Fine Dining Restaurant General Manager

Caprice and Bar Grotta are two distinct yet harmoniously connected dining concepts located at 720 N Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin. Set to open this summer, they represent an ambitious new venture that combines the relaxed elegance of Italian coastal living with the vibrant energy of Austin's culinary scene. Caprice is envisioned not merely as a restaurant but as an experience that welcomes guests into an Italian coastal home ambiance. It aims to blend elevated dining with warmth, personality, and authentic hospitality inspired by family tradition and the effortless charm of the Italian coast. Guests are invited to savor handmade pastas, vibrant seafood, and classic Amalfi Coast cocktails, all curated within a setting that balances refinement with a natural, welcoming feel.

Bar Grotta serves as the intimate, moody counterpart to Caprice. With its stone-walled interior designed to resemble a hidden European grotto, it offers a candlelit, immersive atmosphere that complements the sunlit and elegant environment of Caprice. Together, these venues form a split-level concept that crafts an immersive coastal Italian escape in the heart of Downtown Austin, blending food, beverage, music, conversation, and hospitality into a seamless, soulful experience.

The role of General Manager at Caprice and Bar Grotta is a unique leadership opportunity responsible for guiding the establishment through its critical pre-opening phase and early years. This role demands stewardship of every facet of the guest experience, team development, and financial performance. The General Manager will set and uphold the tone of the house, ensuring refined and gracious service standards are consistently met while fostering an environment where the extraordinary becomes routine. This leadership position is ideal for a visionary who wishes to build and shape not only the operations but also the culture, systems, and team dynamics from the ground up. Success in this role goes beyond managing revenue; it involves cultivating quiet excellence that garners industry recognition and loyal patronage.

As GM, you will oversee the guest experience from arrival to departure, lead the front-of-house team during service, and handle high-stakes guest recovery and VIP relations personally. Building and mentoring a strong leadership team will be critical, including hiring and developing roles such as Assistant General Manager, Bar Manager, and Hospitality Manager. Maintaining financial health will include managing profit and loss statements, labor, costs, and compliance with health and safety standards. You will also be instrumental in preserving the brand's aesthetic and service ethos, partnering closely with culinary and bar leadership to ensure a cohesive, high-caliber guest experience.

This role requires a blend of business acumen, refined service knowledge, and genuine hospitality passion. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in upscale and fine dining environments, strong leadership capabilities, and familiarity with new restaurant openings or concept developments. You will be expected to lead with both warmth and authority, possess excellent communication skills, and be available for flexible, often evening and weekend hours. With competitive salary and performance-based bonuses, along with health benefits, paid time off, and dining privileges, this is a compelling opportunity for a seasoned hospitality professional ready to leave a lasting imprint on an exciting new establishment in Austin. Join us and help create a venue that guests will cherish and the industry will admire.