230299 Tue Jan 17 11:42:54 -0800 2006 31 18 Manhattan 0 1223057 I tried today to obtain a reservation at Del Posto for three people. Beginning promptly at 10am & redialing for one hour for a table exactly one "calendar date from today's date". I was told there were no tables for three, only for four persons available. I asked how three could dine, she said they could not. I asked what would occur if I reserved a table for four and only three persons arrived, and she said that we would not be seated. I note also that a reviewer here yesterday dined with only three persons at the table. I understand the establishment wanting to fill all available seats for monetary reasons but this seems a bit odd and discriminatory. Has anyone else experienced this? Tue Jan 17 11:42:54 -0800 2006 0 CindyC 1 1223064 Wouldn't go there at gunpoint. Tue Jan 17 12:04:11 -0800 2006 1223057 0 sing me a bar 2 1223095 Totally agree. Tue Jan 17 13:32:26 -0800 2006 1223064 0 valerie 3 1223232 I have never heard of any restaurant denying a reservation to three people. As my friend MJ would have said: tacky, tacky, tacky, tacky, tacky, tacky, tacky, and tacky! Vergogna, disgraziata! Tue Jan 17 22:24:19 -0800 2006 1223095 0 Jon36 4 1223291 Just bad practice, period. Should have just shown up--you'd be seated and I'd love to see the look on the front of the house's face. Sure, the reservation game for hot new places is always the same drill, and some enjoy it for the rush--and even perhaps for the payoff in spectacular dining (and it better be spectacular). But I think there is a point of no return, and speaking personally, there's no way my time is worth it to play the itchy dialing (and waiting) game. Maybe it's my age, but I'd rather hold off until the noise abates. And as much as I revere what Batali has done for la cucina italiana in America, he often tries to play all sides of the street, and risks imploding, especially with a Vegas expansion on the horizon. Wed Jan 18 10:55:31 -0800 2006 1223232 0 bob oppedisano 1 1223072 That is absolutely ridiculous Tue Jan 17 12:26:24 -0800 2006 1223057 0 caviardreams 1 1223074 It is ridiculous and arrogant. But it's not discriminatory -- the number "three" is not a protected class. Tue Jan 17 12:29:06 -0800 2006 1223057 0 Hal 2 1223088 I'm pretty sure he wasn't planning on invoking 14th Amendment protection. Tue Jan 17 13:08:36 -0800 2006 1223074 0 carcrash 3 1223094 ironically, "he" is a "she." Tue Jan 17 13:31:10 -0800 2006 1223088 0 Hal 1 1223097 so is this to say there are no party of three reservations at Del Posto or just that they were booked when you called? Tue Jan 17 13:39:34 -0800 2006 1223057 0 bill p 2 1223113 When I spoke to the reservationist, I was told there were, "No tables for three, we have a table for four, but not one for three". That led me to inquire if I could book the table for four, whereupon she told me if three arrived for the four top, we would not be seated ("Turned away?", I inquired, ..."Yes, turned away", she said). I tried to press for further explanation, but there was none forthcoming, only that they had no table that evening for only "three". I do not know if they had a limited number of three tops available that had been booked in the 60 minutes since 10am, she was not divulging this information. Where else would three people sit other than a four top table? (Yes, I know some booths/banquettes are designed for three - and usually stuffed with four, but I have not been led to believe in all of the reviews to date I have read & photos seen of Del Posto that there are specifically three top tables or booths). I feel that I was obviously blatantly told that if I wanted to dine that evening, I had to bring a fourth person or I would not receive a reservation. I thought it was blatantly rude, greedy, and decided not to dine there at all. Strange attitude for a new restaurant, but they can do anything they please and will be full with diners clamoring for reservations for years to come. Tue Jan 17 14:26:32 -0800 2006 1223097 0 CindyC 3 1223146 Well if that is the case it seems Mario will have a hard time earning his extra star. Tue Jan 17 16:27:11 -0800 2006 1223113 0 ChrisZ 3 1223416 You're a better woman than I am, CindyC. I would've made the reservation for four, then recruited the smelliest street person I could find to join me for free eats! Screw these jerks- I mean, my god, they