Talk:Table reservation

Table reservation
A table reservation is an arrangement made in advance to have a table available at a restaurant. While most restaurants in the vast majority of the world do not require a reservation, and some do not have a policy or simply any channel for making one, so-called higher-end restaurants mainly in overcrowded cities often require a reservation, and some may have tables booked for weeks in advance. At particularly exclusive venues, it may be impossible to make a reservation on the same day as the planned visit.[1]

The modern reservation system evolved from the prior practice of arranging catering at a restaurant.[2] Today, at such venues, observes Joy Smith, author of Kitchen Afloat: Galley Management and Meal Preparation (2002): "It's always smart to inquire about a restaurant's reservation policy. Some will only reserve for large parties of six or more".[1]

In recent times, many restaurants have replaced the traditional pencil and notebook with an online reservation system.[3] Some websites exist which provide this service for multiple venues, such as Hostme,[4] Tock,[5] Bookatable, Chope, EZTABLE, Dimmi, Killer Rezzy (which also offers “rogue” reservations, which members can sell),[6] OpenTable,[7] Resy,[6][7][8] Yelp Reservations (formerly known as SeatMe), Shout (which allows users to either make a reservation or put the one they have up for sale[9]),[6][7][8] Zomato, ResDiary, Zurvu[6] and Tablein.

Reservations for later dining times may prove problematic, as a restaurant may have a backlog which will require the reservation-holders to wait beyond their stated arrival time. In addition, diners with a late reservation face a higher chance that the restaurant will run out of necessary ingredients for a particularly popular dish.[1]

Most restaurants do not charge a customer who fails to honor their reservations,[10] and courts have tended not to impose substantial penalties on restaurants that fail to honor reservations.[11] Nonetheless, it is generally considered polite to call and cancel a reservation once it is known one will not use it.[1] 122.53.53.212 (talk) 13:19, 30 August 2022 (UTC)