Lead Restaurant Host

Company Description

Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim... for our guests to:

• EAT authentic Italian food at our restaurants, cafés and to-go counters
• SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
• LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge

Job Description

A Senior Host is the first and last point of contact with guests at a restaurant and is responsible for greeting, seating and saying goodbye to guests as well as maintaining the flow of the restaurant during service. A Senior Host diligently and efficiently manages seating in Eataly’s restaurants. Reports to the Restaurant Floor Manager.

• Train all new host hires, including floor plan/table numbers, OpenTable features (timeline, booking reservations), guest interactions, and hospitality standards.
• Allocate time to check voicemails and return calls to confirm reservations; forward event inquiries to the Events Team and escalate guest recovery issues to management as needed.
• Assist with responding to Guest Relations emails.
• Maintain menu inventory to reduce paper waste; print menus as needed.
• Support the overall appearance of the restaurant by ensuring details are maintained (e.g., flowers on tables, candles lit, pillows fluffed and arranged, feminine hygiene baskets in restrooms stocked, etc.).
• Oversee seating for both AM and PM shifts (working Wednesday–Sunday, 12 PM–8 PM); ensure smooth shift flow by reviewing timelines, maximizing walk-ins while retaining reservation space, and adjusting as needed.
• Assist management with checking in private events and ensuring spaces are properly allocated and arranged.
• Share important reservation details with management each shift (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, VIPs) to ensure proper guest recognition.
• Prepare and organize Tanti Auguri cards for birthdays and anniversaries, placing them on the appropriate tables to add a personalized touch of hospitality.
• Act as liaison between management and the host team by communicating updates, expectations, and feedback both ways.
• Oversees the general functioning of the dining room during meal service, relaying information to managers and service personnel
• Maintains an accurate, fair and up-to-date waitlist and seating chart using a computerized system
• Takes and manages reservations in restaurants that allow reservations
• Balances the guest flow among the service stations, taking into account requests for a particular table or server depending on availability
• Informs guests when tables are ready, escorts them to table, provides menus and introduces the server
• Assists with the duties of servers and bus persons as needed to maintain service effectiveness and efficiency
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in a high-volume restaurant
• Basic computer skills
• Excellent communication skills
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Job Requirements

• Availability to work onsite with a flexible schedule often including evenings and weekends
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, including standing, walking, bending and squatting

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401K with match
• Free family meal daily
• Discounts at Eataly
• Referral bonus program
• and more!

Pay Range for this position is $20 - $23 an hour plus tips.

Eataly is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Eataly also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Eataly’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.