scoring the restaurant reservation
Today I called a restaurant for reservations a month in advance. Their doors have been open about 5 months and I have really wanted to go. I wanted a table for a Saturday night with a few couples. A month in advance. When I called the answer was we only have 530 and 1030 available. I know that it was utter bullshit. But what is more frustrating is the person on the other end of the line did nothing to help me. Is there another night? Can I put you on a wait list? Anything would have made me feel better about not having ability.
That is one of the things I love about Danny Meyers restaurants is the service begins the minute they pick-up the phone. A lot could be learned from that. Hot today can be cold tomorrow. I must admit those places deserve to be cold one day.
I hung up and got the reservation I needed by going thru the backdoor. Connections are nice. I am really looking forward to going to this restaurant with old friends. But I am still irked by the 5 and 1030 routine. It is just not right.
Comments (Archived):
Hate that line. You’ve got me curious as to which joint. I thought The Lion at first, but you’ve been there and it’s only be open a few monhts. Scratching my head…Edited guess: Ma Peche?
I had a similar but ended up being “funny” experience trying to get same day tickets to Wicked for my sister and my niece. I know, seems impossible, but the impossible happens when you pull out the mojo. You have to parse it out carefully but sometimes, it is the only way to conjure a good time.
I’m going to guess abc kitchen
It’s just not right.So why give them your business at all?I’m confused.
Because I like to check out the new restaurants in and around town.Unfortunate as it may be to get a table although kudos to them and itwould be a bigger kudos if they dealt with the patron on the phone with moregrace but I still want to check it out. Call me crazy.
Something to consider Gotham Gal…..you and your backdoor connections are, in fact, the reason for tables not being made available to the common folk like me at normal dining hours. If those with “connections” would stop getting in through the back door – the system might be more democratized. But instead of taking a stand and waiting a few more months to get in when the privileged have moved on to the next new thing….you stoke the system. Just something to think about.
I have absolutely thought about that. For the few times I make the call, itis going to change anything. The “holding a few tables back for family andfriends” is long standing and will continue to be.
Why don’t you name names?
Sometimes I just think things and names are better of unsaid.