To clarify, "podium" has come to mean "lectern" for many U.S. speakers of English. Even though of us who return use one of the items (to lecture, not at restaurants) tend to use the term.

This is a pretty old thread -- this isn't really that difficult a topic, generally it is pretty easy to figure out what is going on just by looking and seeing what is there and what people are doing.

I have seen restaurants in France with a podium, I don't think that is so unusual, even for top cafes for dinner seating. I assume what they mean by podium is what we used to call a lectern in school. I don't think you call that a podium in a restaurant, as a podium is something raised up, like a conductor for an orchestra, so one is higher than floor level. A lecturn is simply a wooden stand where someone can speak (or work or do anything) while standing up. They use those in some cafes/restaurants for the maitre d', there may be notes or reservations on it or something like that, so they can check to see your reservation when you have arrived.

p.s.

Cafes, brasseries -
If you just want drinks, don't sit at a table that is 'dressed' for meals

Restaurants -
If you just want drinks (or just 'dessert and coffee') don't go to a restaurant with limited serving hours; go to one of the above choices instead

I try to do the same thing I always do for any unfamiliar situation... stand back and watch what other people are doing!

Don't stand back and watch too long, or you will lose your table to the hungrier person behind you.

If there is a free table in a casual cafe, grab it.

gruezi

good point gruezi!

In the most crowded cafés, you will often see some very smooth action of newcomers practically sliding into the chair before their predecessor's posterior has even finished leaving the scene.