Host at City Line Bar – Albany, New York

Bloom Boutique Bar & Eatery is seeking driven individuals to complete our inaugural team across all roles. We are a locally-owned eatery committed to excellence and quickly becoming a premier destination in the city. Experience is great, but what we truly seek is passion and a shared drive to be successful. If you're ready to grow with us and help establish a leading name in the local food community, apply today.

Position Summary

The Host/Hostess is responsible for promptly greeting guests at the door in a warm and friendly manner. Duties will include greeting and seating guests, maintaining the wait list and wait times, and supplying guests with clean menus upon seating them.

Essential Functions

• Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the mission of Bloom Boutique Bar & Eatery
• Warmly and graciously greet all guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
• Open the front door for guests entering or leaving the restaurant when possible.
• Provide guests with menus and inform them of their server’s name upon seating.
• Record guest names and the number of people in the party, and provide guests with the estimated waiting time when immediate seating is limited.
• Assign guests to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
• Call out the name and number of the party when tables become available.
• Speak with guests to ensure satisfaction with food and service, address complaints, or make conversation.
• Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.
• Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and guests to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
• Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
• Inform guests of Bloom’s specialties and features.
• Receive and record guests' dining reservations.
• Inspect restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies, and clean restrooms when necessary.
• Direct guests to coatrooms and waiting areas such as lounges.
• Relay messages to servers and bussers as needed.
• Thank guests as they leave and invite them to return.
• Attend all scheduled employee meetings and offer suggestions for improvement.

• Coordinate with and assist fellow employees to meet guests’ needs and support the operation of the restaurant.
• Fill in for fellow employees where needed to ensure guest service standards and efficient operations.

Supplemental

• Take and prepare to-go orders.
• Operate cash registers to accept payments for food and beverages.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
• Order or requisition supplies and equipment for tables and serving stations.
• Assist with preparing and serving food and beverages.

Training and Experience

• Previous hosting experience preferred
• 1+ year customer service experience

Skills and Knowledge

• Basic reading and writing skills are required
• Basic computer skills
• Knowledge of workplace safety procedures
• Ability to determine wait time
• Must visually scan the restaurant for clean, unoccupied tables

Competencies and Personal Characteristics

• Customer-oriented approach and strong communication skills
• Ability to work well with other teammates while maintaining a positive attitude
• Excellent people skills
• Multi-task oriented
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills

Environment and Physical Demands

• Must be able to walk and stand during the entire shift
• Reaches, bends, and stoops frequently
• Remain stationary for long periods of time
• Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 20 lbs
• Frequent washing of hands
• Hazards include, but are not limited to, slipping and tripping