How to Get the Best Table at a Restaurant
Ways to Receive Optimal Seating When Dining Out
Jul 31, 2008
If you have a special occasion coming up, or you just want the best seat in the house, ways to make sure you're in the driver's seat when it comes to dining out.
Eating at a fancy restaurant can set you back $100 or more. If you’re spending that much money, plus gas to get there, you don’t want to end up near the restroom, next to swinging kitchen doors, or blasted by those cold air drafts created by incoming patrons. No, you want the nicest seat in the house.
How to Get the Best Table at a Restaurant:
- Scope out the place first. Especially if you have an important event coming up, say a marriage proposal, a birthday dinner or a special anniversary meal, you want to make the evening memorable. So it’s definitely worth your time to drop by in the afternoon when the place is open but not crowded. That way, you can take a look around, figure out which tables are in the best locations and casually greet the maitre d’ or host. Be very friendly and leave a business card. If he/she can connect your name to your face, you’ll have a better chance of getting the optimum table when you call for a reservation…Better yet, make the reservation right then and there. That way you can be assured the table you want will be yours on that special evening. If it’s already filled? Be flexible with your plans. So what if you don’t go out on the exact date of your anniversary. If the evening is that much more enjoyable on a different night, it will be well worth it.
- Become a pest (but a nice one.) Make your reservation at least a week in advance and call the evening before just to make sure everything is good to go. It wouldn’t hurt to remind the person answering the phone about the table you requested. Even if a restaurant’s policy is never to guarantee a special request, if you are persistent and nice, you’re more likely to get the table you want…and better service.
- Let the restaurant know what occasion you are celebrating. If this is a 21st birthday party, don’t hesitate to let the staff in on the celebration. You might get a free dessert or cocktail out of it, at least for the birthday guest.
- Join the eatery’s mailing list. If they know you are a frequent diner, or plan to become one, you are more likely to receive better service and a better dining location. Also, you will probably receive money-saving coupons in the mail for special events like your birthday, anniversary or Valentine’s Day.
And don’t forget to tip well and thank the maitre d’ on your way out. They’ll remember you and you’re likely to get the best seat in the house next time as well.
The copyright of the article How to Get the Best Table at a Restaurant in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish How to Get the Best Table at a Restaurant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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