"reservations" news and stories

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Yelp helps you find a restaurant but doesn't let you book. OpenTable allows you to make reservations at a restaurant but doesn't make any recommendations or suggestions.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Why don't these two kids get together and make some magic for us to macerate.

Good news they have. According to an article in the New York Times, Yelp and OpenTable are joining forces for the power of good dining. Find a restaurant you want to go to through Yelp and make the reservation right there through Open Table using your Yelp account. You no longer have to use your OpenTable account just your Yelp one.

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• Wines: Quinta Da Alorna Reserva 2006 Arinto/Chardonnay (Portugal), Domaines Mau Château Ducla 2005 (France), Gloria Colheita Seleccionada Tinto 2004 (Portugal), J. Lohr Los Osos 2006 Merlot (California), Pirramimma 2005 Petit Verdot (Australia)
• Restaurant Reviews: Brunch Spots in Toronto and Restoran Malaysia
• Recipes: Bayou Shrimp Stew and Truchas a la Parrilla

With very few exceptions, I have never had a problem getting a reservation at a restaurant that I wanted to eat at. Holidays like Valentine's Day can pose their own problems, of course, but I am speaking of an ordinary night out. If I have not been able to get a reservation, I go somewhere else. If the restaurant is closing when I walk in, I go somewhere else. Some people don't want to go somewhere else, though, and either bribe the hostess or outright lie to get in. They have fake reservations. A fake reservation is what some diners use to get into restaurants that are full or closing, knowing that most restaurants will not question their claim. But here's something they may not know: they're not fooling anyone. The restaurant knows that you're faking.

No matter how much you want to eat at a restaurant, it's not going to be as satisfying if you're faking. Service will be slower because the staff is slammed. The staff will be annoyed that they have to hang around for hours after closing. You'll get annoyed because your waiter is brusque, or not all the specials are available. Try using OpenTable.com to make your reservation based on existing availability. This way you won't have to fake it.

If your sweetheart is a little less high-maintenance than most, or if you're just a terrific redneck or a class clown, why not try White Castle for Valentine's Day? The ultimate in low-class burger joints is taking reservations for February 14, you know, just in case the other ones are booked.

What's more, the burger joint is offering candlelit dinners in most of its outlets. Funniest of all, though, is one Indianapolis White Castle manager's quote: "In the 84 years we've been in business, you know there have got to be some love stories out there where, 'We met at White Castle,' stuff like that."

Does there really got to be? I hazard a guess that these stories are rare. You tell me. If there's someone out there whose first date with an eventual spouse was at a White Castle, sweetie, I've got to meet you.

[via Gothamist]

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