How to Get Seated Fast at a Crowded Restaurant

There's nothing worse than showing up at a crowded restaurant with a growling stomach and plans to catch a movie that starts in just under 2 hours. Follow these tips to get seated fast at a popular restaurant, satisfy hunger pains and beat the time crunch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Call ahead to make a reservation as far in advance as you can, or make a reservation online at Open Table.
2. Phone the restaurant 15 minutes before your scheduled arrival time to ask the hostess to place you on the call-ahead list if the restaurant does not take reservations.
3. Dress well, act respectfully, smile, and make eye contact with the host to establish a friendly repoire. Hosts are often abused by angry customers who are tired of waiting, so they're likely to appreciate a kind tone.
4. Leverage your connections. If you're a friend, family member, or even an acquaintance of a restaurant employee, let the hostess know when you arrive. She may bump your party's name to the top of the waiting list.
5. Express willingness to eat your meal at the bar. Some restaurant patrons out for a leisurely meal might not want to take advantage of open seating available in the establishment's bar area.
6. Offer to limit your stay in the restaurant. If you inform the host that you will finish your meal by 7 p.m., he may offer you an early table.

Tips & Warnings

• Inform the host of any plans you have following your meal. He may take pity on you and seat you more quickly if he knows you have theater tickets for that evening.

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