The Fat Duck, Bray - why so hard to book?

The Fat Duck, Bray - why so hard to book?

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Discussion

FunBusMk2

Original Poster:

17,911 posts

217 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
quotequote all
What does it take to get a table at The Fat Duck? The OH has tried from the second dates were released on online and is offered nothing but the waiting list. In fact, the whole booking system seems as clear as mud. I can well imagine demand being very high but seems odd that nothing is available now until new dates are released next?

I've just upset the OH though, and said if someone makes it so hard to eat somewhere I don't want to go anyway. Might see what availability at Royal Hospital Road is instead. ETA: Just learnt this is a 6 month wait for Friday night dinner.




Edited by FunBusMk2 on Tuesday 3rd January 15:39

ReaperCushions

5,949 posts

183 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
quotequote all
FunBusMk2 said:
What does it take to get a table at The Fat Duck? The OH has tried from the second dates were released on online and is offered nothing but the waiting list. In fact, the whole booking system seems as clear as mud. I can well imagine demand being very high but seems odd that nothing is available now until new dates are released next?

I've just upset the OH though, and said if someone makes it so hard to eat somewhere I don't want to go anyway. Might see what availability at Royal Hospital Road is instead. ETA: Just learnt this is a 6 month wait for Friday night dinner.




Edited by FunBusMk2 on Tuesday 3rd January 15:39
At least you can book, my local posh place (not Starred but very good) does a no booking policy, so you have to guess the best time to go and hope you're not sat around for an hour waiting.

I guess its saves them having booking not turn up, but its damn annoying for the rest of us.

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
quotequote all
ReaperCushions said:
At least you can book, my local posh place (not Starred but very good) does a no booking policy, so you have to guess the best time to go and hope you're not sat around for an hour waiting.
A lot of quite decent places in the US do that - but they seat the locals first. It's nothing to wait an hour at the popular places.

I suspect there must be some of that at the Fat Duck - I have a colleague who lives in Bray and has some sort of connection and has eaten there a few times.

Plotloss

67,280 posts

269 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
quotequote all
The trick is doing lunch at another restaurant. Both for Ramsey and Blumenthal.

We tried for months to get Hospital Rd back when they only had a 3 week list, no dice.

Lunch at Claridges, asked at the end of the meal for a Hospital Rd booking, no problem.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Plotloss said:
The trick is doing lunch at another restaurant. Both for Ramsey and Blumenthal.

We tried for months to get Hospital Rd back when they only had a 3 week list, no dice.

Lunch at Claridges, asked at the end of the meal for a Hospital Rd booking, no problem.
a double hit?

she'd love that

FunBusMk2

Original Poster:

17,911 posts

217 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Be nice. But not happening! I think one of the biggest factors is the fact there are about 12 tables and no doubt always high demand.

Decided on London for my Birthday instead. Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester is where we decided on.

dapprman

2,309 posts

266 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Timing and patience (plus an auto-redial button).

I've managed to book The Fat Duck twice, had to cancel both times, though got the table back on the second occasion with just a few days to spare (first cancelaltion was we had some drop outs and yuo book a specific table, they can't reduce the sizes, second was down to a death, buth the recent widower wanted to still go as it was his first time out since his wife's death and he was hoping it would help start him back on the road to properly dealinjg with his loss).

The trick is you need to start dialling just before the 10.00 booking line opening time, get on to the menu, then select the booking time just as it goes past the start of the hour and hope they do not turn the phonse on late - only discovered that trick by accident, but have had a fair few "we're not open yet" messages followed by joining every one else in with the 2 hours of dialling and hoping.

Another option is to look at midweek and lunch time - more chance then.

FunBusMk2

Original Poster:

17,911 posts

217 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Erm, you can't book by phone? It's through the website only.

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Have a many million pound marketing contract up for grabs and make clear the "unofficial" tender bonus round points. Wonderful place, the 7 of us could have had a basic new Beemer instead (I've not dared try and book for myself frown ).

dapprman

2,309 posts

266 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
FunBusMk2 said:
Erm, you can't book by phone? It's through the website only.
It's all changed then in the last year.

FunBusMk2

Original Poster:

17,911 posts

217 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Must have. Yep, all by the online system now. Is it the only Michelin starred restaurant to do this? It's the only one I've come across.

mattdaniels

7,353 posts

281 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Plotloss said:
We tried for months to get Hospital Rd back when they only had a 3 week list, no dice.

Lunch at Claridges, asked at the end of the meal for a Hospital Rd booking, no problem.
So to book a table in one of his restaurants, you have to eat in another one of his restaurants first and book from there?

He's not fking stupid is he. laugh

kiwifraser

4,386 posts

193 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
If you are wanting to eat in Bray, I'd suggest you try the Waterside. I have been to both, and the Waterside was the hands down winner for food and service.

FunBusMk2

Original Poster:

17,911 posts

217 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Nearly did. Very nearly did but Alain Ducasse and a weekend in the big smoke staying in the Westbury was the final choice.

I AM eating at the Waterside in the next 2 years though!

dapprman

2,309 posts

266 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
FunBusMk2 said:
Must have. Yep, all by the online system now. Is it the only Michelin starred restaurant to do this? It's the only one I've come across.
El Bulli did for it's final season.

Fatbloke

396 posts

279 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
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So bored of trying to book for either the "The Fat Duck" or "Dinner" by Heston Blumenthal

that we decided to go to El Cellar de Can Roca instead

Sent email with dates required

Booked

bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
FunBusMk2 said:
What does it take to get a table at The Fat Duck?
Perserverance, and date flexibility, I'd suggest. I tried in the summer for about 3 weeks solid, calling at 10am and all that. Absolutely nothing happening. The missus phoned up once in November and got a booking straight way - but it is for a weekday lunch sitting, there was (apparently) nothing else.

woody2846

1,367 posts

149 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
kiwifraser said:
If you are wanting to eat in Bray, I'd suggest you try the Waterside. I have been to both, and the Waterside was the hands down winner for food and service.
lick yes Waterside is much better!

Manners

74 posts

235 months

Wednesday 25th January 2012
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I tried booking a few times previously and gave up. However last year the other half managed to get a mid week lunch booking which was relatively easy to get by all accounts.

Have reservations at the waterside inn on a Saturday evening next month and that was straight forward to obtain.

Fun Bus

Original Poster:

17,911 posts

217 months

Monday 11th November 2013
quotequote all
Made it - got in on the back of a cancellation. Only found out about 4 weeks ago.

There on Thursday night - lunch will be at the Hinds Head, also owned by Heston B and is almost next door.