It’s that time again when many of Center City’s finest restaurants offer you three special courses for just $35- September 14 - 19, 2008. Participating parking facilities offer diners discounted rates.
We have made reservations at three top restaurants and are looking forward to the dining experience.
But, here is something new, for at least one restaurant, and I would like your opinion on it.
The restaurant XIX, also known as Nineteen, is requiring parties of five or more to sign a contract!
We would be a party of seven.
Verbally, I was informed the contract is to protect the restaurant during restaurant week from bogus reservations. Believe it or not, thousands of folks try to make reservations during restaurant week. I know of one restaurant that already has 1400 reservation requests. In years past, I remember being told I would be Number 179 on the waiting list.
So, it is understandable with such demand an establishment will attempt to make sure its dining rooms are filled. In my experience, over many, many years, I was never in a restaurant during restaurant week that was not filled to capacity- Never.
Evidently, to dine at XIX, I will agree to honor my reservation but can give a 24 hour notice of cancellation. Should I just stiff the restaurant I will pay a cancellation fee.
I suspect I will also have to give them my credit card information, in order to make the contract, something I never do.
So far I have not received the contract, which is to be sent email. I will let you know the further details as they are available.
In the meantime, what do you think?
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Since I first wrote this, I have received the ‘contract.’ It took about 14 days to receive. I suppose they had to have their lawyers look it over.
Here is a copy of the email I received, today. I made my original reservations the first week in August.
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Large Party Agreement for XIX (Nineteen) Restaurant
Date: Monday, September 01, 2008 1:32:00 PM
[View Source]
Dear Mr. S
Thank you for choosing to dine with us at XIX restaurant on September 14 at: 7:00 pm with a party of 7. We would like to ask you to take the time out to carefully read and fill out the attached Large Party Agreement and return it to us at your earliest convenience. We also ask that if there are any changes to your party size please let us know so that we are able to accommodate your party and also so we do not charge the credit card provided. We would like to thank you again and also let you know that someone will give you a call two days prior to your reservation date to reconfirm your reservation.
Synethea
XIX Hostess
XIX (Nineteen Restaurant)
200 South Broad St.
Philadelphia. PA 19102
Tel 215 790 1919
Fax 215 732 8518
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Here is a copy of the contract
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Large Party Reservation Request
Your function has been booked on a first option tentative basis:
Name of Group:
Address:
Contact:
Day/Date: Time:
Phone # Fax #:
Function:
Set-up: Estimated # of Guests:
Once you sign and return this guarantee your reservation will be confirmed.
Your options for payment on the day of your event include Cash, Credit Card or Cashier’s Check.
If you wish to pay by any other form of payment it must be arranged in advance.
The restaurant is unable to accept personal or corporate checks for payment on the day of the event.
Should it be necessary for you to cancel this function after this letter has been signed, you must notify XIX Nineteen 24 hours in advance of the start of the function. If notification of cancellation occurs in less than 24 hours or if your group no show’s on the day of the event, XIX Nineteen will be entitled to liquid damages based on the following scale:
Charge for not notifying XIX of cancellation or change
25% of the menu price ($35) times unattended guest
Credit Card Details For Holding Space Only:
Type of Card: Visa MasterCard American Express
Diners Club Other: ___________
Card Number: _______________________________ Expiry Date: _____________
Please attach a photocopy of the front and back of the Credit Card you are guaranteeing the event with.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
By signing this guarantee I agree to the terms and conditions laid out within and accept any charges authorized on this card in the event of a cancellation or for incidentals.
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Now, one of the huge problems I have with this contract is it holds me responsible for all of my guests. I recall a reservation I once made for ten people. It was winter. There was a terrible snowstorm. Out of our party of ten only 3 were able to get through. The dining room had about 12 people altogether. The restaurant had reservations for every table. All empty.
Note that the restaurant can also charge me for “incidentals.”
At the very top it says, “Your function has been booked on a first option tentative basis:”
An option tentative basis! What the heck does that mean?
After reading this silly contract and realizing there are about 1200 restaurants in the Philadelphia area that are happy to have my business, during restaurant week or any other week, especially when it is repeat business like at Nineteen, I called and cancelled my reservation.
And guess what- in less than 10 minutes I had this email:
Dear Joe S
Nineteen has cancelled your reservation:
Joe S
Sunday, September 14, 2008
7:00 PM
Party of 7
Thank you for taking the time to call the restaurant to cancel your reservation. If you did not intend for the restaurant to cancel your reservation, please contact Nineteen directly at 215.790.1919
We look forward to assisting you with your future dining reservations.
For more information (dress code, parking, map, etc.) or to make reservations at
Nineteen:
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant_profile.asp?ID=3001&restref=3001
I hope they don’t hold their breath.
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