Los Angeles Fine Dining

Dennis Christensen

***** **** **. #**, ****** Lake, CA 91602

C: 818-***-****

H: 818-***-****

******************@*****.***

Experience

GM, MAMA LION - Los Angeles, Feb 2022 – May 2024

High-end restaurant, lounge/nightclub, frequented by international celebrities, in the heart of Los Angeles historic Korea Town. The immediate task was to streamline and clean up the financial leaks and procedures that were neglected. Within the first year nearly $100K saved by cutting non essential expenses. At the same time sales edged over $3.5M. As the owner was occupied with opening six other venues, the entire operation and all responsibilities fell into my care. By spring of 2024, the dynamics of the role had changed to the point that they did not align with the parameters of my hiring. At this point we parted ways amicably with the owner’s understanding.

AGM, Grill Concepts, Daily Grill- Marriott Burbank, Feb 2020 – August 2021

Originally joined Grilled Concepts as the AGM for the Marriott Burbank’s Food and beverage outlets, Daily Grill and EDB, including room and pool service but due to the Covid-19 epidemic and reduction of staffing I oversaw 3 different locations including Studio City and Santa Monica stores as well. Unfortunately, by the beginning of August, the epidemic restrictions took a toll on the business and Studio City and Santa Monica locations closed down permanently and the position was eliminated. I was asked to return to the AGM position at the Marriott Burbank in April of 2021.

Consulting nightlife manager, The Exchange/Academy, Downtown/ Hollywood, April 2019-November 2019

World renowned, the Exchange/ Downtown, and Academy/ Hollywood, with partial ownership by Live Nation and Insomniac Records are the 2 largest EDM and special events venues in Los Angeles. As an independent contractor, after familiarizing with operations at the Exchange, the attention switched to Academy to assess and implement needed structure to operations, HR, labor and staffing. Through new hiring and some newly structural changes, the venue is operating more proficient and more profitable.

Consulting Nightlife Manager, Clifton’s Republic- Downtown Los Angeles, November 2018- April 2019

Clifton's Republic with five floors and 50 thousand square feet encompasses 5 distinct environments/venues, serving a chef driven menu. Ranging from multiple super high-volume bars and high-end lounges featuring craft cocktails & carefully selected libations to live swing band and dancing, and one of LA’s greatest tiki bars. The role did not end with programming the nightlife for this multi-million dollar operation but also scheduling, hiring and overseeing the staff, consulting with the chef on the menu, ordering, all financial duties and the nightly operations of the entire venue until the new GM took over.

F&B Director, The Grafton Hotel on Sunset- West Hollywood, December 2014- March 2018

As the head of F&B for this high-end boutique hotel, the role was set direction for the fine dining restaurant, Oliver’s Prime Steakhouse, the Bar 20 lounge and In-room dining and the special events for the entire hotel. My work was not only operational such as staffing, inventory, ordering, payroll, cost control, all related financials, etc, but also included Programming the nightlife and live music for the Bar 20 lounge, consulting on our highly acclaimed food menu, constructing the wine list for Oliver’s Prime, specialty drinks menu for Bar 20 and direct involvement with our social media wing to help promote the food and beverage aspects of this establishment.

Director of The Foundation Room, House of Blues – West Hollywood, January 2014– December 2014

In place as the VIP part of the House of Blues, an almost independent entity, the Foundation Room is a complex combination of membership club, fine dining, nightlife and live music. The director not only functions with the responsibilities of a GM such as P&L, budget forecasting, staffing, menu implementations, corporate reviews and meetings but programming the night life and the live music and member guest relations as well. Keeping up with the new trends in food, beverage and social media to achieve all Marketing goals is also an important aspect of this position.

Operations Manager, Bow & Truss – NoHo Arts District, December 2012– December 2014

This fine dining chef-driven restaurant/lounge venue, when opened, the newest venture from the Knitting Factory Group, featuring a Latin/Spanish fusion menu and small plates with a mixology bar program in an upscale-casual setting. I joined the management team a month after opening. As an operations manager/consultant, the position liaised with the GM and the executive chef as well as scheduled and oversaw the staff and handled related interviewing, hiring and dismissal procedures. Other aspects of my position included ordering goods, running the floor, table touching, and the required daily financial matters

Consulting General Manager, El Cid - Los Angeles, December 2011– December 2012

I was brought in prior to reopening by the new ownership to oversee all aspects of operation and restoration, while preserving the original vision of this historic fine dining and live performance venue. Direction was set for all new operational procedures pertaining to BOH and FOH, including food menu, liquor and wine selection and purchasing and a mixology bar program in addition to re-staffing, POS system implementation and setting policy. Venue’s reputation as well as revenue was thriving prior to my departure.

Owner/Operator, Timmy Nolan’s Bar & Grill - Toluca Lake, October 2006– December 2011

All responsibilities of decision making related to ownership as a business partner and hands on operator in this successful high volume, multi-million-dollar annual sales gastropub. Oversaw the busiest nights of the week as the on-hand manager, with an emphasis on table touching and a flair for personal attention to customers.

Operations Manager, The Viper Room - West Hollywood, January 2001– October 2006

I was given the task to reorganize staff and streamline this iconic celebrity rock & roll club. As the Operations Manager this goal was achieved. By 2005 I had to leave to devote more time to the process of acquiring my own venue, although I was asked to stay as a consulting manager, one Night a week until 2006.

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