LTHForum.com

Has any one use OpenTable... does people really book online to restaurants?

How may LTH people have used this service?




WEBLINK for Open Table:
http://www.opentable.com/

Thanks

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Xni-Pec De Yucatan
Restaurant

I've used it occasionally. Frankly, I ordinarily forget that it's there and simply call the restaurant. There may be some people out there who use it regularly for every possible reservation for whatever rewards they can get, but I don't think we make more than 2 or 3 reservations a year with it. And, since we can always call the restaurant directly, I don't think we'd miss it if it weren't there.
My unsolicited guess: you don't need it.

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Gypsy Boy

“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?” (Julia Child)

I don't use Open Table. I find calling the restaurant directly works better...especially if I have a special request or if the restaurant is busy enough to book up completely.

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

I use it whenever I dine at one of the restaurants listed. My reasons?
* I like the covenience of making reservations w/the click of the mouse.
* I hate to be put on hold.
* I like to see what times are available.
* I like to make special notes to the host in the reservation if it's a special occasion.
* Sometimes, the restaurant doesn't open until later in the afternoon to take reservations, and by then I'll forget to call.
* I like the online confirmation of my reservation.
* I also have this weird phobia that if I have an awkward conversation w/the host that they'll make notes next to my name.

I do admit that using the internet for so many things is a shortcoming in my generation's ability to communicate/to be personable.

I use it frequently.

Best,
Michael

I use it on a not-quite-frequent basis, perhaps every other month or so. Most every time I've used it has been to reserve a business lunch or dinner, though, where seeing what options I have at a given time in a given city or area of Chicago is most important. That, and for when I'd like to make reservations at a specific place & their website directs me to OpenTable to make reservations.

- "Tim"

I read somewhere that the highest usage of the website is between 10PM and 2AM. That's why I like to use it: I can make reservations whenever I want. And when The Wife doesn't like my restaurant selection, I can cancel without having to speak to a human being.

I use it all of the time. It's a lot of easier than calling the restaurant. It also makes it easy to keep track of reservations, add them to my electronic calendar, etc.

I use it too. For some reason I hate to call for reservations, love that I can do this! (but do know that times can be blocked out by the restaurant, so if you find that you aren't getting one, call them)

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Leek
SAVING ONE DOG MAY NOT CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT CHANGES THE WORLD FOR THAT ONE DOG.
American Brittany Rescue always needs foster homes. Please think about helping that one dog.
http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org

I'm a regular user. I have a number of people I make reservations for and I get points for all reservations. I find it very easy to determine if a time is available for whomever I'm reserving the table for. If their preferred time does not seem available, I will call the restaurant to double-check. I've enjoyed a number of nice dinners over the years using the Open Table certificates.

I use it to plan meals/book restaurants in different cities (New Orleans, Las Vegas). I don't think I've ever used it to book a reservation in Chicago, though.

I have used Open Table for a reservations couple of times with varying levels of success.

I have had Open Table lose a reservation(something that has never happened when I have booked a reservation over the phone). I have had Open Table request a credit card to hold a reservation for Saloon Steakhouse, I dont believe in that practice, so I called up Saloon, and they do not require a credit card. That was the last time I have tried to use Open Table for a reservation.

I now use Open Table as a research tool only, to get ideas of availability of tables during certain time frames, or for ideas on new places to try. I then call the restaurant directly and book it with a human being.

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I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Do you not believe in using a CC to hold a reservation in general or just on the web?

I agree with you on this one, jim. The Saloon is the only place that required a credit card to make the reservation on OpenTable, but not when calling the restaurant. I learned to not use OpenTable for The Saloon. But the benefits are too great for me to not use OpenTable at all.



I am not opposed to using a credit card to hold reservations if necessary, but I didn't like what seemed to be a double standard with the Saloon.

I would agree in disliking the double standard. I wonder what the default rate is on OT?

I would not use a credit card in general to hold a reservation, if the Saloon had required a reservation to be held with a CC when I called on the phone I would have either gone elsewhere, or gone for an early dinner when I have found them to be not as crowded.

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I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'm just curious as to why you wouldn't use one to hold a reservation in general? This is becoming more and more common practice at least at the high end.

Just personal preference, Sadly in this day and age we live in I dont trust alot of strangers regarding my credit cards, for fear of fraud, or identity theft.

Also, besides the top steakhouses in the city, I do not eat @ the high end dining venues. Hopefully the trend sticks with these places, and does not become the norm at places I like to go. Once again, just my preference, and humble opinion.

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I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I was just curious. I won't rag on you for personal opinion short of supporting the Sox.

thats cool.

However, I still insist my N. Side friends refer to the White Sox as "The Champs" when they want to talk to me about them.

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I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I find open table especially useful for finding restaurants in other cities. Often, many of the better places are listed with their websites. However, if a reservation time isn't available on Open Table, I've sometimes had luck calling the restaurant directly.

Use it often for points.

...have experienced a handful of irritating discrepancies between restaurants and Open Table

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"Johnny thought when all purpose had been forgotten the world would end this way, with a dance. He slumped back in a corner, drew his knees up to his chin, and watched."-Derek Jarman

I allways suggest people use Open Table because the restaurants that offer it pay a heafty price for it. Plus it works great.

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Justin Hall
FIG Catering
FIGcatering.com
MMMMM, Moon Waffles.

As someone who works at a restaurant with OpenTable, we get a lot of calls from guests who after placing their OpenTable reservation call us to confirm we have received it.

I see more and more concierges booking open table reso's for their guests, because they accrue points and perks for themselves. That being said, 85% of the hotel booked reso's com through open table on a daily basis where I work. I don't necessarily think that not having open table would cause them to not call, but having it may give you the edge over some local competition.

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He was night putting, Danny. Just putting at night

I'm a longtime reader but this is my first post.

I use Open Table when I can but also make reservations by directly calling the restaurant. I've found it can help to check both because restaurants reserve a certain number of tables that are not available for booking online, especially when it comes to parties of 5 or more. And for me, I'm kind of a sucker when it comes to promotions that allow me to acrue points, so I really enjoy that aspect of Open Table.

I've used it, but it wouldn't even occur to me to use it to look for a reservation at a more casual restaurant like Xni-Pec. I'd either call the restaurant or (far more likely) just walk in.

My understanding is the up-front costs for OpenTable are very high, and I think it's the type of system that only makes sense for restaurants that are doing sales of $30+ per person.

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Ed Fisher
my chicago food photos

RIP LTH.

I have never had a reservation "error" with Opentable, but I have had multiple such errors when reserving by phone. Plus, because I have made so many reservations on Opentable, I have received $75 in gift certificates for use at Opentable restaurants . . . not bad at all. The 1000 point bonuses help you acquire such gift certificates pretty quickly.

Another reason I like Open Table is that I can see what the whole evening looks like at a glance. If my ideal time is, say, 7:15, and 7:15 is not available, I can see just exactly how close I can get to 7:15 on either side without having to have a whole conversation about it.

Rarely have I had a phone reservation fall through the cracks, but never have I had an Open Table reservation fall through the cracks. And I like that if I show up and for some reason the host/hostess doesn't find my reservation, I have a little folded-up piece of paper in my pocket that can show it to them.

I think this practice is far more common in New York than in Chicago and I hope it won't become SOP here. I've typically only seen it used for holidays and special events.

I dislike it for the reasons jimswside mentioned and because sometimes places put a "hold" on your card that's higher than what you might spend, which can screw things up on a low-limit card or a debit card, especially if you've reserved far ahead.

I use OpenTable now and then.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
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