A Senior Host is the first and last point of contact with guests at a restaurant and is responsible for greeting, seating and saying goodbye to guests as well as maintaining the flow of the restaurant during service. A Senior Host diligently and efficiently manages seating in Eataly’s restaurants. Reports to the Restaurant Floor Manager.
- Train all new host hires, including floor plan/table numbers, OpenTable features (timeline, booking reservations), guest interactions, and hospitality standards.
- Allocate time to check voicemails and return calls to confirm reservations; forward event inquiries to the Events Team and escalate guest recovery issues to management as needed.
- Assist with responding to Guest Relations emails.
- Maintain menu inventory to reduce paper waste; print menus as needed.
- Support the overall appearance of the restaurant by ensuring details are maintained (e.g., flowers on tables, candles lit, pillows fluffed and arranged, feminine hygiene baskets in restrooms stocked, etc.).
- Oversee seating for both AM and PM shifts (working Wednesday–Sunday, 12 PM–8 PM); ensure smooth shift flow by reviewing timelines, maximizing walk-ins while retaining reservation space, and adjusting as needed.
- Assist management with checking in private events and ensuring spaces are properly allocated and arranged.
- Share important reservation details with management each shift (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, VIPs) to ensure proper guest recognition.
- Prepare and organize Tanti Auguri cards for birthdays and anniversaries, placing them on the appropriate tables to add a personalized touch of hospitality.
- Act as liaison between management and the host team by communicating updates, expectations, and feedback both ways.
- Oversees the general functioning of the dining room during meal service, relaying information to managers and service personnel
- Maintains an accurate, fair and up-to-date waitlist and seating chart using a computerized system
- Takes and manages reservations in restaurants that allow reservations
- Balances the guest flow among the service stations, taking into account requests for a particular table or server depending on availability
- Informs guests when tables are ready, escorts them to table, provides menus and introduces the server
- Assists with the duties of servers and bus persons as needed to maintain service effectiveness and efficiency
- Performs other duties as required or assigned