Restaurant Reservations

[Cheri]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

A few of our usual stops that come to mind ....Andy's requires a reservation any night of the week in high season, unless you plan on eating after 9:00, 9:30 or so. Wall House is pretty much the same way. Kudeta (formerly Le Entracte) is another one where a res is a good idea. Pipiri Restaurant would fall in that category as well. Also, Au Port, if you want a table on the balcony, or, Do Brazil or Nikki Beach if you want one of the better tables with a view at lunch.

Cheri

 

[NYCFred]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

<<<the moral of this story is: don't be a high-maintenance tourist>>

Yeah. Go to Jamaica.

 

[KaraBrooks]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Thanks Kevin for a great tip. My advice on the reservations front is DO make them. You can literally call minutes before you leave your hotel/villa and it will still be greatly appreciated (and this comes from a small restaurant owner -- this business is hard enough -- help the little guy (and, in truth, most SBH restaurants are just that - small businesses)).

I often think back to this post from Andy Hall about whether to reserve (and how things have changed in a mere 4 years - I don't think he has many blank pages any more):
Reservations?????

 

[Seles]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Kevin, I hope you've got something good up your sleeve for the rest of the week, after spurring all this good chatter today...excellent choice of topics for all of us.

Although I will walk in anywhere at any time and try to get a table, for the most part I reserve at both lunch and dinner out of respect for the staffing...I figure if I just show up and others do as well, then the service might just be bad as enough waiters might not be there. Moreover, it helps with their preparation.

You'd never want to do what Madonna did to Tawaina and show up with 9 people in tow, less you get turned away...hell, they probably didn't have enough food.

Very good topic Kevin...

Ric

 

[MIke R]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

not to be difficult here...but will someone explain to me how calling a few minutes in advance effects their staffing and food prepping....don't you think by that time the staff is already there and the vast majority of the food has already been prepped???

and again I reserve all the time at home...I just think me not reserving in June is not going to cause anyone in the restaurant biz to drive their car off a cliff out of despair....or make them have to call in more staff and prep more food because I reserved.....in June...LOL

 

[Eddie]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

As a former resto manager, I can tell you that a staff is much more motivated when they get to work, and see reservations in the book.

 

[JEK]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

As a former resto manager, I can tell you that a staff is much more motivated when they get to work, and see reservations in the book.

Exactly what the old thread from Andy says that Kara posted.

 

[John T]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Don't forget Miker goes off season so restos are probably willing to take anyone in. (even in shorts!)

I have seen plenty of people turned away from places in high season.
So, if you want to get into that place you want to, and not sit near the bathroom in the back, call in the afternoon.

John T

 

[Eddie]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Even when I'm there in June, I make reservations. And, in St Barts, you'll probably drive past the restaurant a few times each day, so how hard is it to make a quick stop?

 

[Seles]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

not to be difficult here...but will someone explain to me how calling a few minutes in advance effects their staffing and food prepping....don't you think by that time the staff is already there and the vast majority of the food has already been prepped???

and again I reserve all the time at home...I just think me not reserving in June is not going to cause anyone in the restaurant biz to drive their car off a cliff out of despair....or make them have to call in more staff and prep more food because I reserved.....in June...LOL

Mike, that's correct.

However, I have called several times to restos late not necessarily on the Hit Parade ScoreBoard during the week, in may/june/november (Au Port, Do Brazil, L'entracte, etc) and glad I did as some would say "okay, we will wait"...later I found no one in the resto or most on their way out. Of course, that was when I used to love to eat at 9-10PM. But I'm thinking in a few cases they would have closed early & I would have been looking for another place to eat had I not called.

I truly believe it is to our benefit to reserve & a respectful way to honor the place you 'choose' for this meal...and I believe they remember it.

Ric

 

[andynap]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

I think if we took a poll- Mike would lose the poll overwhelmingly- not that it would matter anyway.

 

[KevinS]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Thanks Kevin for a great tip. My advice on the reservations front is DO make them. You can literally call minutes before you leave your hotel/villa and it will still be greatly appreciated (and this comes from a small restaurant owner -- this business is hard enough -- help the little guy (and, in truth, most SBH restaurants are just that - small businesses)).

