Host Upscale Mediterranean Restaurant Sacramento

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Training & development
• Free food & snacks
• Free uniforms

About Aiona

Opening in late April in the heart of downtown Sacramento, Aiona is a bold new culinary destination celebrating the vibrant traditions of Mediterranean cuisine through the ancient art of wood-fired cooking. Featuring an open kitchen, a 3,000-bottle wine cellar curated by an Advanced Sommelier, and refined indoor and outdoor dining spaces, Aiona offers an immersive, upscale experience unlike anything else in the city.

Our mission is to bring world-class food, wine, and hospitality to Sacramento while becoming a premier destination for dining and private events.

Position Overview

We are seeking a polished, guest-focused Host to join our opening team and serve as the first point of contact for evening service at Aiona. This role is focused on lunch and dinner shifts , welcoming guests, managing reservations and walk-ins, and setting the tone for business dinners, government and lobbyist clientele, pre-theater guests, and private events.

The Host will work closely with the management team, servers, and bar to manage the flow of the dining room and patio, balance the floor, and ensure a smooth, organized guest experience from arrival through departure.

Responsibilities

·         Warmly greet and seat guests in a professional, courteous manner, reflecting Aiona’s standards of hospitality.

·         Manage lunch and dinner reservations and walk-in traffic using the restaurant’s reservation system (e.g., OpenTable or similar), including confirmations, waitlist, and table assignments.

·         Coordinate seating to balance server sections, bar, and patio while accommodating special requests, timing needs, and private dining commitments.

·         Communicate with waiting times accurately and manage expectations for business and VIP guests, pre-theater parties, and larger groups.

·         Maintain a clean, organized host stand with updated floor plans, notes on reservations, and clear communication tools for the team.

·         Answer phones professionally, providing information about hours, menus, parking, and reservation policies; take and update reservations as needed.

·         Liaise with the Special Events or management team regarding private dining bookings and event guests on lunch and dinner shifts.

·         Monitor the flow of the dining room, assisting with table checks, menu drops, and occasional support tasks (presenting menus, resetting small items, etc.) to support smooth operations.

·         Communicate clearly with servers, bartenders, runners, and managers regarding new arrivals, special guests, allergies, and timing requests.

·         Assist with confirming reservations, documenting notes, and preparing for the next day’s service as assigned.

·         Handle guest concerns at the door with grace and professionalism, escalating to a manager when appropriate.

·         Uphold Aiona’s standards of appearance, tone, and professionalism at all times.

Qualifications

·         1–2+ years of experience as a host, maître d’, or front desk role in a full-service restaurant; upscale or casual fine dining experience preferred.

·         Comfortable using reservation and waitlist systems (OpenTable or similar) and adapting to new technology quickly.

·         Excellent communication skills, with a calm, professional demeanor suited to business and VIP clientele.

·         Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once—phones, walk-ins, reservations, and floor pacing.

·         Positive, polished presence with genuine hospitality and a guest-first mindset.

·         Reliable and punctual, with the ability to work lunch and dinner service including weekends, holidays, and major event nights.

·         Team-oriented, with a willingness to support other FOH roles when needed to ensure a seamless guest experience.

The above requirements and benefits are not intended to be all-inclusive.