
Restaurateur Keith McNally on why he regrets "almost everything"
The "least hospitable man in hospitality," as he calls himself, is not a big smiler, either. "Inside," he explained.
It doesn't seem to have hurt. Over 40 years, he's opened some of New York City's most popular restaurants, among them The Odeon, Balthazar, and Pastis – institutions almost as well-known as some of the bold-face names that frequent them. But McNally himself has never been much of a publicity hound, even less so after suffering a stroke in 2016. "Naturally I'm a bit embarrassed to be on TV talking like this—who wouldn't be?" he said. "But it's good for me to do it, because it gets me free of my embarrassment. Actually, I'm embarrassed talking about embarrassment!"
But the British-born McNally has largely overcome his embarrassment in a new memoir, "I Regret Almost Everything." "The drawback for me with most memoirs [is], if you're not embarrassed by what you write, you've probably not spoken the truth," he said. "If you don't cringe over every word, it's not the truth."
The hardest part to write, he said, was about his suicide attempt, "because my kids. I didn't want to leave them at all."
That suicide attempt was two years after his stroke. He was found by his younger son, George. "He was supposed to not find me," McNally said. "Like most teenagers he would sleep until noon. But that day he woke up early, at 8:00 o'clock."
"You expected him to be sleeping later, he woke up early, he saw you?" I asked.
"Yeah, the bastard just woke up early and saved my life!" he laughed.
McNally might joke about it now, but the father of five was suffering with an immobile right arm (he was right-handed), back pain, and aphasia (which causes his slurred speech), and his second marriage was falling apart. But as he writes, some sobering words from a doctor made him reflect: "He said that children who lose a parent to suicide were far more likely to kill themselves than the children of parents who don't. That stopped me in my tracks."
Because he had such trouble communicating verbally after his stroke, McNally began using social media. "I was so embarrassed by my speech and the way I looked, I didn't go to my restaurants for one year," he said. "I was ashamed. But eventually I realized, nothing to be ashamed about. So, not only did I admit it wasn't a bad thing, but I went in on Instagram."
McNally went viral in 2022 with a post criticizing former late-night host James Corden for allegedly being rude to the waitstaff at Balthazar. But now, McNally confesses in his book he isn't so sure calling out Corden was fair. He wrote: "For someone who's hyperconscious of humiliation since suffering a stroke, it now seems monstrous that I didn't consider the humiliation I was subjecting Corden to. I felt like I'd hit the jackpot of a slot machine and thousands of gold coins were spilling out in front of me. That night I ended up with over 90,000 followers. I was intoxicated with self-righteousness."
"Uh-huh, it's true," McNally said. "But afterwards, I felt really bad."
Corden later apologized. But the 73-year-old McNally has continued creating a stir online. Take this recent post he wrote about his friend, ABC News' Diane Sawyer, describing a weeklong affair the two had in the 1970s. The story made news … except that it was completely made up.
I said, "Some people say, 'Listen, Keith, you know, it's really not cool for you to be sharing this.' And so, did you enjoy that back-and-forth with them?"
"Yes. Yeah, I'm afraid, I did, yeah," he laughed.
"And I wonder, do you think that the stroke – I don't know, is that, does that …"
"Say what you think," said McNally.
"Well, is it that you feel a little trapped inside of yourself?"
"No," he replied. "I've always been a little like this inside. But since my stroke, and now on the outside."
McNally grew up in the East End of London, one of four children born to Jack, a dockworker, and Joyce, a house and office cleaner. The family had little money. "I got angry inside at my parents," he said, "because we had no books in the house, no pictures on the walls. But they couldn't help it. They were working class who grew up with nothing."
McNally says he didn't eat in a restaurant until he was 17. "Most of the time, when we were on a holiday, we would go to the restaurant, they would look the prices outside, and then she'd go, 'Not for us.'"
And yet, when McNally moved to New York City in 1975 as an aspiring filmmaker, he made ends meet by working in restaurants. "I didn't eat asparagus until I came here," he said. "And the next day, I went to the doctor because the smell of my …"
"That was so pungent from eating the asparagus?" I asked.
"Yeah, I thought I was sick! So, I went to the doctor. He said, 'What'd you eat last night?'" McNally laughed.
"You know what? You gotta put that in the paperback," I said.
In 1980, McNally opened his own restaurant, The Odeon, in the neighborhood of Tribeca, in what had been a no-man's land. An immediate sensation, it established certain McNally "musts," such as the importance of having a hamburger on the menu. "I don't like hamburgers much myself," he said. "But it's a sign of snobbery not to have a hamburgers."
McNally prides himself on putting his staff above even his diners. Some of his employees have been with him for over 30 years. And ever since returning to work post-stroke, McNally has come to appreciate how they feel about him. "I had to talk to my staff and was really nervous," he said. "They were really kind. In the end, kindness is really essential."
I asked, "The stroke lifted the veil on what they thought of you?"
"Yeah, yeah," McNally laughed. "They made me feel good."
