was the combined experience. Aside from the “education” this same group pushed us to find what are passions were (and still are!!). It is matter of record that in 8th grade – in my “yearbook” (carbon copied – nothing extravagant) – I mention that my aspiration was to learn to build and fly planes in order to travel. I actually attended a year of college for this but realized my efforts as an entrepreneur in the f&b world might be able to allow me to do the same. And it does!

Favorite book – Atlas Shrugged

Website: Bluemoosepizza.com Einprositavon.com mountainfishhouse.com