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.

Never been but DSis always books for 6 then two or more of her party have a babysitting emergency or similar

agree, lancaster

we had a xmas night in glasgow last year, we booked for that, about 12 of us

service was terrific, food was WAY better than expected, tons of it and really tasty

the vegetarians among us were esp happy, think they got the tastiest nosh

i'd go back. but only if i could book - hate waiting for tables too

Not cheap, not great, crammed tables. I went once would not go back. We checked trip advisor when we got back and it was rather damming!
I quite like the guy though and own several of his books.

sharrie the food was awful - I had some mushroom concoction that was supposed to be vegetarian but stank of fish, everything was swimming in grease, burnt or undercooked and flavourless, and the service was shit.

I wrote and complained and got sent some vouchers, but gave them away rather than ever subject ourselves to such a revolting experience ever again. I take my food very seriously.

I wondered whether that would be the solution notso! But does she have to pay a huge cover charge (like under-occupancy on holiday!) for the missing diners??

I would love to be able to book. I can't stand for long, and my energy is limited so even if they said 'it's a 40 min wait, have a seat and a drink at the bar' I'd be too bloody knackered to then sit and enjoy the meal. Really, really pisses me off, because effectively I can't now risk going for a meal at my local Jamie's Italian when I would realllly like to (although less so now after so many negative comments!)

I can imagine it's a pain in the bum too for anyone who has hired a babysitter.

Ok so went to JI Brighton this avo and as we rocked up about 4.30, they only had a few tables occupied. Food was really good, although service was a bit casual. I find it quite had to get eye contact from the staff though, they're not hugely attentive.
I think I'd only plan to go here at an off-peak time, or when I could book. I wonder if there would be any penalty in booking for six, and then just turning up as 2/3/4 and saying the rest of the party were ill?

Had a lovely lovely carbonara in the Bath one a few months after it opened; went to the Bristol one on a Saturday at about 6.30pm with DH and the two children (ds 4 and dd a few weeks old) and the staff were absolutely lovely to us but I ordered the carbonara because I had enjoyed it so much before and it was rubbish. Sorry MNer whose brother is chef. The stuffed tomato mezze type things were amazing though.

I would never knowingly line this man's pockets. Does he not have enough money? His sheer blatant out and out GREED makes me cringe.

The one in Oxford has a LOONNGGG queue outside it every lunchtime and evening.....I don't think its worth it. It's also right opposite PizzaHut and diagnoally adjacent to Nandos. I'd rather go to Nandos

The menu looks nice - better than Prezzo/Zizzi and the price is about the same. I may go to the Cheltenham one this week and take dd (a Jamie Oliver fan)

we've been to the leeds one a few times. i see it more as a lunch time place though than a fancy evening meal place iyswim. always found it decent, good food, good service, no wait.

I hate queuing - I'd never queue for a table at a restaurant if I could possibly help it. Customers should show some back-bone or they'll be walked all over !

I'd much rather go and find my own little up and coming Turkish restaurant (or whatever) like the OP. That sounds fab !

People should be more adventurous and not just follow the crowd [hwink]

YES! the less eating in chain restaurants you can do the better.

If you had a choice and could support a small local family business vs a chain, which would you rather do?

I don't see how it matters. Both create equal amounts of employment. I'll eat at whichever has the best food.

You wouldn't Georgie.

That's a bit lazy. Explain it then.

I don't think there is a decent local Italian in my vicinity - have eaten at a family owned Italian and it was a 70s style horror, all chianti bottles and stale tasting food.

Have to say WRT the Jamie's Italian in Bristol, it is near lots and lots of other restuarants, chain and independent, so that may well be why it was possible to walk in at 6.30 on a Saturday night and have no difficulty getting a table.

Oh just I have been around on Mumsnet a long time and had the understanding you were a capitalist? Perhaps a case of mistaken identity and if so apols.

Is there something wrong with being a capitalist?

I just like to see the little guys getting by and earning a living, rather than very rich people getting even richer. Its that simple. I'd like to see a more even distribution of wealth. So, yes, I guess, in answer to your question Georgie. Have you heard of anti-capitalism? There's a few people in favour.

Oh I've heard of it, I've had to hide my brother's FB status updates to hide his teeding on the subject. He is curiously happy with his new iphone 4 however.