I frequent eateries on a very regular basis. Whether it’s for my profession as a writer, for socializing, or for attempting something I’ve been interested in for a while, I’ve become quite adept at navigating the experience.
After discussing some of my restaurant habits and guidelines with friends and coworkers, I found that some of the things that are second nature to me are often taken for granted by others.
Here are some of my guiding principles that have helped me with anything from securing difficult reservations to departing satisfied with my food.
Pick up the phone and dial the restaurant’s number.
My first recommendation for making a reservation is to phone the restaurant directly. While it’s not a guarantee and some restaurants don’t answer the phone, I’m usually able to reserve a seat this way if I’m unable to do it online.
Reservation applications such as Resy and OpenTable are fantastic, and you should always check there first, but they do not always accurately reflect the amount of available tables a restaurant will have on a given evening. I thus call when I want to book a 7 p.m. reservation at a popular restaurant.
Typically, I call them a few minutes after they’ve opened, as it’s unlikely that they’ll be answering the phone before then. I also provide a variety of sitting hours that work for me, so they know I’m flexible; sometimes the 6:30 p.m. slots are occupied, but they can seat me at 6:45 p.m. or 7:15 p.m.
Request a seat at the bar.
Is there a restaurant you’ve been dying to visit but can’t obtain a reservation? Or perhaps you are passing by a restaurant that is extremely popular or a celebrity favorite, but you do not have a reservation. If there is a bar or counter, enter and request a seat there.
Quite frequently, I dine alone or with companions, and I almost always have a fantastic time.
This is not always applicable, as bar seating is occasionally also subject to reservations. In my experience, though, it is typically first-come, first-served.
Not certain if a restaurant’s bar accepts walk-ins? Refer to tip No. 1 and call to inquire.
I enjoy eating at counters and bars.
Rachel Askinasi/Insider
If you are unfamiliar with dining alone, take it in stride.
Some of my best days and nights are when I dined out or savored a cup of coffee while sitting down, rather than grabbing it to go.
However, like with other things, it may require practice and a period of adjustment, so do not be too hard on yourself. Bring a prop, such as a book, magazine, or notebook, if it will help you feel more at ease. And remember, no one is observing you as closely as you may believe.
Explore the cuisine on Instagram
I’m not one to share everything I eat online, but food-related catfishing is heartbreaking. We all have odd, specific preferences for how some things are prepared (I won’t order chicken parmesan until I know how it will appear). Therefore, if you are attempting to satisfy a hunger, I suggest conducting preliminary study.
If you’re using Instagram or Google, be careful to check at the photos the restaurant is tagged in, as well as diner-uploaded photos, in addition to the business’s own promotional images.
But do not limit yourself to Instagram-famous things.
Similarly, avoid ordering the same cuisine you’ve seen everywhere on social media. Certainly, if that is what you came for. But I beg you to examine the entire menu before making a choice; there may be something that surprises you. Read the food descriptions, ask your waitress if there are any local specialties, and seek up any ingredient name that you are unsure of rather than dismissing it. Consider — what do you enjoy?
I enjoy asking a server for their recommendations, but that will not be my deciding factor. If they regularly promote only the most costly items on the menu and do not connect any personal feeling to their advice, I tend to be skeptical. However, some of the nicest items I’ve purchased were recommended by the wait staff.
Also, keep in mind that a dish may not be visually appealing or created for a social media audience, but the flavors may blow your mind.