Maitre D

Buddy and Son | PUBLIC Hotel | Lower East Side, New York City

Buddy and Son is a seasonal, ingredient-driven NY Brasserie located inside PUBLIC Hotel on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. We are seeking a warm, polished, and highly organized Maître d’ to lead the front door and create an exceptional guest experience from arrival through departure.

The Maître d’ will serve as the face of the restaurant, overseeing reservations, seating, guest recognition, and the overall flow of the dining room. The ideal candidate combines genuine hospitality with strong operational instincts and remains composed, gracious, and solutions-focused during busy services.

• Welcome every guest with warmth, confidence, and professionalism
• Manage the reservation book, waitlist, cancellations, and walk-in business
• Develop thoughtful seating plans that maximize revenue without compromising the guest experience
• Coordinate pacing and table turns with management, servers, and the kitchen
• Maintain accurate guest profiles, preferences, and visit history
• Recognize and build relationships with regulars, hotel guests, VIPs, and neighborhood clientele
• Handle special requests and guest concerns with discretion and good judgment
• Communicate reservation notes, large parties, allergies, celebrations, and VIP information to the team
• Maintain an organized, polished, and welcoming entrance
• Answer telephone and email inquiries professionally and accurately
• Confirm reservations and assist with large-party and private-dining inquiries
• Support the training and development of the host team
• Participate in daily pre-shift meetings and communicate important service notes
• Work closely with hotel guest relations, concierge, and events teams
• Assist restaurant management with service and administrative responsibilities as needed

• At least two years of experience as a Maître d’, Lead Host, or senior reservations professional in a high-volume, full-service restaurant
• Strong knowledge of reservation platforms such as Resy or OpenTable
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage a busy door while remaining calm and gracious
• Strong understanding of dining-room pacing, table management, and service standards
• Genuine interest in building relationships with guests and creating regulars
• Professional appearance and confident presence
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Experience working in a hotel restaurant or New York City brasserie is preferred

At Buddy and Son, hospitality should feel personal, generous, and effortless. We are looking for someone who remembers names, notices details, anticipates needs, and understands that the first and last moments of a guest’s visit matter.

Position: Full-Time
Reports to: General Manager
Location: 215 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002
Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, based on experience

Buddy and Son is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.