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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed at table in restaurant?

49 replies

lookandshee · 21/12/2023 10:45

Me and my partner went to a nice restaurant last night for my birthday.
It's quite a expensive restaurant
The stuck us on a tiny two table which wasn't big enough for drinks plus food on the table.
We asked could we move to another table they said no as they had a table plan.
Basically it was a two table in the middle of another set of two tables.
We might as well of been on the other couples knee.
All the four tables were nicely spaced out yet because we were just a couple expected to sit here.
Ruined the meal for us
Aibu to think they should make the tables bigger for two people ?
It was that small they had to take the Christmas small lamp off to fit two cocktails and plates on.

OP posts:

MrsSkylerWhite · 21/12/2023 10:47

Would have insisted or left.

kitsuneghost · 21/12/2023 10:50

Absolutely agree
Hate the middle of the room 2 person table.

I complained on here before about WFHers hogging the prime tables just to be told that there is no such thing as prime tables. All tables are equal They are not.

Also went into a near empty restaurant last week. And got directed to the 2 person centre table. I moved and got shuffled back. We left.

Cosyblankets · 21/12/2023 10:51

Hate this.
Think i might have left too

Thejewellershands · 21/12/2023 10:52

We left a restaurant once because of this reason. We got there and all of the two person tables were next to each other with the smallest gap in between. I don't want to eat my dinner directly sat next to people I don't know, where we can all hear each others conversations

5foot5 · 21/12/2023 10:54

Me and my partner went to a nice restaurant last night for my birthday.

Sorry to hear that your birthday meal didn't live up to expectations. But now you know that restaurant isn't so nice after all so maybe don't go back?

I wonder if they were trying to fit in more tables than usual because of the time of year? Annoying for you when your birthday is so near Christmas. We have similar with our wedding anniversary because we got married on 14th February so it is difficult to eat out as everywhere gets booked up very early and usually yo find they are serving over priced Valentine Specials.

GrumpyPanda · 21/12/2023 10:56

I've also walked out of reserved meals in this kind of situation. Although I usually try to clarify ahead by phone. Those elbow-to-elbow seating arrangements are awful, just so grabby.

overwhelmed2023 · 21/12/2023 10:57

Actually had a similar situation for lunch the other day - empty tables for four sbd was led to a tiny two table next to a big family party/ nearly all the other tables were and remained empty! It was almost embarrassing how close I was to the family and hearing all their chat etc and also they were eating huge plates of meat and talking about off all - I'm veggie which is never normally an issue was just so close could smell all their food !! Was horrific haha

pikantna · 21/12/2023 10:58

It's not something that would make me do a dramatic walk out or anything. I just wouldn't go back.

BlueShed · 21/12/2023 10:59

I hate this. Similar happened to us when we stayed at the Pig on the Beach for our anniversary. Awful table, close to another couple on one side and being bustled past all the waiting staff on the other. Literally had a waiter's arse touch my glass when he tried to shuffle out of someone else's way. And to make it worse, it was also by the a staff counter thing which has a spot light that was glaring in my face. We couldn't go anywhere else because we were staying. I was so cross. Needless to say we didn't stop for pudding.

IDoLikeToBeByTheSea · 21/12/2023 11:00

You could book a table for three or four and just say the others couldn’t make it. More often than not, you still sit at the bigger table

Pipsquiggle · 21/12/2023 11:12

Obviously the restaurant was trying to maximise covers in the Christmas period.

I am assuming they have a different table configuration at other times?

Not sure I would walk out but I would definitely give feedback to staff. Don't really want to feel like I am at Wagamamas when I am paying top whack.

HighywayToHell · 21/12/2023 11:12

Everytime i go to a nice restaurant i always get stuck on the shit tables. Right next to the door, or the open window, or the toilet, or next to a massive family, or right next to the bar, or next to the servers table, Every blood time.

I prefer pub meals now where i can choose where to sit.

Greenpolkadot · 21/12/2023 12:56

I hate tables in the middle of the room..
If we book online i always ask for a side table,,or a quiet table,
If we havent done that and they try and usher us to a center table i refuse,,
I feel quite vulnerable sat there with people brushing past,

SummaLuvin · 21/12/2023 13:01

it not being big enough is really annoying. I hate it at tapas/cicchetti/small plates places that expect you to order 5-8 dishes per couple, but don't have the room on the table. So they keep bringing food and you feel you have to bolt it down just so they can clear space.

