I didn't actually go to any of the restaurants that need reservations last year - what's the deal with making a reservation these days? I know you have to call up a specific number, do you call in the morning for a reservation that evening, or do you call for a reservation in a few days' time? How good is this system? If you call early is there a good chance of getting in? Also does anyone know what time the Asian and Italian restaurants open each night? If I dine at either of them, I'd want to go as early as possible e.g. 5pm.
We were there a couple of weeks ago and we called the 2nd day we were there to make reservations for the week and they had very limited times available. We did eat 1 night at the Asian at 5:30 which was great but the Italian our only option was 8 or 10pm. It could have been because we were trying to book for 8 people, I'm not sure.
We never seam to get the times we want but if you go past the restaurant they are never full . Am sure if you went in the restaurant and give them a tip you would get a table
morning last trip you could ring and reserve in the morning..think it was after 9am for up to 3 days in advance.. nearly always got what time i wanted for the 3rd day, not so lucky for 1st or 2nd night,, but usually the early sitting 5.30 was not popular..so u should be ok...:icon_lol:
I normally make reservations the day of, sometimes the day before. Lots of times they only have the early or late left. Which might work out for you if you like the early stuff. I spend way too much time in the pool, and then at the bars after. We normally make late reservations. The good thing with that though is that if we end up being earlier then the reservation (like an hour), they never have a problem seating us right away. Also 10 bucks gets you in without reservation. They always have extra room. I think one reason to this is that premier members are just automatically given days and times when they check-in. Instead of saying no, they just take them as a just in case and then might not show up. And also you know there are plenty of other people that are just to loaded to make it to dinner.
I only want early because I want to be in and out as quickly as possible! 5:30 would be ideal, then I have time to get ready for themes in the evening. Nothing worse than a reservation at 8pm or 9pm, it taking 2 hours to get through the three courses and missing all the fun going on at Paty O. That's why I tend to just get a quick bite at the buffet most nights. I only want to eat at the restaurants 3 maybe 4 times in my 14-day trip. Margaritas and the buffet are both good enough rest of the time, but sometimes it's nice to dress up and get the wine/dine experience. I'll try reserving 3 days in advance. If that fails, I'll rock up at 5:30 with a bribe. I figure asking for a table for two that early - without a reservation - isn't going to affect the restaurant's schedule too badly.
Seafood place used to be good too, but after they took the surf and turf off the menu for 'regular' guests it lost its charm for me.
No the restaurants aren't 'full', but may be at capacity for service. They only run well with so many tables being served at once, if all the tables were occupied your service would suffer. Turning up with a bribe is not the way to go, turning up early are enquiring if there are any free slots, is (tip if there is). You shouldn't have too much trouble with early reservations Trish, usually th 8-8.30 slots are the problem. :daisy:
A properly staffed restaurant, with a stocked and prepared kitchen should be able to serve an entire restaurant. The “capacity of service” should be the maximum amount of seats. I have worked in restaurants where the entire place would fill up in a 30 minute window with 200+ guests(lunch and dinner rushes). The server staff was assigned the max amount of tables they could handle (2-3-4) at once, and kitchen was prepared to rock and roll. The wait staff needs to know how to time order entry, and the chefs need to be able to task manage. Now when there is a weak link in the chain, it can defiantly crumble. Based on the size of the restaurants at Temptation, and the hustle that the staffs shows, I think they could handle it full. But then again I have no idea what the conditions are in the kitchen, and how many people are back there. I like that they don't overload the restaurants, it makes the dining experience better. But I think that a $ motivator to get a seat isn't necessarily a bribe. If they put you in the seat, then they should be able to handle it, and I would never be pushy about it. I would also be much more understanding if the service was slower knowing I didn't have a reservation. It is fine for me to sit calmly and have some drinks at a table, rather than waiting in my room just to get there. Also, I always make it known that I am in no rush (complete opposite of most Americans when they dine out)
Maybe this is why on my 30th birthday in 2012 it took about 2.5 hours to get to dessert. I got a bit annoyed with the server at the Asian restaurant after waiting about 50 minutes for the dessert, then felt really bad when they brought a plate of heart-shaped cakes and 'happy birthday' written in icing at the end of the meal. This is why I generally dine at the buffet.