READ AN EXCERPT: "I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir" by Keith McNally
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
For more info:
Story produced by Kay Lim. Editor: Carol Ross.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
12 minutes ago
- CBS News
Hops and community are on tap at West Sacramento brewery, celebrating California Craft Beer Week
Craft brewers statewide are showing off their brews to recognize California Craft Beer Week through Sunday, July 27. It's an effort to bring community and craft beer together while spotlighting California's best locally made brews. The special edition pint glass, designed by a Sacramento artist, is only $5 and supports the California Craft Brewing Association. Breweries like Jackrabbit Brewing Company are putting their best hop forward, putting a spotlight on their specialty beers and West Sacramento taproom. "You come in, have a pint of beer and get to know your neighbor," said Evey Ramos, the brewery's events coordinator. Jackrabbit's featured "Hop Stomper" beer was an instant best-seller, thanks in part to the familiar face on the can. The A's relocation to West Sacramento this season meant they met the moment by pitching an A's themed can -- with the mascot Stomper featured, it has already been a homerun. "It sold out of the taproom in a week and a half. It was crazy," said Ramos. The Hop Stomper is still sold out, but a new batch will launch in the taproom next week for purchase. With every pour, there's a purpose. The creative process starts in the brewhouse. "Tons of carbonation on this, which is what we go for," said head Brewer Mike Stone, pouring a glass directly from the tap in the cellar. The taste test is part of perfecting each brew. It comes after a lesson in Fahrenheit and fermentation. It's the science before the sip. "Our team just tweaks it one beer at a time," said Stone. The art is in creating something everyone can enjoy. "I worked corporate industry for seven years and found out I wasn't meant for a desk job and found my way into a brewery," said Stone."Watching other people enjoy something I've put a lot of time and effort into, that's the icing on the cake." Despite the dedication and drive, it's an industry in decline. In 2024, nationwide, more craft breweries closed than opened, according to the Brewers Association. In addition, last year the craft beer market also hit an all time low due to rising costs and declining sales. "I think any craft industry is difficult. You're making something with your hands, your heart, your soul and hoping people want to buy it. If you find somebody local who you love and want to support, then please, please do," said Ramos. Drinking and buying craft beer is what keeps the local taps from running dry. This Sunday, Jackrabbit Brewing is finishing off Craft Beer Week with a jazz concert fundraiser supporting local high school musicians. To purchase the West Sacramento-brewed beers, visit their website. Jackrabbit also recently launched a new venture creating custom craft beer cans for corporate of gifting needs. Customers can work with their in-house designer to create the perfect custom label.


Forbes
12 minutes ago
- Forbes
Top 10 Podcasts for Managers and Mid-Level Leaders
Brené Brown's "Dare to Lead" is one of the best podcasts for managers and mid-level leaders. Managers and mid-level leaders may have the hardest jobs in the workforce. They are tasked not with setting an agenda but with following one, motivating their employees to stay on task, focusing on the road ahead, and supporting the vision of leadership at the top. These managers are leaders in their own right but often limited in how much they can effect change, while also hearing complaints from above and below. Balancing all this can be a challenge, and so it helps to know that there are others experiencing the same difficulties and also reaping the many rewards that come with middle-management. This list of podcasts for new and seasoned managers and mid-level leaders can help you find inspiration, new approaches and joy in your job. The 10 Best Podcasts For Managers And Mid-Level Leaders This list was compiled based on podcast ratings on iTunes and other sites, social media presence of the podcast, expertise of the hosts, and quality and diversity of guests. Read on to find your next five-star listen. Hosted by renowned academic and storyteller Brené Brown and based on her book of the same name, Dare to Lead challenges listeners to innovate and create new approaches to leadership. Brown interviews celebrities, cultural tastemakers and thought leaders who give insights into finding your own leadership style and perfecting that approach. Some of her most popular episodes have focused on impostor syndrome, armored vs. daring leadership, creating brave spaces and defining daring leadership. Guests range from the incredibly famous, like Former President Barack Obama, to gifted communicators like author Ruchika T. Malhotra. This podcast is best for managers trying to define and hone their leadership styles. You can listen to Dare to Lead on iTunes, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. From Harvard Business Review, HBR IdeaCast features interviews with business leaders and managers and is hosted by HBR Executive Editor Alison Beard and Senior Editor Curt Nickisch. Each episode provides actionable tips for making day-to-day decisions easier and maximizing time. Topics range from finding ways to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for training and project management to the wisdom of immigrant entrepreneurs. Guests include Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, Harvard University President Emeritus Lawrence H. Summers and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. This podcast is best for up-and-coming managers looking to establish their footing. You can listen to HBR IdeaCast on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Host Adrion Porter started Gen X Amplified with Adrion Porter to give voice to the generation stuck between the Baby Boomers and Millennials. He focuses on mid-career leaders who have learned from both experience and observing those above and below them, offering unique insights into everyday leadership. Topics include reaching your full potential at work, creating a purposeful career path, recovering from burnout and how to cultivate empathy. Guests tend less toward celebrities and more toward authors, journalists and creators, such as CNBC's Jon Fortt, equity strategist and author Tara Jaye Frank and Ian Schafer, president of Issa Rae's Ensemble. This podcast is best for mid-career managers looking for inspiration as they aim even higher. You can listen to Gen X Amplified with Adrion Porter on iTunes, Audible, YouTube, Amazon Music and Spotify. