Turn-Key Management Operations

Excelsior Management brings over 40 years of critically acclaimed experience with both casual and fine dining management. We are dedicated to helping your business achieve it's greatest potential.

BOH & FOH Clean-up

Even if you have a handle on the financials and operations, there's always a little 'Spring Cleaning' that needs to be done. Let Excelsior take a 'look under the hood' to help create greater communication, expectations and execution.

General Consulting

We've been there. Maybe you have the concept but not sure how to get started. Maybe you have it started but now need help with the build. Or maybe you're up and running and now it's time to open the sails and let it take off. We can help with it all!

Our Experience

Opened in 2020, Excelsior Hospitality have each helped put Austin, TX on the national map as a regular mention of the best restaurants in the nation. As current restaurant owners, their knowledge of leading edge technology, improving SOP’s and solidifying expectations with FOH and BOH, Excelsior has proven their model of success is about attention to detail.

Chef Nicholas Yanes

Owner

A native Texan, Nicholas Yanes is a restaurateur, chef and co-owner of Excelsior Hospitality, a hospitality group with popular Austin-based concepts including Juniper, Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties, Verbena and The Dirdie Birdie. After earning his associates degree in culinary arts at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, Yanes established a career in the hospitality industry that boasts esteemed roles such as creative director, chef de cuisine and consulting chef at establishments like Uchi, St. Philip Pizza Parlor, Coyote Ridge Golf Club and more. Yanes is acutely skilled in creating new concepts as well as overseeing food, beverage and special programming, which has led to consulting on opening projects under Excelsior’s umbrella as well as outside concepts that have since flourished under his guidance.

Junior Borges

Chef | Partner

Originally from Mimoso do Sul, Brazil, Junior Borges honed his culinary skills in New York City over 13 years, working at establishments such as A Voce, Amali, Uchi, FT33 and Meridian, the first modern Brazilian fine-dining restaurant in the U.S. There, Borges earned recognition in StarChefs’ 2021 Game Changer Awards and a semifinalist nomination for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards for Outstanding Chef. Borges joined Excelsior Hospitality as a Chef/Partner in 2024, overseeing the kitchens at Juniper and Uncle Nicky’s in Texas as well as the anticipated Nic & Junior’s opening in Chicago in Spring 2025.

Angela Muraca

Chief of Staff

After earning her degree in psychology and education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, she’s moved between the non-profit and hospitality industries to explore her passion for helping others to find joy and success in their lives. Her primary job functions within Excelsior Hospitality include project development, human resources, and partnership collaboration assistance.

Spencer Robertson

Chief Operations Officer

At his current position as Chief Operations Officer, Spencer provides oversight of operations and top level leadership at all Excelsior concepts, as well as assists in development of future projects. 

Taylor Gardner

Private Events + Catering Director

Our Director of Private Events provides top tier guest service and growth within the private events area of our concepts Juniper and the Dirdie Birdie, and the catering area of our concept Uncle Nicky’s. From ensuring each event incorporates the guest’s unique needs to building long term relationships with corporate and event industry contacts, Taylor optimizes guest experiences and financial growth for all our concepts.

Daniel Shereff

Beverage and Service Operations Director

Daniel started his career in hospitality in Colorado, opening and operating breweries in Denver and Boulder. After moving to Austin he worked in luxury hotels and restaurants becoming Forbes fine dining trained and building elevated beverage programs. At Excelsior Hospitality Group Daniel is the Director of Beverage and Service with a focus on building creative and enticing beverage programs and advancing the standards of service throughout our concepts.

Arturo Hernandez

Chief Operations Officer

Born in El Paso, Arturo moved to Austin, Tx for pursuit of his Culinary Education. He was fortunate to work with some Amazing Culinary professionals at The Driskill Hotel, Punch Bowl Social, Hai Hospitality & JW Marriott. The opportunity of traveling and opening restaurants nationwide has helped to expand his knowledge in the Hospitality Industry. Garnishing experience from Fine Dining to Fast Casual Service through his tenure. Excelsior Hospitality is where he can bring his experiences and education together for the support of its team and partners.

Grace McKevitt

Executive Assistant

Excelsior Hospitality’s Executive Assistant supports our team in managing both administrative and operational projects. 

Our Concepts

Past Partners

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