Prom Spot - How To Make a Restaurant Reservation

If you're heading to a local diner, you can stop reading here. But if you're trying to nab a table at an upscale restaurant, you may have to do some fancy footwork. Here's how to find the right place for your group and make a reservation.

Choose a cuisine.
It's a good idea to find out what your date and friends like to eat. When in doubt, Italian and French are usually safe choices. But if you want to do something different, try Thai, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, or Moroccan. Always ask your buds about dietary restrictions (like nut allergies), and tastes -- some people can’t stand raw fish or anything spicy.

Read reviews.
A few good places where you can read real people's reviews (not some snooty critic's) are CitySearch.com, Yelp.com, and Zagat.com (you have to pay for that one, though). And don't forget to ask your parents and their friends for their recs as well.

Make sure the vibe is right.
Remember, it's not just about food. It's about ambience. Want to set the mood for romance? Find a place with a view. Want "atmosphere"? Book a table at a "sceney" place (cool clientele, people watching). Is your friend's date always loud and obnoxious? Avoid anyplace that's quiet -- you’ll be uncomfortable and stressed out.

Pick up the phone.
When you call the restaurant, you'll probably talk to the maitre d', host, or manager. It's important to specify how many will be in your party and the time you'd like to arrive (be prepared to be flexible by 15 minutes or so -- they may be booked at the time you request). You should also tell them when you have to leave, just so the waiter is aware of your time constraints.

Play nice.
Don't play the diva card and be rude or demanding when trying to get a reservation. Promgoers often get a mixed reaction: Restaurants may assume you're in the mood to party and will be less than enthusiastic to have you there. Show them that you're capable of being polite and responsible and the service will be better.

Confirm, confirm, confirm!
At in-demand places, never assume your reservation is a done deal. Here's the rule of thumb: Call two weeks before prom and then again the day before. Better safe than hungry.

Double-check your check.
If you're going with a larger group, make sure to check the bill at the end of the meal. Most restaurants charge an automatic 15 to 20 percent gratuity (or tip) for groups of six or more. So unless you really want to reward the waiters, scan the bill before you pay. Whatever you do, don't assume -- you don't want to stiff the servers either.

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