[Ele201]

In this situation, my husband and I would have gone over to the bar for dinner. I know that Bonefish and the bar area is lovely. But I also know that not everyone likes sitting at the bar, eating dinner. That’s preferable to waiting an hour though IMO.

[Ele201]

Originally Posted by daca55

I agree but in many restaurants the server will go back to the table and ask is there anything else I can get you. If the server does that a couple of times after the bill has been paid people generally get the hint and leave. If they don’t then the server needs to tell them they need the table and unless you order something you need to leave. The server is the best one to do this because they have established a connection with the party by waiting on them.

I’ve seen people lingering at busy restaurant bars as well. Maybe a guest had just one drink, and doesn’t want another. So he or she will just sit there nursing a drink for a long time. The bartender asks more than once to freshen the drink, but they decline, even though others are waiting for a seat, hovering around.

[Sabella]

Have they cleaned that place up.

[NotGolfer]

Some years ago we took some guests we'd not seen in years out to eat at one of the CC. After our meal (it wasn't long neither) we were asked by management if we'd vacate the table because of waiting customers. It was high season if I remember correctly. We had barely finished actually so it seemed a bit hasty but I can relate to what the OP said, experiencing similar. So folks need to be aware of their surroundings----something so many seem to lack here in many scenarios, not just restaurants.

[Mrs S]

There should be a little electronic sign on each table that reads “please be considerate of those waiting for a table and vacate the restaurant within 15 mins of finishing your meal.” If the timer hits the 15 min mark, the sign flashes.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

Last Saturday we had a 6:30 reservation for 2 at Bonefish. We arrived about 6:15 and they told us they were running 15 to 20 minutes late. Not a problem. The time kept dragging on and on and now it was 7:30 which prompted me to go up and ask what was the reason for the lengthy delay. The manager told me something I've never heard...or even considered.

He said "roughly 1/3 of the restaurant is completely done eating their meals, they have their checks on the table but are just visiting."

When we finally got seated over an hour later at 7:30 I recognized a group of five people, and another group of four who were being seated as I initially walked in at 6:15. Yes...each one of these groups were done eating and you could see the black credit card holder on the table. We ate our meal and we're done 8:15. Those two groups were still there visiting when we walked out the door.
I know this is not McDonald's where you get fast food and race out the door. But I think people have to understand its a little bit more than them.

When its in-season, and there are groups of people waiting for an over an hour to eat, personally think it's a little rude for people to hog the restaurant. Not only are you inconveniencing people who have not had a chance to eat yet, you're a really screwing over the waite staff. The poor girl who was waiting on those two tables for over two hours essentially got tips from just two groups instead of the normal four that she would've.
The moral of the story…Please be a little considerate.

Absolutely correct. As a former server, table turnover is essential to the restaurant running properly as well as your wait staff making the money that they count on. There are plenty of places to go and just sit with coffee or drinks and visit.

[FT9508]

To me Bonefish is an OK place. Only First Rate restaurants can get away with treating their customers so badly. We shall skip Bonefish forevermore or until we start to hear great things about it at some point in the future.

[NoMo50]

One of the most popular spots back in the day was a local BBQ joint with fantastic food, but very limited seating. The name of the place put the owner's attitude front and center: Li'l Jake's Eat It & Beat It.

[The Chipster]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

Yeah... that gripes my butt too.

Your reply matches your profile photo.

[rickaslin]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would put most of the blame on the restaurant. They should have a time limit and enforce it, especially if they are accepting reservations.

Of course you blame the restaurant it is always the restaurants fault, I can just hear all the complaining on this site if the restaurant said "excuse me your time is up and you have to leave" And don't say that if the patrons were warned ahead of time they would leave on time!!

[spinner1001]

This is an MBA case study. Management can improve turnover times to increase profits. If guests linger too long, waiters can wipe down tables with diluted spirits of ammonia.
/s

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Same here. That is exactly what hubby and I do. It is called consideration for others who are waiting to be seated.

On a Saturday night, you ASSUME people are waiting…

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by FT9508

To me Bonefish is an OK place. Only First Rate restaurants can get away with treating their customers so badly. We shall skip Bonefish forevermore or until we start to hear great things about it at some point in the future.

That particular Bonefish is the highest gross revenue location within the entire chain. Nowhere in the posts did anyone say they were treated badly. The OP gave their opinion as to what he/she observed and concluded that was a reason why they had to wait.

[airstreamingypsy]

Restaurants only succeed if they can serve lots of people, wait staff only stays if they serve lots of people. If you sit and hog a table all night, you are hurting the restaurant and the server. If you want to visit, go back to one of your houses and visit. If you aren't eating at a restaurant you are basically loitering.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

Last Saturday we had a 6:30 reservation for 2 at Bonefish. We arrived about 6:15 and they told us they were running 15 to 20 minutes late. Not a problem. The time kept dragging on and on and now it was 7:30 which prompted me to go up and ask what was the reason for the lengthy delay. The manager told me something I've never heard...or even considered.

He said "roughly 1/3 of the restaurant is completely done eating their meals, they have their checks on the table but are just visiting."

When we finally got seated over an hour later at 7:30 I recognized a group of five people, and another group of four who were being seated as I initially walked in at 6:15. Yes...each one of these groups were done eating and you could see the black credit card holder on the table. We ate our meal and we're done 8:15. Those two groups were still there visiting when we walked out the door.
I know this is not McDonald's where you get fast food and race out the door. But I think people have to understand its a little bit more than them.

When its in-season, and there are groups of people waiting for an over an hour to eat, personally think it's a little rude for people to hog the restaurant. Not only are you inconveniencing people who have not had a chance to eat yet, you're a really screwing over the waite staff. The poor girl who was waiting on those two tables for over two hours essentially got tips from just two groups instead of the normal four that she would've.
The moral of the story…Please be a little considerate.

Unfortunate situation. Hope those people left very high tips since the lack of turnover caused the servers to lose out.