Reservationist

POSITION TITLE: RESERVATIONIST – NEW YORK

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER; ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER & MANAGER(S) ON DUTY

DEPARTMENT: Front of House (FOH) – Reservations

CLASSIFICATION: Variable Hour, Non-Exempt

STATUS: Full-Time / Part-Time (as scheduled)

PAY RANGE: $22 per hour

Position Summary

Bagatelle is more than a restaurant—it is an experience. It's a place to enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner and feel as though you have been invited into the home and table of an epicurean bon vivant from the French Riviera—a place to celebrate the South of France's festive spirit, generous cuisine, and friendly atmosphere.

The Reservationist is often the very first point of contact a guest has with Bagatelle and plays a key role in shaping the guest experience before arrival. This position is responsible for managing reservations and guest communications accurately and efficiently, maintaining excellent reservation practices, and supporting the smooth flow of guests day in and day out, all while upholding Bagatelle's high standards of hospitality.

The ideal candidate is well spoken, positive, polite, highly organized, and proactive—someone who anticipates the needs of the day ahead and takes pride in delivering warm, accurate, and personalized service by phone, email, and in person.

Key Responsibilities

Reservation Management

• Process the booking, cancellation, and modification of reservations accurately using the reservation platform (SevenRooms).
• Maintain comprehensive working knowledge of SevenRooms and the table management system, and assist the host team with table management as needed.
• Confirm all bookings 24 hours prior to the reservation date in accordance with Company procedures.
• Collect complete and accurate information for private dining and large-party bookings and coordinate with management and events teams.
• Take guest information and quote wait times accurately when tables are not available.
• Plan proactively for the next day's reservations, VIPs, celebrations, and special requests.

Guest Communication & Hospitality

• Answer phones promptly and professionally using Bagatelle standards, and respond to guest questions regarding the menu, hours, events, dress code, and the restaurant.
• Treat every guest with courtesy and respect, striving to exceed guest expectations at every interaction.
• Send follow-up thank-you emails and other guest communications according to Company standards.
• Handle guest concerns and special requests with empathy and sound judgment, escalating issues to management when appropriate.
• Assist all guests equally and courteously, including guests with disabilities, and accurately record and communicate accessibility, seating, or accommodation requests in accordance with Company policy and applicable public accommodation laws.

Team Communication & Support

• Communicate important guest information—VIPs, celebrations, allergies and dietary restrictions, and special requests—accurately to the host and service teams.
• Be ready and willing to assist the host team as situations arise.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of restaurant layouts and capacity, menus, atmosphere, event calendars, key staff members, history, and all other information relevant to guest relations.
• Attend all mandatory meetings, pre-shift line-ups, and trainings.

Guest Data & Payment Information

• Maintain accurate guest records and keep all guest personal information confidential in accordance with Company policy.
• Handle any credit card, deposit, or cancellation-fee information only through approved systems and procedures; never record or store payment card details outside those systems.
• Clearly communicate deposit, cancellation, and minimum-spend policies to guests at the time of booking, consistent with Company policy.

Safety & Compliance

• Keep the reservation and host areas clean, organized, and free of hazards; maintain awareness of emergency exits and evacuation procedures.
• Immediately inform the Manager on Duty of any workplace safety concern, guest incident, or injury.

Professional Standards

• Comply with all Company policies and procedures, including the Employee Handbook, and with applicable city, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain a positive, professional, polished, and helpful demeanor at all times, and uphold Bagatelle grooming and appearance standards.
• Demonstrate integrity and consistently meet or exceed Bagatelle standards.
• Perform other related and compatible duties as assigned by Management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a reservationist, host, or guest relations role, preferably in an upscale or high-volume restaurant.
• Working knowledge of SevenRooms or a comparable reservation platform preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with guests by phone, email, and in person, and to write accurate guest communications and reservation notes in English, as these are core functions of the role. Multilingual abilities are a plus.
• Clear, professional, and pleasant phone manner with knowledge of proper phone etiquette.
• Approachable, positive attitude with a passion for hospitality.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in anticipating the needs of the next day.
• Ability to multitask and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Flexible, variable schedule including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.
• Regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods, use a computer, phone, and headset, and use hands to type and handle materials; frequently required to walk between the reservation desk, host stand, and dining room.
• Occasionally required to reach, bend, stoop, or kneel.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Work in a restaurant environment with elevated noise and music levels and regular operation of office equipment.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure during high-volume booking and service periods.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications of the position, and duties may be modified or added at any time based on business needs. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment; employment with Bagatelle is at-will. Bagatelle is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, including the New York City Human Rights Law. If you are unable to perform any of the responsibilities outlined above, inform your manager or Human Resources so that the Company can engage in a cooperative dialogue regarding reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Flexible, variable schedule including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.

Regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods, use a computer, phone, and headset, and use hands to type and handle materials; frequently required to walk between the reservation desk, host stand, and dining room.

Occasionally required to reach, bend, stoop, or kneel.

Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Work in a restaurant environment with elevated noise and music levels and regular operation of office equipment.

Ability to maintain professionalism and composure during high-volume booking and service periods.