Host (Mercat Bistro)

Host Position at Harwood Hospitality Group

Harwood Hospitality Group delivers an escape from the ordinary through a growing collection of concepts in the Harwood District of Dallas. The hospitality group features catering and a world of culinary experiences plus our luxury boutique property, Hotel Swexan in the 19-city-block Harwood District, with more experiences currently in development.

Our mission is to allow both our associates and our guests to Escape the Ordinary. For our associates, this means being a part of a mutual long-term vision driven by doing things differently with creativity, passion, and style. We then allow guests to feel transported to different parts of the world without leaving the comforts of their own city. We deliver our mission by providing unparalleled hospitality, exceptional service, and culinary excellence that leaves unforgettable memories and instills deep loyalty.

Mercat Bistro is a contemporary European-style bistro. Walk into a romantic setting that is inspired by some of the finest European design and culinary practices. Mercat Bistro is revered for being an intimate venue filled with stunning antiquities that have been recycled and reclaimed from all over the world.

Hosts are expected to embody the hospitality, charm, and professionalism of our organization. Your role is to ensure that all guests are greeted promptly in a warm and courteous manner. This individual must be pleasant, conscientious, and professional with excellent hospitality instincts and drive to provide excellent customer service.

Job Functions

• Greet guests upon arrival, lead them to table, and provide menus.
• Answer incoming calls and meet guests' needs.
• Create floor charts accordingly and assign servers their sections as requested by managers.
• Maintain assigned areas clean.
• Work with management to ensure each guest is happy and all requests are met.
• Communicate with kitchen and restaurant staff to maintain the efficient flow of the restaurant.
• Relay messages regarding reservations/large parties to bussers, wait staff, kitchen staff, and food runners.
• Assist the other bartenders in monitoring and coordinating the day-to-day operations of the bar during each shift and ensure all FOH SOPs are duly followed and fully executed.
• Must be able to interact with staff (at all levels) in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality is crucial to this role.
• Ensures a spotless service is delivered to all guests anytime, and that their needs and expectations are fulfilled to the highest level and down to the smallest details.
• Ensure the unit is well maintained and that all equipment, materials, and utensils are always in perfect working condition. Arrange for maintenance and repair of equipment and other services. Reports any defect to the Restaurant Manager.
• Proactively greet guests warmly and provide a pleasant and comfortable experience.
• Takes orders from customers or staff when necessary.
• Must be pleasant, hospitable, and attentive to guests always.
• Must be knowledgeable of HHG information to assist guests at any time.
• Relay any guest complaints/comments to Manager.
• Engage guests in pleasant, comfortable, and appropriate conversation as dictated by the desire of the guest. These conversations should not affect the attentiveness or service to others.
• Ensure service is performed in a timely, efficient yet comfortable manner to maintain the proper pace of service.
• Maintain complete knowledge of and ensure staff's compliance with all departmental/HHG policies and procedures.

Physical Demand

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Able to bend, stoop, reach, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Able to stand for prolonged periods of time or entire shift.

Meetings & Communication

• Be available for any Restaurant mandatory meeting or training.
• Reports immediately on any major product defect or any major guest issue and takes all necessary corrective actions.
• Ensures smooth communication with all restaurant or hotel staff and leadership
• Keeps current with trends in the restaurant industry.

Attire, Language, and Behavior

• Is always neatly dressed and groomed, and always behaves and speaks according to HHG and Harwood International standards of excellence and image.
• Treats all associates - in public and in private - with respect and consideration, regardless of their position or tasks.

Competencies

• Positive attitude
• Strong attention to detail
• Sense of urgency
• Strong decision-making abilities
• Reliable and dependable
• "Can-do", team-oriented attitude
• Possess friendly and helpful customer service
• Ability to think quickly on their feet and multitask with ease
• Clean and organized working habits
• A commitment to learn
• Ability to dress "date ready" for all shifts

Required Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant strongly desired
• Ability to speak English fluently and clearly for communication with others.
• Availability to work nights, weekends & holidays.
• Previous related experience is strongly preferred.
• Sevenrooms or Open Table experience a plus
• Food Handlers & TABC - Required

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.