Originally Posted by
writetorich
Tripadvisor poster had similar experience at the restaurant.
...
However- dinner ug. Before going to eat, I checked Open Table at 8:45pm. Showed several available times- within 10 mi utes of our going downstairs. Going to request seating, the hostess asked, do you have a reservation? Which I said,no, I saw numerous slots so just came down.
She replies, well no, we dont have anything until 9:45. But, you can sit at bar area and order dinner.
We went to bar but cannot order food there, only bar food.
So.. I dont take snobbery very well, even attempted snobbery.
I went to Open Table, still showing several slots,& promptly chose the 9:15.
Walked back over (a few feet from my seat, and checked in.) Hostess says, yes, I saw your reservation & we can now seat you.
Really?? Trying to create a false sense of capacity is rude and ridiculous. While being seated, there were SEVERAL empty tables. This is not what I expect from a Luxury hotel.
End Trip Advisor review
This game is practiced by lots of restaurants. I've had this line given to me several times. Once I even stood there by the desk, signed on to Open Table, made a reservation in front of a very POed hostess, who then welcomed us and gave us a table. Management makes the rules, staff get the grief. Artificial scarcity will in the long run harm the restaurant. Many premier hotels have failed restaurants, for example the NYC Park Hyatt.