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Just closed a commercial building with Notables Restaurant as its main Anchor..
Reservations running on the weekend is 5 or 6 weeks out.. Christmas parties fully booked already.. half the tables available for walk ins on weekends.. 1 1/2 hour peak time waits.. It was a pleasure to meet Michael Noble.. the principal restauranteur..^ |
Originally Posted by wharvey
(Post 11922360)
I agree on The Cheesecake Factory.... always a wait.
Another one that always surprised me.... Olive Garden. We occasionally will go to one... every 3 months or so.... and it never seems to matter what time we go... 30-45 minute wait.
Originally Posted by bocastephen
(Post 12635977)
As a side question to the waiting time - do you ever notice how some restaurants use 'artificial' waits to make it look like they're busier and more popular than they are?
I will wait a reasonable time for a good restaurant, but when I walk into a half-empty establishment and the hostess says "15-20 minutes", I'm outta there. That said, if there is a wait somewhere, but we can snag a table in the bar area or seats at the bar, we'll usually just eat there rather than waiting. |
Originally Posted by kipper
(Post 17217862)
When we venture to Olive Garden, I always opt for call ahead seating. While we still usually have to wait a few minutes once we arrive, it minimizes the wait, in part because if they say it's an hour wait when I call, we run errands or wait at home for a while.
I've done that too. If I can see several empty tables not in the bar area, and I'm being told it's more than a 5 minute wait, I'll leave. I've also been known to talk to the manager on the way out the door and point out why I'm leaving. That said, if there is a wait somewhere, but we can snag a table in the bar area or seats at the bar, we'll usually just eat there rather than waiting. Sometimes its a 45 minute wait.. place is usually packed out on weekends.. |
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
(Post 17210185)
Why would people wait 3 hours for a pizza joint in Phoenix?
;) |
Originally Posted by nerd
(Post 17221730)
I guess it speaks to how difficult it is to find decent pizza there. :p
;) Woodfired pizza.. good caramelized ingredients.. sounds like a few places in Calgary, and cities all over the world.. Heck, doesn't Earl's have woodfired pizza? Avoid Kelseys'.. They rarely cook the dough right through.. and if they do, it tastes like rubber..:p |
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
(Post 17216209)
Just closed a commercial building with Notables Restaurant as its main Anchor..
Reservations running on the weekend is 5 or 6 weeks out.. Christmas parties fully booked already.. half the tables available for walk ins on weekends.. 1 1/2 hour peak time waits.. It was a pleasure to meet Michael Noble.. the principal restauranteur..^
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
(Post 17222306)
LOL!:D
Woodfired pizza.. good caramelized ingredients.. sounds like a few places in Calgary, and cities all over the world.. Heck, doesn't Earl's have woodfired pizza? |
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
(Post 17221437)
I do the call ahead at Old Spaghetti factory in Banff.. sometimes I forget and pay the price..
Sometimes its a 45 minute wait.. place is usually packed out on weekends.. |
Originally Posted by tentseller
(Post 17222718)
Ownership/management has it's privileges. ;)
Yes Earl's in YVR have them, have not tried YYC.
Originally Posted by kipper
(Post 17223426)
There are other places that offer call-ahead seating too, although the best is if you get to know a server somewhere. Often, you can let them know you'll be headed in and they'll get your name on the list, even if call-ahead seating isn't an option. :)
I was at Banker's Hall.. since the law firm we deal with.. Bennett Jones has their office there.. waiting to be picked up at the side door, a couple of business guys were walking out, and mentioned Notables.. Lots of talk amongst the corporates in Calgary about Notables.. so exciting to work with the owner to complete his vision.. There maybe a second location in the works, but probably in a couple of years.. |
Originally Posted by enviroian
(Post 17212407)
Apparently people do. It's one of the top rated pizza's in Phx. Ive been, but after an hour wait I left. They send you over to a little historical bar ajacent to the restaurant where they liquor you up at exboriant prices. No thanks.
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/ |
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
(Post 17227183)
I'm not sure being the landlord will get me the lineup priveleges at Notables..
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Originally Posted by CMK10
(Post 17064172)
The Maggianos at South Point Mall in Durham had a 2-3 hour wait on Valentines Day this year so I ate at the bar. My date really wanted to eat here and who was I to say no?
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Originally Posted by scubadiver
(Post 17102692)
Dining in DC, we stick to high-end joints. There are many ethnic mom-and-pops, with good reviews. But the same city government that leaves the nations capitol roads looking like something that would embarass the 3rd world, also inspects kitchens for sanitation. Thank you, I'll just read about anything with less than 3 stars in Washingtonian. High end joints don't keep you waiting.
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I waited two hours for breakfast at the Loveless Cafe in Nashville. It was worth it.
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Originally Posted by tentseller
(Post 17229003)
What I usually do is go in the back door to the kitchen and greet the owner/chef whom I have dealt with.
Threaten to baliff, unless I get served..:eek: :D |
With so many restaurants, I'd have to only have one shot at a place I really want to go to have to wait more than 30 min for a table.
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