Maitre D

Maitre D

Italian Village Restaurants | Chicago, IL

For nearly a century, Italian Village Restaurants has been a Chicago dining institution, known for exceptional hospitality, authentic Italian cuisine, and memorable guest experiences. We are seeking an experienced, hospitality-driven Matre D' / Front of House Manager to join our leadership team and help oversee daily front-of-house operations.

This role is ideal for a seasoned hospitality professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at guest relations, understands restaurant flow, and leads with confidence and professionalism.

Position Summary

The Matre D' serves as the face of the restaurant, overseeing the host stand, guest experience, reservations, seating strategy, and front-of-house operations. This position is a key leadership role responsible for opening and closing the restaurant, coaching and supporting FOH team members, resolving guest concerns, and ensuring seamless communication between the dining room, host stand, bar, and management team.

The ideal candidate combines the warmth and hospitality of an exceptional host with the leadership and operational skills of a manager.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and engage guests with professionalism, warmth, and genuine hospitality.
• Manage guest flow and dining room seating to optimize service and guest satisfaction.
• Handle VIP guests, special requests, celebrations, and accommodations.
• Resolve guest concerns and service recovery situations promptly and effectively.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout service and ensure exceptional hospitality standards.

• Manage all reservation activity through Resy.
• Oversee waitlists, walk-ins, seating rotations, and table assignments.
• Maintain accurate reservation notes, guest profiles, and special requests.
• Ensure host stand operations run efficiently throughout service.
• Strategically manage dining room pacing and table turns while protecting the guest experience.

• Assist with opening and closing procedures.
• Coach, mentor, and develop hosts, support staff, and front-of-house team members.
• Lead by example and reinforce service standards.
• Assist managers with daily operational execution.
• Conduct pre-shift communication and ensure team alignment.
• Support staffing, scheduling, and floor supervision as needed.

• Understand server sections and dining room flow to maximize efficiency and fairness.
• Monitor service standards and collaborate with servers and support staff.
• Assist during busy periods to ensure smooth operations.
• Communicate effectively with kitchen, bar, and management teams.
• Maintain organization and professionalism during high-volume service.

• Identify operational challenges and implement solutions proactively.
• Make sound decisions under pressure.
• Handle guest complaints, staffing issues, and service disruptions with confidence and professionalism.
• Act as a leader and resource for the entire front-of-house team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of restaurant management, Matre D', or lead host experience in a high-volume restaurant.
• Experience using Resy required.
• Strong understanding of reservation management, seating strategy, and host stand operations.
• Knowledge of dining room flow, server sections, pacing, and guest management.
• Experience coaching, developing, and leading front-of-house staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Ability to multitask and remain composed in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in upscale casual or fine dining environments.
• Familiarity with Italian cuisine and hospitality traditions.
• Previous experience as a restaurant manager, assistant manager, or lead host.
• Strong understanding of service standards and restaurant operations.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Opportunities for professional growth within a respected hospitality organization.
• 401K
• Medical
• Employee dining benefits.

Italian Village Restaurants is an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrates diversity in the workplace.

Apply today and help create exceptional guest experiences while leading one of Chicago's most storied dining rooms.