Restaurant General Manager at MEI

Job Description:

Latest job information from MEI for the position of Restaurant General Manager. If the Restaurant General Manager vacancy in St. Petersburg matches your qualifications, please submit your latest application or CV directly through the updated Jobkos job portal.

Please note that applying for a job may not always be easy, as new candidates must meet certain qualifications and requirements set by the company. We hope the career opportunity at MEI for the position of Restaurant General Manager below matches your qualifications.

General Manager / Sommelier – MEI (St. Petersburg, FL)

Opening May 2026 | A New Standard in Modern Fine Dining

This is not just a GM role. This is a stage.

We are seeking a General Manager / Sommelier to lead MEI, an intimate, design-forward restaurant that blends French technique, Nordic philosophy, and Japanese ingredients into a deeply intentional dining experience.

This is an opportunity to help build something rare: a restaurant where hospitality is felt, not performed, and every detail, from the first pour to the final bite, tells a story.
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About MEI:

Located in St. Petersburg, MEI is a 55-seat dining room and 8-seat chef’s counter concept focused on:

• Seasonal, emotionally driven cuisine
• Thoughtful, curated beverage pairings (wine, sake, and non-alcoholic)
• A calm, refined, and deeply personal guest experience

We are building toward Michelin-level execution, guided by a team that values intention over ego and precision over excess.

The Role:

As GM/Sommelier, you will be the operational leader, culture builder, and beverage authority, owning both the business and the soul of the guest experience.

You will:

• Lead all front-of-house operations with grace, precision, and presence
• Curate and execute a world-class wine and sake program
• Partner closely with the Executive Chef to craft seamless food-and-beverage storytelling
• Build and mentor a team that delivers soft-spoken, highly informed, intentional service
• Connect personally with guests to create moments that feel effortless yet unforgettable

What You’ll Be Responsible For:
Elevating the Experience

• Own the full guest journey, from reservation to farewell
• Deliver refined, personalized service and expert beverage guidance
• Create a dining room atmosphere that feels calm, confident, and welcoming

Leading the Beverage Program

• Curate a program rooted in:
  • French wine foundations
  • Japanese sake expertise
  • Natural and Nordic-influenced selections
• Design and execute:
  • Tasting menu pairings
  • A la carte beverage offerings
• Build relationships with wineries, importers, and sake producers

Driving the Business

• Own financial performance (labor, beverage costs, revenue growth)
• Leverage pairings and guest engagement to increase check average
• Operate within a service-charge model designed to reward team performance

Building the Team

• Recruit, train, and develop a top-tier FOH team
• Create a culture of learning, accountability, and a hospitality-first mindset
• Lead with humility, clarity, and high standards

Who You Are:

You’re not just experienced—you’re intentional.

• 3–5+ years in fine-dining leadership (GM, AGM, or Beverage Director)
• Strong sommelier background with expertise in:
  • Wine (Old & New World)
  • Sake (required)
  • Pairing development
• Experienced in tasting-menu environments
• A natural host who can read a room, guide a guest, and elevate a moment
• Deep appreciation for:
  • Japanese ingredients & philosophy
  • French technique
  • Seasonal, ingredient-driven cuisine

Bonus if you:

• Hold a CMS, WSET, or equivalent certification
• Have opened or helped launch a concept
• Thrive in environments where details matter, and standards are uncompromising

Why This Role is Different

• You’ll help open and define a concept from the ground up
• You’ll lead both operations and beverage, not just manage them
• You’ll work alongside a chef-driven, highly intentional culinary team
• You’ll be part of building a restaurant with national recognition goals

Compensation & Growth

• Competitive salary + service charge participation
• Strong earning potential tied to performance
• Opportunity to grow into multi-unit leadership or beverage program expansion

If This Sounds Like You…

This role is for someone who believes:

• Hospitality is a craft
• Wine is a language
• And great restaurants are built on people, not just plates

Apply now and be part of creating something unforgettable

More detail about MEI part of Omei Restaurant Group, please visit

Job Info:

• Company: MEI
• Position: Restaurant General Manager
• Work Location: St. Petersburg
• Country: US

How to Submit an Application:

After reading and understanding the criteria and minimum qualification requirements explained in the job information Restaurant General Manager at the office St. Petersburg above, immediately complete the job application files such as a job application letter, CV, photocopy of diploma, transcript, and other supplements as explained above. Submit via the Next Page link below.

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