6 ms·

Are there others like me, who never reserve a table at a restaurant? I find it much more fun to meet friends at a restaurant without a reservation. Less obliga

Are there others like me, who never reserve a table at a restaurant? I find it much more fun to meet friends at a restaurant without a reservation. Less obligation to follow through. If one of us has a last minute idea to do something else, we go with the flow. If none of the available tables are to our liking, we go with the flow and go elsewhere. If there is no available table, we go with the flow and go elsewhere. So much more serendipity and freedom. One time, we arrived at a restaurant and were told that there is no available table. Since I just read in a book that you usually can bribe the waiter, I jumped over my shadow, said "Maybe we can wait a few minutes and see if something becomes available?" and put a €20 note into the hand of the waiter. Pointed at the best table at the window and said "That one would be perfect of course". 5 minutes later, we were sitting at the table at the window. I was a nerve wreck and felt like a king :)

deleted 3y ago
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yieldcrv 3y ago
Good tip about bribing the host, never tried that I would say you are missing out on very good experiences by doing noncommittal things with noncommittal friends
- MrThoughtful 3y ago
  That could very well be. On the other hand, I feel like others are missing out on those moments where one of my friends calls and says "Hey I'm in this and that part of the city and I'm hungry. What do you do?". And I'm like "I'm sitting in a cafe in that other part, drinking coffee, tinkering on my laptop. How about we meet in 30 minutes in this and that restaurant?". And they are like "Deal. I also have my laptop with me. Have you seen the new OpenAI API? I just cobbled something together with it that I would like to show you.". Most people seem too entangled in job and family for this.
  - yieldcrv 3y ago
    people that reserve at restaurants also do what you just described this has nothing to do with the crowd that is entangled in job and family?
  - pizzalife 3y ago
    Please don't whip out your laptop in a restaurant.
    - MrThoughtful 3y ago
      Restaurants are great places of adventure where very different types of people come together. Please don't harm these oasis of diversity by telling people what to do :) It would make the world such a boring place. I think visiting restaurants to meet with interesting people is one of the great joys in life. And when interesting people meet, there almost always comes up something to try out or look up online. It feels we are so near to the singularity, that every moment is like a wild ride. I meet people in restaurants a couple of days per week. Only once did a waiter complain about the laptop on the table. I just never went to that restaurant again.
      - yieldcrv 3y ago
        I don’t think your experience is invalid, you are just missing out on other experiences that accomplish the same things you like about your disruptive laptop dependent approach for the sake of AI and machines when the humans have so much infrastructure catering exclusively to us… behind reservations
      - geraldwhen 3y ago
        Do you have trouble parsing social situations by any chance? One waiter complained. Many, many more complained about you without bringing it up, and you likely disturbed others who were eating as well. Find meaning outside a laptop. It exists.
    - Animats 3y ago
      That's what Starbucks used to be for, before they removed the tables and chairs.
well_actulily 3y ago
There are types of restaurants where reservations are essentially, if not literally—mandatory. And maybe this doesn't appeal to you, but I can't imagine you'll have many chances to dine at a three Michelin star restaurant with this kind of approach.
- MrThoughtful 3y ago
  What makes you visit a Michelin star restaurant? When the first startup I founded took off, I tried some of the more expensive restaurants in my town. I kinda liked the experience. But after a short while, it tapered off and I do not get any more out of it than from visiting a €10/meal restaurant now. So I almost never go to fancy restaurants these days. There is nothing that draws me there. Really curious to hear what those restaurants give you that a cheap restaurant does not.
  - well_actulily 3y ago
    I completely understand where you're coming from, and I agree that the appeal of fancy restaurants can wane over time. I've definitely been burned by the odd over-hyped spot or two. However, for me, a lot of these restaurants are like theater. They combine unique ingredients, creative preparations, exceptional service, and the chance to witness culinary professionals at the height of their profession. It's the immersive experience and the creativity behind the meal that keeps me drawn to them, even though I would probably prefer a cheaper, more familiar meal most nights.
  - IKantRead 3y ago
    Expensive restaurants, fancy restaurants, and 3-star Michelin restaurants are not the same things. I've eaten at a few 3-star Michelin restaurants and the experience at each was worth living imho. 3-star means not only is the food world class, but the service is as well. I still remember fondly each thing I ate, and just as importantly, the interactions I had with the chefs throughout the evening. It happens to be the case the excellent food and service does come at a price, so Michelin 3-star places tend to be expensive. Likewise people tend to dress up when they spend a lot so they tend to be "fancy", but those are things that happen as an artifact of the quality of experience they provide. I've been to plenty of places that are expensive and very "meh", and I absolutely loathe "fancy" restaurants that pretend they are offering you some privileged experience (which is usually a laughable facsimile of the experience of real high-end dining). I'll add that there are also diminishing returns: The experience of sitting at the counter of at Masa, with only two other couples why your personal chef hands you some of the best sushi in the world is incredible, but there are other omakase places in NYC that offer a nearly equally amazing experience (especially if you go on a quiet Tuesday night) for 1/3 the price, but I'm very glad I had that counter experience at Masa.
hypeatei 3y ago
> Are there others like me, who never reserve a table at a restaurant? Yeah, I don't really like needing a reservation or appointment for everything; for specific events like birthdays or graduations it's probably good to make one, though.
JohnFen 3y ago
I always make a reservation, because it really sucks to show up and not be able to be seated in time to eat while still doing something else that evening. There are a few restaurants in my city that don't take reservations at all. I've given up on going to them because the wait for a table is always at least an hour long, and you can't plan any other activities around it.
buzzy_hacker 3y ago
In New York, reservations are often necessary. A lot of restaurants don't do walk-ins.
- dfxm12 3y ago
  Nah, New York is a place where you generally don't need a reservation. If you want to go to a specific place, especially one you just read about, sure. If you just want dinner, it's hard to walk a few blocks in any direction without finding a restaurant with an open table though. You're also discounting the many fine places, particularly downtown, that explicitly don't take reservations.
ubermonkey 3y ago
That doesn't fly as much as it used to. Our favorite places where I live mostly require a reservation; they literally stay pretty well booked. We know the owners (two joints, same ownership), and ONCE or TWICE we called him for help on a special occasion. Sometimes he can help. But that's not a card you want to play often (not in the least b/c, if you get a table because you're friends with the owner, my personal ethics dictate a fairly significant spend).
ulizzle 3y ago
Most people are like you and me who would never even dream of going anywhere where a reservation is required. Those folks that do either have a hobby or too much time and money, which is equally rare and equally annoying Personally, like the vast majority of us, I think anyone who calls in ahead to a restaurant is totally lame and most likely an NPC, but it does depend on where you are and the current culture around you
- NeoTar 3y ago
  Then I guess I am lame. Most of the time I am meeting friends to hang-out and we will spontaneously find somewhere to eat. I really enjoy that. Occasionally I am hanging out with friends from out-of-town, or friends with kids who don't get out as often. Then it's convenient to have somewhere booked so we don't end up having to eat at a not-so-great place and 'spoil' their visit, or their one evening seeing friends that month. Sometimes I want to hang out with a big group. Try finding a place which can spontaneously accommodate twelve people.
  - ulizzle 3y ago
    Well, you think I’m lame too, so don’t get offended. As I said, the opinion depends on the culture around you. Some people have the time and money to plan ahead, some don’t. It’s really all very random
- ycombobreaker 3y ago
  > I think anyone who calls in ahead to a restaurant is totally lame and most likely an NPC Calling somebody an NPC is dehumanizing. You don't have to agree eith their values, but please don't disrespect their autonomy.
bcrosby95 3y ago
I had a friend that tried that with $100 and we never got a seat. He also never got his money back.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

