Job Description

MIKA Coral Gables by Michael White is seeking polished, knowledgeable, and hospitality-driven Servers to join our Front of House team.

The Server is responsible for creating a warm, personalized, and memorable dining experience while executing MIKA's standards of service with confidence, professionalism, and attention to detail.

At MIKA, luxury is unpretentious, humble, and authentic. Our servers should be knowledgeable without being intimidating, attentive without being intrusive, and always one step ahead of the guest.

The ideal candidate has experience in upscale or fine dining, strong food and beverage knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Essential Responsibilities

• Arrive on time, in complete uniform, polished, and prepared for service.
• Attend and actively participate in daily lineup and training.
• Maintain complete knowledge of the food menu, ingredients, preparation methods, allergens, specials, and daily changes.
• Develop strong knowledge of MIKA's wine, cocktail, spirits, and beverage programs.
• Greet and acknowledge guests warmly and professionally.
• Guide guests through the menu and confidently make recommendations based on their preferences.
• Use menu knowledge to create thoughtful upselling opportunities without making the experience feel transactional.
• Accurately take and enter all food and beverage orders into the POS system.
• Follow MIKA's established Steps of Service from greeting through final farewell.
• Properly pace courses and communicate with the kitchen, bar, support team, and management.
• Monitor the table continuously without hovering.
• Maintain table cleanliness, organization, proper silverware, glassware, and mise en place throughout the experience.
• Anticipate guest needs before being asked.
• Properly handle VIPs, celebrations, special occasions, and repeat guests.
• Follow all allergy and dietary-restriction procedures without exception.
• Present and process guest checks accurately and professionally.
• Complete assigned opening, running, and closing side work.
• Maintain a clean and organized section and service stations.
• Support fellow servers and the entire FOH team whenever necessary.
• Follow all MIKA policies regarding attendance, uniform, grooming, cell phones, employee meals, alcohol service, and professional conduct.

Guest Recovery & Communication

Every Server is responsible for recognizing when the guest experience is not meeting expectations.

Servers must:

• Listen carefully when a guest expresses a concern.
• Never become defensive, dismissive, or argumentative.
• Acknowledge the concern and apologize appropriately.
• Immediately involve a manager when a guest is unhappy or when an issue requires recovery.
• Never assume that voiding or removing an item from the check means the guest has been recovered.
• Communicate mistakes openly so management has an opportunity to correct them.
• Follow up with the guest after a problem has been addressed.
• Never allow a known guest concern to leave the restaurant without management awareness.

A void fixes the check. A recovery fixes the guest.

Service Presence

The dining room is our stage. Servers are expected to maintain professional presence throughout the entire shift.

• Walk with confidence and purpose—we do not run on the floor.
• Maintain appropriate posture and body language.
• Never display frustration, stress, or disagreements in front of guests.
• Keep personal conversations away from guest areas.
• Never point across the dining room.
• Be aware of surroundings and maintain clear pathways.
• Respect guest conversations and personal space.
• Approach every table with warmth, confidence, and genuine hospitality.
• Remain engaged through the end of the guest's experience, regardless of shift-ending time.

Food & Beverage Knowledge

Servers are expected to continuously develop their knowledge of:

Food

• Mediterranean cuisine and MIKA's culinary philosophy
• Fish and seafood varieties
• Meat and poultry
• Pasta preparations and techniques
• Cheeses and accompaniments
• Sauces, garnishes, and preparation methods
• Allergens and dietary considerations

Beverage

• Wine fundamentals, particularly Italian and French wines
• Wines by the glass
• MIKA's wine list
• Signature and classic cocktails
• Spirits and basic liquor knowledge
• Beer
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Proper glassware and beverage presentation

Training and education are an ongoing expectation of the position.

Qualifications

• Previous serving experience in an upscale, luxury, or fine-dining restaurant strongly preferred.
• Strong food and beverage knowledge.
• Wine knowledge preferred.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Genuine passion for hospitality and taking care of guests.
• Professional appearance and polished floor presence.
• Ability to multitask and maintain composure during high-volume service.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with servers, runners, bartenders, hosts, culinary staff, and management.
• Ability to accept coaching and continuously improve.
• Reliable, punctual, and accountable.
• Ability to accurately operate the restaurant POS system.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, lunches, dinners, and private events according to business needs.

Physical Requirements

Servers must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Carry trays, plates, glassware, and service equipment safely.
• Frequently bend, reach, lift, and move throughout the restaurant.
• Safely lift and carry approximately 30–40 lbs.
• Work in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

The MIKA Server Standard

BE PRESENT

Know what is happening in your section and throughout the room.

BE PROACTIVE

Don't wait for the guest to ask for something you could have anticipated.

BE KNOWLEDGEABLE

Knowledge creates confidence, and confidence creates trust.

BE WARM

Professional service should never feel robotic.

COMMUNICATE

If something isn't right, speak up immediately.

OWN THE EXPERIENCE

Your responsibility is not simply taking an order. You are responsible for guiding the guest's experience from arrival through farewell.

WORK AS ONE TEAM

There is no "my table" when a guest needs assistance. Every guest belongs to MIKA.

Our Culture

MIKA Coral Gables by Michael White brings together the Tastes of the Riviera and the Hospitality of Home.

We believe exceptional hospitality is created through genuine human connection, attention to detail, product knowledge, teamwork, and consistency.

Our Servers are ambassadors of that philosophy. Every interaction should leave the guest feeling recognized, comfortable, and genuinely cared for.

MIKA Coral Gables is an Equal Opportunity Employer.