Restaurant insider Danilo Mangano (above) has revealed his eight simple hacks for having ‘the best’ meal out
There’s nothing worse than spending a small fortune for a disappointing dinner.
But subpar dining experiences can be avoided if you follow the advice restaurant insider Danilo Mangano reveals.
Mangano, the general manager of Seven Chambersthe booking platform behind restaurants like Michelin-starred restaurants like Nobu and Gymkhana, has unveiled its eight simple hacks for having “the best” meal out, which it assures will “make a world of difference” to your dining experience .
From choosing the right arrival time to successfully securing a table at the city’s most popular restaurant, here are his top tips. Enjoy your meal!
BOOK DIRECTLY
Mangano says ‘restaurants reward you if you book directly on their website’
Mangano recommends booking directly with the restaurant of your choice. “Booking through marketplaces like OpenTable puts you at risk of missing out on the best availability and experiences,” the insider says.
He explains, “Restaurants will reward you for booking directly on their website with better availability and you can discover unique experiences that you might otherwise have missed.”
LOYALTY IS KEY
“Reserving a table at a great restaurant feels more competitive than ever,” says Mangano, emphasizing that this is especially true “at well-known favorites like Dishoom (a Bombay-inspired restaurant group in the UK).”
He adds: ‘An insider secret is that many hard-to-book restaurants reserve a few tables for their most loyal patrons.
As in any relationship, loyalty is an essential ingredient of success. Visiting a restaurant regularly and getting to know the staff is a great way to build your customer profile and secure yourself a place in the future.”
DON’T BE SHY IF IT’S A SPECIAL EVENT
Let the staff know you’re celebrating a special occasion and you can take “anything from a discount on your meal, a free drink or dessert to a special bottle of champagne”
Mangano recommends letting the restaurant know when you want to celebrate a special event’whether it’s to celebrate a new promotion, a birthday or even to pop the big question’.
He says, “Many restaurants have something extra to make your memory of the evening that little bit more special.
“You could get everything from a discount on your meal, a free drink or dessert to a special bottle of champagne.”
CHOOSE YOUR ARRIVAL TIME
“If you’ve booked a table for 8 p.m., chances are at least three or four other parties will be booked for that slot as well,” says Mangano.
He continues, “Instead of arriving at 8 p.m. on the dot, try to get to the restaurant at least five minutes early.
“You’re ahead of everyone who has agreed to arrive on the hour and will be seated much sooner—and probably at a better table.”
The restaurant insider adds, “You can also place your order ahead of others, which means your food is much less likely to be delayed if there’s a rush.”
DON’T BE A BURDEN
In general, if you’re polite and easy-going, employees will want to improve your experience where they can, according to Mangano
“Servers are people too, and they can decide at their own discretion which tables to prioritize for good service — and who to ignore if they want to,” explains Mangano.
He continues, “With this in mind, make yourself a pleasure to be around. In general, the staff will want to help you improve your experience where possible if you’re easygoing and polite – it doesn’t hurt to ask how their evening is going.’
But the expert warns against making “When Harry Met Sally-esque menu substitutions.”
In the 1989 romcom, the character Sally Albright, played by Meg Ryan, makes extremely picky requests at restaurants. For example, if she orders apple pie, she says, “I’d like the pie warmed up, and I don’t want ice cream on top, I want it on the side, and I’d like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it.”
Such petty requests are “generally frowned upon,” he says, “as are being glued to your phone while you order (and) interrupting or even eavesdropping on them talking to another table.”
GHOSTING IS A NO-NO
Can you no longer make your dinner reservation? The worst thing you can do, Mangano reveals, is not showing up without canceling your reservation. “Just as restaurants track their loyal customers, they also know who their frequent no-showers are,” he explains.
“Not only are you less likely to get a great experience—or even a reservation—next time, but with many restaurants now requiring deposits or charging no-show fees, you could take a financial hit.”
The expert suggests to “just change your booking before the cancellation period” rather than missing out on the experience and losing money in the process.
SPILL THE BEANS
Mangano recommends sharing details like “your likes, dislikes, allergies, and seating preferences” with a restaurant
Mangano recommends giving the restaurant all the information it needs to give you the most customized experience, whether that’s by including it in your online booking notes or telling your server directly.
“If they don’t know, they can’t use it,” he says. “All sorts of details can be taken into account – your likes, dislikes, allergies and seating preferences are just the tip of the iceberg. The more you share, the more personal your experience can become.’
This can be especially helpful if you often dine at a particular restaurant, he adds.
Says Mangano, “Instead of receiving generic and irrelevant marketing emails, the restaurant will be better equipped to only contact you with information about the deals, dishes, and special events you’ll really love.”
USE HOTEL CONCIERGES
Says Mangano, “You can infinitely increase your chances of getting a table or seat at the most popular restaurant while on vacation by asking for help from a hotel concierge.
“Many concierges have close ties to the best local restaurants in each city and can help recommend the best places and even get you those ‘impossible’ tables – all you have to do is ask.”