Originally Posted by
jordyn
Since it seems like the concierge team is regarded as being as good as anyone's, given the lack of success by the Four Seasons in taking on some of the tougher restaurant reservations in Tokyo, I'm wondering if this implies that the role of relationships/connections is less of a big deal in the Tokyo reservations scene (as compared to other cities where good concierges will often be able to get access to some tables ahead of the general public or when a restaurant is otherwise "sold out"), or if some reservations are just so tough that it just doesn't matter which concierge you use, it's essentially random when you'll be able to get into those places?
This is an interesting point. Many restaurants in Tokyo aren't run as a business, or even for the profit motive, but more for the personal and intellectual satisfaction of the chef, who's most times the owner. They run restaurants for their friends, family, and others who extend their acquaintance through introductions or word of mouth. In that case, unless the concierge is a serious member of the Tokyo food intelligentsia (which is unlikely) you're SOL.
You'd probably do better by befriending a chef or a maitre'd at some highly-regarded restaurant, and have them help you intermediate a reservation at a highly-coveted table.