yieldcrv 3y ago

Good tip about bribing the host, never tried that I would say you are missing out on very good experiences by doing noncommittal things with noncommittal friends

MrThoughtful 3y ago
That could very well be. On the other hand, I feel like others are missing out on those moments where one of my friends calls and says "Hey I'm in this and that part of the city and I'm hungry. What do you do?". And I'm like "I'm sitting in a cafe in that other part, drinking coffee, tinkering on my laptop. How about we meet in 30 minutes in this and that restaurant?". And they are like "Deal. I also have my laptop with me. Have you seen the new OpenAI API? I just cobbled something together with it that I would like to show you.". Most people seem too entangled in job and family for this.
- yieldcrv 3y ago
  people that reserve at restaurants also do what you just described this has nothing to do with the crowd that is entangled in job and family?
- pizzalife 3y ago
  Please don't whip out your laptop in a restaurant.
  - MrThoughtful 3y ago
    Restaurants are great places of adventure where very different types of people come together. Please don't harm these oasis of diversity by telling people what to do :) It would make the world such a boring place. I think visiting restaurants to meet with interesting people is one of the great joys in life. And when interesting people meet, there almost always comes up something to try out or look up online. It feels we are so near to the singularity, that every moment is like a wild ride. I meet people in restaurants a couple of days per week. Only once did a waiter complain about the laptop on the table. I just never went to that restaurant again.
    - yieldcrv 3y ago
      I don’t think your experience is invalid, you are just missing out on other experiences that accomplish the same things you like about your disruptive laptop dependent approach for the sake of AI and machines when the humans have so much infrastructure catering exclusively to us… behind reservations
    - geraldwhen 3y ago
      Do you have trouble parsing social situations by any chance? One waiter complained. Many, many more complained about you without bringing it up, and you likely disturbed others who were eating as well. Find meaning outside a laptop. It exists.
  - Animats 3y ago
    That's what Starbucks used to be for, before they removed the tables and chairs.

well_actulily 3y ago

There are types of restaurants where reservations are essentially, if not literally—mandatory. And maybe this doesn't appeal to you, but I can't imagine you'll have many chances to dine at a three Michelin star restaurant with this kind of approach.