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, delves into workplaces that have incorporated innovative strategies to make every day more productive and actually fun. His message on WorkLife with Adam Grant: Work doesn't have to suck, and anyone can play a role in changing the culture. Topics include improving meetings (oh hallelujah!), the pitfalls of charisma and how to avoid that trap, navigating bureaucracy, and how to stop chasing perfectionism. The guests include a mix of everyday people and workplace experts as well as the occasional A-list celebrity like Dolly Parton. This podcast is best for managers looking to encourage changes in their work culture but uncertain where to begin. You can listen to WorkLife With Adam Grant on iTunes, TED, Amazon Music, YouTube, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Radical candor is the idea of stating your honest opinion, the positive and negative, while exhibiting empathy for the other person. Kim Scott's book Radical Candor inspired this podcast, where Scott and Radical Candor co-founder Jason Rosoff speak to lead Radical Candor coach Amy Sandler about the concept and how to deploy it. Topics include deep dives on employee one-on-one sessions and how to improve them, the problem with vanishing vacations, how to become a boss, and how to give feedback to employees about their tone. Not every episode has a guest, but notable ones include Google Distinguished Designer Ryan Germick, The Economist's 'Bartleby' columnist Andrew Palmer. This podcast is best for managers looking to improve their communication skills. You can listen to The Radical Candor Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. You don't need to be an entrepreneur to benefit from EntreLeadership, from noted financial guru Dave Ramsey's Ramsey Solutions. Ramsey offers business and leadership coaching, with a generous dose of encouragement for those finding their footing in the entrepreneurial world—but these tips are also applicable to middle managers. Topics often touch on current events, such as the impact of tariffs on business, and managers can skip most of those. But the in-depth considerations of issues like when to intervene when someone you supervise is having a problem and when leadership structure becomes a problem are definitely worth your time. Ramsey uploads new episodes several times a week, too. This podcast is best for anyone looking for inspiration. You can listen to EntreLeadership on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Hosted by twins identified only as 'The Recruiter' and 'The Expert,' The Career Salon With the HR Twins draws on their more than 38 years of combined experience in human resources and recruiting to advise listeners on critical aspects of business. Their fun rapport and curiosity make this listen fly by. Topics range from in-the-weeds breakdowns of performance improvement plans to hiring dos and don'ts from an attorney. The twins usually have at least one guest, often chief people officers or recruiters, but they also examine general trends in HR and offer insights based on their real-world experience. This podcast is best for managers involved in hiring. You can listen to The Career Salon With The HR Twins on iTunes, Overcast and Spotify. What have seasoned leaders learned over the years and how can managers put those lessons to work for them? That question drives The Global Leadership Podcast, hosted by Global Leadership Network executives Whitney Putnam and David Ashcraft. Whether you want to know how to manage conflict or increase productivity, they have answers. Topics include using science-backed theories that have helped high-level athletes in the workplace, how to focus on high-level work, and applying military strategies to the workplace. Guests are experts in their fields, which may be a Navy pilot, a bestselling author or a scientist, though sometimes it's just Ashcraft sharing his expertise. This podcast is best for managers struggling to focus their work who want to become more productive. You can listen to The Global Leadership Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, iHeartRadio and Spotify. LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner Reid Hoffman has experienced business success and knows how others can try to achieve it. His podcast, Masters of Scale, features other successful founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs who share how they overcame challenges and break down how they achieved their biggest triumphs. Topics include how to grow small businesses, navigating global expansion and ways AI can benefit managers. He also tackles timely issues in the news. Hoffman's list of guests is a who's who of the business world, including authors John Green and Suzy Welch, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol and PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger. This podcast is best for managers looking for outside-the-box ideas. You can listen to Masters of Scale on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. No matter your identity, you can find inspiration and advice from Latina Leadership Podcast, an insightful show focused on navigating life and work with purpose and progress. Anjelica Cazares founded the podcast during the pandemic to help bring Latina women together. Other co-hosts are Olga Rodriguez, Susie Barrera and Andrea Diaz. Topics include maintaining mental health, the ups and downs of launching a new business, how to navigate working with family (a great niche topic that is hard to find honest coverage on), and finding reliable role models. Guests include a who's who of Latina women in business (plus many others), from IT executives to dietitians to health care providers. This podcast is best for managers looking for support and reassurance. You can listen to Latina Leadership Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Grab your AirPods and plug in to any one of these insightful and often uplifting podcasts for managers and mid-level leaders to help you take your career to the next level.


Bloomberg
12 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
How Companies Can Harness That Meme Energy
By Meme stocks. They're back! This time around it's GoPro, Beyond Meat, Kohl, Krispy Kreme and Opendoor Tech. Think short squeezes, sudden price moves (Opendoor up 300% in a few months and down 50% in a week), lots of Reddit chat and much money made and lost. It's all a lot of fun (bar the losing bit).