Tips from a restaurant expert for the BEST dining experience ever
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Life can be busy and demanding; that's why when it comes to treating yourself and your loved ones to a night out, dinner time should (and must) be an enjoyable experience!
We understand the importance of getting the most out of your dining experience. Thankfully, restaurant expert Danilo Mangano is here to help; with some tips and advice, you're guaranteed to make the best of your meal.
Mangano, Managing Director of reservation platform SevenRooms, stressed that you should 'book directly to get the best availability and experiences, as restaurants will reward you for doing so'.
He also recommended that if you need to book a table at a well-known favourite joint, gaining the restaurant's loyalty can increase your chances of reserving a spot in the future. It's like any relationship: loyalty just works!
Conversely, if you can't make it to your booking, the worst thing you can do is 'ghost' the restaurant and not show up or cancel. Mangano warned that restaurants track their loyal customers and no-showers, so this isn't especially beneficial if you plan to enjoy the restaurant experience in the future.
On the day of your reservation, make it a point to arrive early. As Mangano explained, 'If you've booked a table for 8 pm, it's likely that at least three or four other parties have booked in for that same slot.'
So if you arrive early (at least five minutes before the designated time), not only will you be seated ahead of the competition, but you'll also be able to place your orders much sooner—so your food won't get held up due to a lengthy line of orders arising.
If you're celebrating a special event, honesty pays. If you’re comfortable with it, let the staff know the reason you’re dining out, and the chances of rewards are more likely to come your way. The restaurant may provide a discount, a free drink/dessert, or even a bottle of champagne.
But avoid being Sally Albright-like (scene from the 1989 romcom, When Harry Met Sally). Mangano says making picky requests is generally frowned upon and best reserved for online orders.
Be polite and happy when communicating with the waiting staff; they are more likely to help. Obviously, it's still best to avoid, as Mangano put it, being 'glued to your phone while ordering [or] interrupting or even tapping them while they're speaking to another table'.
And finally, help your waitress help you by spilling some important info about yourself. Likes, dislikes, allergies, seating preferences—if the restaurant knows it, it can be considered and give you a personalised experience.
Now, for travellers, the spot that faces the greatest struggle for bookings is the hotel. But you can always request the help of the hotel concierge to increase your chances of getting a table or seat at the restaurant you have your eye on.
They have close-knitted relationships with the biggest and best restaurants in town and know the scene better than you may.
As with any situation, respect and communication go a long way. And with these simple tips from Mangano, you'll surely get that and more from your dinner experience.
Bon appetite, members! Do you have more to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
We understand the importance of getting the most out of your dining experience. Thankfully, restaurant expert Danilo Mangano is here to help; with some tips and advice, you're guaranteed to make the best of your meal.
Mangano, Managing Director of reservation platform SevenRooms, stressed that you should 'book directly to get the best availability and experiences, as restaurants will reward you for doing so'.
He also recommended that if you need to book a table at a well-known favourite joint, gaining the restaurant's loyalty can increase your chances of reserving a spot in the future. It's like any relationship: loyalty just works!
Conversely, if you can't make it to your booking, the worst thing you can do is 'ghost' the restaurant and not show up or cancel. Mangano warned that restaurants track their loyal customers and no-showers, so this isn't especially beneficial if you plan to enjoy the restaurant experience in the future.
A restaurant expert shared some tips to ensure diners have the best experience possible. Credit: Unsplash/deepika_murugesan.
On the day of your reservation, make it a point to arrive early. As Mangano explained, 'If you've booked a table for 8 pm, it's likely that at least three or four other parties have booked in for that same slot.'
So if you arrive early (at least five minutes before the designated time), not only will you be seated ahead of the competition, but you'll also be able to place your orders much sooner—so your food won't get held up due to a lengthy line of orders arising.
If you're celebrating a special event, honesty pays. If you’re comfortable with it, let the staff know the reason you’re dining out, and the chances of rewards are more likely to come your way. The restaurant may provide a discount, a free drink/dessert, or even a bottle of champagne.
But avoid being Sally Albright-like (scene from the 1989 romcom, When Harry Met Sally). Mangano says making picky requests is generally frowned upon and best reserved for online orders.
Be polite and happy when communicating with the waiting staff; they are more likely to help. Obviously, it's still best to avoid, as Mangano put it, being 'glued to your phone while ordering [or] interrupting or even tapping them while they're speaking to another table'.
And finally, help your waitress help you by spilling some important info about yourself. Likes, dislikes, allergies, seating preferences—if the restaurant knows it, it can be considered and give you a personalised experience.
Now, for travellers, the spot that faces the greatest struggle for bookings is the hotel. But you can always request the help of the hotel concierge to increase your chances of getting a table or seat at the restaurant you have your eye on.
They have close-knitted relationships with the biggest and best restaurants in town and know the scene better than you may.
As with any situation, respect and communication go a long way. And with these simple tips from Mangano, you'll surely get that and more from your dinner experience.
Bon appetite, members! Do you have more to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
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