83 replies to this topic

[ambrno33]

Co-worker of mine went this weekend and said they are no longer taking reservations. Anyone else been declined when trying to book a reservation? THey waited over an hour for a table for two

My husband tried to make a reservation for us 2 Saturdays ago, they were not taking reservations at that point.
We got there around 7:30 and were told the wait would be an hour and a half. That puts us sitting down at 9...not exactly when we were looking to eat dinner.

We didn't wait, that's just way too long. We stopped at the grocery store and picked up steak, salad, and a good bottle of wine for half the price and had a great dinner at home.

[Darth Lefty]

Are they not taking reservations because they're all booked up?

[eVader]

That's what it sounds like Darth. Maybe that means if an expensive restaurant is super busy the economy is improving.... meh I wish.

[ambrno33]

Are they not taking reservations because they're all booked up?

I don't think so, because when we got to the restaurant my husband again asked if they take reservations, and the host said "no, we don't".

I guess they figure if they can keep the place full without taking reservations then they might as well not lose any time waiting on people who might not show up.

[mylo]

That's what it sounds like Darth. Maybe that means if an expensive restaurant is super busy the economy is improving.... meh I wish.

Recession my arse. You can't get into half the expensive restaurants in town. All the deals I find on Craigslist are getting snagged up on the first day, and all the roads around the malls are packed full of cars.

[Steve Heard]

Recession my arse. You can't get into half the expensive restaurants in town. All the deals I find on Craigslist are getting snagged up on the first day, and all the roads around the malls are packed full of cars.

I was in Mid-town the other night. Beach Hut deli was full, Thai Basil was full. Tapa the World was full. Chicago Fire had about 30 people waiting outside for tables. I went in and talked to the manager (Rick, who used to run Folsom). Business is so good that they're opening a new location in Roseville.

Houses are moving, too. The average home 3/2 on the market right now has been on the market for only 32 days. They are moving fast!

Recession?

[luvmyboyz]

We have been, and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. I am sad to hear they are no longer taking dinner reservsations. It's a little hard to plan a "date night" if you don't know what time you are going to eat. I don't have time to wait an hour to an hour and a half just to get a table. We won't be going back any time soon if this is the case!

[old soldier]

ilf you are out on the weekend and don't want to wait an hour and a half you might try henry's steak house up the road at the red hawk casino...thats a right classy place but a mite more expensive

[4thgenFolsomite]

we tried to go last night. they said they started taking reservations at 4:30, but when the time came, they said they took reservations for tables of 6 or more. Parties of fewer than six were first come, first serve. so we went to Scotts.

[camay2327]

Not having reservations would keep me from going there. I am retired but still like to have reservations when going to a restaurant like that.

[rpo]

Not having reservations would keep me from going there. I am retired but still like to have reservations when going to a restaurant like that.

No kidding. I feel the same way about the place after reading the posts on here about reservation problems.

I made reservations for our anniversary at a competing steakhouse a month ago for a date 6 weeks out. They easily took the reservation and even called back once to confirm and find out if it was for a special occasion that they may be able to make even more special. That is the type of service that will make someone a loyal customer. Making people get dressed up and drive all the way to the restaurant in order to find out whether or not they can even get in in the next hour is a bad way to treat customers.

If their goal is to minimize the number of no-show reservations, then they need to suck it up and deal with it. People not showing up is part of business. If need be, have someone call to verify the reservation the day before.

[AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY]

All they have to do is take a credit card for the reservation and charge a fee for no-shows. I would not go to a nice restaurant like that if they didn't take reservations. Most people need to make plans - babysittters, etc.

[Bill Z]

All they have to do is take a credit card for the reservation and charge a fee for no-shows. I would not go to a nice restaurant like that if they didn't take reservations. Most people need to make plans - babysittters, etc.

I understand your point and I can agree with your choice to find somewhere else to go that will accept your reservations. That's the beauty of having the freedom to make intelligent choices based on our own unique needs and preferences.

For me, it's really not much of a problem on reservations, I just plan around it. Most places rarely even have a waiting line at 4:30 PM. I go early, get seated with no problems, and watch the place fill up while I get good service by dining before the mad rush. quite often when I leave, I check out how long the waiting line is and smile knowing I beat the mad house dinner rush and probably got better customer service as a result.

I've even showed up on a Valentine's day at a place with a sign that said reservations only. We noticed the place was mostly empty and asked, if they seated us and served us quickly, we would be gone NLT 5:30. They checked their reservation list and agreed to seat us and serve us. We got our food in a timely fashion, enjoyed it without wolfing it down, and were gone in time for them to clean the table and seat a 5:30 reservation table for 2. by letting them know, we weren't going to sit for hours with bottles of wine, they were gracious to accomodate us and get one more couple served that evening.

[camay2327]

I understand your point and I can agree with your choice to find somewhere else to go that will accept your reservations. That's the beauty of having the freedom to make intelligent choices based on our own unique needs and preferences.

For me, it's really not much of a problem on reservations, I just plan around it. Most places rarely even have a waiting line at 4:30 PM. I go early, get seated with no problems, and watch the place fill up while I get good service by dining before the mad rush. quite often when I leave, I check out how long the waiting line is and smile knowing I beat the mad house dinner rush and probably got better customer service as a result.

I've even showed up on a Valentine's day at a place with a sign that said reservations only. We noticed the place was mostly empty and asked, if they seated us and served us quickly, we would be gone NLT 5:30. They checked their reservation list and agreed to seat us and serve us. We got our food in a timely fashion, enjoyed it without wolfing it down, and were gone in time for them to clean the table and seat a 5:30 reservation table for 2. by letting them know, we weren't going to sit for hours with bottles of wine, they were gracious to accomodate us and get one more couple served that evening.

Bill, you are right about going early. We go out around 5:30 P.M. a lot of the time and find places are fairly empty. They do fill up fast about 30 minutes later though.

[old soldier]

you may have to watch it though cause if you go too early for dinner you will bump into the last lunch crowd.