Our Why

Our Approach to Hospitality

We are here to help elevate the hospitality industry itself. Behind everything we do is the driving belief that when it comes to hospitality, taking a people-positive, community-focused, purpose-driven approach is the right thing to do, and it’s the right way to build a successful and sustainable business.

Sourcing

Ingredients and how we nourish our bodies are important. Food is medicine.  We do our best to source products that are local, organic, and free of antibiotics. We cherish our relationships with local farmers and purveyors, who bring us the best they can grow and source. They are our vital partners in providing guests with an exceptional experience. When making purchasing decisions, we strive to align ourselves with like-minded small businesses.

Work-Life Balance and Caregiving

We respect boundaries and the importance of work-life balance. Flexible hours and schedules are available for all who need them. Womxn and caregivers in the hospitality industry should not have to make a decision between their careers and motherhood. Womxn should have the opportunity to thrive both in the workplace as well as at home. We believe in creating a more stable and equitable wage for restaurant workers through benefits and a positive environment.

To work in restaurants and have kids, you need a village. We believe it’s essential to build a team that understands what it’s like to be a caregiver. That means you’re flexible, just like caregivers are flexible. When someone’s child is sick and they need to stay home, we say, “OK, we can figure this out.” Life happens. The same can happen with older parents, pets, any type of family member. 

We provide paid family leave to our team members through a combination of short-term disability, D.C.’s paid family leave, and paid time off. We also provide opportunities for part-time work, or work within school hours. We find the right people and if we can build the role around them, we will. 

WHY A 20% SERVICE CHARGE?

We add a 20% service charge to pay a higher hourly wage to our team members. This ensures fair, equitable wages and benefits for all hourly team members. Here’s some additional context as to how and why we operate under this model: 

• Historical Context

  • Tipping became widespread in the U.S. post-Civil War when newly emancipated Black individuals were hired without wages, relying solely on tips for their livelihood. 

• Addressing Pay Disparity

  • A significant pay gap exists between front-of-house staff and behind-the-scenes kitchen and dish room teams. Both groups are essential to the guest experience, yet the traditional tipping system disproportionately benefits front-of-house staff.

• Combating Bias and Discrimination

  • The tipping system often suffers from bias, sexism, and discrimination, resulting in unfair compensation. The service charge creates a more equitable and reliable income for all employees.

• Distribution of Service Charge

  • The entire 20% goes towards hourly payroll and benefits.

• Optional Gratuity

  • An optional gratuity line is available for guests to acknowledge exceptional service. Any gratuity left is distributed among all hourly dining room and kitchen team members who contribute to the dining experience.

DO YOU HAVE SPACES FOR PRIVATE EVENTS?

Yes! Eastern Point Collective is here to create a memorable experience for all of your personal and professional celebrations. We offer private spaces at La Collina and Méli and semi-private spaces or full buyouts of all of our restaurants. Inquire here and we’d love to work with you on your next event. We have spaces to accommodate groups from 10 to 200 for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DO YOU CATER?

Yes! Our Italian catering menu at La Collina and Greek-ish menu at Méli are perfect for office lunches, meetings of all kinds, teacher appreciation drop-offs, casual dinner gatherings and more. Our food is packaged for easy display and service so you can enjoy hosting. 

WHY IS MÉLI A CLUB?

Because of our location inside a residence, to offer mezze and wine to folks who don’t live in the building (The Silva), we created Méli as a "club" that anyone can join by simply buying a bottle of house wine or n/a bev for $25. Méli gives back to its neighborhood by donating the profits from these bottles to 10 community partners in Adams Morgan. You can visit us for the first time as a guest; no membership required.

WHY DOESN’T THE WELLS HAVE A PHONE NUMBER?

The Wells is an intimate cocktail bar and providing our full attention to guests is our top priority. You can make reservations on Resy and if you’d like to get in touch with us, please email info@thewellsdc.com.

ARE YOU HIRING?

Yes! We are always looking for talented people to join our team. Check out the available opportunities here. If you don't see a relevant position, send us your resume anyway; we'll take a look and see where you fit.

One of our core principles of genuine hospitality starts with our team of dedicated professionals. We intend to build something a little different than a typical restaurant and are dedicated to setting new standards in hospitality, cuisine, and the employment experience. 

We seek inspired, curious, and kind individuals to join our community, offering competitive compensation, benefits, growth opportunities, and a supportive, diverse environment. Whether you're experienced or just passionate about food, wine and hospitality, we provide structured career development and comprehensive benefits. Let’s connect — share your resume and start the conversation with our team!