I often think back to this post from Andy Hall about whether to reserve (and how things have changed in a mere 4 years - I don't think he has many blank pages any more):
Reservations?????

Thanks to all for the comments. Kara, that post of Andy's is one that I've always remembered, and was part of the inspiriation for posting on this topic. I agree - he can't have many blank pages these days. I commend Andy's post on tipping to those who wish to (re)explore that subject (hopefully in another thread!). Andy on Tipping

Ric, the remaining posts for my week are expected to be:

Newbie Info du Jour

 

[MIke R]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

well I hear you but I don't see us changing our habits when on vacation....in every resort orientation for worker bees they are reminded over and over again.."its all about the guest and their needs"....well we have to worry about guests and their needs all year long,.....just tonight it was very quiet in the square and we were tired and wanted to go home and about to close up when we were told at the last minute, a group of 50-60 were dining in the square and would we please stay open another hour just for them....we did, as we always do when asked, although not very happy about it at all...but hey, its all about the guest, so we did it.....well I am the guest in St Barts and the world, for good or for bad, has to beat to my drum for a change, instead of me for them.....and our drum beat is such that we go out for a drink.....over the drink we talk about where we would like to dine...and than head over to that place and dine....and I don't see that routine changing any time soon..its how we like to do it and what we are most comfortable doing....and its all about the guest...right?.....and I maintain I don't believe we are being rude or creating major stressful changes in the way a restaurant staffs or preps during that time of year..if we were, we might not do it as much.....

 

[MIke R]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Even when I'm there in June, I make reservations. And, in St Barts, you'll probably drive past the restaurant a few times each day, so how hard is it to make a quick stop?

eddie..you re missing the point...we genuinely have no clue where we are going to want to eat dinner..we really truly let go of all planning and structure when we are on vacation...it s a huge part of why we go on vacation.to begin with....to get away from the same ol song and dance routine and to recharge and not think about, or plan anything...

and Andy I hope I would lose the poll..this way I can continue to do it the way I do it and not worry about making restaurant people crazy as you all claim my dining habits do....because its just us..and how much of an impact can that be....perfect!.LOL

 

[MIke R]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

JohnT...please keep in mind....all that high season hoopla is our daily life for 8 months a year.....so if we did go in high season we would surely make reservations....but why would go in high season and do that>>????>...thats exactly what our real life is like damn near everyday, which we re specifically trying to get a break from ......that same very thing that a lot of you love and find exhilerating we experience in our day to day lives.......we dont want that!!!!

 

[BillK]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

just tonight it was very quiet in the square and we were tired and wanted to go home and about to close up when we were told at the last minute, a group of 50-60 were dining in the square and would we please stay open another hour just for them....we did, as we always do when asked, although not very happy about it at all...but hey, its all about the guest, so we did it

So they ummmmmmmmmm called ahead?

 

[MIke R]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

yeah Bill... 50 to 60 of them...not 3....LOL


it took you long enough

 

[John T]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Miker (never give up do you)

I don't understand going to the tropics during the summer when we in the northern climes finally get great weather. (unless work or something other dictates it)

I escape to the tropics during the dark dreary winter months where the warm sun and clean, clear blue waters are ever so inviting.
Making a reservation is hardly a chore as during the day the wife and I often discuss where we want to dine that night. We enjoy that part and after lunch or even during sunset cocktails, lifting the phone and calling to reserve a table is hardly a terrible thing in our books.

But, do whatever floats your boat.

 

[andynap]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Hey Kev- thanks for posting your subjects for the rest of the week. Now if only Mike would post his I would know what dregs are left. LOL

 

[MIke R]

Re: Newbie Info du Jour

Miker (never give up do you)



But, do whatever floats your boat.

give up?... not as long as I can get you to respond...LOL

and yes..whatever floats...for us what floats is having a place to go and chill after a long and exhausting high season of serving the guest.......and we are ski fanatics....we love winter...we are not trying to get away from winter..we are hoping it comes early and stays late.....is all how you look at things and whats important my man...you can go to any skiing forum in winter and suggest a tropical vacation and they will boot you off the site....LOL