Server

Café Vivant is looking for a server to join our dining room team.

Located in downtown Menlo Park, Café Vivant is a modern fine dining restaurant built around heritage poultry, hyper-seasonal cooking, exceptional wine, and warm, unpretentious hospitality. Our work is rooted in precision without stiffness: thoughtful service, beautiful ingredients, and a genuine desire to make guests feel cared for.

Our service style is polished but unpretentious. We believe in genuine hospitality, expert product knowledge, and creating a warm, genuinely hospitable dinner experience. The ideal server is curious, composed, organized, and deeply attentive. 

This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to work in a focused dining room with a serious culinary and wine program. Cafe Vivant’s wine list features more than 3,000 selections, including an extensive Santa Cruz Mountains collection, mature California wines, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and global benchmarks. Servers should be excited to learn, collaborate with the beverage team, and speak about food and wine with confidence. All team members participate in a strong tip pool.

Responsibilities

• Provide warm, professional, and attentive service throughout dinner.
• Maintain strong knowledge of dishes, ingredients, and allergies.
• Present and serve food and beverage according to restaurant standards.
• Communicate effectively with managers, sommeliers, bartenders, support staff, and the kitchen.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and polished section.
• Anticipate guest needs while preserving a relaxed and gracious dining experience.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented service culture.

Qualifications

• Prior serving experience in a fine dining or upscale casual restaurant.
• Strong interest in food, wine, hospitality, and seasonal ingredients.
• Calm under pressure and a sense of urgency.
• Clear communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a structured service environment.
• Professional, reliable, and open to feedback.
• Genuine warmth and a desire to take excellent care of guests.

Fine dining experience is welcome, but not required.  More important is a thoughtful approach to hospitality, a strong work ethic, and excitement about being part of a restaurant with a clear point of view.

Café Vivant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

Please send your resume and a brief note about your hospitality background and what interests you about working at Cafe Vivant.