Restaurant Manager

Push Operations; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental benefits

Extended health

Life insurance

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Elisa in Vancouver's Yaletown district seeks a Restaurant Manager to inspire and lead the front-of-house team, collaborating with management to deliver a unique guest experience aligned with the kitchen program.

We seek a candidate with strong FOH leadership, Italian wine knowledge, and a track record in fine dining. Evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required; competitive salary and discretionary bonuses offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years managing front-of-house in fine dining.
• Experience in Michelin-starred or equivalent settings preferred.
• Fluent English; Italian language skills are a plus.
• Formal certifications in wine are preferred (WSET Level 3, CMS, AIS).

Responsibilities

• Lead front-of-house teams to deliver elevated guest experiences.
• Oversee reservations, seating, and service pacing.
• Train staff on service standards, wine knowledge, and protocols.
• Collaborate with Restaurant Director on guest relations and events.
• Monitor guest satisfaction and manage labor costs.

Skills

FOH management

Staff training

Guest service

Conflict resolution

English communication

Italian wines

Education

University degree

Job description

Employer: Aquilini Restaurants Limited Partnership o/a Elisa

Terms of Employment: Full-time / Permanent

Hours of Work: 40 hours/week

Benefits: Dental and extended health benefits, life insurance. Eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or salary increases in accordance with company policy.

Salary: $80,000 CAD / year

About Us

Elisa is a contemporary steakhouse offering modern takes on meats plus seafood, sides, wines and cocktails. Taking center stage on Elisa's menu, are flame-grilled premium fine cuts from around the world, sustainable seafood, and locally sourced produce, all prepared by Executive Chef Andrew Richardson on a stunning Grillworks Infierno.

Role Summary

The Restaurant Manager for Elisa in Vancouver's trendy Yaletown will help inspire, develop, oversee, and manage the front-of-house team, while working closely with the management team to support the creation and delivery of a unique and elevated guest experience that is in harmony with the kitchen's food program.

Duties:

• Actively participating in activities essential for successful operations of our fine dining restaurant
• Serving as an educator, as well as an inspirational, committed, and responsible leader to the restaurant's front-of-house teams
• Maintaining exceptional standards of professionalism and hospitality
• Orchestrating seamless front-of-house operations across all services, maintaining the detailed standards expected of a high hospitality guest experience
• Responsibility for greeting guests, managing VIP reservations, and cultivating long-term relationships that foster loyalty
• Anticipating guest needs with intuitive, unobtrusive service to resolve concerns before they arise
• Overseeing pacing of covers in a high-volume environment without compromising the intimacy or quality of the dining experience
• Ensuring the delivery of superior customer service through effective staff training and education
• Executing and overseeing tableside preparations including Caesar salad, beef tartare, pasta alla chitarra, branzino, and others with technical mastery
• Designing and delivering structured training programs covering service protocols, menu knowledge, Italian culinary traditions, wine education, and tableside technique
• Conducting daily pre-shift briefings that energize the team, communicate specials, and set the tone for exceptional service
• Coaching, mentoring, and retaining top front-of-house talent through clear performance expectations, regular feedback, and career development pathways
• Managing scheduling, labour allocation, and staffing levels to optimize service quality and operational efficiency across high-volume covers
• Overseeing reservations strategy, table management, and cover flow in partnership with the reservations team
• Monitoring and reporting on key operational metrics including guest satisfaction scores, and labour costs
• Under the direction of the Restaurant Director, initiating and executing special projects as required

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of progressive front-of-house management experience, with at least 2 years in a Michelin-starred (1-star minimum) or equivalent fine dining environment
• Related university degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience with front-of-house priorities, with a focus on fine dining
• In-depth, working knowledge of Italian wines, including regional appellations, producers, and vintage variation, formal certification (WSET Level 3, CMS, AIS or equivalent) strongly preferred
• Fluent in Italian culinary terminology, regional cuisine, and food culture
• Proven track record in staff training, team building, and performance management within a fine dining setting
• Experience managing high-volume service (250+ covers per service) without compromise to quality or guest experience
• A solutions-provider committed to a vision of service to create an ultimate guest experience
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills; Additional language skills, particularly Italian, are a significant asset
• Superior conflict resolution skills, with the ability to relate professionally to all levels of staff, management, clientele, suppliers, and partners
• Excellent planning, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable with dealing with media, public speaking, and VIP guests
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays