It must be me
 

Last week I posted about my reservation being "stolen" at a country club. Well, another weekend provided two more chances for reservations and two more problems. I don't see many (any?) posts about this so the problem must be me.

First new problem: what does a reservation really mean anyway?

I had nine people this time so I knew a reservation was in order. Called on a Monday to make the reservation and again on Wednesday to confirm it. Showed up ten minutes early then waited another 40 minutes before we were seated.

My expectation when I make a reservation is that the restaurant and I have an agreement: they will have a table ready at or near the specified time and I will arrive at or before the specified time. Pretty simple, or so I thought. It turns out at this particular establishment a "reservation" means when you arrive your name goes on the top of the list for the next suitable table. Since I needed space for nine, there were 40 minutes of unsuitable tables before one became available for us. And apparently nine is a special number because a table of seven and a table for eight that arrived after us were seated while we stood at the host desk.

The service and the meal were fine. There were a couple of small issues but nothing worth mentioning. Getting drinks, appetizers, and main courses for nine while serving other tables too is tricky and the waitress did a good job. We left happy about everything except the reservation issue.

Second new problem: Reservation? What reservation?

We decided lunch would be nice. Again, having nine people I called ahead (the day before) to make a reservation. I was told reservations were only taken for groups of six or more but that was okay since I was a group of nine. Provided the group size, the time of the reservation, my name, and my phone number. I had two unfortunate experiences but the third time is the charm!

Nope! Showed up five minutes early this time and learned they knew nothing at all about the reservation I had made. "Sometimes people call when it's busy and things get lost." Fortunately, the restaurant was pretty empty so it was easy for them to accommodate us.

Again, the food and the service were exceptional; the only frustration was the snafu with the reservation.


Is it really just me? Am I the only one that has these issues? Is it too much to expect that after I spend the time to call and make a reservation that my name will be at the desk, a table will be waiting, and there won't be anyone else sitting at it? I haven't given up on the restaurants, the food and service has been very good, but I really have to think about whether I bring guests anymore.

I think it is you and remind me not to go to dinner with you, lol.

A reservation is what you expect it to be. Once in awhile the table might not be ready because someone stayed 2 hours rather than a hour and a half. What you experienced is call ahead seating which gets you on a list and the restaurant needs to spell that out before you call.

A lost reservation can happen and you might have not given it a thought if it wasn’t strike 3. I always worry that I will call one restaurant but show up at another when they have multiple locations.

Glad that the food and service were at least good. Look forward to hear what happens on your next dinner out.

What you are experiencing is incompetence and/or a lack of consideration for customers. It is very prevalent, and not only in restaurants.

An alternative to the reality. . .
 

TV is so big and there are so many big and bigger groups going out to dinner together — especially during the high season.

Therefore, may I suggest — and I mean this in the kindest, most supportive way possible — you might want to lower your expectations.

Or. . .

you could organize a dinner-at-home group where friends take turns hosting. It would not have to be an elaborate plan. The get-together could be as easy as the hosts being responsible for picking up some kind of easy carry-out and setting the table at their house. Could add to that — taking turns bringing dessert or appetizers. BYOB or not.

Just think how nice it would be to skip the angst and to enjoy actual conversation without having to contend with the din of a packed, rushed restaurant.

Just a thought,
Boomer

I made a reservation Christmas Eve for 9 family members at the Chop House and was seated immediately. There is a difference between a reservation and a call ahead. I also made a reservation for 11 family members at Lopez Legacy last night and again was given a beautiful table and seated immediately. I don't understand your problem. Every Friday after golf 4 of us go to Bonify and I make a reservation. Our table is alway ready. We love TV. We have been here 13 years.

Is there anyone else in TV with your name whom the restaurants don't like?
could be the name, but not you? :duck:

I know there is a doppelganger with my same name in the villages, from Kentucky where some of my X^y times removed cousins settled after arriving in the 1630s.

:ho:

I never thought about that, it could explain everything! I'll use bilcon's name from now on when making reservations :icon_wink:

Probably just not my week... or maybe all my luck is gathering and that next lottery ticket will be a winner!

"They know how to -take- the reservation, but they just don't know how to -keep- the reservation..."


-Jerry Seinfeld

Seinfeld - Car Reservation - YouTube

Thankfully, no lives were lost....

Several months ago, I made a reservation for Christmas Eve at the Chop House for a party of seven. My reservation was confirmed by The Chop House via text a couple of weeks before Dec. 24th. We all arrived at least 15 minutes before our reservation time. We waited 50 minutes (BEYOND OUR RESERVATION TIME) to be seated at the very busy restaurant. The meals and service were wonderful.

Your expectations regarding reservations are very reasonable in my opinion. Personally, patience is not a virtue I possess, so if a restaurant does not take reservations it’s a non-starter. I find our dinning out options in the Villages somewhat limited given that many restaurants don’t take reservations, at least for a party of two. Bonefish has always been a go to for us since they take reservations, but the last couple of times there we have had a long wait despite having a reservation. Since Covid, we rarely eat out unless well spaced outside dinning is available, so it’s been a lot of take out. We learned very quickly when placing a take out order to add at least 15- 20 minutes to the pick up time given when placing the order since the food is almost never ready on time. The labor shortage is noticeably effecting restaurants ability to provide the service we became accustomed to before the pandemic. Hopefully this is not the new normal and things will eventually return to service levels we enjoyed pre 2020.

