There are some people in Manchester whose names you just know.

And then there are people whose impact goes so much deeper than that.

That was this conversation.

When Robert Singer sat down with me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast Episode 38, I knew we were going to talk about business, restaurants, and Manchester.

But what I didn’t expect was how much we would talk about life.

About family.
About loss.
About giving back.

And honestly… this is one that stayed with me.

One of the things I loved most about this conversation on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast Episode 38 was how deeply rooted Robert is in Manchester.

Seventy-four years.

That’s a lifetime of watching a city grow, change, struggle, and evolve.

Hearing him talk about growing up in the North End — walking to school, playing basketball at St. Catherine’s, living in a time when snow days weren’t really a thing — it felt like listening to the history of Manchester through someone who lived every part of it.

And then there’s his father’s story.

After losing a chicken processing plant in a seven-alarm fire, Irving Singer started over with just 38 used cars.

Thirty-eight.

With backing from Merchants National Bank, that small start turned into what would become Merchants — one of the largest fleet management companies in the country.

That’s not just a business story.

That’s resilience.

As someone who understands family business, I had to ask what it was like working with so many siblings.

His answer?

He could write a book.

I laughed, because that tells you everything right there.

But what stood out wasn’t just the challenge — it was the foundation his father built.

Take care of your employees.
Take care of your customers.
Build something rooted in values.

And that clearly carried through.

Merchants didn’t just grow — it became a place where people stayed. Longtime employees. Strong culture. Real loyalty.

And Robert said something that I think is so important:

There’s no room for entitlement in a family business.

You earn your place.

You earn respect.

That mindset makes all the difference.

This was the part of the conversation that stayed with me the most.

We talked about Robert’s son, Jordan.

Jordan passed away in 2017 at just 28 years old after battling a rare sarcoma.

And hearing Robert tell that story — the diagnosis, the fight, the hope — it was heartbreaking.

But it was also filled with love.

He described Jordan as someone who made every person feel like they mattered.

Like they were the most important person in the room.

And you could feel that as he spoke.

That kind of presence… it doesn’t disappear.

It leaves something behind.

On Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, Robert shared how that loss became something more.

Jordan’s Dream Fund.

A program that helps young sarcoma patients afford travel and lodging for clinical trials.

It started with a promise.

And he kept it.

And then he kept going.

From the Jordan Singer Youth Enrichment Center at the Boys & Girls Club, to support for Elliot Hospital, the Palace Theatre, Family Promise, and so many other organizations…

He didn’t stop.

And honestly, what struck me most was that quote:

He feels like he’s just getting started.

That says everything.

Of course, we had to talk about Bravo.

And I’ll be honest — when I first heard Robert and Rhonda were opening a restaurant, I thought…

Are you serious?

Because if you’ve been in this business, you know exactly how crazy that sounds.

But once I heard the story, it made perfect sense.

They were out to dinner all the time. Sitting at the bar. Connecting with people. Enjoying the experience.

And that led them to Chef Daniel Henry.

The right people came together. The right space opened up. And suddenly, Bravo became real.

And now?

It’s beautiful.

Right across from the Palace Theatre, it feels elegant without being overdone.

The bar is stunning.

The open kitchen brings energy into the space.

And the sunroom dining area? Just gorgeous.

We talked about the menu, and there are some standout dishes that you just have to try.

The Chilean sea bass on pad Thai.
The giant short rib on the bone.
The seafood casserole.
The pork chop with apple jam.

And I had to say it — the duck duck potato.

It’s one of my favorites.

And those potato skins?

Next level.

You can tell there’s thought behind the menu. It’s not just about putting dishes on a plate. It’s about creating something people remember.

I also love what they’ve done with Café at Bravo.

It has its own identity.

The sandwiches are incredible.

The bread comes in fresh every morning from Boston.

Everything is made in-house — and you can taste that.

And I have to say it:

The soups are outstanding.

I’m a soup person. Always have been.

And theirs? Really, really good.

It’s the kind of place where you think you’re stopping in for something quick…

And then you’re already planning your next visit.

What I loved most about this conversation is that Robert is not done.

Not even close.

He’s still thinking about Manchester.

Still thinking about what the city needs.

Still thinking about how to create places where people want to gather.

Eat.

Connect.

Feel proud.

And that’s what this podcast is all about.

Because food and hospitality are never just about food.

They’re about people.

They’re about memory.

They’re about building something that lasts.

And Robert Singer has done exactly that.

When I asked Robert what he was most proud of, his answer was simple.

He’s grateful.

For his health.

For his family.

And for the evolution of Manchester — its energy, its vibrancy, and where it’s going.

That stayed with me.

This was one of those conversations that reminds me why I love doing Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast.

Because I get to sit down with people who are shaping our community in real ways.

And hear the story behind it.

If you haven’t been to Bravo yet, go.

If you haven’t stopped into Café at Bravo, go.

And if you get a chance to learn more about Jordan’s Dream Fund — do that too.

Because behind all of it is a story of heart, resilience, generosity, and vision.

And I’m really glad we got to share it.

Watch and listen to my full conversation with Robert Singer and hear the story behind the business, the giving, and the future of Manchester.

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ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON

Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.

Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com  |  @redarrow24diner