Host

Town Restaurant; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Town Restaurant seeks an attentive Host/Hostess to welcome guests and manage the front-of-house flow.

You will greet guests, confirm reservations, and coordinate seating to ensure a smooth dining experience. The role emphasizes hospitality, clear communication, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Passion for guest service and hospitality.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to learn and recognize returning guests.
• Comfortable using reservation software and reception tech.

Responsibilities

• Welcome every guest with warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.
• Create an exceptional first impression by acknowledging guests immediately upon arrival.
• Learn and recognize returning guests whenever possible.
• Respond to guest questions regarding menus, reservations, wait times, events, and restaurant policies.
• Manage reservations using the restaurant's reservation platform.
• Accurately maintain waitlists and communicate realistic wait time estimates.
• Coordinate guest seating to maximize hospitality and operational efficiency.
• Communicate guest requests with managers and service staff.

Skills

Hospitality

Communication

Reservation software

Guest service

Teamwork

Tools

Reservation software

Job description

Town Restaurant - Host / Hostess

Position Summary

The Host/Hostess is the first and last impression our guests have of Town. More than simply greeting and seating guests, our Hosts are hospitality professionals who help orchestrate the flow of the restaurant while creating a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience for every guest.
This role serves as the communication hub between our guests, servers, managers, kitchen, and reservation system. Successful Hosts are organized, personable, poised under pressure, and genuinely enjoy making people feel welcome.

Success in This Role

Successful Hosts at Town consistently:

• Make every guest feel genuinely welcomed.
• Manage reservations accurately and confidently.
• Keep the dining room flowing smoothly through thoughtful pacing.
• Communicate proactively with guests and teammates.
• Stay calm and composed during busy service.
• Demonstrate professionalism, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to hospitality.

Our Culture

At Town, hospitality is more than service—it's how we make people feel. We believe every interaction matters. From the first greeting at the host stand to the final thank you at the door, our goal is to create an experience that keeps guests coming back. We value teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality every day.

Essential Responsibilities

Guest Hospitality

• Welcome every guest with warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.
• Create an exceptional first impression by acknowledging guests immediately upon arrival.
• Learn and recognize returning guests whenever possible.
• Respond to guest questions regarding menus, reservations, wait times, special events, and restaurant policies.

Reservation & Waitlist Management

• Manage reservations using the restaurant's reservation platform.
• Accurately maintain waitlists and communicate realistic wait time estimates.
• Coordinate guest seating to maximize both hospitality and operational efficiency.
• Communicate guest requests with managers and service staff.

Dining Room Coordination

• Seat guests according to established seating rotations and section balancing.
• Work closely with managers to pace the dining room and maintain smooth service throughout each shift.
• Monitor table availability and communicate table status with bussers, servers, bartenders, and managers.
• Help accommodate guest preferences and special requests whenever possible.
• Maintain awareness of reservations, walk-in volume, and overall restaurant capacity.

Guest Communication

• Answer incoming telephone calls professionally and courteously.
• Provide accurate information regarding hours, reservations, menus, private dining, directions, and general inquiries.
• Assist guests with reservation modifications when appropriate.
• Handle guest concerns calmly and involve management whenever necessary.

Front-of-House Support

• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming host stand.
• Ensure menus are clean, organized, and readily available.
• Assist with maintaining the appearance of the restaurant entrance and waiting area.
• Support bussers, servers, food runners, bartenders, and managers whenever business demands.
• Assist with opening and closing responsibilities as assigned.

Teamwork

• Communicate clearly and professionally with all members of the front-of-house team.
• Maintain a positive attitude during both busy and slower service periods.
• Demonstrate flexibility by assisting wherever needed to ensure exceptional guest experiences.
• Support company standards, policies, and service expectations.
• Perform additional duties assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Passion for hospitality and guest service.
• Friendly, professional, and polished demeanor.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Comfortable using reservation software, telephones, tablets, and computer systems.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure during busy service periods.
• Previous restaurant or hospitality experience is preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

This position requires standing and walking for the majority of each shift in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
The employee will regularly:

• Stand and walk continuously throughout the restaurant.
• Frequently communicate with guests and coworkers.
• Operate reservation software, telephones, tablets, and point-of-sale support systems.
• Repeatedly look up, down, and side-to-side while monitoring reservations, guest arrivals, dining room activity, and table availability.
• Frequently use hands and arms to handle menus, seating materials, reservation devices, and other front-of-house supplies.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Bend, reach, twist, and move safely throughout the dining room.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.