Brian Goldberg | Owner/Operator

Brian Goldberg likes food. And he likes to make people happy. He sees the restaurant industry as the natural intersection of these two proclivities. The desire to feed  friends and family germinated while Brian was an undergraduate at the University of Miami. Course attendance fell victim to a self-education in the kitchen. After graduation, Brian moved home to Philadelphia, where he worked various uninspiring jobs before enrolling at the Restaurant School.  There he was awarded the Spirit of Industry award. During this time he also worked at The Global Dish, an upscale boutique catering company. As a cook and purchasing agent, he first worked with local farmers and artisanal producers, acquiring knowledge about quality and craft.

In 2004, Brian and his wife Pamela Geller, an anthropologist who introduced him to the importance of cultural differences – especially with regard to cuisine – moved to Washington, D.C. Time spent in the nation’s capital included a stint as a roundsman at Asia Nora, owned by Nora Pouillon. Pouillon is best known for opening the nation’s first certified organic restaurant.  Here he gained valuable experience by working every station in the kitchen, and he was able to further his knowledge of local, seasonal quality ingredients. To diversify his restaurant experience and knowledge, Brian moved to the FOH and became a manager at Matchbox, also in D.C.  Amongst other things, he helped  with the restaurant’s expansion from 80 seats to over 200. He also gained experience managing a highly successful, busy restaurant.

Eventually the cold winters got to him and he  returned to Miami in 2007.  Once back, Brian was hired as the General Manager at Fratelli Lyon.  He assisted in the opening of the restaurant and was responsible for its day-to-day operations. In 2009, he parted ways with Fratelli Lyon in order to open his own place.  Brian settled down in Midtown after a few months of searching for the perfect location.  He was drawn to the urban vibe and sense of community, and he knows that Sustain will be a respite for locals and tourists alike.