Neiman Marcus Restaurant Host
- Location
- Seniority
- Entry-Level
- Compensation
- $20.79–25.99/hour
- Department
- Food & Beverage Service
- Posted
- May 5, 2026
About Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus is a premier American luxury retailer known for its curated assortment of designer merchandise, signature customer experiences, and exclusive activations. The brand operates flagship stores and omnichannel services and is part of the Saks Global portfolio of luxury retailers and real estate assets.
Neiman Marcus in Palo Alto seeks a Restaurant Host for NM Café—onsite, hourly pay $20.79–$25.99, responsible for reservations (OpenTable) and guest seating.
Role & Responsibilities
- Greet and seat customers professionally while maintaining presence at the host stand or entry door.
- Manage reservations and guest inquiries through the OpenTable platform, including VIP bookings and special events.
- Optimize seating and staffing during operating hours to maximize throughput and maintain flow of service.
- Monitor server performance and coordinate with service teams to ensure a seamless dining experience.
- Answer telephone inquiries with professional etiquette and provide accurate information on hours, specials, and events.
- Follow established accounting and POS procedures for all transactions and payment methods.
- Participate in daily pre‑shift meetings and support operational readiness.
- Maintain cleanliness and presentability of menus, menu covers, and host station.
- Adhere to hygiene and uniform standards and perform physical tasks such as lifting and moving furniture as required.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
- Familiarity with the OpenTable reservations platform.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work autonomously, multitask, and remain composed under pressure.
- Customer‑service orientation with strong problem‑solving skills and a collaborative 'win together' mentality.
- Ability to stand, bend, climb stairs and lift or carry up to 35 pounds.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Skills
Experience
Previous front‑of‑house or customer‑facing experience in hospitality or retail is preferred; demonstrable familiarity with reservation platforms (OpenTable) and high‑volume service environments is advantageous.
Education
High school diploma or GED preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in Palo Alto, California, USA, within easy reach of San Francisco.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 20.79 to USD 25.99 per hour.
Benefits
Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability insurance, voluntary benefits (critical illness, hospital and accident insurance), and employee discount.
Culture
Neiman Marcus fosters a client‑centric, service‑led culture where curated experiences and attention to detail define daily work. The environment blends luxury retail standards with hospitality sensibilities, offering exposure to cross‑functional career paths across retail, distribution, digital and corporate roles.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Neiman Marcus, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Dining Host», «Reservations Host», «Guest Relations Host», «Front‑of‑House Host», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.