Back Server / Captain's Assistant — The Golden Swan
Full-Service Restaurant · West Village, New York City
The Golden Swan is an elevated New York bistro in the heart of the West Village — the kind of neighborhood place you come to for a burger and a martini one night, and a steak dinner with someone you love the next. Working across the main dining room and the ground-floor Wallace Room bar and casual dining space, and led in the kitchen by Executive Chef Mark Welker, we pair refined food and drink with genuine, unfussy hospitality. Approachable, but never careless with the details.
We are looking for a hardworking, hospitality-minded Back Server / Captain's Assistant to join our front-of-house team. This is the engine room of great service: the person who keeps the floor moving, anticipates the table's needs, and makes the captain's job look effortless. It's an ideal role for someone early in their restaurant career who wants to learn service properly in a supportive, high-standard environment — or for an experienced back server who takes real pride in the craft.
About the Role
The Back Server / Captain's Assistant works directly alongside the captains and servers to deliver seamless service — resetting and maintaining tables, and keeping communication tight between the dining room, bar, and kitchen. You'll report to Managers and Captains on the floor, and you'll be judged on attentiveness, hustle, and a genuine sense of care for the guest.
Key Responsibilities
- Support captains and servers throughout service — anticipating needs before you're asked
- Maintain water, bread, and other table service to a consistent standard
- Clear, reset, and re-set tables quickly and quietly between courses and turns
- Keep stations, service areas, and the dining room clean, stocked, and presentable
- Communicate clearly with the kitchen, bar, and floor team to keep service flowing
- Learn our menu, allergen protocols, and steps of service, and apply them consistently
- Support opening, closing, and side-work duties as assigned
- Uphold all health, safety, and service protocols
- Run beverages promptly and accurately, with clean, confident delivery
- Polish and organize glassware, flatware, and china as part of side work
Qualifications
- Prior restaurant experience, ideally in fine dining or upscale; the right attitude and work ethic matter most
- A genuine interest in hospitality and a desire to learn the craft of service
- Quick, attentive, and calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- A strong team player with a sense of ownership and pride in the details
- Clear communicator with a professional, guest-ready presence
- NYC Food Handler's License (or ability to obtain promptly)
- Availability including evenings, weekends, late nights, and holidays as needed
- Able to lift 50+ lbs and stay on your feet through a full service
What We Offer
- A place to learn service properly, with a clear path to Captain/Server and beyond for those who earn it
- A supportive, professional environment built on teamwork and warm, genuine hospitality
- The chance to grow with a beloved West Village bistro during an exciting period of growth
