In case you missed this weekend's Wall Street Journal article
here are some helpful applications, toward the bottom of the article Mobilize Your Meal some that even I, the professed Luddite utilize, for making the most of your dining experience, with the caveat, that some of the same technology can also detract from the experience (some restaurants have gone to banning cell phone usage during dining).
Just placing this comet of a post (streaming across the board on a busy Sunday) back on the table, not so much for replies, but more for visibility. I thought some of the concepts were worth looking at. I'm going to try TabbedOut, how many times have we've had a great meal/time only to inexplicably not see the bill for an unusually long period. There are also other apps that appear worthwhile as well.
That's always of course, a legitimate concern. Tabbedout Mobile Payment | Tabbedout
If/when I use it, I'm going to use a card that I got a couple of years ago for a promo with a low credit line and no/few other charges. I saved the card for just this type of stuff, it makes it much easier to track and (hopefully) limits my exposure/headache should anything go wrong.
After I did some legwork, I discovered that there were not yet that many restaurants near me that offer Tabbedout, but the good news is that one of the few that does, we eat at often and know the owners, so it's a bit of a control test, but otherwise, I'm probably going to just wait for the cutting edge Insiders to use the app and report back (hopefully, by then kink free).
On a bit of a different technology vein, those of you attached to this link, take a look at this Marriott Hotels reimagines travel with augmented reality - Mobile Marketer - Software and technology ads that 'talk' . As George Takei might say, "Oh my" .
That's why I need Insiders, otherwise the world is going to pass me by .
Great idea, why didn't I think about that? Have an old Marriott Chase Visa Card that I don't use since I upgraded to Premier. I've also noticed few restaurants in my area accept TabbedOut, but since I travel a lot I'll have an opportunity to try it soon. Thanks again for the tip.
Thanks for the WSJ article tip. I've used Open Table to seek out restaurants while on the road and even locally, although it works better near bigger cities. It is very handy and user friendly for making/changing reservations and is usually point-on re: restaurant info. Never tried the other end of the restaurant experience and like you will try Tabbed Out in the near future. Thanks again for the article reference.
What I like about Open Table, along with its convenience and restaurant communication opportunity, is the $20 rebate after 20 reservations. Open Table often highlights special 10 'visit' restaurants and times, that, granted, are often during the slow times of the week/day (but that's when I eat anyway) and after knocking off two of those, we get a $20 check (which is very effectively delivered by OT). Whereas, I will look for OT restaurants, I don't eat out more just to chase the $20. Open Table is also excellent for celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, etc., most of the participating restaurants pay attention to special requests (if reasonable).
While I've seen Open Table we've never used it. We just get out among-st 'em and wander aimlessly in most cities, normally stumbling upon excellent food and service.
I'll check out the WSJ article later as I was more concerned with keeping "visibility" that erc appeared to be pleading for earlier!!!!
Like bouncing a beach ball at the beach - keepin' it in the air, good man Charlie Brown (or should I say, you're a better man than I am Gunga Din, speaking in boomer code). When I checked this morning, views in the low twenties, now topping one hundred, mission accomplished, thanks.
I can now get back to planning my Oahu trip with my personal advisor, Mr. Kharada .
In days of old (decades before computers), my father used the full parking lot technique to find good restaurants. We still use that.
We also use the computer to find coupons. My son found a $5 off $25 purchase at Bob Evans last week at MB, SC. We used it on the family dinner specials. On another day last week, he just downloaded the bar code for a free breakfast there with the purchase of another and 2 drinks since it's so close to where we're staying.
We can also access Entertainment for places across the country to find coupons.
And then there are all the coupon books that have all kinds of coupons here and other large tourist areas. I even saw one that was $5 off $75 at Food Lion. I don't think I'll use it this time since we only have 2 1/2 days more, but we have another stay coming at Christmas for 5 days. Maybe they'll have one in Gatlinburg next month.
P.S.: My mistake on the coupon at Bob Evans. We used it again last night when our fridge was pretty empty and we got an extension here for 3 more days. The coupon at BE was using the code "pumpkin" and getting 20% off. I couldn't find the $5 for $25 since it's on my computer in Montg. and I'm using L's. His is configured so differently than what our son had mine configured to make it easy for me.
