Restaurant Host

ZippyApp - Recruitment Marketing; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

ZippyApp - Recruitment Marketing is seeking a restaurant host for Comal in Berkeley, California. The successful candidate will manage seating, ensuring exceptional guest service and a smooth dining experience in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal applicants should have a love for hospitality, strong communication skills, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends. Bilingual candidates are preferred. Join a team that values excellent guest experiences!

Qualifications

• Must have availability to work 3-4 nights per week, including weekends.
• Prior experience as a restaurant host or in other service positions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Control the flow of seating in the restaurant.
• Maximize covers without compromising service.
• Anticipate guest needs and recognize repeat guests.
• Set realistic expectations regarding wait times.

Skills

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Customer service

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Job description

Comal has been a community mainstay since opening in downtown Berkeley in 2012. Recognized for its excellence by Michelin Bib Gourmand & SF Chronicle Top 100, Comal serves delicious regional Mexican food specializing in masa‑based dishes, wood‑fired hearth cooking, craft cocktails and agave spirits. Comal’s food is seasonal, and ingredient driven. The simple, yet refined food is complemented by a stellar cocktail list, a well‑priced wine list and a handpicked, seasonally changing beer list. We are a large restaurant and aim to have broad appeal. As such, our food is reasonably priced, especially given the quality of ingredients, and the menu is designed to be festive and encourage sharing. Exceptional guest service is where the Comal experience starts. A welcoming spirit, meticulous organization of reservations and waitlists and a strong instinct to anticipate guest needs from the moment guests arrive or call is essential for our host team. Those who thrive in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment and are passionate about food, drinks and hospitality will make excellent team members. We welcome experienced candidates as well as those who want to learn and already have a genuine sense of hospitality.

Requirements / Responsibilities

• Controlling the flow of seating in the restaurant
• Maximizing covers without compromising service
• Recognizing repeat guests and anticipating guest needs
• Setting realistic expectations regarding wait times and easing guest frustrations should expectations not be met
• Ability to learn the reservation system and comfortable working with restaurant technology
• Possess a genuine love of hospitality and guest service
• Maintain composure under pressure with quickly changing priorities
• Must be local and have availability to work 3-4 nights per week, including weekends
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to communicate in both English and Spanish is a plus
• Prior experience as a restaurant host, cashier or other restaurant service positions is preferred

Comal is committed to a work environment free from discrimination and is an equal opportunity employer.