Greg Casten
Greg has been in the fish and food Industry for over 40 years. With partner Ron Goodman, Greg helped create, develop, implement, design and build Ivy City Smokehouse and tavern. Greg has extensive experience with restaurant and fish operations and has been in Ivy City for 35 years. With a few stints on lobster boats, his work includes Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place, Nick’s Riverside Grill, The Point DC, The Strand DC and Profish, Washington DC’s largest fresh seafood wholesaler.
Tony Cibel
The patriarch of the family, Tony has dined with presidents, traveled with movie stars, and knows just about everyone that’s anyone in DC, yet he is down to earth and very charming. His love for his restaurants carry over to the rest of his family, who carry on his passion for stellar service and excellent food.
Nick Cibel
Nick Cibel is a founding member of this restaurant family. Nick was born and raised in the Washington area. He has been working in the business since he was 12 years old. His attention to detail, gregarious personality and fun loving spirit make people want to be around him!
David Stein
Born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Chef David Stein is a graduate of the Baltimore International Culinary College. Chef Stein spent four years as executive sous chef at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels’ Maryland. Later he moved on to be the owner and executive Chef of Bistro St. Michaels for 16 years. Living and cooking on the water has created a style that makes his ingredients the star.
Dave Pera
Dave is a partner at The Point DC, Ivy City Smokehouse & The Strand DC He is the man behind the photos and the marketing director of the restaurant group. Rarely seen without a ball cap on his head and a camera around his neck, you will know he has been there by the trail of half empty vodka sodas winding through the building. His brain fires at a mile a minute, coming up with and discarding ideas as rapidly as he can say them, until he strikes on one that sticks…and it is usually a doozy. Don’t take his energy or ideas for granted, talk to him while you can, because you will never see him leave, he is the king of the Irish Goodbye.
Erica Stevens
Born and raised in the DMV, Erica has been a part of the DC hospitality scene since 2006 when she first started waiting tables to pay for school. After graduating from Frostburg State with a Bachelors of Science degree she started bartending and quickly fell in love with people. This led to discovering her niche in event planning. She loves being a part of the unforgettable memories that are created with each event, and enjoys each new connection she has a chance to make.
Mayi Castillo-Palafox
Mayi has been working in the restaurant industry for 25 years. She started working for Greg Casten at Tony and Joe’s as a server on 2013 and became a manager at Ivy City Smokehouse on 2016. Mayi loves and enjoys everything she does at Ivy City and treats our customers as if they’re part of the family team.
Dennis Shea
With over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Dennis Shea is an accomplished Beverage Director known for his leadership and expertise in all aspects of beverage management. For the past 15 years, Dennis has been responsible for overseeing the purchasing and inventory management of all alcoholic beverages for the five restaurants within the Fish and Fire Food Group. His strong leadership, enthusiasm, and efficiency have driven his professional growth, culminating in his current role, where he also plays a key part in the design and build-out of new restaurant locations.