Lead Server

THE OPPORTUNITY

Café Mars, an unusual Italian restaurant located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, is seeking a Lead Server, with short-term potential for promotion to Floor Manager. We are looking for the highest-caliber, enthusiastic, and kind hospitality professional to join in creating the restaurant and setting the tone to help us lead the restaurant into the future. You will be the most experienced and skilled server on the floor, providing a steady presence and inspiring the other servers to improve collaborating directly with chef / owner Paul D’Avino to continue to develop and grow the restaurant. The right human being will have a strong hospitality background, a love of wine and cocktails and experience in high-end NYC table service. The Lead Server will be responsible for all aspects of the daily operations and service standards at our restaurant. This individual will be responsible ensuring our guests have a warm, memorable, and fun experience.

WHO WE ARE

Opened in May 2023, Café Mars is a unusual Italian restaurant in Gowanus. We aim to be the neighborhood place make locals proud and makes visitors want to become locals. The restaurant will open in a corner space on Third Avenue, across the street from where Paul’s great grandfather first settled in Brooklyn from Campania, Italy. When joining Café Mars, you will become part of a small, tight‐knit team that gives the best we have to offer our guests and each other.

Since 2023, we have been recognized by Michelin with a Bib Gourmand, as well as Best Service (NYC) in 2023 and Inspector's favorite visit in NYC in 2024. We are also an OpenTable Icon and Diner's Choice since 2024. Fun, seasonal and inventive, the menu pays homage to the traditional Italian roots of the neighborhood, while celebrating the chefs’ eclectic backgrounds in the food world. Chef / Owner Paul D’Avino’s past includes NYC spots wd~50 and aska as well as long and short stints in Iceland, Denmark, and Japan. Café Mars strives to serve a menu with a fun, thoughtful, and modern take on Italian cuisine.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Highly skilled in hospitality, wine service, and cuisine.
• Presents a strong floor presence.
• Works closely with Chef / Owners to ensure restaurant delivers a maximum level of service and satisfaction.
• Ensure excellent service & hospitality is provided to all guests, our community, vendors and staff.
• Oversees the training and monitors the performance of team members. Oversees all hiring, performance management, scheduling, and employee engagement.
• Maintains all aspects of wine program (selections, sourcing, purchasing, inventory)
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen to drive revenue and maintain budgeted profitability.
• Facilitates effective communication throughout the restaurant.
• Creates a motivating environment

REQUIREMENTS

As an important member of our team, you’ll have access to :

We offer a supportive working and learning environment that fosters growth and promotes career advancement, believing that one should always be learning. This is a great opportunity for industry professionals looking to advance their career and have the opportunity to be a part of an opening team. If you are interested in joining a restaurant that values creativity, uniqueness, dedication, hard work and a commitment to genuine hospitality then come and get it!