are only seving food. No cancer research being conducted at Del Posto, I'd venture to guess... Wed Jan 18 17:25:43 -0800 2006 1223113 0 Sheena 3 1224092 I come to NYC from WV on a regular basis just for the restaurants. We have always found the resevationist at Babbo to be extemely accomodating and friendly. She is one of the three reservationists at Del Posto. When we called to reserve, we tried to book for five, they said they would only do so at 5:30 or 10:30. This was irritating but their policy. Its their restaurant and they can do whatever they want, if you don't go, more time spots for us. Success can be a real bitch. Sun Jan 22 08:58:21 -0800 2006 1223113 0 cookie bitch 4 1224094 right on Sun Jan 22 10:11:14 -0800 2006 1224092 0 doc 1 1223116 In all politeness, what you say doesn't ring true...maybe a miscommunication if not a mis-statement. Tue Jan 17 14:36:48 -0800 2006 1223057 0 NYeats 2 1223127 I am neither prevaricating nor feeble of wit. I have been patronizing the Batali establishments for years & my husband is an important customer of IWM, as well (I did not mention this to the reservationist, however). I called with the intention to book a table for three. I have indeed done this before and it was not my first attempt to do so with a fine dining establishment. I was told there was no seating available for three, only for four and they would not place my party of three in the table for four. I was left with the option of adding one diner, but was not going to receive a reservation for only three. There was no lack of understanding on either end of this conversation. Tue Jan 17 15:22:35 -0800 2006 1223116 0 CindyC 3 1223130 It's always entertaining to hear about people trying to get into the brand-new buzzy restaurants, and acting shocked that these brand-new buzzy places are popular, and hence, full. But hey, nice to hear how "important" your husband is. Tue Jan 17 15:33:50 -0800 2006 1223127 0 Rico Pan 4 1223139 The restaurant doesn't necessarily have to be new and buzzworthy to be difficult to get a reservation. We spent an hour trying to get through to the French Laundry before snagging a 5:45 reservation. Two people calling at the same time, several years after the restaurant had opened. If in fact Del Posto won't take a reservation for three people because they don't want to lose out on that extra $150 it's just plain sad. And not a great way to get repeat customers. To be honest with all of the negative publicity it's been getting I've lost any interest in going. There are too many restaurants to choose from in NY. Some people allow a place to become so built up in their heads that it can be a complete letdown when they finally get there. I fear this may be the case with DP. Tue Jan 17 15:56:36 -0800 2006 1223130 0 CornflakeGirl 5 1223145 Should have said four and shown up with three. Tue Jan 17 16:25:10 -0800 2006 1223139 0 ChrisZ 6 1223147 The OP said she was told she'd be turned away if she made a reservation for 4 and showed w/ 3. Tue Jan 17 16:28:35 -0800 2006 1223145 0 BackyardChef 7 1223160 ....never happen In a million years Tue Jan 17 17:00:49 -0800 2006 1223147 0 Cpalms 6 1223704 "Donner, party of 4" Thu Jan 19 16:57:10 -0800 2006 1223145 0 Hungry Waiter 1 1223170 what's with all the harshness to cindyc? it's not too surprising that a new/hip/i'm too cool restuarant is pulling this kind of crap, but it's certainly understandable to be upset by it. i don't understand those posting criticisms to cindyc for sharing this incident. as a frequent diner i want to hear this b/c there are so many good restaurants to choose from, that i like to have different inputs that help me decide what restaurants go on the top of my list. and no matter how good the restaurant is (babbo is one of my favorites) rude staff, illogical policies do go into determining how i judge a restaurant. i'm not saying i'm writing del posto off - i happen to be going to del posto tonight. but i appreciate cindyc sharing her experience with the reservation process - it is a part of the dining experience. Tue Jan 17 17:20:59 -0800 2006 1223057 0 yfoodie 1 1223193 I am a fan of del posto, having said that, the people making the reservations there are freaking jerks..this has been pointed out the the owners.. Tue Jan 17 18:51:22 -0800 2006 1223057 0 doc 1 1223195 Wow, that policy is completely unbelievable. We actually managed to