Next (4/6)!

[cmartink]

So I'm kind of freaking out. Has anyone gotten an e-mail saying they can buy tickets yet?!?!

[uhockey]

To any/all who've been or know those who've been:

What is the duration of the standard menu at NEXT? Judging by the booking process I'm guessing they turn the tables once every night, so for a 6:00ish reservation what time does one expect the meal to be over?

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[huiray]

Just wondering...

Are people going for the food, or for the thrill of eating in the place (newest "hot spot"), or for being part of the 'happening' with a local food rock star?

If the same kind of food was being put out by a much less well-known chef would there be the same scrambling and begging for seats at a table?

[uhockey]

I'm going because I love French Food, because you can't get Duck a la presse in 99% of US (or Paris, actually) restaurants, and because I admire what Achatz is doing. I've been to Alinea twice and been beyond impressed both times - he has earned my patronage.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

[huiray]

What about my last question?

[uhockey]

I didn't beg - I simply signed on and got a ticket. I'd not pay scalped prices - I just learn the system (whether it be Alinea's Day 1+2 month routine, Keller's 1 month to the date routine, or Jean-Francois Piege's 15 day at 8:00am Paris time routine) and plan accordingly.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

[CarrieWas218]

I really want to go because I am enamored with historical cuisine and wish to experience dishes that aren't being prepared any more.

I don't care as much about the rest of the menus that Next is offering; I only wanted to experience the France 1906 menu.

[ellenost]

Are there tickets still being made available for the Paris 1906 menu (am I wasting my time still checking the Next website for availability)?

[kathryn]

Yes, on a regular basis. Check their Facebook page frequently.

On Tuesday they posted:
"That's it for today... and this week... except for some same day tickets later in the week. Basically, we are going to do fewer, larger releases. Today was 40 tables. Just a strategy to give more people a shot and see if this works better."

[ellenost]

Thanks kathryn.

[uhockey]

They just put two on "Same day" sale on facebook. They update there nearly daily.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[kathryn]

Nick Kokonas also posted this today on LTHforum.com:

Starting with our second season we will simply post up 90% of the tickets at once on a single day and sell them for as long as it takes to sell them out. Then we will hold the remaining 10% for same-night sales / walk-ins from Aviary / visiting chefs.

[CarrieWas218]

Really bummed about the same-day offerings -- works great for those of you in Chicago, but not for those of us that are willing to fly there for the meal but can't do so with such short notice.

[dulcie54]

I have been unable to generate a password no matter how many times I enter my email address. Is this the IE issue? Or does that mean they are not allowing people into their secret ticket society and I should just give up?

[nsxtasy]

If you are using IE, then it is the IE issue and you need to use a different web browser.

[dulcie54]

I also tried using Safari on my iPad. Doesn't work.

[kathryn]

When did you add your email address to the waiting list? Do you have any emails in your inbox or spam folder from [e-mail] or [e-mail]?

I submitted my name on the list the day they announced it, and Nick sent out an update on February 5th from [e-mail]. That is how I was able to confirm that I was on the right list.

On the Facebook page, they say that all invites have been sent out to people who put their names on the list before March 31. Is it possible that you maybe used a different email address or mistyped your email address?

Does the error on the site say "The system was unable to send you a new password. Please check to make sure you entered the correct email address. "?

[ellenost]

Okay, this is a really stupid question, but since I don't use Facebook (just signed up 1/2 hour ago), how do I find the Facebook page for Next. (I'll give you a few minutes to stop laughing).

[uhockey]

Type in Next Restaurant in the Seach bar at top. :-)

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[ellenost]

I did that when I first signed in--didn't work. Tried now, it worked. Thanks.

[chicgail]

I an not a FB virgin and I had trouble with finding Next Restaurant initially as well. Glad it worked out for you.

[ellenost]

So bizarre, when I typed in Next Restaurant, I was connected to the NBC TV show "Next Great Restaurant".

[dulcie54]

That is the message I get, regardless of the browser I use.

[kathryn]

That's the default message if it can't find you on the waiting list. You're sure you signed up before March 31?

[mcgeary]

Ticket sales open on May 1 to those who didn't sign up for the notification list before the end of March.

[uhockey]

To those who've been to NEXT - does anyone know if they offer corkage or if the wine pairings can be added on in person?

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[danimalarkey]

You might try asking them via Facebook - it seems like they're very active. Nick also chimes in occasionally on that other Chicago-based culinary forum.

[mcgeary]

No BYOB allowed, but you are able to add the wine pairings when you arrive.

[chicgail]

Ok, I got my email, went to the site, requested a password and then was informed that there were no tickets available, that they are sold out and I should check again.

Does anyone know the frequency with which the tickets are released? The time of day?

[mcgeary]

They usually release a couple of tables around 10 a.m., and then trickle out a few more throughout the course of the day. I hate to be a killjoy, but on Facebook Nick Kokonas has said that each table released is snapped up in a matter of seconds . . . people are apparently refreshing the page constantly to get in. Try vailantly, though -- you have fantastic food karma, so maybe you'll get one!

[TAsunder]

I highly recommend following Next Restaurant on facebook as Nick has been really good about updating everyone on the status of tables, etc.

It sounds like they are foregoing 10am and choosing random times now.

I've seen several tables over the past 2 weeks. It was certainly easier to get a table on the first couple of days, though. By that I mean, you saw the tables and as long as you clicked within 3-4 seconds you got one :)

[mountsac]

Experiencing the same frustration. Have a faint feeling that scalpers might be trolling for tickets more diligently than we can ever be.

