Server - Blackbird

Description

Blackbird – Coastal Gastropub

Position Overview

Blackbird is not simply a restaurant—it is a fully realized experience.

At Blackbird, guests don’t remember restaurants, they remember worlds. 

Our service team are not order takers—they are storytellers, guides, and curators of an unfolding dining experience. Like a great film, each guest interaction should deliver an opening moment, a developing narrative, and a satisfying conclusion. 

The Server is responsible for delivering a highly personalized, intuitive, and emotionally engaging dining experience that reflects Blackbird’s identity:  familiar, yet slightly unexpected refined, yet deeply human.

About Blackbird

Blackbird is a coastal gastropub with an upscale bar sensibility, rooted in California’s land and sea. The menu celebrates seasonal ingredients, elevated technique, and shared experiences, layered with subtle tension and discovery. 

The environment is calm, observant, and slightly off-center, designed to invite guests to linger, connect, and uncover something unexpected over time. 

Core Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Service Execution

• Deliver anticipatory, highly personalized service aligned with Blackbird’s immersive hospitality philosophy 
• Guide guests through a paced dining journey—not just a meal, but a curated experience 
• Read guest cues and adjust tone, energy, and engagement style accordingly 
• Create moments that feel intentional, effortless, and memorable 

Storytelling & Menu Mastery

• Present menu items with confidence, clarity, and narrative depth 
• Communicate culinary nuances such as: 
  • Ingredient contrast hot/cold, crisp/silky, rich/acidic) 
  • Elevated techniques behind familiar dishes 
• Educate guests on wine pairings and beverage selections with an emphasis on: 
  • Coastal California wines 
  • Old World restraint and intentionality 
• Position dishes as shareable experiences, encouraging connection at the table 

Service Style & Presence

• Maintain a demeanor that is: 
  • Polished, composed, and observant 
  • Never rushed, never inattentive 
• Move with purpose and quiet confidence throughout the dining room 
• Deliver service that feels seamless, not transactional 

Operational Excellence

• Execute all steps of service with precision: 
  • Order accuracy 
  • Timing and pacing 
  • Table maintenance and cleanliness 
• Collaborate with culinary and bar teams to ensure synchronized service flow 
• Uphold all food safety, alcohol service, and sanitation standards 

Brand & Culture Alignment

• Embody Blackbird’s guiding question:
  “Will our muse love this?” 
• Represent the brand through: 
  • Elevated service standards 
  • Attention to detail 
  • Commitment to guest connection and authenticity 
• Contribute to a culture of refinement, curiosity, and continuous improvement 

Experience & Qualifications

• 2+ years of serving experience in upscale, fine dining, or elevated casual environments 
• Strong knowledge of: 
  • Food, wine, and beverage  pairing principles 
  • Steps of service and  hospitality standards 
• Ability to multitask in a high-touch, high-expectation environment 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• A natural inclination toward hospitality, storytelling, and guest engagement 

Service Philosophy Expectations

At Blackbird, service is defined by:

• Control and misdirection — guiding the guest experience with subtlety 
• Intentional pacing — never frantic, never slow 
• Emotional connection — creating a sense of place, not just a meal 

Servers are expected to:

• Think beyond transactions and focus on memory creation 
• Deliver experiences that feel familiar—but never predictable 

Why Blackbird

This is an opportunity to be part of a concept that blends:

• Culinary artistry 
• Atmospheric storytelling 
• Elevated hospitality 

Blackbird is designed for guests who value food, wine, culture, and meaningful experiences—and for team members who take pride in delivering them.