For 30 years, The Slanted Door has been a pillar of Northern California dining. With locations in Napa, San Ramon and France, the group is no stranger to running high-volume restaurants. As hospitality expectations rise – with more and more consumers expecting ample ways to communicate with restaurants – and teams stay lean, keeping up with guest communications has become more challenging. Staff now manage phone calls, event requests and large-party bookings while also working the floor.

After connecting with Hostie CEO Randall Hom in late 2024, the team was eager to explore how Hostie could help them stay responsive while preserving the high-touch service their guests expect.

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“Like many restaurants today, we’re working with leaner teams who are juggling more than ever–while guests still expect the same level of attention and hospitality, understandably so. That’s why we need smarter tools that help us stay connected and efficient, without compromising on the quality of service. ” - Michelle Mah, Director of Operations

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The Slanted Door Group started using Hostie in 2024. Since then, the team has seen an increase in over-the-phone covers and walk-ins across locations.

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Challenge: Manage the phone without losing valuable floor time

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Before Hostie, managers carried a cordless phone during service—answering calls while seating guests, checking on tables and bussing. Even with a dedicated host on weekends, there were still coverage gaps. Most calls were simple, like questions about hours, reservations or directions, but they regularly pulled staff away from guests.

Since implementing Hostie, that’s changed. With Hostie integrated into their reservation software, The Slanted Door no longer worries about missing calls during weekends or peak hours. Jasmine, Hostie’s AI assistant, handles bookings around the clock and helps managers reclaim valuable floor time.

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In the past month, Hostie has:

• Answered nearly 1,200 calls across San Ramon and Napa locations
• Spent more than 15.6 hours on the phone 
• Resolved 74% of calls with no staff intervention

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Since using Hostie, Slanted Door Napa has Increased over-the-phone covers by 56%, with walk-ins up 61%. 

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Challenge: Deepen guest connections

The Slanted Door team knows that hospitality starts with personal connection. But when staff are tied up on the phone that connection can slip. Since using Hostie, managers have had more uninterrupted time to engage with guests, especially during peak hours.

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“Thanks to Hostie, we’ve been able to spend more time connecting with our guests. That personal touch has translated into stronger online reviews–many mention how warm and attentive our team is. I believe it’s because guests feel taken care of. There’s someone right in front of them, fully present and engaged.” - Michelle Mah, Director of Operations

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‍Try Hostie today and make sure you never miss a call again.

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