What do you think about a Venice restaurant that wants my credit card info and will charge 50euros each if you don’t show? They must have been burned in the past, but I am hesitating to send this info to an expensive and Rick Steve’s recommended restaurant.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
In Europe the table is yours for the night so it is sitting there empty if you don't show. In our area there are some higher end restaurants with the same practice. If you want to go why are you hesitating? Or wait till you get there to make the reservation. And it could be full by then. Not sure what the problem is or the question you are asking.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
No different to an aircraft.
Book a seat, don’t show up and you have burned some dollars.
Which restaurant are you looking to book?
Posted by
midwest- Michigan
489 posts
We actually had this in Ann Arbor during graduation weekend. Too many people make multiple reservations then are no shows. I can understand this procedure, especially in Venice, where they have too many tourists.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1274 posts
Cajan - there are hundreds of restaurants in Venice. Certainly their choice if they want to have this policy. Obviously up to you whether there is something so special about this place that makes it worth it to you. For me, I would rather keep my options open and decide when there. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
This is becoming more common in restaurants all over, for the reason you stated. Many people were making reservations and then not honoring them and not canceling them, leaving the restaurant with an empty table for several hours. As with so many things in life, "a few bad people have ruined it for everyone else."
If you don't want to give your credit card information and/or don't want to accept that they charge a no- show fee, you will have to find another restaurant. If you do want to eat in this restaurant, you will have to abide by their policies.
Posted by
Houston, Texas
1038 posts
Seems reasonable since you are in California and the restaurant is in Venice, Italy half way around the world. I would make the reservation when you get to Venice. Never know what may come up between now an then. What is the restaurant's cancellation policy for this type of reservation?
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
560 posts
Keep in mind, restaurants in Italy are looking to do one turn per night. There are some that will do two but, most will only do one. In the US, restaurants are looking to do at least two turns a night, possibly three. The wait staff in the US is dependent on a revolving door of customers for tips to supplement their wages, in Europe, waitstaff is paid a livable wage, ergo, service culture isn't the same. If a reservation isn't honored, that table will go unoccupied, there's no more people coming in; the owner is paying their waitstaff the same regardless of who or, doesn't come in. By requiring a credit card to reserve, you're putting a deposit down to guarantee your table, no different with reserving a large party at a restaurant here in the US. In this case, instead of 6 or 8 people, it's just two.