SAKANA Japanese Restaurant
1307 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Full time/ Part time
SAKANA Japanese Restaurant is looking for a friendly, organized, and dependable Host/Hostess to join our team. As the first and last point of contact for our guests, the Host/Hostess plays an important role in creating a welcoming experience while keeping the dining room organized and running smoothly.
Responsibilities
- Warmly greet and welcome guests upon arrival.
- Manage the waitlist, reservations, and walk-in guests efficiently.
- Seat guests according to the restaurant’s seating rotation and table availability.
- Plan ahead for upcoming reservations and communicate seating needs with managers and servers.
- Provide accurate wait-time estimates and keep waiting guests updated.
- Answer phone calls and assist guests with basic questions regarding reservations, hours, menu, and restaurant policies.
- Communicate clearly with servers and management regarding table status, reservations, large parties, and special guest requests.
- Monitor the dining room and maintain an organized, balanced seating flow.
- Reset, clean, and prepare tables as needed to support quick table turnover.
- Assist with running food or sushi orders and other front-of-house duties during slower periods.
- Keep the host stand and entrance area clean, organized, and presentable.
- Thank guests as they leave and help ensure a positive overall dining experience.
- Follow all restaurant policies, procedures, and food safety standards.
- Perform additional front-of-house duties as assigned by management.
Qualifications
- Previous restaurant, hospitality, or customer service experience preferred, but not required.
- Friendly, professional, and guest-focused attitude.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to stay organized and calm in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
- Ability to multitask and make quick decisions when managing reservations and seating.
- Reliable, punctual, and able to work well as part of a team.
- Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone who is welcoming, attentive, proactive, and team-oriented. A strong host does more than greet and seat guests—they pay attention to the entire dining room, anticipate seating needs, communicate with the team, and step in to help wherever needed to keep service running smoothly.
Pay: From $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