get our reservation for three by just calling the day before (and could have gone that night if we'd have taken a 9:00PM). I would recommend trying again closer to the date that you want to go, if you're still interested in eating there after the way the woman treated you on the phone. Tue Jan 17 19:01:04 -0800 2006 1223057 0 Jessee 2 1224005 It's the "abuse school" of dining out! I truly believe many of the pretentious restaurants of NY, unconsciously or otherwise, cater to masochists. Remember THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN? Sat Jan 21 00:56:33 -0800 2006 1223195 0 sing me a bar 3 1224024 my opinion, many people are intimidated, by newness, trendiness, and other similar concepts and people foreign to them, as a result, they dis, and criticize, when all they are dis and talking about are IMAGINED Sat Jan 21 11:07:28 -0800 2006 1224005 0 carlton 1 1223197 Also, just to be clear, our party of three sat at a four person table. We were not banished to some three-only side table. Tue Jan 17 19:03:46 -0800 2006 1223057 0 Jessee 1 1223198 I have, indeed, eaten at Del Posto in a group of 3. I think that reservation policy is quite unacceptable, but sadly, NY restaurant reality. I got my reservation the day of/before (have gotten both there), as I often do with Babbo. Perhaps they are more flexible when filling in cancelled reservations, esp. those at off times (mine were at 5:30 and 9:30). Two side notes: (1) There's no way they'd kick you out if your group of 4 "dropped" to 3. In addition to being incredibly rude, it would be bad business to kick out a guaranteed 3 meals in the hopes of a walk-in of 4. I'm not advocating that you lie when reserving tables (as that may often deny others the chance to get a table), but I'm just saying.. (2) The reality of restaurants is there is a TON of discrimination in giving out reservations. Male voices get better reservation. Hotel Concierges are a super-class. Tue Jan 17 19:04:08 -0800 2006 1223057 0 Adam J 1 1225120 What's with all the talk about the reservations and nothing about the dining experienc. I ate there the other night and was highly disapointed. The restaurant is beautiful, but there is something about it that is not very comfortable (maybe just my opinion). We were a group of six "Well Traveled Experienced and Knowledgable Foodies." The service was pretty good, attentive and friendly. The "Food" on the other hand was highly disapointing. Not that it was bad, but it was "Nothing to Write Home About," especially at those prices and with all the Hipe, the food should be oustanding or close to it. The that we ordered were; Appetizers> Sweetbreads (Excellent,tasty sauce of capers and Pancetta, but the portion was "Miniscule"), Sardines w/roast peppers and onions (Very Goood), and Cotehcino w/lentils (very good). We then had for a past course; Spaghetti with Crab (So-So. It tatsed like Asian noodles), Paparadelle w/Rabbit(Excellent), and Agnolotti (very good). The meal up to this point was pretty good (not outstanding), but the entrees were highly disapointing. The Duck was overworked and not very good. The Roman Lamb, the portion which was supposed to be a Main Course was the size of a appetizer portion, only 1 Lamb Chop, another slice of Lamb which I think was supposed to be braised but seemed to be a thin slice of the Loin and the dish also included 3 tiny Lamb Croquettes that were not very good. Overall the Roamn Lamb, the 1 Chop was delisous, the rest not very good and the portion was way too small (when you order Rack of Lamb in any restaurant you usually get 4 chops, some places give just three, but this Roman Lamb dish was Rediculous. We also ordered teh Guinea Hen for two, it was OK, the Duck was not very good at all, and the Double Roast Veal Chop was Fair also. The wine list is pretty good but nothing outstanding and the deserts were pretty good but no where near being worth the $15.00 cost. Overall the Dining Experience at "Del POSTO" was "Disappointing and Fair." I recommend to go and try it at least once for yourself, unless you don't make alot of money, you may not want to chance it, go to Elio's, Gino's (on Lexington & 60th), Bar Pitti, or Novita instead. Thu Feb 02 03:07:00 -0800 2006 1223057 0 Philip 2 1225125 after all of that, then you recommend ginos on lex..one of the worst places in nyc...?? Thu Feb 02 07:07:54 -0800 2006 1225120 0 frankie