How often and when is a reservation necessary for a New York restaurant?
 

Where I live, there are only a handful of restaurants where you are out of luck if you don't have a reservation. I assume that reservations are much more an issue with New York restaurants, but I'm wondering if a reservation is ALWAYS necessary, no matter how small the restaurant or which night of the week you are dining.<BR><BR>So I'm asking some New Yorkers for some guidelines about the need for reservations, e.g., for a midweek evening at a 2-star place.

When in doubt, always make a reservation.<BR><BR>Some places only take reservations up to 30 days in advance and they are still impossible to get into.

Don't make the assumption that because it is a two star restaurant and you are dining midweek, you can get in without a reservation.

Several guidelines off the top of my head:<BR>1. If it's a popular restaurant, obviously reservations are a must, and you better make them well in advance.<BR>2. For Friday or Saturday night, you should make reservation at any decent place. (Hey, if they don't do business on a weekend night, how good can they be?)<BR>3. If it's in the theater district and you want to eat before 8, you better make a reservation (except for possibly Sunday and Monday).<BR>4. At the more popular restaurants, you often have to make reservations weeks in advance. The same goes for pre-theater reservations in the theater district.

Howard is right.<BR><BR>NY is like other places restauraunt wise - good ones need them. Just because it is NYC doesn't mean all restaurants require jackets and reservations. <BR><BR>You should not have a problem midweek with a 2 star place.<BR><BR>

The busier and more popular a restaurant, the wiser it is to reserve ahead - even if you call on your way over, so as not to go out of your way to find out when you arrive that they're fully booked or closed.<BR><BR>I always reserve at places I really want to visit. You never know when they'll be closed for vacation a private function, or if they've gone out of business...<BR><BR>Why not make reservations? You can always cancel? I tend to make then 1/2 to an hour later than we plan to be there. If you're delayed, you don't lose the reservation. If you're earlier, they can nearly always seat you right away. <BR><BR>Another good reason to phone and reserve is to check the dress code. Some places, especially those with **'s still require jacket and/or tie. If they do, you'll want to know that ahead of time. If they don't, it would be a bit silly to change for dinner when it's just not necessary. <BR><BR><BR><BR>