[jaredmv]

I guess the good news is at least if all of us can't get tickets there is a secondary market, even for the Kitchen tables.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tix...

[Combination]

If somebody actually pays the asking price of these scalpers, they're spending more than they would on a meal at Alinea. Seems a tad idiotic.

[dulcie54]

This is like Dark Lord Day madness for food people. They must have anticipated the insane secondary market for tickets. Brilliant marketing strategy.

[Combination]

Sometimes you hear of people crying at Alinea because of how great the experience/food was. This time they'll be crying for a much different reason!

[ggom1]

Could someone post a few more details? My friends and I are visiting Chicago in August and I signed up to see if we could get tickets (haven't received an email yet) but from what I read, this batch of tickets is only up until June 30, after which the restaurant will change over to the next season? And you can only book tables of 2, 4 or 6?

[uhockey]

Correct on all accounts.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[mountsac]

Hmm, I haven't received the notification email yet. I'm guessing that the system is sending out emails according to when you registered. I signed up in early February... is that really late? Are there other people who signed up but haven't received the email?

[chicgail]

I haven't and I'm so jealous I could spit. Well, not really, but REALLY!

[uhockey]

They are coming in batches of 500 depending on when you signed up. I signed up sometime around Thanksgiving if I remember correctly. I'd have gotten a much earlier reservation if I didn't have travel plans upcoming that'd interfere.

I'd still love to get in on the chef's table with a group, but if not then I'm sure the "Regular" experience will be swell.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[kathryn]

I signed up the day I found out about Next and I was in the batch of the first 1,000. They said nearly 20k signed up before they took the form down at the end of March! So that makes about 19,000 people who haven't been activated yet.

[BeanTownGolfer]

Got my password 40 minutes before I got the email. Booked the chef's table for my family when I'm back visiting. Super pumped.

[kathryn]

Got my tickets! If you got the Opening Day email but went to the site and never received your password, try again, as they were having mail server issues earlier this afternoon. I waited for nearly 2 hours, tried again, and boom, got my password.

[uhockey]

Got mine, as well.

If there are any groups looking for persons to do the Chef's Table in late April or Mid-June I'd be willing to make the trip and sell off my current 2-top.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

-----
Chef's Table
3304 W 162nd St, Markham, IL 60428

[hungryinaz]

It took 2 hours for my password to come through as well but now it's not working. Did you have to try to log in tons of times before it actually let you into the system?

[kathryn]

I requested a password and I got it in about 5 minutes but didn't work around 3:30pm ET. I re-requested a new password and waited a long time but never got it. I finally re-requested a third time after 5:30pm ET, got the password right away, and was able to buy tickets.

[cmartink]

Mid-June could work - I am but one of a party of three (which is always awkward to book reservations for myself plus my parents), so I'd have to speak with them, but I would love the opportunity to have the kitchen-table experience. Right now we have a 4-top booked for the first Friday in June.

[uhockey]

I'm booked for the 16th. The Chef's table was open when I booked ~3 hours ago.

Hungryinaz - it took 5 attempts to get my password.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[TheDegustationAsian]

kathryn thanks for the info, just checked again and was able to get my tickets! Can't wait for this.

[albatruffles]

Got a table for 6 people (extended menu, chef table) on Wednesday, May 25th, it's only me and my girlfriend, though. Others interested, the face value is $215pp ($165 ticket +$31 tip + $19 tax). No wine included, may be able to add later, but no guarantee.

[nsxtasy]

About an hour ago, a message was posted on the wall on the Facebook page for Next restaurant, saying that e-mails will start going out tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., 500 at a time, to those who signed up via the Notify Me link on the Next website.

Next website: www.nextrestaurant.com
Next Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Next-Restauran...

[TAsunder]

It's been kind of crazy. Technical problems and other issues yesterday. Emails not getting delivered (not even to spam folders) even when a person is officially "invited". Tickets selling out in under 1 minute. Somehow I still got some tickets, but clearly the process is fairly crazy at the moment. Is this what it is/was like to try to get a reservation at El Bulli?

[ferret]

Cut 'em a little slack. It's the first day and there's always a learning curve, even for a well-planned process. If it's still screwing up in a couple of weeks (or however long the reservations will remain open) then complain.

[TAsunder]

I was describing the situation for potential other ticket-buyers and those curious, not complaining. This is a new process and a new concept and I'm quite supportive of it no matter the hiccups.

[kathryn]

With El Bulli it was much simpler.

Send one email. Wait for several weeks. Get a response, typically no.

:P

[chicgail]

You must be the only one who hasn't been contacted. Maybe it's personal.

ONLY KIDDING.

I don't think they're ready yet. I'm sure will all be talking about it when they send out those emails.

[nsxtasy]

The Tribune quoted Achatz as predicting the opening for April 6: www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/...

[chicgail]

That's next Wednesday! Some people would certainly have been contacted and purchased "tickets."

Do we know if he was talking about a hard opening or a soft opening? Restaurants, especially this kind of restaurant, often does a soft opening to try things out with friends and family before opening for the public.

Either way, a lot of us are looking forward to it and we hope that not hearing from them is NOT personal. :)

[nsxtasy]

>> Do we know if he was talking about a hard opening or a soft opening? Restaurants, especially this kind of restaurant, often does a soft opening to try things out with friends and family before opening for the public.

There's a link in that article to this other article telling how the ticketing system will work (and yes, "staff, family and investors" will get first chance): http://chicago.metromix.com/restauran...