"Selecting a Table"

Do you find often that you could have done a better job selecting a table?

I realize there are some "logistic" and other reasons that management might use.

Even taking "management optimization" into consideration, I have found that countless times little or no thought is given by the "escorting service"..

So often, even with a half filled restaurant- I have found myself seated looking at the swinging kitchen door or near a noise laden waitress station.

I ve learned years ago to scan the dining area as being seated as I often see a superior location.

JJG III

I have no qualms about requesting a different table. As I am aware of how busy nights/reservations/staffing works, I am always as polite as I can be about it. However, let's face it, if you are stuck at a silly table when there are plenty available, your dinner can be totally ruined.

Sometimes this inquiry into a different spot can raise the ire of the hostess and suddenly you are faced with HOSTZILLA.

A whole lot more planning goes into where patrons are seated than one might think. It most likely depends on the time of day, the number of servers on the floor, how the sections are split up, how many reservations are on the books for the evening, and how soon the restaurant expects to be busy.

You should never feel bad about asking for another table. However, you should understand that usually the host is trying to spread the customers throughout all the servers' sections. So, at your new table, service could be slower if the server for that section has more tables than other servers. And it isn't jusy an easy fix to give the table to someone not assigned to that section. Because later in the evening, as business picks up that can become quite confusing.

To sum it all up, you should always let the host know if you are unhappy with where you are being seated. Just try to understand why they aren't always ecstatic about seating you elsewhere, or why service may seem a little slower. It can confuse things a bit. However, the ultimate goal of the restaurant is to serve you delicious food and make you happy.

Well put Amy.

Unless it is absolutely a terrible table I say trust your host. We take reservations and changing a table can throw the whole seating chart into a jumble.

This might sound odd, but I have noticed that for some reason at my restaurant customers invariably want to sit at a table that has not been bussed, even when there are numerous other clean, "good" tables available. This frustrates my house staff to no end!

Obviously table selection is very important! Personally, I just trust the host to get me to a flat surface I can eat off of! Although I have been sat next to the kitchen door a few times and it's a bit of a nuisance, not enough to ruin my experience, but a nuisance. My biggest gripe is being sat near a window and directly in the sunlight.

I can't stand it when I'm seated directly under an air conditioning vent. This can ruin my entire dining experience, and I have no qualms about asking to be seated elsewhere when this is the case. I usually take a sweater to restaurants because I know I get cold easily, but If I'm so cold that I can't enjoy my food, I will ask to be moved.

My biggest gripe is being sat near a window and directly in the sunlight.

Ronnie, that is a pretty unusual request! usually people are fighting for the window tables! i would ecstatically honor a request to be put in a back corner

As a hostess, i try really hard to please every table that i seat. This being said, there is a fine art to plotting out a dining room floor plan with reservations and special requests.

One of the most common requests we get at Seviche is for the front window tables that face bardstown road.... We always try to accomodate requests like that, but sometimes it just isnt possible. People are usually very understanding of this, and your patience is much appreciated.

Individuals always have their own dining preference, and you absolutly should tell your host if you would prefer to be away from a window, or not under the air vent. Just be patient if they have to take a few moments to strategically seat you somewhere else.

I absolutely hate booths. Each time I say that I'd prefer a table, the host/hostess looks quite surprised and usually relieved. It seems most people want booths.

For those of you who've met me, I've a wee bit, uh, vertically challenged. When sitting far enough back in a booth for any back support, the table is four feet away and my feet are dangling in midair. Sit close enough to reach the table and for my feet to rest on the floor, and I'm on the edge of the seat. All around tables and chairs are just more comfortable.

Last week went enjoyed a grate meal at Cafe Lou Lou and the hostess seated the two of us at a six top. There was a room full of four tops available. We looked at her and said "You know there's two of us, right? And we're not expecting anyone else." She responded with yes, so we sat in the middle of one of those long tables and had plenty of elbow room.

My biggest gripe is being sat near a window and directly in the sunlight.

Ronnie, that is a pretty unusual request! usually people are fighting for the window tables! i would ecstatically honor a request to be put in a back corner

Oh, I like a good window seat, but when the sun is just so in the afternoon, the direct light makes it hard to see my companion and sometimes my meal!

Restaurants have reasons for where they seat you especially to help control the flow of the restaurant. Tell your host that you are in no hurry and pick the seat that you are most comfortable, you are the customer!