Booking a table at a restaurant

[wowfudge]

Is it just me, or is it really rather irritating when restaurants won't take bookings? Just tried to book a place I've been to before with colleagues and enjoyed for tomorrow night. Their website has an automated booking facility for parties of 6 or more, but asks you to email if there are fewer in your party.

So I emailed them. Reply: sorry, we only take bookings for parties of 6 more, but pop along tomorrow and if there's a wait for a table you can have a drink at our bar until there's a table ready.

Er, no - I wanted to be sure I could eat a nice meal when I wanted to!

Two restaurants that are considered amongst the best in London - Bara Fina and 10 Greek St - don't take bookings but people know they'll probably have to wait for a table and factor it into the evening. Neither have a bar so they're not trying to get more money out of you.

The food in both is divine, they are not 'casual' dining (but not formal either) and I'll happily wait for a table / place at the counter (Bara Fina only has a counter) at either.

Meh.

Some do, some don't.

I'd factor that into which restaurant I chose to go to, depending on the circumstances.

Can't seem to generate enough botheredness to think that one way is better than the other, just that they suit different businesses and different circumstances.