Host

Company Description

Forget About Hospitality invites guests to step away from the everyday pace, leave the noise behind, and enjoy being fully present.

Designed for New York and rooted in Italian hospitality, the concept centers on high-quality Italian cuisine, a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, and a seamless journey from aperitivo through dinner and after-dinner experiences.

The name “Forget About It” reinterprets a classic New York expression as an invitation to let go, savor the moment, and embrace an experience shaped by food, people, and ambiance. Blending Italian identity, an international spirit, and a modern vision of hospitality, Forget About It is an attitude-driven, experience-focused destination.

Role Description

The Host / Hostess is a part-time, on-site position based in New York City, requiring approximately 20 hours per week. As the first and last point of contact for every guest, this role plays an essential part in creating a warm, refined, and memorable dining experience.

The Host / Hostess welcomes and assists guests, manages reservations and walk-in traffic, coordinates table assignments, communicates wait times, and supports the organized flow of service throughout the restaurant.

The ideal candidate is warm, confident, highly organized, and attentive to detail, with the ability to remain composed and professional in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This position requires excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to making every guest feel recognized and welcomed.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Reception:

• Welcome every guest with warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.

• Create a positive first impression that reflects the values and service philosophy of Forget About It.

• Confirm reservations, identify special requests, and guide guests through the arrival and seating process.

• Escort guests to their tables and introduce the assigned Server whenever possible.

• Respond confidently and accurately to questions about the restaurant, menu, operating hours, and services.

• Thank guests sincerely upon departure and invite them to return.

• Maintain a welcoming, polished, and organized entrance and reception area.

Reservations and Seating:

• Manage reservations using the Company’s reservation platform.

• Monitor reservation times, guest arrivals, cancellations, delays, and table availability.

• Manage walk-in traffic and waitlists during peak service periods.

• Communicate accurate wait-time estimates and manage guest expectations professionally.

• Coordinate walk-in seating without disrupting the reservation flow.

• Confirm reservations and accommodate special requests whenever operationally possible.

• Maintain accurate guest notes, preferences, and reservation information.

• Protect guest information and follow all Company privacy and confidentiality procedures.

Dining Room Coordination:

• Coordinate table assignments to maintain an appropriate and balanced service flow.

• Communicate continuously with Managers, Servers, Bartenders, Runners, and Kitchen personnel regarding table status and service timing.

• Monitor dining room capacity and table progress to support efficient seating without compromising the guest experience.

• Maintain awareness of VIP guests, regular guests, special occasions, allergies, accessibility requirements, and other relevant guest needs.

• Provide clear updates to the management and service teams regarding arrivals, delays, waiting guests, and seating priorities.

• Support the organization and presentation of menus, reservation materials, and reception supplies.

Guest Relations and Teamwork:

• Build genuine relationships with guests and provide attentive, personalized assistance.

• Handle guest concerns calmly and professionally and involve management when appropriate.

• Assist with guest recovery efforts under management’s direction.

• Maintain composure, discretion, and courtesy during high-volume service.

• Support Front of House operations when reasonably required.

• Assist with light administrative duties related to reservations, telephone calls, guest communication, and special events.

• Complete assigned opening, side-work, and closing responsibilities.

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with all team members.

• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, professional, and positive workplace culture.

Compliance and Safety:

• Follow all Company guest privacy, confidentiality, safety, and operational policies.

• Maintain safe, accessible, and unobstructed entrance, reception, and waiting areas.

• Promptly report safety concerns, hazards, accidents, or operational issues.

• Follow applicable emergency and evacuation procedures.

• Comply with Company service standards and all applicable federal, New York State, and New York City requirements.

Qualifications

• Previous hospitality, restaurant, reservations, or customer-service experience is preferred.

• Excellent verbal communication, interpersonal, and guest-relations skills.

• Warm, polished, confident, and professional demeanor.

• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to manage reservations, waitlists, guest requests, and changing priorities accurately.

• Ability to remain calm and courteous in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to providing exceptional hospitality.

• Previous experience with restaurant reservation platforms is strongly preferred.

• Experience in an upscale casual or fine-dining restaurant is highly beneficial.

• Familiarity with Italian cuisine and Italian-style hospitality is a plus.

• Additional language skills are beneficial but not required.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Authorization to work in the United States.

Employment Details

• Employment type: Part-time.

• Expected schedule: Approximately 20 hours per week, based on business and scheduling needs.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is required.

• Location: New York City, New York.

• Classification: Non-exempt, non-tipped employee.

• Compensation: $20.00 per hour.

• This position does not participate in the Company’s tip pool and does not receive any distribution of guest tips.

• Overtime is paid in accordance with applicable law.

• Eligible employees accrue paid protected time in accordance with applicable New York State and New York City law and Company policy.

• Scheduled opening: end of November 2026

The stated hourly wage reflects the base compensation that Forget About Hospitality reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting. Weekly hours may vary depending on business needs and do not constitute a guarantee of a fixed schedule.

Physical Requirements

This position requires prolonged periods of standing and walking, frequent movement throughout the restaurant, continuous guest interaction, and the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds.

The role involves working at the entrance and throughout the dining room in a busy restaurant environment with continuous communication, moderate noise levels, and changing operational priorities.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Forget About Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law.