How to Make Reservations?

[yanks26dmb]

I did a search, but didn't find any general advice....

I'm trying to make reservations at some restaurants for my upcoming trip, March 22-31.

I'm calling from the States, and speak very limited French...more along the lines of I can't understand them, and they seem like they can't understand me over the phone.

I tried making one call, using my best French, and it was an utter failure...not sure what to do...Does anyone have any advice here?

[FrenchSoda]

Seriously? I suspect some possible flaming for this answer - but call and speak English. As a French-Canadian with excellent but non-Parisian French who travels very frequently on business, I can say from my experience that Parisians will bend over backwards to help the non-French. Sometimes not so much for those who speak non Parisian French.

[Querencia]

Get someone to call in French. The French teacher at your local high school would probably be glad to help you---then send her flowers or something nice. Beware of using a computer translation and an email. I tried that with Italian and what I intended to say, "When in Florence we need a room with private toilet for two days" turned into "When in Florence we need two days on the toilet".

[DaisyM]

That is hysterical!

[Steve]

What places are you trying to reserve?

[yanks26dmb]

I'm actually having better luck at the moment. Was able to reserve Chez L'ami Jean this morning..

Looking to reserve at either Ledoyen or Le Cinq next..

[PhilD]

Both have excellent English esp Le Cinq as it's in the Four Seasons.

[dietndesire]

How many times can this be a thread? Reading the board you saw no info? That is false, there is plenty about how many or most speak English, call at this time for this restaurant, etc. A lot and specific.
Just email the big stars like Ledoyen, Le Cinq.Never a problem, never fails and you can write in English if you prefer.
How long before there is a thread where I repeat this information is the question for which I await the answer.

[DaisyM]

I made reservations for Le Cinq by email. No problem!

[yanks26dmb]

Guess i missed it, but at the end of the day these repeated threads simply boost the SEO of our beloved chowhound....

[rswatkins]

If you get to Paris and haven't made all your reservations, drop by in person at non-peak hours (end of lunch service) a day or two in advance, dressed nicely (as I'm sure you always are), and let them know you're a serious diner. Most places will make an effort to accomodate you if you make a good impression.

[robe0341]

Another option is to use snail mail. Normally when I go, I first try to make reservations online or email the restaurant, if possible. If that fails, I ask my hotel to help out. For Chateaubriand, the hotel couldn't get anyone at the restaurant to pick up the phone, so they mailed a letter, and a week later I had a reservation.

[estufarian]

Interesting.
I am 'waiting' for Chateaubriand. They seem only willing to take reservation two weeks in advance.
How long in advance did you try (and if not recent, how long ago)?

[robe0341]

It was late January. It was probably only a couple weeks out when I got a confirmation from the hotel.

[estufarian]

It may cost you a little up front (if you don't already have one), but both Amex and Visa (and possibly Mastercard) have 'Concierge' services. These services are 'free' to Cardholders who have specific (premium, annual-fee) cards. For Visa it is an 'Infinite' Card. These are often co-branded with Airline Rewards cards (I have one of these).

In general these are 'travel & Entertainment' cards.

Using the Visa service (for example) they managed reservations at l'Astrance (which I have twice failed to achieve, in the past, with my limited French).

[mwhitmore]

If you are staying in a hotel, have your concierge make the reservations for you.

[zuriga1]

Couldn't your family friends call for you if they live in Paris?

I made two reservations today as we'll be in Paris on the 19th and 20th. One was through Fourchette... so easy. My French isn't too bad, and I had to talk to a person for my second reservation. She seemed to understand me, but I got stuck when she asked a question, and I didn't understand. Luckily, she spoke a bit of English and many people who work in Paris restaurants do.

If all fails, use one of the language translators that are on the web. You'll find the exact words to say and hopefully, the restaurant people will understand you.

Good luck!

[Nancy S.]

Lots of restaurants usually have someone who speaks enough English to complete a reservation. Where are you trying to reserve? Perhaps another poster can offer specific advice.

[Maximilien]

You could try calling at different hours and, if there is an answering machine, leave a message in english, and take a chance.

If you are staying in an hotel with a concierge, or even without, you can ask them to help you get a reservation in advance for your choices (and when you get there, do the same).

If all that fails, there might be some of your restaurant choices that use online reservation system (for example LaFourchette.com).

If that does not work, just get there and use the phone to call restaurants, and/or if possible while visiting go to the restaurants and get in and try get a reservation.

[yanks26dmb]

Several places I hope to dine at, come with recommendations that reservations are made 2-3 weeks in advance. I'm afraid if I wait until I'm in Paris, I won't be able to get a table.

What do other non-french speakers do for these type of places?

[mommystar]

I think what Maximilien said in regards to going through your hotel concierge, if there is one. You can contact your French hotel now and ask them to please make the reservations for you now, before you leave on your trip.

[yanks26dmb]

I unfortunately won't have a concierge...I'm staying with family friends. Could I still call a hotel and have them make reservations?

[bronwen]

No, that would not be good. If you could just learn to say the date, lunch, dinner, and the number of people and give your name, that would suffice, or perhaps your friends speak some French?

[yanks26dmb]

I called one, and I don't know if they couldn't understand or just didn't want to deal with my bad accent/french...but it didn't go well. I assumed most restaurants would be this way...

[foodieX2]

Can your friends makes the reservation for you? You could email your friends the names, dates and times in priority order?

[yanks26dmb]

Unfortunately they don't speak French. They're new to Paris themselves..

[ccferg]

When you ask a concierge to make reservations, how do you tip them or compensate them for doing this?

[PhilD]

Depends on your tipping paradigm. From where I come from we don't generally tip so I simply expect them to do it (although we ask nicely and don't assume). This is especially true in top hotels where a good concierge is part of what you pay for.

However, in Paris most restaurants you will want to book ahead for will be OK in English. Best to have a few polite French phrases to hand to say hello or good day and to ask if they speak English. It's rude to simply power in assuming they do, use simple salutations, as if offended they are likely to pretend they don't.

[boredough]

What time of day are you phoning these restaurants? It looks like you are on the West Coast - I'd suggest phoning around 10am (7pm Paris time), before the dinner chaos. That way you might be able to get someone who speaks English, and who also has a little patience. If you end up with someone who speaks only French, you should know that
"Combien de couverts?" means "how many people?" If the restaurant has dinner seatings, you might be asked to choose between, say, 7:30pm & 9:30pm - so try to research in advance if that is the restaurant's MO. Also be sure you are booking for a day the restaurant is open. (As silly as this may seem, I mention this so that you can avoid being hit with an unnecessary comment or question that you don't understand.) And in rare cases, you will be asked for a telephone number as well. Be prepared to give one. Bon Courage!