To want to book a table at Jamie's Italian

[chubbleigh]

I wanted to go there on my birthday, my sister warned me that the 'just turn up' policy was hit and miss*. It was a big miss. I was advised to get there early, before 7.15, to secure a place in the 'queue', we got there at 6.50 and were told it was going to be a 2 hr wait for a table and then to expect slow service due to how busy the kitchen would be. We went somewhere else.

I don't get this 'no bookings' policy. Is this a trick to get people to hang around in the bar spending on drinks whilst waiting for a table they would have booked if only they could have?

Could you be bothered? Would it have been worth the wait?

*to explain JOI book only a small number of tables for parties of 6 or more, for everyone else you just turn up at and join a queue.

You can't do half booking half walk in. Say you turned up at 7pm to walk in and the walk in side was full and they had to leave half the tables empty for the 8pm bookings, people would be complaining left right and centre. It would be a logistical nightmare.

chubbleigh Just so you know it's because of Jamie Oliver and his bloody restaurants I have The Cub [hwink]

HopeYouAreTTCTiggaxx

It's not looking good for the Glasgow one is it? It ran out of pasta when we wanted to go.

I hate not being able to book though, there are normally 7 of us and trying to get a table large enough on a weekend is a nightmare.

We're taking the kids there tomorrow, really enjoyed it last time, but YANBU.

They should let half the restaurant be booked I think. The point about the precious time having a babysitter is very true. My favourite restaurant since before we had kids has this same no booking policy and we've been disappointed so many time and had to go elsewhere because we were on the clock.

Oh x-post on the half booking thing - didn't refresh for ages before posting!

We used to go regularly but won't set foot in there now. Oxford one used to be nice when it first opened but haven't been back since my friend got awful food poisoning. When we moved to Cardiff we started going there but on the last visit the waitress told us that none of the veggie food is actually veggie and you have to request it be made veggie (no one ever told us this and it doesn't say this anywhere on the menu) so I ordered the arrabiatta with the scotch bonet chilies - very hot but was expecting that. They didn't cook it properly though and mixed the seeds into the sauce when they shouldn't have done (or something like that anyway, didn't understand the manager's explanation & apology!) . One bite and both my partner and I were vomiting. Manager refunded everything and we haven't been back since - neither will we!
The booking thing is a bit annoying but understandable and definitely not the worst thing about that chain!

I've heard similar tales about the Guildford one too.

The one in the City takes bookings, so I go there. And I've never waited more than 15 minutes at Westfield! LOVE the posh chips :)

My baby brother is chef at Bristol one. SO food there is lovely haha.

Personally, I WILL NOT WAIT WHEN I AM HUNGRY I NEED TO EAT!!!

Have been to the Brighton one - the pub next door is rammed too so you have to stand up to wait wherever. Most of the food was a bit meh - but the burger was probably worth the faff, best I've ever had.

However the booking for parties of 6+ policy means that after waiting 2 hours for your table, you walk in to find hoooge tables still empty, most annoying. Can't see why they don't take smaller bookings now, there's loads of them and the novelty's surely worn off - it's hardly The Ivy is it?

Went to the Portsmouth one - was ok, food not bad and reasonable and got there early so didnt have to wait. What really bugged the hell out of me is the way the lovely waiting staff they have there are all turned into Jamie robots when they are describing the specials.

What I found irritating was the crap explanation I was given about 'it wouldn't be fair if it was only bookings, people would have to wait weeks to book' like they are doing us all a favour, it is not an attempt at democracy, it is purely a commercial decision, it sounded like a 'trained' and somewhat hollow response. Disingenuous and a bit cheap. I feel short changed and I didn't even eat there! I am right over JOI now. End of.

It's not worth waiting for the food, very average. So you didn't lose anything, we used to live a few hundred yards from one so went when there was no queue but I will not be going back, your average chain italian like Zizzi is just as good and cheaper and without silly rules.

I won't go to places where you can't book. I go out to eat for my convenience, not the restaurateur's.

I hate Jamie with his ridiculous mockney accent and overuse of olive oil! I went to his restaurant in Kingston and waited...and waited...until my mum and I got fed up and abandoned the rest of our group and went home. I think we stood there for about 50mins and one of our party had been holding our place in the queue for 30mins already. Mum and I were home drinking tea by the time the rest of our lot got seated!

God I hate this - every interesting new restaurant in London seems to be no bookings these days. Im aware that some people dont mind, but my meals out tend to be early evening with girlfriends who also work and have young children - we simply cant wait around til 9.30 on the off chance we might get a table.

As for chains doing it - laughable!

I had my hen night at the one in the city which they took a booking for. I think there was about 20-25 of us. I can't say I remember too much about it :o

I second the opinion on the Leeds one. We went there on a Saturday lunch time, were seated straight away and the food was good, my DD loved the childrens' menu.

Was very disappointed with the one in Cardiff, went for lunch, no wait. had Spaghetti alla vongole. 9 Clams! and it was about £12! I counted 'em! To make it worse the next week Jamie was on making the same thing in Venice - he must have used a kilo of clams fo 4 people ! Keep saying I'm going to write to him and say he shouldn't offer dishes in the restaurant he makes on telly if they are not the same quality.

YABVU to even think about eating in the over-hyped, over-priced, crap eatery masquerading as a decent restaurant.

Just take it as a lucky escape, go and find a local family-run Italian, and thank the Gods that fate prevented you from subjecting your tastebuds and stomach to the greasy tasteless muck that Jamie's staff deign to serve you.

Sharrie - you beat me to it... The sign outside the Cheltenham one says that bookings are taken for any sized party in the week. I've been twice - first time there were 6 of us and we were able to book. The second time there were four of us, they said it would be a 40 minute wait, but it was actually about 25. I liked the food and thought the service was good. People assume it's going to be amazing because of the JO brand, but according to a friend in the know, it's marketed as "casual dining", along the lines of Zizzi/Prezzo/Pizza Express, and the food is way better than any of those, IMO.

I liked the onein Bath as well - went there once with a friend, and had to send my main back as the menu hadn't mentioned shellfish (had fish of the day and it came with all manner of shellfish), to which I am allergic.They not only took my main away, but my friend's as well (hers was fine) so that we wouldn't be eating separately, brought us both new main courses (hers was definitely another one, not just the original kept warm) and then didn't charge us for either. That wouldn't have happened in Pizza Express.

Have to say I thought food in Glasgow branch was great with really helpful staff. Also quite enjoyed sitting in the bar with a cocktail for 20 mins.