Restaurant reservations Rome, Tuscany, Venice
Dec 6th, 2013, 05:09 AM
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Restaurant reservations Rome, Tuscany, Venice
Hello everyone. It is me again. Bothering you with more questions. I have never before gone to Italy with pre-planned, reserved restaurants. However, this go round I am planning for others as well as myself so I want to do it a bit differently. We are going to be much more scheduled than in the past when my modus operandi has been to wander and see what happens.
How far in advance would one need to make reservations for the restaurants that are mentioned here, on chow hound, on the parla and minchelli apps? The ones generally considered to be good by those "in the know."
Are reservations needed for lunch at those same types of establishments?
What sources for good restaurant suggestions do you use other than those listed above.
Thanks again! Y'all are a tremendous help.
How far in advance would one need to make reservations for the restaurants that are mentioned here, on chow hound, on the parla and minchelli apps? The ones generally considered to be good by those "in the know."
Are reservations needed for lunch at those same types of establishments?
What sources for good restaurant suggestions do you use other than those listed above.
Thanks again! Y'all are a tremendous help.
Dec 6th, 2013, 05:41 AM
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Italians will often be annoyed with tourists attempting to make reservations too far in advance. A day or two before is the basic norm, depending on a number of factors. If the restaurant is very popular and is known for having only 10 tables, then better planning may be required. Holidays are another variable.
Italians take their lunch time seriously, so reservations for lunch at noteworthy places are necessary, especially if you must eat at a specific hour.
There's been a shift in recent years against in-the-know endorsements on the internet, because an overflow of tourists can quickly ruin a "local" reputation. Several chefs are now asking prize customers to refrain from blogging, and many of us are respecting their wishes.
Italians take their lunch time seriously, so reservations for lunch at noteworthy places are necessary, especially if you must eat at a specific hour.
There's been a shift in recent years against in-the-know endorsements on the internet, because an overflow of tourists can quickly ruin a "local" reputation. Several chefs are now asking prize customers to refrain from blogging, and many of us are respecting their wishes.
Dec 6th, 2013, 07:14 AM
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I've been making reservations now for the time between 12/22 and 1/2. The day or two before usually works well but given that we need reservations for the holidays, they have been quite responsive. I've been going to the restaurant websites and requesting from there directly.
Dec 6th, 2013, 02:24 PM
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The kind of restaurant that doesn't want to be "blogged" because it would jeopardize its "local" reputation isn't in the category of the Aberdeen Steak House.
We're talking about high-profile and often over-priced restaurants who are afraid food snobs will shun them if the word gets out that they're full of American tourists. Of course, local people go to restaurants with a reputation for good food. They don't care whether the restaurant has a reputation of "localness". It's only the tourists who would care about that, so they can boast that "we were the only non-locals there." So obviously the restaurants want to attract these people without attracting a score or more of them on any particular night.
This request not to blog is a subtle way of saying to a guest that "Our clients are head and shoulders above the herd; places mentioned by Katie Parla are so mass market." It reminds me of the subscription solicitation that I got from the Economist which told me they only offer subscriptions to a carefully selected group of people, and that if I didn't want to subscribe, I should discard the offer letter rather than let it fall into the hands of the hoi polloi.
I can assure you that many of the "locals" you see in restaurants in Rome are actually tourists, albeit Italian tourists. They may be folks in from Perugia who don't know anything more about restaurants in Rome than you do, just as tourists from Idaho who are dining in New York don't necessarily know anything about the New York restaurant scene.
We're talking about high-profile and often over-priced restaurants who are afraid food snobs will shun them if the word gets out that they're full of American tourists. Of course, local people go to restaurants with a reputation for good food. They don't care whether the restaurant has a reputation of "localness". It's only the tourists who would care about that, so they can boast that "we were the only non-locals there." So obviously the restaurants want to attract these people without attracting a score or more of them on any particular night.
This request not to blog is a subtle way of saying to a guest that "Our clients are head and shoulders above the herd; places mentioned by Katie Parla are so mass market." It reminds me of the subscription solicitation that I got from the Economist which told me they only offer subscriptions to a carefully selected group of people, and that if I didn't want to subscribe, I should discard the offer letter rather than let it fall into the hands of the hoi polloi.
I can assure you that many of the "locals" you see in restaurants in Rome are actually tourists, albeit Italian tourists. They may be folks in from Perugia who don't know anything more about restaurants in Rome than you do, just as tourists from Idaho who are dining in New York don't necessarily know anything about the New York restaurant scene.
