Via Brand Autopsy comes a pointer to the Building Better Restaurants Blog's Top Ten Reasons to Take a Sledgehammer to Your Host Stand.  I think a lot of these are also good reasons to rethink/redesign/remove your receptionist's desk:

1. It accumulates clutter that is an eyesore.
2. It does not have any functional utility for the guest.
3. It allows staff to “hide” from the guest.
4. It forces the guest to come to you, and not the other way around.
5. It becomes a hub for business other than the business of the guest.
6. It becomes a leaning tool and not a Hosting [verb] tool.
7. It will force you to talk to your guests and actually “Host” [verb] the guest experience.
8. It will force more physical contact with the guest and thereby a more meaningful greeting.
9. It will allow the guest to take in the whole “show” as they enter and immediately be caught up in the experience more.
10. Because you don’t have one at your house when you host people there!