Reply To: Concierge will no longer reserve restaurants

[jj]

sturgeon wrote:

I get the possible uses for concierge but honestly don’t understand the need to call for restaurant reservations. It’s so easy to book online. Rather than OpenTable I use the Fork app, they send oddly frequent codes giving you £20-50 credit on your next reservation which you can then redeem on other restaurants. I’m also a platinum member as of this year and not finding it to be great but I’ve signed up for the bonuses. If I don’t get a good retention offer for year 2 I’m closing it. The idea of booking through them in the past and getting a welcome drink or something sounds great, shame that’s gone.

The best restaurant in my nearest city doesn’t take online bookings. The second best restaurant is usually booked months in advance, but arrangements can be made of you know the right people.

The best non-Michelin starred restaurant in walking distance of my house takes only phone bookings. The second best doesn’t take bookings at all – it’s limited to walk-ins.

Good restaurants don’t like online bookings because they’re busy anyway, don’t want to pay fees, and hate the high no-show rates. If you’re a regular, it always seems to be possible to slot you in even if the place is apparently full.

If you restrict yourself to online bookings, you risk missing the best places to eat. A decent concierge should be able to navigate that minefield.