Guest Experience Host - Seating & Reservations

Benihana - Santa Monica; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Benihana - Santa Monica is seeking a friendly Host/Hostess to greet guests on arrival, manage seating and assist guests with menus and server information. You will balance seating flow among stations and coordinate with servers to optimize turnaround.

Responsibilities include answering phones for reservations, relaying guest seating details to staff, maintaining a clean station, and performing routine side work.

Qualifications

• Previous host/hostess experience in restaurant or hospitality required.
• High School diploma or GED preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greets guests warmly and escorts them to a table, balancing flow among servers.
• Manages seating rotation and party size to match table availability.
• Answers phones promptly with a friendly greeting and handles reservations.
• Relays guest seating information to servers and bus staff.
• Maintains cleanliness and organization of seating area and menus.
• Provides customers with menus and answers questions about hours and directions.
• Follows procedures for backup coverage at the host stand.
• Completes side work and ensures restrooms are stocked.
• Performs other duties as assigned by a supervisor.

Skills

Guest service

Phone etiquette

Seating coordination

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Benihana - Santa Monica is seeking a friendly Host/Hostess to greet guests on arrival, manage seating and assist guests with menus and server information. You will balance seating flow among stations and coordinate with servers to optimize turnaround.

Responsibilities include answering phones for reservations, relaying guest seating details to staff, maintaining a clean station, and performing routine side work.