reverbbrad

Welcome reverbbrad.

I thought that most restaurants already charged an unusually high price on their holiday prix fixe menus.

While I am sure that there are places that keep the number of covers to a normal level (and I'm sure they'll let us know), you're asking a heck of a lot of owners (not to mention waitors and other staff) when you want them to turn down money. Plus, when someone complains, they have a built in excuse -- "Sorry sir, it's always this crowded on Left Handed System Analysts' Day".

Thanks for the welcome!

I didn't intend to ask restaurateurs to turn down money. I was wondering if you could make the same kind of profit by raising prices but accepting fewer customers. Since there is such a high demand for tables on these days, I bet some places could do it.

I don't think this would work for everyone, though.

Oh, and I'm not asking restaurants to change on my account. I haven't been in a restaurant for V-Day or Mother's Day since I worked them. I'm just curious if a different business model could leave both the customer AND the owner richer for the experience.

Many restauranteurs just pack them in in order to offset all of this. IMHO, it only exacerbates the problem and does a disservice to both the restaurants AND the patrons.

You know, I've always wondered why more restaurants don't go the opposite way: charge an unusually high pre-set price for the evening, and book somewhat fewer tables. Then, you get the extra cash for a big-ticket evening, but can attend to the diners' needs a little more adequately.

I'm betting that many good restaurants could charge double, and still keep an active (and profitable) room. That way, less stress/same cash. (Of course, it ain't my money that I'm betting).

Sure, there'd be some people that say 'What do you MEAN, it costs $150 to go to GOOD RESTAURANT?' But overall, I wonder if people would be happier.