Actually, we have a bunch of techniques that we use to get our clients a table. Below are a few.
1. Use an App such as…
2. @LastMinuteEatin – If you are in New York City, you can go to their Twitter Feed for same-night reservations. You might check other cities to see if there are similar services.
3. Eat at the bar. Ron and I have done that many times and have had excellent meals with no waiting for a table.
4. Be flexible with your dates and eat mid-week.
5. Eat at less popular times such as late afternoon or late evening.
6. Check their Facebook and Twitter pages that morning to see if they post anything about last-minute reservations.
7. Just show up and give it a shot. Many accept walk-ins, but you’ll have to wait. Make sure you are dressed properly so you look like you belong there.
8. Do something really old fashioned. Call them! If OpenTable says they have nothing, call the restaurant directly. They always keep a few tables for people who call them up on the phone. People who book online are often no-shows and restaurants want to fill those seats. Call in the morning, and then again later in the day.
9. Want a weekend reservation? Call them on a Thursday and ask if they have any cancellations. Why Thursday? That’s when most will call and confirm weekend reservations. Ask when you should call again if they don’t have anything!
10. Call and ask to be placed on their waiting list
11. Check charity and auction sites as many people donate restaurant reservations.
12. Be nice! Chat with the person taking reservations. Make them laugh. Ron and I have gotten into restaurants just by being warm and very friendly. Plus, when we return they usually remember us and the table and service is wonderful!
13. Build relationships. At the end of the day, making friends with the Chef, maître d’, and/or owners of the restaurant is how to get those hard-to-get reservations. Restaurants always have tables for family/friends and VIP’s/Celebrities. Here’s one question Ron and I ask … ask your waiter what chef’s favorite dish is. They probably have a dish on the menu they are really proud of. Make sure you send compliments to the chef at the end of the meal! One last tip. If you are a concierge, you might mention that and tell them you will be referring bunches of people to the restaurant!
14. Some restaurants really do need you to make reservations months in advance. So if you can book it a few months out, then great! Getting married in one year? Make your reservations now. Taking a vacation in a few months? Plan your dinners and make your plans now.
15. Want to leave a good impression? Tip the maître d’ on your way out of the restaurant and thank him/her for a lovely (and delicious) evening. Smile and shake their hand. Chances are they will remember you when you come the next time and give you a better table. Nice people really do finish first.
16. The best tip? Contact a concierge to get you into the restaurant. They have relationships with many restaurants around town. You can use the concierge at your hotel, or an independent concierge.
Lastly, let’s talk about bribes. Should you bribe the maître d’?
No.
Besides the obvious ethics question, many maître d’s will be insulted. Now you’re worse off than you were before because you’ve offended them! You’ll never get a table now, and if you do it will be in a horrible location. We’ll overlook the angry people standing behind you who have been waiting for hours! No one likes people who cut the line right? You’re better than that anyways.
Bon Appetite!
Katharine
Copyright 2019-2023 by Katharine Giovanni. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author: Katharine Giovanni is an international concierge speaker/trainer/consultant who hid her intuitive gifts and flew under the radar for years. She is considered to be the original founder of the independent concierge industry by forming the first association for independent concierge. She successfully ran it for over 20 years. Katharine has been training and coaching concierge, front line staff, and entrepreneurs since 1998. Her clients rank among the most successful in the industry.
An extremely proud breast cancer survivor, Katharine is an award-winning best-selling author of eleven (11) books including her best selling book “The Concierge Manual,” now in it’s fifth edition, her award-winning inspirational book “Rainbows and Banana Peels,” her two-time award-winning book “Going Above and Beyond,” and her latest books “The Little Bird on your Shoulder” and her upcoming book “The Forgiveness Matrix.”
Want to read her entire biography? Just visit www.KatharineGiovanni.com