Love those Entertainment books (usually wait for second offer and get the $35 book for $15), I easily use 15-20 coupons per book (of stuff I was doing anyway). One time a school had books leftover that they were going to toss (they had already hit their fundraiser goal and asked if I wanted them - free), so I gave them $100 for 15 books and probably gained 10-20 pounds from all of the meals!
Restaurant.com is another good site for getting $25 for $10, which I no longer buy, because they are always having $25 for $6, $5, or even $4 specials. Excellent for the local, casual restaurants and also good for travel (you just enter in the zipcode). Occasionally they even toss in fine dining (like Brabo in OldTown Alexandria Va).
You shop the way I do, including Restaurant.com. But we go to a LOT of places we wouldn't have thought of going without the coupons and with prices that low, why not go?
I do always tip according to the original prices on the menu when the items are on sale due to my change in thinking because of Entertainment, but it makes me mad when a restaurant tries to charge tips on taxes. Too much of an idealist, but I work hard at staying that way. Some might call me a shrew or no telling what, but I bet most deserve it. Like the nice seafood restaurant that used to be in Montgomery, AL where my husband was taking me for lunch during the last stint that he was there. The elderly woman hostess was just lording it all over him (even getting him a black napkin to match his black dress pants) and ignoring me. When I said something about it, she said she didn't know what relationship I had to him and I might have been a prostitute. I told her I wouldn't be dressed like a housewife if I was an escort and then I left. No tip for her and I bet she was embarrassed because everyone turned and watched. They went out of business within a year and it was part of Ruth Christie's Steakhouse chain.
Some of the certificates I bought on Restaurant.com said they were gone just a month after I bought them, though. I also find the same problem with Entertainment at times.
That was nice of you to go ahead and give them the $100.
The way some people behave is incredulous...
I would've walked out too, but not before 1) personally witnessing the sacking of this person and 2) with my husband right on my heels (in fact, a true prince charming - at least in my silly little alternate universe - would've been the one who initiated the "we're leaving.")
But at least it made for a colorful story.
So I've used open table a couple of times, and liked the ease with which I could make/change the reservation. I also like that the restaurant calls me prior to the reservation to confirm.
The one thing that I wouldn't rely on open table for (as is the same for zagat, yelp, trip advisor, etc.) is a recommendation (been burned that way). Recommendations can be predicated on too many different variables from person to person (diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks). One of the things I've come to love about Insiders is the advantage of getting recommendations from people that I have grown to know a little bit about. The folks who tend to approach dining the same as myself are the ones who I've come to rely upon and appreciate with regards to restaurant recommendations (and thanks! you haven't let me down so far and you all know who you are.) Very much prefer the recommendations of people I "know."
For me, life's too short to meander into town without having some idea of where I'm going to dine, and I truly enjoy the advance restaurant reconnaissance and the sharing of info. Besides, if I'm traveling with the usual suspects and we haven't got a plan, we could end up walking around (and indeed have on too many occasions) for literally hours until just the right place has been discovered/determined (by the restaurant alpha in our group). By the time we are seated, we're tired and maybe even a bit cranky, though the dining experience is usually good (indeed it had better be after all that walking), which makes up for the blind quest, but why when the whole exercise is quite unnecessary? And there have been times when we discover "the right place," only to have missed the last seating. Back to the hotel restaurant (two ticks before they stop serving) or CL we go. Not the experience we were hoping for.
I very much like the idea of paying the bill electronically from the table. The less times a stranger disappears with my credit card, even if for just a few minutes, the better. Though in Europe, sometimes they just stand at the table with their handheld device and process the tranny. That's okay too.
I agree with your assessment of Open Table reviews, they tend to be of less value than other sources and I totally agree with not wandering with groups (alone or with spouse, sure, but groups, holy moly, it's threading the culinary needle )
My approach for selecting restaurants;
1) Places where I've dined before and enjoyed
2) Recommendations by friends/colleagues
3) Recommendations by Insiders
4) A composite rating by Trip Advisors
5) Zagat and Urbanspoon
#'s 1,2, and 3 are enough to pull the lever and go and it's worked superbly for me.
#'s 4 and 5 are factored with, proximity to where I want to be, Open Table availability (for inching toward rebate), deals, "do I feel lucky punk?" state of mind. I either get a fine meal or an interesting story (that grows over time!) .