Lead Server

Eros Cafe is seeking an experienced, polished, and hospitality-driven Lead Server to help elevate and maintain the standard of service throughout the dining room. This is a hands-on floor leadership position for someone with the discipline, awareness, attention to detail, and anticipation associated with Michelin-level service. The Lead Server is responsible not only for their own guests, but for helping oversee the flow, consistency, professionalism, and execution of the entire dining room. The ideal candidate understands that exceptional service is built through timing, product knowledge, communication, discretion, teamwork, and attention to the smallest details.

Responsibilities
● Deliver polished, attentive, and personalized guest service from arrival through departure.
● Maintain a strong presence on the dining room floor and continuously monitor the overall guest experience.
● Anticipate guest needs before being asked while keeping service discreet, professional, and efficient.
● Lead by example and help the service team maintain consistent standards throughout every shift.
● Assist with pre-shift meetings covering reservations, VIP guests, celebrations, allergies, dietary restrictions, specials, menu changes, and 86'd items.
● Review table assignments and help ensure sections and workload are balanced appropriately.
● Maintain proper sequence and timing of service, including beverages, appetizers, entrees, desserts, coffee, and check presentation.
● Coordinate closely with the kitchen and expo to maintain accurate pacing and clear front- and back-of-house
communication.
● Confirm dishes are properly presented, correctly modified, and delivered to the appropriate guest.
● Maintain detailed knowledge of menu ingredients, preparation methods, accompaniments, sauces, allergens, and recommended pairings.
● Maintain strong working knowledge of wine, cocktails, spirits, beer, coffee, and non-alcoholic offerings.
● Confidently describe menu items and make thoughtful recommendations based on guest preferences.
● Ensure allergies and dietary restrictions are communicated accurately and restaurant procedures are followed carefully.
● Oversee table maintenance, including clearing, resetting, marking for courses, glassware replacement, silverware placement, and overall presentation.
● Observe guest body language and dining pace to anticipate needs and identify potential concerns before they
escalate.
● Handle minor guest concerns professionally and discreetly, involving management when appropriate.
● Assist with service recovery while protecting both the guest experience and Eros Cafe's service standards.
● Support, coach, and direct servers during busy periods without disrupting the guest experience.
● Train new servers on Eros Cafe service standards, menu knowledge, Toast POS, steps of service, and opening and closing procedures.
● Work closely with hosts, bussers, food runners, bartenders, servers, and kitchen staff to create seamless service.
● Ensure service stations remain fully stocked, clean, and organized throughout the shift.
● Assist with opening and closing dining room inspections and confirm side work is completed to standard.
● Communicate recurring service, staffing, or operational concerns directly to management.
● Maintain professional composure and leadership during high-volume or challenging service periods.
● Set the standard for punctuality, appearance, hospitality, teamwork, cleanliness, and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of full-service restaurant serving experience required.
• Fine-dining, upscale casual, or high-volume full-service restaurant experience strongly preferred.
• Previous experience as a Lead Server, Captain, Trainer, or similar leadership position preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Toast POS required, including order entry, modifications, coursing, payments, check management, and basic troubleshooting.
• Thorough understanding of elevated steps of service and proper dining room etiquette.
• Strong food, wine, cocktail, and spirits knowledge.
• Excellent communication, organization, and guest-service skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to anticipate guest needs.
• Ability to remain composed and professional during demanding service periods.
• Comfortable providing direction, coaching, and support to other members of the service team.
• Reliable, punctual, polished, and team-oriented.
• Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Our Standard

At Eros Cafe, the Lead Server is expected to operate with the awareness and discipline associated with high-level restaurant service. Every detail matters: how a guest is greeted, how a table is approached, where a plate is placed, when a beverage is replenished, how courses are paced, how a concern is handled, and how the guest feels when they leave.

The Lead Server should always be thinking several steps ahead. They should know which tables are celebrating, which guests have allergies, which server needs assistance, which course is approaching the table, and where service may be slowing down.

This is not simply a senior serving position. It is a floor leadership position for someone who takes ownership of the dining room and helps Eros Cafe deliver a polished, consistent, and memorable guest experience every service.