I keep reading reviews of various South Beach hot spots saying that "I had a 9:00 pm reservation, but didn't get seated til 10:30" etc.
What time is early enough to avoid that - specifically on a weekend? Would I be likely to have long waits at any of these restaurants - Yuca, Ola, Barton G, Devito, Sardinia? THanks.
cherrybounce
Nov 06, 2007 08:02AM
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I don't know where you've seen reviews of people waiting 1 1/2 hours with reservations. The only place I know of that has done that is Table 8. The vast majority of restaurants seat you fairly close to the time you've reserved. That being said, if you eat anytime before 9 places are usually not full. Only exception may be touristy places like Emeril's where a 7:00 reservation is coveted.
As for your choices, the only places you could have a wait is at DeVito's (because of its newness) and Sardinia (because the don't take reservations). If you get to Sardinia by 7 or 7:30 you should be seated fairly quickly. Any later and you could wait a bit, but then you can have delicious snacks at teh bar while you wait.
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I've had a 1 hour + wait at Tuscan Steak with a reservation.
Sardinia I've always been able to be seated immediately if we're there before about 7:30, which is my experience most places except Michael's and Michy's.
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Don't forget the season is about to begin-that changes everything, ESPECIALLY on South Beach, but everywhere else, too. (Also, I waited 1 1/2 hours with a rez at Prime 112 once. Once.)
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best thing to do for p112 is go early (6-7pm) and get a table outside without reservation. You will spend less time (or none) waiting than if you actually had a res.
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That might work for my grandmother, but c'mon! Dinner at 6?
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Doesn't bother me. Especially at a place like p112 where I am going to eat alot. That way I can digest a few hours before going out.
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I have not been to tuscan in a while but I am very surprised at your wait. I never had to wait at all there...
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people in sobe are late diners in general so lax's advice is right on. Whatever you do, don't eat at Barton G or Devitos way way way overpriced for the food you get. Yuca is also overpriced.
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Is Barton G worth going to for drinks then? I heard the drinks are fairly unusual.
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The nitrogen drinks are funky but expensive - basically there are no ice cubes, the alcohol is frozen in nitrogen so when it melts it does not water down the drink. Each drink is about $25. Worth a try if money is not a concern. Don't be afraid to send it back if the nitrogen drink is not executed correctly, it happens somentimes...
They have "regular" drinks too with their signature one coming with a chocolate monkey dangling off the side - that drink is $16, I forgot what was in it.
Honestly, the best high end bargain is getting martinis at the bar at evolution - they give you the whole shaker and you get at least 2 drinks out of it for $13 (last I was there anyway - about 8 months ago).
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The truth of the matter is that if the place is "hot" and has a "scene" chances are pretty good that you'll have to wait - especially during season. For most people this isn't a problem as this gives them an excuse to have a cocktail at the bar and people watch. Also, let's face it - people attract people and the more packed the place is the more people will gravitate to it and want to get in. A fine dining or fine dining/casual restauurant usuually allows 1 1/2 hours for a table to "turn." When a table is pushing two hours the maitre'd or manager is ususally breathing down the server's neck to turn the table and get them out. Unfortunately, because Miami/South Beach restaurants are about the "scene" and not about the food (unlike, say, New York or San Fran) most guests camp out watching the scene and stay far too long or past their allotted 1 1/2 hours. This backs everything up and then you have the madness that is your typical Friay or Saturday night. To compound the problem, most South Beach restaurants overbook knowing that customers will be a "no show" or gratuitously late. This policy is followed at Prime 112, Nemo, Table 8, Barton G, Talula, Wish, Touch, Smith & Wollensky, etc., basicallly every restaurant worth eating at. If you're someone who can't stand waiting I suggest a 7pm reservation on a Tuesday night.
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