Server — Mercato Westwood
Location: Westwood, New Jersey Position: Server (Full-Time/Part-Time)
About Us
Mercato Westwood brings the tradition of Roman trattoria dining to Westwood, New Jersey. Our kitchen is built around the classics done right — hand-stretched pizza and pasta prepared in the Roman tradition, including cacio e pepe and carbonara — complemented by a thoughtful non-alcoholic beverage program of Italian sodas and espresso. As a BYOB establishment, our servers are equipped to guide guests on wine pairings for the bottles they bring. We are looking for a server who approaches hospitality as a craft.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking a server who can serve as a knowledgeable bridge between our kitchen and our guests — someone able to speak with confidence about the distinctions between Roman and Neapolitan pizza, explain the role of pasta water in traditional preparations, and offer thoughtful wine pairing suggestions for guests' BYOB selections.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years of server experience in a fast-paced, full-service restaurant
- Strong knowledge of Roman-style Italian cuisine — pizza, pasta, traditional preparations, and ingredients
- Beverage knowledge — familiarity with non-alcoholic offerings (Italian sodas, espresso drinks, etc.) and general wine pairing knowledge to assist guests with BYOB selections
- A genuine commitment to hospitality — reading the table, anticipating needs, and ensuring every guest feels well cared for
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure during high-volume service
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach
- Availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays
What Sets You Apart
- A genuine belief that hospitality is rooted in connection, not just service
- Fluency in pasta shapes and sauce pairings
- Sufficient wine knowledge to help guests select a bottle to bring
- Composure and consistency during high-volume service
- Attention to detail — water temperature, course timing, and reading the room
What We Offer
- Competitive pay + tips
- A team environment built around craft, culture, and genuine hospitality
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Food provided
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Referral program
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 1 year of experience in upscale or fine-dining restaurants?
- Are you comfortable explaining and recommending Italian/Roman dishes like Pinsa, Pala, house-made pastas, and non-alcoholic craft cocktails?
- Have you used Toast POS before, or another similar system?
- What does "unreasonable hospitality" mean to you in an upscale restaurant setting?
- Describe a time you went out of your way – beyond basic service – to make a guest’s experience special.
- In a busy shift, how do you still make every table feel like they’re your only table?
- If you see a coworker getting slammed during a busy shift what would you specifically do
- What’s the longest you’ve stayed at one restaurant job, and why did you stay that long?
Work Location: In person
