General Manager

Born and raised in Northern California, Lisa Robins divided her time growing up between her mother’s home with its huge vegetable garden and her father’s with its wonderful wine cellar. With both parents are excellent cooks and wine enthusiasts it was no surprise that she ended up in the business of food and wine.

After spending her college years working at restaurants in the East Bay Lisa moved back to San Francisco. She joined Maya and was given an opportunity to help build the wine program. After a crash-course, on-the-job training in Spanish and South American wines, she was hooked. Seeking a new direction, she left Maya to pursue a position with The Henry Wine Group as a Fine Wine Specialist.

While success at selling wine came naturally to Lisa, she found herself more and more wistful for the bustle and hum of restaurants. When friends asked her to come manage their new Jianna Restaurant, she jumped at the chance. At Jianna, Lisa learned to balance her passion for the details of great service with a strong and supportive management style. She continued to expand her wine knowledge and refine her ability to sell on the floor – focusing on connecting diners with just the right wine.

Lisa left Jianna in 2001 to open Marche in Menlo Park as the General Manager and Wine Director. There she built a wine program to complement Chef and Owner Howard Bulka’s contemporary French cuisine. The list focused on the wines of France and California with special attention to Pinot Noir. While wine will always be one of Lisa’s first loves, she is even more proud of the success of Marche’s service. With a combination of warmth and professionalism Lisa built a community of Marche guests.

After three years of commuting from San Francisco to Menlo Park for March, Lisa decided to look for work closer to home. The service at Aqua attracted her attention, and she wanted to learn from the master maitre’d, Jean-Claude Persais. She joined Aqua in the fall of 2004. After a short stint at Aqua Lisa took a break to focus on family and rejuvenate.

After a year off Lisa rejoined restaurant life with a plunge back in to management at Rubicon in San Francisco as General Manager in November 2006. There she oversaw the front of the house operations and assisted with selling the world class wine list.

In the fall of 2008 Rubicon closed and Lisa spent time working as a consultant with Marche, Jeanty at Jacks and at Howie’s Artisan Pizza (working again with Howard Bulka on his artisanal pizza joint in Palo Alto).

In January 2011 Lisa decided to again focus on finding a restaurant close to home – and landed at Rose Pistola in North Beach. Lisa had always loved Rose Pistola for its location, food and ambiance. She joined Rose Pistola as General Manager to be part of its remodel/re opening in mid February 2011. While Lisa again will focus on service and operations, she will also collaborate with executive chef Mark Gordon on the wine list.