Meet Caroline Galzin of Nicky’s Coal Fired

Caroline Galzin is the heart and hustle behind one of The Nations’ favorite restaurants, Nicky’s Coal Fired. Since the opening in 2016, Caroline and her husband Tony have been serving up Italian fare in a fun, family-style atmosphere that Nashvillians love. A hospitality pro, she helped guide Nicky’s through the pandemic gracefully. Today, they’re celebrating the additions of an event space — the Maxwell Room — and a new “Five & Ten” happy hour. Get to know this week’s  FACE of Nashville!

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Tell us a bit about your background. What brought you to Nashville?

I had a bit of a unique childhood and moved around a lot. I’m originally from Alabama, but I also spent time living in Maine, Boston, and Houston … My husband Tony and I met working in restaurants in Chicago in 2009 and moved to Nashville [in 2012] to pursue opening our own restaurant.

Growing up in Alabama, were there any Southern food traditions that influenced your culinary journey?

Definitely. There are so many parallels between the traditional Italian food Tony grew up eating and the traditional Southern food I grew up eating. Both are based around dishes that are very simply made with fresh seasonal ingredients. There is also so much culture around family and food, both in the South and with Chicago Italian families. Even though the foods are different, the feeling of one to the other is very familiar.

What inspired you and Tony to open Nicky’s?

Everything about Nicky’s is inspired by Tony’s Italian family. His great grandfather, ‘Big Papa’ Enrico (who our oven is named after) immigrated to the Chicago area from Lazio. The photos on our wall are family photos, and the recipes have been passed down from Nana Mary.

Even our playlist is inspired by a multi-generation favorite Chicago rock radio station: RIP to The Loop 97.9!

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Why coal-fired pizza?

When we were conceptualizing Nicky’s, we knew right away we wanted to do a coal-fired pizza. It’s a style that wasn’t available elsewhere in Nashville or really even in this region. We love the balance between the crispness of a deck oven pizza and the softness of a Napoletana style.

What are the top three dishes not to miss at Nicky’s?

Obviously, the pizza is number one! But besides that, our Mama G’s Meatballs, which have been passed down through three generations, are a must-try, as well as our house-made pastas, which are made fresh from scratch daily.

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Tell us about The Maxwell Room!

The Maxwell room has been an incredible addition to our business. It can be reserved for up to 70 for a seated dinner or up to 90 for a cocktail party, and it makes for a beautiful, intimate celebration. We recently added a new all-inclusive wedding ceremony and reception package that includes a photographer, DJ, and officiant. The officiant is actually one of our in-house planners, Evan! She was recently ordained. She is amazing at it and was made for this role!

It has been the most incredible feeling to enter a new phase of our business and to be able to grow and create new opportunities for our team members.

If you could have dinner with any chef, past or present, who would it be?

Given the media image of this person, this may be a funny answer. But honestly, it is Gordon Ramsay! I have always been a big fan, and I loved the original British version of Kitchen Nightmares, as well as his BBC show The F Word. It was airing on BBC America when I was in culinary school, and I really learned a lot from him.

His British persona is much more toned down, and you can see his real love and passion for food and helping people. I’m also a reality TV junkie, so it would just be fun!

When you’re not at the restaurant, how do you unwind?

As I mentioned, I am a big reality TV junkie, so a lot of my time is spent unwinding with Andy Cohen and Co.! I also love being outdoors when the weather is nice. I spend a lot of time in Chicago in the summer and try to swim in Lake Michigan every day when I’m there. When I’m in Nashville and not working, you can usually catch me poolside.

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What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

This is actually a hard question because I feel like I am surrounded by so many smart and thoughtful peers who constantly give me great advice!

One thing that comes to mind is something I’ve observed more than a piece of advice. About 15 years ago, we were working an event with our chef at the time, Erick Williams. We were super in the weeds; equipment was going down right and left. He looked at Tony and said, ‘I will not lose!’ And he didn’t. We figured it out, and it was a great event. Looking back, it was kind of a funny moment, but it’s something I think about a lot — that I have taken with me through the years.

We have faced so many challenges in this business; I always try to keep that mindset of I will not lose; there is a path, and we will figure it out. Along the same lines, I also love the Pat Summitt quote, “I’m not the best; I’m just willing to work harder than everyone else.”

Faith, family, and friends notwithstanding, what three things can’t you live without?

My dogs, Barry’s Boot Camp, and a vodka martini.

LIGHTNING ROUND!

Go-to meal when you’re cooking at home? Turkey chili

Favorite local restaurants (outside of Nicky’s)? Otaku, St. Vito, Mijo Gordito and Maiz DeLa Vida!

Favorite self-care item? Osea Body Oil

Favorite thing about Nashville? We have the kindest and most supportive community of people here — a great hospitality network that really shows up for each other.

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