Applerumleandcustard · 21/12/2023 13:03

My top tip , if you’re seated at a too small table is …

When the waiter approaches with drinks / plates etc and there’s not enough space on the table to place them … do nothing , don’t move a lamp , table number , cruet etc

Just say yes , I think the tables too small

I know it’s not the waiters fault , but they must realise when laying up , that there’s not enough room

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 21/12/2023 13:11

You should have ordered lots of side dishes, water as well as alcoholic drinks etc. and forced them to confront the issue.

Edinburghguy · 21/12/2023 13:17

Yes, restaurant industry in dire straits and never been the same post pandemic. Many now a law unto themselves.

Pop on Trip Adviser and leave them a review.

JadziaD · 21/12/2023 13:27

I had a similar but slightly different experience last week. Wanted to book at last minute for a Friday lunch in town. Fair enough, preferred restaurant only offered space at the bar - seemed reasonable at short notice just before Christmas. When we arrived, there were plenty of tables free but just assumed they were reserved. Sat at the bar, which ws fine, but not as pleasant as a table would have been.... by the time we left 2 hours later, the tables had NOT been filled.

I wish they'd said to us - we actually have a table would you like that or do you prefer the bar.

If you really don't like the table you've been given, I think it's okay to leave. I mean, the restaurant might think you're a dick, but if you're spending a lot of money you want to be happy where you are.

Isheabastard · 21/12/2023 13:28

My ex and I were staying in a London hotel, it had a restaurant that had a famous tv chef.

We decided to give it a try. They gave us a small table that I felt was too close to other diners, my husband was ok with it.

We asked to move and they said they had no other tables, fair enough. We had a couple of drinks while we checked the menu.

But I couldn’t relax when the other (perfectly nice) diners were so close either side. When they came back for the order, we explained we wouldn’t stay and would leave as soon as we finished our drinks.

They then found us a much larger table down at the end of the room. Spacious and much quieter.

Ostryga · 21/12/2023 13:42

I will never, ever sit on a shit table, especially if I’m spending a fair whack! I either insist on a new table, offer to wait with a drink while another table finishes (this works better if you’re eating in the second sitting ie after 19:30 usually) or leave.

I work in restaurants, we can always come up with a solution, you just have to be willing to wait a bit.

Plus I would email the restaurant and let them know the seating plan is uncomfortable. They might jig it around a bit.

whirlyhead · 21/12/2023 13:47

I sat quite close to a couple at a table recently and it was obviously their first date (and he was a feeder!!) Myself and my partner had a fascinating time listening to their conversation - it was hilarious (we kept having to hide our hysterics behind menus, lamps, anything to hand).

So occasionally close together tables can be good.

Greenpolkadot · 21/12/2023 13:49

We were up in Newcastle christmas shopping and staying overnight, We booked for dinner at a lovely Indian Restaurant early evening.
They gave us a long side table that was dived off across the middle with plants and candles, Someone was sat on the other side but we werent close at all.
The table in front of us was a middle- of- the- room- table with a couple seated .
This was exactly as other posters described,,,no room for anything. They had wine ,,water,,,dishes of rice etc,,things almost got swiped off as a diner walked past . The couple looked really uncomfortable
Weboth agreed that if they had offered is this table we wouldnt have taken it,

ActDottie · 21/12/2023 13:53

I’d have left. We had this in a restaurant we always go to on holiday and I asked immediately to be moved.

Fortunately another table left and they moved us. Another couple turned up and got the small table… few minutes later when another table became available the also moved. And the cycle basically went on all night.

id have just left in your situation given they refused to move you.

Marwoodsbigbreak · 21/12/2023 13:55

I also would have left…

CalistoNoSolo · 21/12/2023 13:57

whirlyhead · 21/12/2023 13:47

So occasionally close together tables can be good.

That's really mean spirited of you and your partner, not to mention very juvenile. Its also sad that you and your partner have so little to say to each other that you're reduced to eavesdropping other people's conversations.

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