About this role
As the first and often the last point of contact in the restaurant our Hosts/Hostesses are responsible for greeting and seating guests in a warm, friendly and personalized manner upon arrival into the restaurant. This person must maintain a smiling attentive and courteous communication with guests and manage the phone calls and all questions in a polite manner. The Host presence at the front desk is required at all times to extend an appropriate welcome, farewell, and a sincere invitation for our guests’ return.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES :
- Greet guests in a warm and friendly manner as they arrive at the restaurant with a smile.
- Seat guests efficiently and issue menus and wine list, drawing attention to BTG & Cocktails page.
- Manage seating chart, ensure optimal flow of diners and even distribution by server.
- Provide accurate wait times and monitor waiting list.
- Manage reservations using OpenTable, recording, printing and sharing important guest notes, including allergies.
- Management of the telephone system, responding to guest inquiries courteously, managing on-hold and call transfers.
- Manage take-out and delivery orders as directed by management.
- Perform regular restroom checks, ensuring guest suppliers are topped up, waste bins emptied, and cleanliness maintained, drawing management attention to any issues that arise.
- Set up the host stand and coat check and maintain levels of cleanliness and order throughout service.
- Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:
- Must be able to perform under pressure in a high-volume restaurant setting.
- Must be able to handle guest incidents/complaints.
- Must be knowledgeable of Smith & Wollensky’s menus, policies, procedures, the venue and the company history.
- Must be well versed in OpenTable and On-line ordering systems.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Leads by example and demonstrates good judgment.
- Maintains proper company dress-code standards at all times.
- Exhibits and uses good manners, proper personal hygiene, positive attitude, and promptness.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & TRAINING :
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Previous work experience as a Host is preferred.
- Working knowledge of OpenTable is preferred
- Basic computer skills
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Time Off
- Career Growth Opportunities
Smith & Wollensky participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an online system that allows companies to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. All new hires will be required to complete Form I-9 and successfully participate in the E-Verify process.