[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I tend to agree with you. Our party of seven on Christmas Eve, however, did wait over an hour for our table. We did have a reservation and arrived at the restaurant on time.

Large parties on holidays may not find it easy to change plans on the fly.

[mickey100]

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.

Good post. I don't know some people seem so oblivious. And it just isn't in restaurants.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Boomer

So what if those who have occupied a table for a ridiculous amount of time are politely told by management that the table is needed for those who have been waiting for a long time.

So what if they are insulted and don't ever come back.

Who cares.

Such clods hurt a restaurant's bottom line and cost the servers a lot of money.

For every one of them who gets huffy and stomps out, there will be many more who are happy to know that management handles these situations.

Of course, servers will have to be sure they close out the bill and get the tip first so they don't get stiffed because the clods are insulted.

Boomer

PS: Maybe I am naive, but I think it would be better to handle this kind of behavior as it happens instead of issuing a "warning" to everybody as they are seated. I think most people are aware of how busy a restaurant is getting and will behave accordingly.

Excellent idea. Management needs to meet the needs of patrons who have reservations and are waiting, as well as their servers who depend on tips. Sometimes people have a few cocktails, get carried away with conversation, and don't realize the situation in the dining room. If you give them the opportunity to do the right thing, and say it nicely, I think most people would move on. Those that don't, are inconsiderate boors. Who cares if they come back or not. There are plenty of people during the high season to take their place.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Large parties on holidays may not find it easy to change plans on the fly.

Exactly. That is why we waited.

[Rainger99]

New York restaurants are putting time limits on diners. Would that work here??

NYC restaurants impose 90-minute time limits on diners

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

New York restaurants are putting time limits on diners. Would that work here??

NYC restaurants impose 90-minute time limits on diners

"Hey, Bobo, times up! Here is a to-go box for your leftovers. Finish at home. Move it, time is money.
Oh! And youse have a blested day."

Yeah! I think that would go over well here.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

"Oh thanks for dining with us, party of five! I see you're still enjoying another drink - would you like to take them to the bar, so we can seat the party who reserved this table next?"

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

"Oh thanks for dining with us, party of five! I see you're still enjoying another drink - would you like to take them to the bar, so we can seat the party who reserved this table next?"

"Oh, no. We are very comfortable right here, thank you."

Not what was hoped for? Try the managers assistants.

"Ray, Pookie, O'Toole! Escort these very thirsty people to the bar. NOW!" Better result this time?

[xcaligirl]

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.

Last time we ate there, we were seated late (about 45 min wait in January...), the service was horrible and the food was even worse, if possible! We won't be going back, nobody, not even the manager was half way decent or professional! It was our favorite restaurant in the Villages but not anymore.