MrThoughtful 3y ago
What makes you visit a Michelin star restaurant? When the first startup I founded took off, I tried some of the more expensive restaurants in my town. I kinda liked the experience. But after a short while, it tapered off and I do not get any more out of it than from visiting a €10/meal restaurant now. So I almost never go to fancy restaurants these days. There is nothing that draws me there. Really curious to hear what those restaurants give you that a cheap restaurant does not.
- well_actulily 3y ago
  I completely understand where you're coming from, and I agree that the appeal of fancy restaurants can wane over time. I've definitely been burned by the odd over-hyped spot or two. However, for me, a lot of these restaurants are like theater. They combine unique ingredients, creative preparations, exceptional service, and the chance to witness culinary professionals at the height of their profession. It's the immersive experience and the creativity behind the meal that keeps me drawn to them, even though I would probably prefer a cheaper, more familiar meal most nights.
- IKantRead 3y ago
  Expensive restaurants, fancy restaurants, and 3-star Michelin restaurants are not the same things. I've eaten at a few 3-star Michelin restaurants and the experience at each was worth living imho. 3-star means not only is the food world class, but the service is as well. I still remember fondly each thing I ate, and just as importantly, the interactions I had with the chefs throughout the evening. It happens to be the case the excellent food and service does come at a price, so Michelin 3-star places tend to be expensive. Likewise people tend to dress up when they spend a lot so they tend to be "fancy", but those are things that happen as an artifact of the quality of experience they provide. I've been to plenty of places that are expensive and very "meh", and I absolutely loathe "fancy" restaurants that pretend they are offering you some privileged experience (which is usually a laughable facsimile of the experience of real high-end dining). I'll add that there are also diminishing returns: The experience of sitting at the counter of at Masa, with only two other couples why your personal chef hands you some of the best sushi in the world is incredible, but there are other omakase places in NYC that offer a nearly equally amazing experience (especially if you go on a quiet Tuesday night) for 1/3 the price, but I'm very glad I had that counter experience at Masa.

hypeatei 3y ago

> Are there others like me, who never reserve a table at a restaurant? Yeah, I don't really like needing a reservation or appointment for everything; for specific events like birthdays or graduations it's probably good to make one, though.

JohnFen 3y ago

I always make a reservation, because it really sucks to show up and not be able to be seated in time to eat while still doing something else that evening. There are a few restaurants in my city that don't take reservations at all. I've given up on going to them because the wait for a table is always at least an hour long, and you can't plan any other activities around it.

buzzy_hacker 3y ago

In New York, reservations are often necessary. A lot of restaurants don't do walk-ins.

dfxm12 3y ago
Nah, New York is a place where you generally don't need a reservation. If you want to go to a specific place, especially one you just read about, sure. If you just want dinner, it's hard to walk a few blocks in any direction without finding a restaurant with an open table though. You're also discounting the many fine places, particularly downtown, that explicitly don't take reservations.

ubermonkey 3y ago

That doesn't fly as much as it used to. Our favorite places where I live mostly require a reservation; they literally stay pretty well booked. We know the owners (two joints, same ownership), and ONCE or TWICE we called him for help on a special occasion. Sometimes he can help. But that's not a card you want to play often (not in the least b/c, if you get a table because you're friends with the owner, my personal ethics dictate a fairly significant spend).

ulizzle 3y ago

Most people are like you and me who would never even dream of going anywhere where a reservation is required. Those folks that do either have a hobby or too much time and money, which is equally rare and equally annoying Personally, like the vast majority of us, I think anyone who calls in ahead to a restaurant is totally lame and most likely an NPC, but it does depend on where you are and the current culture around you

NeoTar 3y ago
Then I guess I am lame. Most of the time I am meeting friends to hang-out and we will spontaneously find somewhere to eat. I really enjoy that. Occasionally I am hanging out with friends from out-of-town, or friends with kids who don't get out as often. Then it's convenient to have somewhere booked so we don't end up having to eat at a not-so-great place and 'spoil' their visit, or their one evening seeing friends that month. Sometimes I want to hang out with a big group. Try finding a place which can spontaneously accommodate twelve people.
- ulizzle 3y ago
  Well, you think I’m lame too, so don’t get offended. As I said, the opinion depends on the culture around you. Some people have the time and money to plan ahead, some don’t. It’s really all very random
ycombobreaker 3y ago
> I think anyone who calls in ahead to a restaurant is totally lame and most likely an NPC Calling somebody an NPC is dehumanizing. You don't have to agree eith their values, but please don't disrespect their autonomy.

bcrosby95 3y ago

I had a friend that tried that with $100 and we never got a seat. He also never got his money back.