How do you restaurant hostess?

Question

I'm an experienced server, but, I've never hostessed before. I currently work at a little family owned place, where they've started me off as hostess. Now, it's not like they have said anything about my hostessing skills, but, I was wondering if anyone had any opinions? I usually greet them happily, take them to their table, yadiyada, but, do you let them sit down first, then hand them the menus, or menus down first, then walk away? Or does it really matter? Any opinions?

I just want to show my new employers that I'm good at what I do, and that I enjoy my work.

Answer 1

Generally, your job is to make people feel comfortable, the moment they walk into your restaurant.  It's your job to help them leave their troubles OUTSIDE the door.  Smile, be attentive (but not too attentive), show recognition, even if you don't know them.  If you do know them, use their names.  The more familiarity you have with them, the more you can ease their comfort.  Your whole presence needs to be warm, stress free and inviting.  Take their coat, umbrella, etc.

Take them to their tables and let them know you're happy to do anything you can for them (but no real need to be specific, like drink orders or offer specials, it's more just being polite).  Pull out a chair for the women.  Crack an extra joke with any children, or offer the kids a toy, crayons, etc. to ease THEIR minds and keep them quiet (so as to keep the parents happy and the other customers.  The best cure is prevention!)

All the same as when they leave. Smile, welcome them back, get their coats, etc.  You should be the first smile they see and the last one they see when they leave and it should be a memorable smile, so they'll want to return in the future and leave their troubles behind...

Answer 2

Let them sit down and then hand them the menus.  Then ask if they would like something to drink.

Answer 3

the general idea of hostessing is this-

you want the guest to feel comfortable as soona s they walk in the door. smile, don't rush them, and call them by name if you know it (if they have a reservation or they are regulars). show them to their table making sure not to leave them behind by walking too fast. hand them menus after they seat themselves. hostesses generally do not take drink orders in my experience, but if their server is going to be a while (and you should know that information) then go ahead and ask if they would like something to drink. otherwise, just tell them that "jane" or "sarah" or "mike" or whomever their server is going to be will be right with them and to enjoy their meal. the name of the game is hospitality, you just have to make people feel welcome as a hostess, just like if they were in your home.  

Answer 4

Tragically Beautiful pretty much hit it on the head but I would like to add on...

Being Organized:  Depending on how many servers you have, they are put into rotation.  Usually restaurants have marker board layouts of the place so you can check off tables as you seat them.  I also make a mini chart with so many check boxes next to each servers name, and every time you seat a server that's next in rotation I simply list the table number in the chart.  Keeps things organized and clean.  *Especially handy if you get a hoard of people in, or have to seat servers out of section.*

Seating Tables: Open the door for the customers, ask how they're doing, and ask how many are in their party. "Two for lunch?  Alright, please follow me!" With a huge smile, take them to the table and pending on what type of menus you have (actual dinner menus, spirit/appetizer menus) hand them out and say "These are our _____ menus, and your server _______(always best to say their name) will be out shortly!"

When tables leave, open the door for them again, ask how their meal was and bid them a good night.  Sometimes people like to make small chat, sometimes your the outlet for disgruntled customers on their way out but either way always have a smile!

Good luck!