Wouldn't plan a vacation around a 'reservation' at The Village Pet Spa either. Been burned twice there.

It's just you. I've never heard of anyone else complaining of this. It sounds like you've found something to complain about and trolling to get responses.

Is this a Seinfeld episode??.. Jerry covers all this in that episode..

Seinfeld, four!!!!

It’s you.

GO FOR IT! By the way there is another guy in TV with my name. I met him once, but he is a nice guy, like me and would never do that to me at a restaurant. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I make the reservations under the name "John Travolta". No problems.

See post #8...

Or do you mean the Chinese Restaurant episode? "Cartwright?" ;)

Been making reservations for about 3 years now. Never had a problem.

The answer to your question is YES. Wondering why you would expect different during the most busiest time of the year - cooking at home may be in order? Just saying.

Reservations
 

Only issue I ever had was a reservation and the people at the table we were supposed to get sitting there chatting for an hour after they paid the bill, even when the waitress nicely mentioned someone was waiting for the table. Most of the times our evenings out are great, but once in a while ...................................

If your not gonna name the restaurant then what’s the difference ?

This thread is a 2 outa 10 for entertainment but still better than another angry thread about….. you know….

Going to explain how to get faster service.

When making reservations say your name is Morse. If they ask if you are one of those Morse's say yes.

But is it better than, "How much should I tip?"

:icon_wink:

Restaurants do not boot patrons out due to pending reservations. People often linger and converse long after the meal is done. This can screw up reservations.

It is simple…….a restaurant can not dictate how long people sit at a table. So you cannot expect on time service a lot of the time. Do you have any idea how many people never show up for a reservation? The lost reservation is probably a person who has a short memory and gets busy and forgets to note it. Either way in TV you can’t expect too much.

We've never had problems with reservations in The Villages, nor with service: to be honest the service has been a bit fragmented at times but most of that in my opinion can be chalked up to new people working who don't know all the ropes. (I know. They SHOULD know all the ropes before being allowed to work, but in this day and age, considering worker shortages, that is not always reality).

Friendliness is never a problem. In fact, quite the opposite. Southern hospitality is something we cold, reticient expat Minnesotans have only heard about until we get to experience it in person. We hadn't been here all that long and stopped at a local restaurant to eat. Noticing that the line of people waiting to be seated was quite long, I asked the hostess if we were going to have a long wait.

She put her arm around me and said "why, is not gonna be that long at all, honey".

What can you say after that?

I have had no issues reserving for six to twelve monthly at several different restaurants over the past year. None whatsoever.
In Chicago, beginning about ten years ago many busy restaurants began accepting reservations only with a credit card, and a specified minimum charge based on the group’s size. That made the reservation a contract, and one with teeth to it.

I recall a place in Kansas City called Nichols’ lunch. Best German chocolate cake in town. But if you stayed too long at a table they would send the next hungry party to stand by your table, to encourage you to leave.

My experience with many restaurants is that they simply do not take reservations and those are simply never go to. If you're able to see people and serve them you should take reservations it's part of the service

Maybe lighten up a little and take life's imperfect occurrences with a grain of salt. Not meaning disrespect, just saying we all have so much to be grateful for.
Is that better??

sorry, but it does seem that it was far more about you, than the restaurants not honoring your reservations

the locations that you wanted to dine at may have taken your reservation, but a table for nine is really a challenge for any establishment, especially during a holiday season, when they're jammed

The number nine was a huge part of the issue...most restaurants have tables for 2, 4, 6 and 8...
the restaurants would have had to wait for at least two tables to open up, and move them together before they could seat you (and as others have said, people linger at the tables)

you didn't mention the time of your reservation...if you were requesting seating during prime time, you really created a challenge...perhaps if you had requested an earlier time you may have had better success...

nine guests usually end up in a private dining room

next time think about requesting two tables of 6 next to another

What?!
 

What a patronizing response. Did you really think the poster didn’t know that home dining was an option?

I’ve made reservations at Epcot 3 weeks in advance and never had a problem. Except a credit card is required for no show billed at $10. Have done this for YEARS never a problem

I strongly doubt it

Actually — no intention of patronizing at all. That was not about “dining at home” in general. I was just sharing a suggestion of something I like to do, especially when high season arrives. I hang out with a group that made a pact years ago that works well among friends. The agreement was that we would invite each other over but nobody would go all Martha Stewart, just keep it easy, and enjoy each other’s company — without aggravation.

(Why I am bothering to explain myself to someone so eager to pounce, so ready to take umbrage at any real or imagined grievance, I do not know.)

Geez,
Boomer

Remind me not to use your name when making a reservation.

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode with the car rental place! When Jerry said ": You know how to TAKE a reservation, BUT you don't know how to Hold a reservation!!
Seinfeld - The Car Reservation - YouTube

Not just The Villages. I lived in Palm Beach county for 19 years before here. This is a Florida problem in high season.