Host Upscale Mediterranean Restaurant Sacramento

Aiona Sacramento•Sacramento, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Aiona is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant opening in downtown Sacramento, celebrating Mediterranean cuisine and wood-fired cooking. The restaurant features an open kitchen, a 3,000-bottle wine cellar, and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The Host will join the opening team as the first point of contact for guests during lunch and dinner service. The role manages reservations and walk-ins, coordinates seating across the dining room and patio, and works with management, servers, and the bar to maintain an organized flow and welcoming guest experience. Guests may include business and VIP clientele, pre-theater parties, and private-event attendees.

Requirements

At least 1–2 years of experience as a host, maître d’, or front desk employee in a full-service restaurant.
Comfort using reservation and waitlist systems such as OpenTable, and ability to adapt quickly to new technology.
Excellent communication skills and a calm, professional demeanor suited to business and VIP clientele.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks, including phones, walk-ins, reservations, and floor pacing.
Reliable and punctual, with availability to work lunch and dinner service, including weekends, holidays, and major event nights.
Team-oriented and willing to support other front-of-house roles as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an upscale or casual fine-dining restaurant.
A polished presence, genuine hospitality, and a guest-first mindset.

Responsibilities

Greet and seat guests warmly and professionally, reflecting the restaurant’s hospitality standards.
Manage lunch and dinner reservations and walk-in traffic using a reservation system, including confirmations, waitlists, and table assignments.
Coordinate seating to balance server sections, the bar, and patio while accommodating special requests, timing needs, and private dining commitments.
Communicate wait times accurately and manage expectations for business and VIP guests, pre-theater parties, and larger groups.
Maintain an organized host stand with current floor plans, reservation notes, and team communication tools.
Answer phones professionally and provide information about hours, menus, parking, and reservation policies; take and update reservations as needed.
Coordinate with the Special Events or management team about private dining bookings and event guests.
Monitor dining-room flow and provide occasional operational support, such as checking tables, dropping menus, and resetting small items.
Communicate with servers, bartenders, runners, and managers about arrivals, special guests, allergies, and timing requests.
Confirm reservations, document notes, and prepare for the next day’s service as assigned.
Handle guest concerns at the door professionally and escalate them to a manager when appropriate.
Maintain the restaurant’s standards of appearance, tone, and professionalism.