Job Title

Captain-Sommelier

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The restaurant

La Cigale is opening in summer 2025 in Glen Park, San Francisco. We use 100% wood-fired cooking to celebrate the peasant cuisine of Occitanie in southwestern France, served directly from the chef to the guest at the counter. Every day we handwrite a new prix-fixe menu based on the best of local produce according to the season.

Our beverage program celebrates small, artisan producers of wines throughout France, with a focus on the regions of the Southwest. This is accentuated by interesting sherries and vermouths, alongside house-made seasonal shrubs, as well as a concise reserve list of iconic producers from across the western Mediterranean.

To us, hospitality means making each guest feel taken care of, with their needs anticipated at all times. We believe we can provide the utmost tier of high-touch, seamless yet intimate service, without the arbitrary trappings of traditional "fine dining."

The role

La Cigale is an extremely small team, as the style of service has the chef handling many of the traditional FOH responsibilities. Your role will be fast-paced and fun, with the prime focus on executing our vision of hospitality while sharing your knowledge of the beverage program with our guests. We do not take reservations, so managing the door and waitlist will also be an important consideration during service.

We will provide extensive hands-on training with our Beverage Director both in the pre-opening phase as well as ongoing. You will report directly to our chef-owner.

Initially, we will be open for dinner only Wednesday through Saturday, with plans to expand to a fifth service within the first six months. Shifts will be from 5PM to 11PM, for a total of 24 hours per week.

Compensation

We are investing in being a leader in the industry by caring for our staff to foster a positive culture and work-life balance. All employees at La Cigale receive 4 weeks of paid time off annually, a 401(k) with 6% employer matching, two weeks of annual sick pay, and monthly cell phone reimbursement.

We have a tip-free, all inclusive pricing model. Your base compensation will be a flat hourly rate in the $30 to $40 an hour range, depending on experience.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates have several years of FOH experience. In particular, you are adept at running a section, light hosting duties, and especially wine knowledge and service. While we will be training you thoroughly on our unique beverage program, you will be best served by having a strong foundation in the world of wine, especially France; key wine appellations, grape varieties, and overall styles.

Sommelier certifications are not required, but a passion for wine and the skills to curate an experience for your guests through the lens of our beverage menu is an important skill at La Cigale. You must be eager and willing to learn - this is an excellent role for anyone looking to grow their knowledge in the world of wine service.

As food service is executed directly by the chef, your food knowledge is only minimally important. Your focus is to be intimately in command of each guest's experience.