Dec 6th, 2013, 02:51 PM
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<i><font color=#555555>"We're talking about high-profile and often over-priced restaurants who are afraid food snobs will shun them if the word gets out that they're full of American tourists."</font></i>
That isn't what I was talking about.
<i><font color=#555555>"Of course, local people go to restaurants with a reputation for good food. They don't care whether the restaurant has a reputation of "localness". It's only the tourists who would care about that"</font></i>
You're wrong. And from what I can see, you missed the issue entirely.
That isn't what I was talking about.
<i><font color=#555555>"Of course, local people go to restaurants with a reputation for good food. They don't care whether the restaurant has a reputation of "localness". It's only the tourists who would care about that"</font></i>
You're wrong. And from what I can see, you missed the issue entirely.
Dec 6th, 2013, 07:08 PM
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It hardly matters, does it? The secrets will remain secret, and it's not a worry for the rest of us. Unless someone talks...
KayTKay: do reserve. I see dozens of people turned away from popular restaurants in Italy all the time. For some places, a day or two just isn't enough.
A week seems reasonable to me.
KayTKay: do reserve. I see dozens of people turned away from popular restaurants in Italy all the time. For some places, a day or two just isn't enough.
A week seems reasonable to me.
Dec 6th, 2013, 08:27 PM
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KayTKay-
If there is someplace you really want to go, I would definitely reserve some time ahead.I reserved just our first night and maybe one other, but I wish I had done more. We were unable to get tables at a number of places I had hoped to try, even when we called a day or two prior. I made all reservations by e-mail.
If there is someplace you really want to go, I would definitely reserve some time ahead.I reserved just our first night and maybe one other, but I wish I had done more. We were unable to get tables at a number of places I had hoped to try, even when we called a day or two prior. I made all reservations by e-mail.
Dec 6th, 2013, 08:51 PM
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<i><font color=#555555>"Unless someone talks..."</font></i>
People talk all the time. It's human nature. Great restaurants and talented chefs will never suffer from too little word of mouth. Sharing a great find with a good friend, someone who shares your enthusiasm for eating in Italy, is not the same thing as sharing with the internet. Mentioning your favorite restaurant (a recommendation from a local friend) on the internet is not the same thing as mentioning your favorite hotel. The locals don't sleep in hotels.
The restaurant scene has changed dramatically since the switch to the Euro. Many of the former stars are now owned by non-Italians. Mass tourism can ruin a special, authentic place. There are a number of restaurant owners who don't want Rick Steves as a customer, and for good reason.
People talk all the time. It's human nature. Great restaurants and talented chefs will never suffer from too little word of mouth. Sharing a great find with a good friend, someone who shares your enthusiasm for eating in Italy, is not the same thing as sharing with the internet. Mentioning your favorite restaurant (a recommendation from a local friend) on the internet is not the same thing as mentioning your favorite hotel. The locals don't sleep in hotels.
The restaurant scene has changed dramatically since the switch to the Euro. Many of the former stars are now owned by non-Italians. Mass tourism can ruin a special, authentic place. There are a number of restaurant owners who don't want Rick Steves as a customer, and for good reason.
Dec 7th, 2013, 08:08 AM
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After many trips to Europe, I have given up on the whole "book restaurants in advance" thing and just go with my gut,and where I am at the moment. Part of every great meal I have had is looking at places during the day to see where we might eat that night. Far less stress, way more fun and flexible.
Dec 7th, 2013, 05:30 PM
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I don;t see where you mention how many people you are. Getting in for two or even 4 people is usually easy a couple of days in advance.
But if there are more of you - or there are specific high profile places (which we tend to avoid - going for places reco'd by locals instead - or those we just find and like the looks/menu) I would make reservations as soon as you know your dates.
And yes, you need reservations just as much at lunch as you do at dinner - for the same type of restaurant.
But if there are more of you - or there are specific high profile places (which we tend to avoid - going for places reco'd by locals instead - or those we just find and like the looks/menu) I would make reservations as soon as you know your dates.
And yes, you need reservations just as much at lunch as you do at dinner - for the same type of restaurant.
Dec 7th, 2013, 08:59 PM
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In the larger cities, I always make a reservation if there is a place where I particularly want to eat. I can always cancel a reservation if I change my mind - but there have been too many times when I can't get in someplace.
Dec 8th, 2013, 01:32 AM
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I find having reservations less stressful. We tend to wander around unable to make a decision when we are hungry and eating good food is very important to us so we don't want to chance it. Takes a few minutes to reserve. How far in advance depends on the place.
