Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Warren.
Christian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got my start in my mom’s kitchen. She had this way with food that came from her heart. There was a magic feeling in the kitchen when she was creating. I would watch and help where I could. Once I started cooking at home, I knew that I wanted to open up my own restaurant. In high school, I worked in various restaurants as a cook and loved it. From there I got a job as a barback when I turned 21 and worked my way into bartending. After bartending for ten years, I opened my first place with a couple of friends. We opened “Makai” in Santa Monica, CA in 2004. We built it from the ground up. After running it for two years my partners and I sold it and went our separate ways. I bought Melody Bar & Grill in 2008 and have been here for the past nine years.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it has not been a smooth road. My two biggest struggles along the way were knocking heads with my business partners and not being properly financed.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Melody Bar and Grill – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Melody Bar & Grill has been a staple in the community since 1952. It was a steak and seafood house throughout the 80s, then it became a sports bar and was known as the LA Kings bar because the players all came here to drink heavy after every game. Melody then became a dive bar and was a little rough around the edges. When I took it over in 08, I cleaned it up, gave it a subtle facelift and turned it back into a place the locals are proud of.
Aside from running the staff, I create all the specials, the food menus and the drink menus. I specialize in creating artisan style food that our regulars and foodies love.
I am very proud to say that my restaurant has to be the most diverse spots in all of Los Angeles. We have all walks of life and all ages and everyone who comes in falls in love with Melody. Folks really just love it here. I am also very proud of my staff because they play a big role in the success of Melody. I couldn’t do it without them. Having the home town feel in this big city really helps set us apart from everyone else.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are in the process of creating a barbeque menu. In fact, we just invested into a smoker and we are working on rubs and sauces right now. We are going to launch this menu during the start of the football season.
We are also going to open up for breakfast soon and I am creating a diner style menu with a few surprises.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9132 South Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester, CA 90045
- Website: melodylax.com
- Phone: 3106701994
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodylax/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Melody.grill/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodylax?lang=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/melody-bar-and-grill-los-angeles-2
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