With all of the hoopla around how difficult it is to get restaurant reservations I thought I would write down some things that have helped me over the years. I would love to hear from others about any secrets or tips they have.
10.) Go Often – Find a few places you really love and frequent them. And not just on Friday night at 7:30. Go in January (one of my busiest dining times, F dry January), when you can, go early, or on a Monday or Tuesday and eat at the bar. Restaurants remember all of this. This is by far the most important.
9.) Polite and Courteous – I know this sounds obvious but you would be surprised. And be nice to everyone from the bussers to the dishwasher to the kitchen crew. You would be surprised how many restaurant professionals remember this and they often move around so this will be rewarded for many years to come.
8.) Befriend the Wine Staff – Wine professionals have a lot of pull. Support their programs and not just via buying expensive bottles. Find out what the Wine Director or Sommelier is passionate about and order one of those bottles. AND remember if a Wine Director takes really good care of you they are not always in the tip pool so hit them up with some palmage or bring them a special bottle on occasion.
7.) Use Notify – The current environment encourages people to grab reservations and then cancel within 24 hours. Put notifications on in resy and you will be surprised when you get hit. It happens to me frequently. Also see #1 I have had restaurants see my name on the notify list and because I am a regular they reach out directly with a table.
6.) Call – Whenever a restaurant has something close to what I need but not the exact number or time I call. Most times the restaurant works it out. In this era of short staffing restaurants built a lot of flexibility into their reservation system. And I found this to be true for most restaurants not just restaurants where I have a relationship.
5.) Large Party – Some restaurants have either private rooms or save tables for a large party. This is a great way to book a reservation for hard to get into places. I used to do this at Noma it was so much easier to book a table for 20 than a 2 top!
4.) Buyout – This is a particularly good secret of mine. Want to get into a small really hard to reserve spot just do a buyout! You just need some friends.
3.) Go in the Beginning – Support a restaurant from the start before its gets hot. They always remember this!
2.) Promote – Promote your favorite spots. Post reviews on IG, food and wine boards and anywhere that they can benefit from free word of mouth type PR. Send them good customers and tell your friends to say you sent them. No matter how hot a restaurant is they really appreciate this if for no other reason it validates they are doing something great and who does not like to hear or feel this!
And in true David Letterman fashion…drum roll please!
1.) Invest - Start your own restaurant!
We all have our own bandwidth for this, but - whatever yours may be - find a way to be a regular at no less than one place you love.