Foss | Invictus Hospitality

David Foss | Sommelier & Operations Guru

David Foss started his career in the hospitality industry at the San Marino Club in Troy, Michigan. While there, David worked in every capacity; navigating his way through the ranks and ended up eventually being responsible for the company’s financials.

David left Michigan and moved to Los Angeles, where he took a position with Levy Restaurants as the head server at the Arena Club at the Staples Center and the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium. It was during this time that David also began his formal studies in the wine world at the International Sommeliers Guild, where he earned a diploma as a Certified Sommelier.

Broadening his horizons, David became the Beverage Coordinator and Sommelier for Asia de Cuba at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. While at Asia de Cuba, David managed over $500,000 in wine inventory and helped curate one of the top wine lists in Los Angeles, one that would garner him and the restaurant both the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence.

David left Asia de Cuba to take a position with The Fairfax Partners Nightlife Group as the Beverage Director. It was here where David began to truly shine while responsible for overseeing six properties. He was also once again able to refine the beverage program, dropping the company’s liquor costs, and helping to create one of the hottest nightlife groups in Los Angeles at the time.

In pursuit of his passion to become a Master Sommelier, David accepted left Los Angeles to accept positions in New York City, simultaneously running the bars at the Soho Grand Hotel (The Yard, The Grand Bar, The Club Room) and Anfora Wine Bar. David has also been in charge of contemporaneously running all aspects of Soho Grand Hotel's catering department, mini-bar program, and room service. David has worked with the likes of Daniel Bouloud and Jean George protégé, Richard Farnabe.

While at Anfora David has proven to be an integral part of making Anfora one of the top wine bars in New York City (Gayot), and worked closely with celebrity beverage expert Joe Campanale (Forbes Magazine 30 under 30: Food and Wine Edition and 2013 Sommelier of the year: Food and Wine Magazine).

David has consulted on numerous television shows, and frequently sought after as an expert in the field, for and often quoted in many publications. David has also been involved with Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” and also made appearances as Gordon Ramsay's wine expert on "Gordon Ramsay's Hotel Hell” on FoxTV.

In 2019, David Foss opened La Lou Wine Bar in Brooklyn (Prospect Heights), New York, alongside Joe Campanele. La Lou focuses on a unique and international selection of organic wines, paired with a modern fresh fare cuisine, which has been highly praised and consistently rated as one of the top neighborhood venues in New York.