We take Uncorked: Wine-Business-Life on the road to Alpen Rose for a wide-open conversation with chef-restaurateur Michael Schulson. Michael traces his path from his Nana’s matzo ball soup on Long Island to Philly institutions like Le Bec-Fin and Susanna Foo, then to Stephen Starr openings (Buddakan, Pod) and his own breakout with Izakaya at Borgata and Sampan in Center City.

He gets real about nearly shuttering his first spot, the “Stay True” mantra that kept him going, and the operator’s rule he swears by: design first, then service, then food—because dinner is the movie now. We dive into scaling to 15+ restaurants, using analytics (down to dollars per minute per server), forecasting orders, and why his model is asses-in-seats (no ghost kitchens).

There’s plenty of Philly love, some Knicks-Sixers banter, family, YPO/forum lessons, and—of course—wine: Saddlehill Reserve, a 1999 Lafite, and a 2010 Screaming Eagle.

Highlights:

-Origin story: from Nana’s kitchen to Le Bec-Fin → Susanna Foo → Buddakan/Pod

-First ownership wins & near-misses: Sampan’s slow start and the Stay True philosophy

-The 3 pillars ranked: Design, then Service, then Food (and why)

-Scaling smarts: forecasting orders, minute-by-minute server productivity, AI-driven ops

-Why he refuses delivery/ghost kitchens: the experience can’t be boxed

-Culture and winners: how Villanova-style mindset applies beyond basketball

-Partnerships, YPO/forum value, and learning to be a better partner & leader

-Family & balance: being “the best dad” as his definition of success

-New openings: Double Knot in Wynwood (Miami), Delray Beach, and New York

We’re in the Saddlehill Winery tasting room (Voorhees, NJ) with one of Philadelphia’s real estate superstars, Kristen Foote (Compass). Bill Green and co-host Jerrold Colton dig into Kristen’s 20-year rise in luxury listings (Rittenhouse Square, Center City), how she markets multi-million-dollar homes, what’s really happening in today’s market, and the Compass tech that changed her game.

Kristen also opens up about being diagnosed with breast cancer (and later ovarian complications) in the middle of her peak production years—what got her through it, the Philly medical teams who stepped up, setting boundaries, and why she now champions screenings and community support. Plus: growing up abroad as a diplomat’s daughter, solo travel, Monkey the Maltipoo (Rittenhouse legend), and chairing the Rittenhouse Ball to support the park.

Wine flight: Saddlehill Starflower (sweet white), Rosé, Tapestry (Sauv Blanc + Chardonnay), and Renegade (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Blaufränkisch).

Watch for:

How top agents win (and keep) high-end listings

Social media vs relationships in 2025 real estate

Philly market realities: rates, inventory, and the ultra-affluent buyer

Resilience playbook: health crisis while closing deals

Why the Rittenhouse Ball matters (and how to help)

🎙️ Hosts: Bill Green & Jerrold Colton

🍷 Location: Saddlehill Winery, Tasting Room – Voorhees, NJ

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Learn more / visit Saddlehill: saddlehill.com